Prophecy, plagues, famines, and fearful signs in Iraq

Yesterday I posted about the Euphrates drying up and the biblical language that the NY Times used in describing this event as part of coming judgment in Revelation. In addition to possibly being an indicator of the coming judgment described in Revelation, (The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east. Rev 16:12).

The scriptures also mention that there will be "great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21:11).

In Iraq where the Euphrates flows, there is plague...

As Iraq runs dry, a plague of snakes is unleashed
Swarms of snakes are attacking people and cattle in southern Iraq as the Euphrates and Tigris rivers dry up and the reptiles lose their natural habitat among the reed beds."People are terrified and are leaving their homes," says Jabar Mustafa, a medical administrator, who works in a hospital in the southern province of Dhi Qar. "We knew these snakes before, but now they are coming in huge numbers. They are attacking buffalo and cattle as well as people." Doctors in the area say six people have been killed and 13 poisoned.

And fearful signs from heaven...

Sand storms a further blow to Iraqi hopes
Iraq is experiencing the worst sand and dust storms in memory, blotting the landscape and the country’s prospects for economic recovery. Airports, schools and administrative offices have been forced to close and hundreds of Iraqis with respiratory difficulties have swamped hospitals. Two years of drought and a reduced flow of water in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are transforming farmland into desert, diminishing drinking water supplies and cutting agricultural production.

Massive Sandstorm Brings Iraq-Iran to Standstill
A massive sandstorm that spread across much of Iraq and Iran sent hundreds of Iraqis to clinics with complaints of sore throats, clogged eyes and acute asthma. Businesses in Baghdad closed during the blinding storm as reduced visibilities delayed air traffic in and out of the capital.

And groundwork for famine...

The Shrinking Euphrates
For two years, rainfall has been far below normal, leaving the reservoirs dry, and American officials predict that wheat and barley output will be a little over half of what it was two years ago.

And we do know from Revelation wheat will be in short supply, costing a day's pay by the time of the end. That the wheat crop is failing now should be no surprise.

These end times signs were given to us by our loving Lord as a warning for believers to look up and see the pieces coming together and gain hope and comfort each other. The signs were also given in love to unbelievers so that they may know the wrath is coming.

Ps 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
Ps 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Putting these pieces together between the bible's prophecies and the news of the day is a warning but also, I hope and pray, a blessing. The Lord is true on His promises and He will not delay. Do you know Him today?

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