By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Saturday Morning Post #247 ~
I never would have thought there would be a baby formula shortage in our country. Indeed, we live in a strange new world. So much has happened in our country and in the food industry in the past year that’s contributing to this specific problem. On a broader scale, we are hearing about increasing food scarcity around the world, and this could lead to famines, which God predicted would increase in the end-times.
Let me share why many people are thinking there could be food scarcity and famines:
* There’s the Russia / Ukraine war, which directly affects the growing of wheat, one of the most important foods in the world, and Russia is one of the primary exporters of wheat. Not only that, but wheat prices have doubled in the past two years.
* Russia has also been a leading producer and exporter of fertilizer, and because of the war, it’s harder to get, and when people do get it, it’s much more expensive. This is severely impacting farmers and their ability to grow all the food that people need.
* Fossil fuel shortages are resulting in greatly increased fuel prices. And farmers need fuel for tractors, and shippers need it to run their trucks and trains. These growing fuel costs lead to increased transportation costs, which lead to higher food costs.
* Supply chain issues are dramatically affecting the shipping of food ingredients, parts, computer chips, cars, commodities, etc. More than ever before, we live in an interconnected world, and no nation can exist on its own – one country depends on the goods and services of other countries.
* Inflation is the worst it’s been in forty years, and it’ affecting everyone, especially the poor. There are many reasons for this inflation, but the net result is rapidly increasing prices for food, gas, and most everything else. And this inflation is being seen in most countries around the world.
* Even our own President said there would be food shortages, and this was back in March. And just a few days ago, Bloomberg News said, “the age of scarcity begins…”
We are seeing the perfect storm as it relates to food shortages. The supply of food is going down – there’s food scarcity, and the price of food is going up – there’s food inflation. This is a huge problem. This is when we see empty shelves. This is when we see food protests, which has been happening in Sri Lanka and Chile. This is when we see famine. Now food shortages, food inflation, and famines are a greater problem in poorer countries, for there isn’t as much food to begin with, and a greater percentage of a person’s income is spent on food.
I readily admit that I don’t know for sure what’s going to happen with respect to these food problems. It may not end up being that bad, but it could be catastrophic, particularly in poorer countries – only God knows. What I do know is that there have always been food shortages and famines. What I also know is that God prophesied that there will be more famines in the end-times. And if it weren’t for the fact that we now live in the end-times I wouldn’t even be writing this post.
How do we know we live in the end-times? Because God’s word tells us. That the Jews have been gathering back to Israel, from about 25,000 people in the 1880’s to 6.9 million in 2022, is evidence that we live in the end-times. (Ezek. 36-37, Luke 20:21-24). During these final years leading up to Christ’s coming, there will be “birth pains.” Jesus tells us, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places, plagues and famines.” (Matt. 24:6-7, Mark 13:7-8, Luke 21:10-11, Rev. 6:1-8). As we look at the world around us, it’s obvious that we are having “birth pains.” We shouldn’t be surprised by the recent plague (Covid), the present war (Russia – Ukraine), the present food scarcity and famines, and by future earthquakes.
There is much more that needs to be said about famines in the end-times:
* These famines won’t occur all over the world, but only in various places. What happens in the United State will probably be different than what happens in other countries. Matt. 24:7
* Birth pains are not always independent of one another. For example, wars, plagues, and earthquakes can contribute to and exacerbate famines.
* Famines often occurs in conjunction with inflation. With regards to famine in the end-times, Rev. 6:6 says, “A quart of wheat for a denarius.” This means wheat, and all foods, will be very expensive, for in the 1st century, a denarius was equivalent to a day’s wages.
* In reference to the birth pains, which includes famines, Jesus says, “All these things are merely the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8). Many more birth pains and, therefore, many more famines, will be taking place before Christ returns to rapture the church and then judge the world.
* Famines affect the poor more than the rich. That’s because poor people don’t have the money or the means to get the food they need when there’s famine. Rev. 6:6, in the context of famines, says, “do not damage the oil and the wine.” Oil and wine are considered luxury foods, and the idea is that a rich person can buy whatever he wants during a famine, but not a poor person.
* Many people will die because of these famines. “Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence.” Rev. 6:8
* Both believers and unbelievers will be affected, and will suffer and die because of famines.
* God wants famines to wake up the world, to alert Christians about Christ coming to rapture the church, and to warn unbelievers about Christ judging the sinners who are left behind on earth.
What should Christians do with regards to what’s happening in our world at this time?
* Be awake and alert, for it won’t be long before Christ returns, and in the meantime, you have work to do. 1 Thess. 1:9-10, 1 Thess. 5:4-9
* Be prayerful and very thankful with regards to food, and how your heavenly Father graciously meets your needs. “Give us this day our daily bread.” Matt. 6:11, 1 Thess. 5:18
* Stock up on food, especially canned goods and dried goods. This is a very easy and important thing to do. In fact, the expiration date for most canned goods bought today is 2024. 1 Chron. 12:32 – “The men of Issachar understood the times and knew what they should do.” Prov. 6:6-11 – “Go to the ant…”
* Store up food, not just for yourself, but for others. When times are difficult, you want to be in a position where you can help others, especially those who are poor. Acts 20:35, Gal. 2:10
* Remember what’s most important. What people need more than anything else is spiritual food. Share with people the word of God. “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Be satisfied by Jesus, who said, “I am the bread of life.” John 6:48
* Share the gospel with the lost. “Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst'” (John 6:35). “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end shall come.” Matthew 24:14
P.S. This is the time that God has chosen for you to be alive, and to do the work He has planned out for you. Therefore, it’s important that you know that we are now in the birth-pain stage of the end-times. I want to encourage you to read these two other posts, “The World is Having Birth Pains” and “How Then Should We Live in the End-Times?”