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.
Desert Locust situation update: FAO appeals for urgent support to fight worsening Desert Locust upsurge in the Horn of Africa: Swarms invade the Persian Gulf and continue to breed in the Horn of Africa
The Big Wobble. February 26, 2020
Credit
Locust Watch
Desert Locust situation update
Swarms invade the Persian Gulf and continue to breed in the Horn
of Africa.
The situation remains extremely alarming
in the Horn of Africa, specifically Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia where
widespread breeding is in progress and new swarms are expected to form in the
coming weeks.
In the past few days, there has been a
significant movement of swarms over the Arabian Peninsula, unrelated to
the Horn of Africa, that reached both sides of the Persian Gulf.
In Kenya, swarms continue to
be reported in northern and central areas where they are mostly mature and have
laid eggs. Hatching is causing an increasing number of hopper bands to form
with new swarm formation expected in the coming weeks. Mature swarms are also
present along the shores of Lake Turkana.
Aerial and ground control operations continue. In Ethiopia, the situation is similar to Kenya with widespread swarms,
breeding and hatching in Somali,
Oromiya and SNNPR regions, including the Rift Valley. Movements further north
can be expected as well as from adjacent areas of Somalia and Kenya.
In Somalia, breeding
continues in the northeast where new immature swarms are expected to form in
about one week or so.
In Uganda, a mature swarm
arrived in the northeast from adjacent areas of western Kenya on 24
February.
In South Sudan, only
remnants of an earlier mature swarm have been seen in the southeastern county
of Magwi. A second mature swarm was seen near the border on 23 February.
In Tanzania, no new reports of
swarms. DRC (the Democratic
Republic of the Congo). A small group of mature Desert Locust arrived on
the western shore of Lake Albert near Bunia on 21 February
after crossing northern Uganda on strong northeasterly winds. The
country last received Desert Locust in 1944.
In Saudi Arabia, ground control
operations increased against hopper bands on the Red Sea coast and
immature groups and swarms in the interior.
Yemen. Another generation of
breeding is in progress on the Red Sea coast where hatching and early
instar hopper bands are forming. Immature and mature swarms were reported in
the interior during this past week. Surveys remain limited and control could
not be carried out.
Persian Gulf. During several days of strong winds, dense immature swarms
arrived in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and along the southwest coast of Iran between Bushehr
and Kish Island on 20-21 February. More swarms are likely during periods
of southerly winds. Control operations were immediately mounted in Iran. Locust
Watch
Control operations against locusts are underway in 13 countries, from India in
the east, all the way across to Mauritania in West Africa. The main threats are
in East Africa and Yemen, as well the Gulf states, Iran, Pakistan and India.
Most recently, locusts have been seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and
swarms have arrived in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, and along the coast of Iran.
The FAO has told us that in three of the worst affected countries, Kenya,
Ethiopia and Somalia, they estimate that at least 100,000 hectares in each
country need to be sprayed with insecticide. By the end of January, they were
substantially short of this target in the worst affected countries in East
Africa. Ethiopia 22,550 hectares Kenya 20,000 hectares (estimated) Somalia
15,000 hectares (estimated) BBC