Australia: Locusts on a “Biblical Scale”

Young Grasshopper

Australia’s locust problem may be getting worse:

An ancient enemy looms in legions of biblical scale

Sydney Morning Herald – Nov 14, 2010…

”We believe there will be another breeding event in a month or so,” says Mr Walker. ”And they’ll breed again in autumn. What we’re concerned with at the moment is the imminent swarming of this generation, the impact of which is being seriously underestimated in the cities.”

The plague locust is a species of grasshopper that normally occurs in very low numbers throughout Australia. According to the DPI’s head entomologist, Mali Malipatil, they usually live a solitary existence. But once numbers multiply, ”they undergo a behavioural change and start to band together”. Once they hatch, the hoppers move through five phases (or instars) of development. In the third and fourth stage they band on the ground, and move like an army, eating vegetation in their path…

Another hard reality is that many areas of the state can’t be treated. Shane Southon, a ranger at the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, says ”we’re trying to get as much done as we can before they begin to swarm, but there are plenty of gullies you just can’t get into. You have to wonder how much good you’re doing. You have to do something to slow them, but that’s all you’re doing.” http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/an-ancient-enemy-looms-in-legions-of-biblical-scale-20101113-17rwx.html

Locusts invade Melbourne

“Melbourne commuters marvelled on Friday at locusts landing on the streets of Australia’s second-biggest city. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) warned pilots that swarms made flying hazardous.” IOL – Nov 12, 2010 http://www.iol.co.za/news/science/locusts-invade-melbourne-1.746627.

The problem may be worsening in Australia. Locusts destroy vegetation, and hence can cause food shortages that drive up the cost of food.

Pestilences (like locusts) and famines are, according to Jesus, expected:

6 See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8)

We may be very near that time. But the end (meaning the Great Tribulation) is not yet. LCG mentioned in its update yesterday that food prices are rising:

Global Food Prices Continue to Rise. In September, the United Nations called a special meeting to address the global rise in food prices. In July and August alone, worldwide food prices rose 5%. Droughts in Russia’s wheat growing region prompted a continuation of its ban on the export of wheat outside Russia. Simultaneously, lower corn yields in the U.S. led to a record-high trading price for corn for the year. Spikes in the prices of wheat, sugar, and oilseed have also been witnessed (Associated Press, September 3, 2010). Producers are now starting to pass on more costs to consumers—costs they were previously absorbing. Growing populations in India and China are also putting an additional strain on global food supplies, as these nations cannot support their own people (Empowerednews.net, November 4, 2010). Recently, the UN noted that 1 billion people worldwide are currently undernourished. God also prophesied that at the end of the age, famines, pestilence, drought, war, and other economic factors would lead to extremely expensive food prices, especially for grains and oil (Matthew 24:6-7; Revelation 6:5-6). Rising food prices and the potential for shortages, although challenging to deal with, are most certainly a significant “sign of the times.”

The Great Tribulation is coming, but not for a few years. But many difficulties, including famines and pestilences (Matthew 24:7) are expected BEFORE the Great Tribulation begins (Matthew 24:21). Australia, despite is relatively booming economy, will be affected by the difficulties ahead–and may just start to be.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What happens in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the Day of the Lord?