Blog note. Jesus indicated
that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the
time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year
period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have
occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be
identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these
events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency,
size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a woman experiences in labor the
farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’
that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period
… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and
famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be
from heaven. (Luke 21:11).
… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and
in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea
and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)
… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after
those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be
shaken; (Luke 21:26)
… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. (2 Timothy 3:1)
Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for
as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such
prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded
history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a
large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes,
hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in
unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records
everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This
list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and
massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this
Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are
familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like
a woman having labor pains, growing in intensity, frequency, size and duration.
National emergency declared after fungus wiping out bananas across Asia is detected in Americas. ‘We are responding with everything we’ve got,’ say authorities.
The Independent. August 13, 2019
Colombia has declared a national emergency after a fungus that can devastate banana crops was found in its soil.
The Fusarium type 4 (TR4) organism was detected across nearly 180 hectares in the northeastern province of La Guajira, sparking a nationwide effort to increase sanitary controls to contain it.
Bananas are Colombia’s third-biggest agricultural export and the related plantain a popular domestic food source. Their lack of genetic diversity makes them vulnerable.
Bogota has been keeping its regional neighbours – also major banana exporters – apprised of the situation, according to the head of its agricultural institute.
In a series of tweets, Deyanira Barrero Leon said the police and even the military had been drafted in to combat the spread of the disease, alongside experts from Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil and Mexico.
“We are responding with everything we’ve got,” she said.
A 24-hour watch by agriculture officials and the Colombian air force is enforcing restrictions on the movement of crops.
She added that agriculture minister Andres Valencia Pinzon had travelled to Ecuador on Monday to brief representatives of 15 countries, comprising 85 per cent of the global banana market, on Colombia’s efforts.
TR4, which attacks banana plants’ roots and is popularly known as Panama disease, does not pose a risk to humans and should not affect exports, Ms Barrero said in a tweet.
A national emergency was declared last week following the discovery and quarantine of the fungus earlier in the summer.
Some 168 hectares of the infected crop have been eradicated already, Ms Barrero told journalists on 8 August.
The TR4 version of the Fusarium fungus has previously run rampant in parts of Asia and Australia, devastating plantations due to their monocultural nature.