Take courage my fellow Christians, for the things prophesied in the Holy Bible are appearing in today’s headlines, and we need to be prepared for what is to come. This update on the news through a Biblical lens features events that Christ Jesus prophesied to His followers that would happen before He will return and the end of days (Matthew 24). One of the things the Lord God foretold would happen, if you can call it foretold as God, Jesus is not held to our parameters of time, so as God the Alpha and Omega, it would be a concluded event to Him. Today we are focusing on the famine Christ mentioned in Matthew 24 and the coming inflation on food and famine with the opening of the 3rd and 4th seals in Revelation Six.
Food Inflation – Shrinkflation
Revelation 6:5-6
“5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Food Prices Rising
As Christ predicted, we are experiencing the prices of food rise, and I have seen a dramatic rise in many products, with my food bill doubling over the past year. Have you noticed that many items are smaller than last year? I usually buy one package of chicken nuggets to have as the protein for dinner, but I noticed the bag seemed smaller, and I just shook my head as being silly. However, when it did not fill my family up, I looked at the bag and found out the amount had decreased from 16 oz to 12oz. I realized I was being hit by the company two ways because not only had the amount of food in the bag decreased but the price had increased. Evidently this practice is becoming so commonplace it has been named “shrinkflation.”
Not only do we see drastic price increase in food in the USA, but according to Bloomberg, this trend is happening worldwide,
“Corn prices have doubled in the past year, while soybeans are up about 80% and wheat 30%. The impact on grocery shelves can already be seen in surging tortilla prices in Mexico, beef in Brazil and retail palm oil in Myanmar. In the U.S., it’s more expensive bacon and other meat cuts.” [1]
According to NBC News,
“Shoppers had better start budgeting more for their groceries, according to the latest consumer price index, which shows prices are increasing — and they’re likely to keep going up.” [2]
Food prices outpace support
“Since June 2020, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) food price index has risen for nine consecutive months, with almost every food group setting new three-year highs in 2021. If the trend continues, food prices could begin to outpace income growth and monetary support from governments.” [3]
China
China has billions of people to feed, and the countries big appetite for food has caused food prices to increase in an already escalating market due to COVID-19,
“Corn, wheat, soybeans, vegetable oils: A small handful of commodities form the backbone of much of the world’s diet and they’re dramatically more expensive, flashing alarm signals for global shopping budgets. The most recent crop spikes follow months of price gains fueled by booming import demand from China. [4]
Kings of the East – Tribulation – Armageddon
That’s right, once again, we hear the name China. China affected the world with the COVID-19 virus, but I fear that China will continue to bring trouble. As believers, we need to pray and watch to see what will transpire. Will the Chinese need for food continue to grow until the Chinese go to war to obtain it? Only God knows that answer; however, we know that China is associated with the Kings from the East prophesied in the Bible. These kings will participate in the worlds greatest battle during the tribulation called Armageddon in the Holy Bible (Revelation 16). “At that time, the Euphrates River will be dried up, allowing the “kings from the East” to invade the Near East and march toward Israel. It is the “kings from the East” identification that many associate with China.” [5]
Revelation 16:12
“12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.”
Eagle vs the Dragon
The United States has stood as a bastion for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equality for all; unfortunately, America has eroded it’s freedoms through endless laws, regulations, and executive orders until we are becoming more like the surveillance land of China than a once free America.
In an article by Buck Saxton, we read more on the struggle between the United States and China,
“It’s China that we will really have to worry about… And this has been true for decades. China is by far our biggest competitor economically and militarily. With a GDP of almost $15 trillion, and boasting more than 1 billion people, China is the only real challenge to U.S. hegemony. Geopolitics in the 21st century will be dominated by a struggle between the American eagle and the Chinese dragon.” [6]
Black and Pale Horses – Famine and Hunger – Death
Luke 21:10-11
“10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”
Revelation 6:5-8
“5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”
Crop failures in the US – Major Drought
Crop failures due to drought or not planting in the US will adversely affect the food shortages, and hunger that is already facing much of the world,
“Farmers Warn Megadrought In Western US Threatens Devastating Crop Failures In 2021. If conditions do not radically improve soon, we are going to have a major agricultural disaster on our hands. Some farmers have already decided not to plant crops at all this year, but many others have decided to plant anyway knowing that if enough rain doesn’t come their crops will certainly fail.” [7]
Locusts in Africa – Eat Crops
To add to the shortages of available food in our world, Locusts have eaten crops in Africa. Remember in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, Christ warned us of pestilence and famine.
