Posted on 01/17/2011 9:43:21 AM PST by GiovannaNicoletta
The world is steadily moving towards a full-on food crisis. During the past year, global crop yields have suddenly declined. I've been watching grain production for decades, and I've never seen a time when bad luck seemed to be the only bumper crop.
In my October NM update, I listed seven events that have occurred in 2010. Those reports dated from last summer. We're months away from a full year of misery, and here are three more events to add to the list:
Corn stockpiles are among the lowest levels ever recorded. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a report that shows just 745 million bushels of corn will be stockpiled by August of this year. That's down from about 1 billion bushels in August 2010. Our stockpile level is now at 6 percent. Normally, we like to keep those levels above 10 percent.
Our problem with food supply is not just the result of short-term weather issues. The global demand for grain has been rising, pushed up by population growth and the switch to more meat-heavy diets. Urban development, particularly in the third world, has steadily taken land out of production.
Grain production can only increase by so much. We have made amazing strides towards increasing yields, but this trend cannot continue. One of biggest problems is limited water. Some of earth's most populous nations are facing an irrigation crisis. India has essentially tapped dry the water table in its main agricultural regions since embracing industrial agriculture in the 1970s. In China, 130 million people owe their sustenance to grain produced by over pumping groundwater.
Global food prices have spiked to near all-time highs. The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization warned last week that the world could see a repetition of the 2008 food crisis if prices rise further. Price hikes have already led to riots in Algeria, Mozambique, and Tunisia.
I recently learned that the survival food business is experiencing a huge boom. The makers of freeze-dried goods have such a huge backlog of sales, they are warning customers that they may have to wait as long as forty-five days before their orders get filled. I recently spoke with a representative of one firm, and he told me that this is their busiest time since the days before Y2K.
Most people don't realize that mankind has been in a food bubble during the past few centuries. It wasn't until the twentieth century that the availability of food was replaced as one of life’s top priorities. In the western world, people in our generation are more worried about whether they have the latest and greatest smart phone than they are about where their next meal is coming from.
Right now, there is only a fifty-three-day supply of food in our nation. The shelves at Wal-Mart and other large retailers may seem endless, but that is only an illusion. Since there are no warehouses in the back of stores today, the shelves would quickly empty in any type of emergency.
My study of Bible prophecy has me very concerned about food production. We are already warned that the Tribulation hour will be a time for profound famine. The birth pangs are probably a more immediate concern. Farming requires relatively stable weather conditions, so our closeness to the end times may be the source of our current problems. Since our earthly bread is doomed to be in short supply, it would be wise of us to place our trust in the One who came as the Bread of Life.
“When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’ And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!’” (Revelation 6:5-6).
Which is why crisis comes suddenly to them. No preparation. and of course there is the threats of the 'have nots' to those that did prepare. When it is life or death, there are no holds barred.
We know crime is wide spread and a serious matter now. What will happen in times of starvation? Will there be law enforcement? Army protection to keep order or will the few elites simple withdraw to some secret protected areas?
Interesting idea, how to put our self in a good circumstance somehow. What is your idea in these times?
In all seriousness, as long as we are using corn to produce ethanol I’m not worried.
Last rain here in NW Arkansas was in October. A little snow and ice, not enough to even wet the ground. Usually at this time we would have ankle deep mud.
We may not have a garden this year due to dryness. Last year’s garden was also a failure.
I’ve got a bad feeling about this year’s growing season.
Many people today are just trying to survive. I am ill and can’t work and my husband is the breadwinner and we don’t look to buy much except food, home expenses and medicines. We will both turn 60 and pretty much believe that there will be NO SS for us and if something happens to him, I will have no where to go. We are not the only ones who are just getting by in life! We pay for HC that is so costly and then we are getting fewer and fewer benefits, it’s almost cheaper to die. lol But that is up to God. Already since this month our doctors fees are higher, cheap drugs are going higher, I wonder what is going to happen to us all and I get scared for people like my in-laws who are elderly. Pray and trust.
ALASKA might be the answer. Definitely not for the weak or old. It is plentiful with resources. My cousin has lived in Anchorage for about 25 years and loves it there.
Just when I thought I couldn’t get anymore depressed.....I read an article like this!
Figures. Another opportunity by another prophecy pimp to twist current events into a Futurist Fantasy.
Beware: Rapturenaut Scare Tactics® at work.
We are already warned that the Tribulation hour will be a time for profound famine.
Jesus warned the generation of His day about famines accompanying the “days of vengeance” that happened in AD70. It’s ancient history, FRiend. There are no identifiable future famines in the Bible.
(Revelation 6:5-6).
If you take the time and read it carefully, Rev. 6 says nothing about a famine, worldwide or otherwise.
Get back to me when you’ve repented and have stopped changing and re-defining the Bible.
Rev 3:17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'..."
If your interpretation is correct, you shouldn't have to worry about having any needs....
Matthew 24:38-39For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark...
Luke 17:28-29 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
We read that "two women will be grinding" and "two men will be in the field", so clearly the food industry is doing fine.
Given your own interpretation of the texts, which you should have memorized by now consider:
Luke 21:34-36 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with ...[the] cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
For a people who scream "blasphemy" and "heretic" at those of us who are not in a constant state of fear, you folks sure don't mind your own prooftexts.
Is it possible that the terror and fear is like an addicting drug and you are just jonesing for another fix?
LOL!!
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