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 update: New swarms forming in Somalia and Kenya: Swarms hitting 20 countries spanning thousands of miles from the Western border of China to the Western coast of Africa Down the Horn of Africa to Tanzania
The Big Wobble. March 7, 2020
https://youtu.be/Ni12WIX2Wco
The Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is the most destructive migratory pest in the world. They are ravenous eaters who consume their own weight per day, targeting food crops and forage. Just a single square kilometre of the swarm can contain up to 80 million adults, with the capacity to consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. Large swarms pose a major threat to food security and rural livelihoods. FAO has long-standing expertise in monitoring Desert Locust populations and helping countries cope with this devastating crop pest.
New swarms forming in Somalia and starting in Kenya
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 starting to form, representing an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods at the beginning of the upcoming cropping season.
EASTERN AFRICA
Kenya.
Widespread swarm breeding continues in northern and central counties where an
increasing number of hopper bands are forming and, in the past few days, the
new generation of immature swarms have started to form. This may be
supplemented by new-generation immature swarms arriving from Somalia. Further concentration
is expected in Marsabit and Turkana. Aerial and ground control operations
continue.
Ethiopia.
Swarms continue to mature and breed over a widespread area of Oromiya and SNNPR
regions, including the Rift Valley. Cross-border movements continued to be
reported from adjacent areas of Somalia and Kenya.
Somalia.
In the northwest, late instar hopper bands and immature adult groups are
forming between Berbera and Burao. In the northeast, new immature swarms are
forming near Garowe. Some swarms may be moving south towards NE Kenya.
South Sudan.
The mature swarm was seen on 23 February near Laboni and the Uganda border
dispersed into many small swarms.
OTHER HOTSPOTS
Sudan.
Scattered adults are maturing on the central coast of the Red Sea. No locusts
reported elsewhere.
Eritrea.
Breeding continued on the central and northern Red Sea coast where groups of
hoppers and immature adults formed. A mature swarm appeared on the coast near
Massawa and laid eggs.
Saudi Arabia.
Ground control operations against hopper bands on the Red Sea coast near
Qunfidah finished on 26 February but continued against immature groups in the
interior between Wadi Dawasir and the Persian Gulf.
Yemen.
Another generation of breeding is in progress on the Red Sea coast where
hatching and early instar hopper bands continue to form. An immature swarm was
seen in Sana’a on 29 February. New breeding was seen on the southern coast near
Aden were early and late instar hopper bands were present, the latter forming
immature adult groups. Control could not be carried out.
Oman.
Breeding continues on the north and east coasts where hopper groups and bands
have formed. Swarms were reported recently on the north coast.
Iraq.
Swarms were reportedly flying in the southeast between Basrah and Nasiriyah.
Iran.
22 immature swarms spread out along the southwest coast between Bushehr and
Bander-e-Lengheh in Fars, Khozestan, Bushehr and Hormozgan provinces where they
quickly matured within four days to lay eggs. Local breeding continued in the
southeast. Control operations are in progress.
Pakistan.
Mature adult groups and swarms were seen copulating in Okara district of Punjab
and Dera Ismail Khan and Lucky Marwat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Spring
breeding is in progress in the interior of Baluchistan between Khuzdar and
Dalbandin, and on the southwest coast near Turbat where adult groups are laying
eggs and early instar hopper groups are already forming. New generation
immature groups and swarms could start forming in Baluchistan by the end of
March.
Afghanistan.
Three swarms reportedly arrived in Khost province from adjacent areas of NW
Pakistan on about 21 February. FAO