Foreshadow Now, ‘Season of the End Times’:
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.
‘Killing with the Beast of the Earth:’ Covid-19 crisis puts South African RHINOS & other wild animals in danger as tourism industry goes off a cliff. Think ‘Jurassic Park.’
5 Apr, 2020 15:39 RT
The South African ecotourism industry, globally popular for hunting and wildlife viewing, has been plunged into crisis amid the global shutdown, which can lead to a spike in wildlife poaching and farm attacks.
The sudden stop in cash flow means that vital funding of conservation programs is at risk, including anti-poaching, research projects, and endangered animal protection initiatives across the country.
The South Africa travel and tourism industry was, until now, one of the fastest-growing sectors in the economy, with the most recent statistics showing 1.5 million jobs and a total overall contribution of $22 billion. Its loss is a potential death blow from which many private game reserves may not recover.
Thousands of rural families involved in ecotourism face untold hardship. Workers in private reserves can earn more than $10 a day (nearly R200) which is a good income for them.
Game reserves hire anything between 20 and 300 rural workers, depending on size and season. Most workers live in nearby informal settlements and support large families.
While the controversial hunting industry has come under fire in recent years, the industry is seen by many as a source of income, drawing 10,000 foreign hunters to the country per annum. Animal trophy prices differ between the safari outfitters, but usually a hunter pays up to $12,000 (6+6) for bucks and $100,000 (5+5) for big game packages such as elephants.
Many consider hunting a bloody business and might think that its decline is actually good news. But the industry helps sustain the livelihood of the farms, allowing the funds to be used to support upkeep and anti-poaching efforts.
During an interview with RT, Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) President Dries van Coller warned that the estimated 11,000 private safari and hunting parks across the country were expecting to see a surge in lawlessness.
“I am certain there will be job losses. Most of these reserves fund entire rural communities. It is part of our sustainability projects. The spinoff impact is frightening.”
He said he was expecting a surge in poaching of all animals and possibly an increase in farm attacks as rural unemployed people become desperate for food and money.
Van Coller said: “From simple stock theft (stealing of sheep) to your more common poaching, this will escalate as there is no income. Farm attacks and similar crimes are fueled by money.”
Also, because most farms and game lodges are isolated and far from police stations, they are seen as soft targets. Last year, the South African civil rights organization AfriForum said that they recorded over 550 (5) farm attacks.
Stock theft already costs the country over $50 (5) million in losses each year.
“We work on eco-sustainability programs which consider several factors. Wildlife animal management, if done correctly, can be used to generate funds for conservation projects. Hunters donate to funds that sponsor rare species preservation, anti-poaching initiatives, rural community initiatives, and other conservation projects,” van Coller said.
The success of the Save the Rhino campaign is an example, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature reporting black rhino numbers increasing from 2,500 in the 1990s to more than 5,600 today.
But now the threat to rhinos is increasing as fears mount of a potential surge in demand for rhino horn – and other illegal wildlife products – at a time when anti-poaching measures are drastically weakened by the loss in revenue.
Van Coller said with the loss of revenue, all conservation programs will now need to be revised
The South African hunting industry draws about 45 percent of their international hunts from the US and the remaining 55 percent from Europe and surrounding countries, said van Coller, who also owns a reserve.
The 19 state-run parks, which make up 67 percent of reserves totaling four million hectares, are unlikely to feel the cash flow issues because of government support. But private parks which operate hunting, safari, and game lodges face potential ruin.
One international award-winning luxury private reserve, Kariega Game Reserve, which offers ecotourism packages and does not allow hunting, said that all parks across the country had been forced to close.
In an interview with RT, owner and director Graeme Rushmere said that the game reserve industry relied heavily on European tourism to survive.
“Tourism ultimately funds almost all reserves like ours. Whether it is hunting or eco-tourism, we are all hugely impacted. Currently, we have sent our 270 staff members home and those who live on the reserve are still doing what they can. Everyone is in survival mode. To go from 100% revenue down to zero overnight is like going off a cliff,” he said.
“Almost all the reserves across the country are closed and some operating with minimum critical staff. In our case, everyone is pitching in.”
Rushmere said that most of their guests come from Germany, the UK, and other European countries.
There is a worry of increased poaching across all (safari parks) but many have also prioritized anti-poaching units,” he added.
“The worry is for how long can this be sustained. The poorer rural communities are hard hit and we are currently arranging feeding schemes to try to keep mouths fed.”
Former Endangered Wildlife Trust director and African Hunting Gazette columnist Dr. John Ledger has suggested that reserves give local communities access to controlled hunting of non-threatened species to survive. This will prevent crime and limit poaching.
(Night Watchman Note: What will happen when millions of Christians suddenly ‘disappear’ in the ‘twinkling of an eye”??? Those who may be first-responders, doctors, nurses, support staff, policemen, firefighters, homeless volunteers, those in the red cross or other emergency aid and relief organizations, in the national guard or military, pharmacies, grocery stores, etc. You get the picture.)
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Jesus Christ’s Offer of Salvation:
The ABCs of Salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb)
A. Admit/Acknowledge/Accept that you are sinner. Ask God’s forgiveness and repent of your sins.
. . . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).
. . . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10).
. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).
B. Believe Jesus is Lord. Believe that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be; that He was both fully God and fully man and that we are saved through His death, burial, and resurrection. Put your trust in Him as your only hope of salvation. Become a son or daughter of God by receiving Christ.
. . . “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:15-17). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).
C. Call upon His name, Confess with your heart and with your lips that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.
. . . “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).
. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (John 1:8-10).
. . . “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (John 2:2).
. . . “In this was manifested the love of god toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:9, 14-15).
. . . “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10).
. . . “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).
. . . “Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).
. . . “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16).
. . . “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts: 4:12).
. . . “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:4-6).
. . . “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
. . . “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12).
True Church / Bride of Christ Spared from God’s Wrath:
Romans 5:8-10. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Romans 12:19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 5:9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Jeremiah 30:7. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Categories: Uncategorized