Are we on the brink of a global famine? Is it really possible that here in our most developed countries that we could find ourselves short on food? According to some of the world’s most powerful people, that answer is yes.
In the past two articles, I included a quote from Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, who warned the world about “famine, floods, pestilence, drought, plague, war, and rumors of war.” (Eve of Destruction: Klaus Schwab Pledges the World Can Find Salvation at Davos 2022)
But Mr. Schwab is not the only one making these dire predictions.
“French foreign minister warns of global famine”
“UN ‘concerned’ about risks of global hunger due to Ukraine war”
“With food prices climbing, the U.N. is warning of crippling global shortages”
Several things are converging at this point in time to create a “perfect storm” for the possibility of famine on a global level. As noted in some of the articles above, the war in Ukraine is raising concern as Ukraine has traditionally been a primary exporter of wheat. Major droughts, rapid inflation, fertilizer shortages, supply chain issues, and other pandemic related problems are all adding fuel to the fire.
“These 3 charts show the impact of war in Ukraine on global trade”
“Drought Negatively Impacting China, the U.S. and Europe, as Ukrainian Black Sea Exports Continue”
“Inflation Could Drive More Families toward Food Insecurity This Summer”
“Food shortages could be ‘just as deadly’ as global pandemic”
“Ukraine war piles pressure on global food system already in crisis”
“As sanctions bite Russia, fertilizer shortage imperils world food supply”
“Huge relief as Ukrainian grain shipped out, but the food crisis isn’t going anywhere”
“EU’s crop yield projected to fall”.
“Global rice supplies at risk amid harsh weather”
“Why India’s possible low rice production sparks worries over global food crisis”
In Matthew 24, Jesus told his disciples that there would be food shortages and wide-spread famine in the last days before his return.
And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
Matthew 24:7b (NKJV)
We also know that during the early months of the tribulation there will be warfare, rampant inflation, and famine, and that one fourth of the population would perish from warfare, famine, and disease. So it would be reasonable to assume that those pieces would be in place prior to those days.
Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.
Revelation 6:4-8 (NLT)
When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”
When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.
As with previous articles, it can become easy to worry about situations like this. However, while they are serious concerns, Jesus has promised to be with his followers until the end of time, and we can take comfort in that.
“’I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.’”
John 15:33
And as for the seven-year tribulation, the Word of God strongly suggests that the church, the bride of Christ, will not be here during that time. The purpose of the tribulation is to wake up the Jews, God’s chosen people, and have them acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. The secondary reason is for God’s judgement to fall upon a Christ-rejecting, fallen world in a final effort to wake them up to the truth of the cross. The Bible never indicates that believers will endure the tribulation but instead says that we should look to the future with encouragement!
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NLT)
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (NLT)
Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.
(2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 6-7, NLT)
And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.
In this last quote, the Thessalonians feared they had missed the “rapture” and were now in the seven-year tribulation. Paul comforted them by reminding them that the tribulation would not start until Antichrist was revealed and that although the spirit of antichrist was present, the final Antichrist could not be revealed until the “one holding him back” was removed. The one holding back the Antichrist is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit lives in believers. For him to be removed from this earth, believers also need to be removed. (For a more in-depth discussion on the rapture, please refer to the article “Vanishing People?”)
As believers, we can have hope in all circumstances – now and in the future – by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus!
God Bless!
Songs of Victory
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Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
