Rice and the Beginning of Sorrows

Rice (Oryza sativa)

For quite some time, I have been explaining why the Great Tribulation will not begin this year (see Great Tribulation Will Not Begin in 2008).

However, as I have also commented, we may be near the time that Jesus referred to as the “beginning of sorrows”.

Now, in what seems to be an unprecedented move, rice is effectively being rationed by two large USA retailers:

Sam’s Club, Costco Limit Rice Sales

AP

Posted: 2008-04-24 08:20:40

The two biggest U.S. warehouse retail chains are limiting how much rice customers can buy because of what Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., called on Wednesday “recent supply and demand trends.”

This is in addition to moves by several governments throughout the world. There have even been reports that the USA government may get involved.

The broader chain of Wal-Mart stores has no plans to limit food purchases.

The move comes as U.S. rice futures hit a record high amid global food inflation, although one rice expert said the warehouse chains may be reacting less to any shortages than to stockpiling by restaurants and small stores.

Sam’s Club followed Seattle-based Costco Wholesale Corp., which put limits in at least some stores on bulk rice purchases.

Sam’s Club declined to say if this is first time it has restricted sales of bulk foods. The limits affect 20-pound bags, not retail-sized portions. Costco could not immediately be reached for comment on its limits or whether they are the first ever. http://money.aol.com/news/articles/shopping/_a/sams-club-costco-limit-rice-sales/20080423163209990001

Several governments have also reduced/eliminated exports of rice. And there are reports that the government of the USA is considering some type of restrictions on grain purchases. Rice is the major source of food for much of the Asian world. It is a vitally important crop.

In the Book of Matthew, Jesus taught:

And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:7-8).

And while there have been earthquakes in various places in the past week or so, there have not yet been major crop failures. Thus, we may be just before the time that Jesus referred to as the “beginning of sorrows”.

But, contrary to the claims of followers of Ronald Weinland (please see Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God), the Great Tribulation did not start on April 17, 2008, as other biblically required events have not yet occurred.

Furthermore, notice that it is not until another set of verses come to pass that Jesus says that the great tribulation will begin. Again notice Matthew 24:

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:21).

And while things such as limited rice rationing point to coming disaster in the future, at the most, currently we are near what Jesus called the beginning of sorrows, prior to the great tribulation.

Three articles of prophetic interest may include:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?