“Swathes of the horn of Africa were already experiencing severe problems as swarms of locusts have been attacking crops over several countries, in the worst such outbreak for 70 years. Before the coronavirus struck, at least 20 million people were estimated to be in danger of acute food insecurity.” [8]
Food Crisis
Hunger is on the rise as the black and pale horses from Revelation 6 ride the earth. In a report from the UN acute hunger is here now in several countries,
“Although the majority of the affected countries are in Africa, acute hunger is due to rise steeply in most world regions – from Afghanistan in Asia, Syria and Lebanon in the Middle East, to Haiti in Latin America and the Caribbean.” [9]
Famine
Starvation
In a confirmation of the words of the Bible we find that the UN warns of the escalation of hunger and starvation,
“Acute hunger is likely to soar in more than 20 countries in the next few months.. Families in pockets of Yemen and South Sudan are already in the grip of starvation, according to a report on hunger hotspots published by the agency’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme.” [10]
Covid Drives Hunger Brings Persecution
Open Door an organization that watches worldwide for Christian persecution and lessening of freedom of religion reports on food shortages and possible starvation of our Christian brothers and sisters in India.
“Local politicians, typically catering to the majority Hindu population, have left Christians in rural areas without the means of attaining food and risking starvation. In some cases, the officials deny the food outright, while in others they refuse to offer food to needy Christian families before serving all Hindu residents in an area.. The rapid rise in cases has increased called for a national lockdown, potentially worsening the situations putting minority Christians at risk of starvation.” [13]
The UN reports 30 million people near starvation,
“An estimated 34 million people are struggling with emergency levels of acute hunger known as IPC, ..meaning they are ‘one step away from starvation’. Acute hunger is being driven by conflict, climate shocks and the Covid pandemic, and, in some places, compounded by storms of desert locusts. “The magnitude of suffering is alarming,” said FAO director-general Qu Dongyu. “It is incumbent upon all of us to act now and to act fast to save lives, safeguard livelihoods and prevent the worst situation.” Over 30 million people ‘one step away from starvation’, UN warns.” [11]
Do Not Worry
God will Provide
Do not worry, my brothers and sisters for, God Almighty, the Creator of all things, knows what you need and will guide you in all things.
Matthew 6:25-34
“25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
What can I do
Pray
The Lord will show you the path that you need to take to provide for you and your family. The Bible tells us that we will hear the great shepherd, and who better to seek guidance than Christ (John 10:27). For God hears us and will answer our prayers, so ask the Lord, seek from Him, and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7-8).
Matthew 7:7-8
“7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Prepare
1 Timothy 5:8
“8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
With evidence of the food shortages and famine coming to our world, we need to prepare immediately. It would wise to curtail expenses and put the money into nonperishable food, so when you go to the store, you will have money to buy extra dry food, beans, and rice. Prepare for food shortages by purchasing dry food for your family. For a good article on Biblical preparedness, please read an earlier report by Arsenal of the King,
“To reiterate important steps: have a prearranged place for your family to meet, and in your safe room/house/ark, put food, water, medications, necessities, pet supplies, and first aid supplies. Remember good and bad times come in our lives, and the rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). However, we can lessen the bite of the bad times when we take heed to Biblical principles, plan ahead and prepare for our family’s specific needs. Brothers and sisters, the times ahead will be full of hardships, I implore you to get supplies that will keep you and your family safe.” [12]
However, there is no better way to prep for what is to come is to draw close to Him, Who loves you and cares for you (James 4:8). Meditate on Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Christ rose from the dead and has power over death loves you and wants you to prosper. Draw close to Him, and He shall draw close to you. Depend on your maker, call out to Christ Jesus, and know He will again stand on the earth. He is coming back to rule as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Call out to God, read His Word to find comfort and power. Pray to the most high, declare the name of JESUS for He is the name above all names (Philippians 2:9). Speak forth the mighty name of Jesus, for He is the Word of God, Who has no equal. Who spoke all things in place, praise His name for He is wonderful, counselor the mighty God (Isaiah 9:6). Praise the name of Jesus. Blessed be the Lord. God bless you my fellow Christians.
John 15:4-7
“4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Sources:
2. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/get-ready-higher-grocery-bills-rest-year-n1263897
3. https://elements.visualcapitalist.com/shrinking-portions-visualizing-rising-food-prices/
5. https://www.gotquestions.org/China-end-times.html
6. https://americanconsequences.com/chinese-checkmate-can-biden-slay-the-red-dragon-buck-sexton/
9. abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/appeals-55-billion-avert-famine-34-million-76390832
10. http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1382490/icode/
12. https://arsenaloftheking.com/2020/03/06/now-is-the-time-to-prepare/
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