The Rise in Global Food Prices Is Famine Inevitable

Recently as I looked at CNN, I saw a story that Walmart, one the United States largest retailer was rationing rice to its customers. I could not believe it. The US? Rationing rice?

According to the story, they were limiting the sale to four bags per member visit, which is still very good. Where I live, you can't even get rice and places where it is available are asking you to purchase other items before you can even get one bag.

When US retailers start rationing food, you know there is really a crisis on hand.

We cannot ignore it anymore. There is an emerging global food crisis and we must prepare ourselves for the worst.

According to the United Nations, the main reasons for the rise in food prices are as follows:

• Changing weather conditions
• The rise in oil prices
• Increase in farming of biofuels instead food crops
• Increase in the consumption of meat in growing economies such as China

Food riots in some countries recently also show that the situation is serious and if something is not done soon a lot of people in the world would starve.

Take a look at what some of the experts had to say about this emerging problem:

Josette Sheean, Director of the UN World Food Programme

"We are seeing a new face of hunger. We are seeing more urban hunger than ever before. We are seeing food on the shelves but people being unable to afford it."

Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank

"Food policy needs to gain the attention of the highest political levels because no one country or group can meet these interconnected challenges. We should start by helping those whose needs are absolutely most immediate. The UN's World Food Programme says that they require at least $500 million of additional food supplies to meet emergency calls. The US, the EU, Japan and other countries must act now to fill that gap - or many people will suffer and starve."

Lester Brown, President, Earth Policy Institute

"World grain harvests have fallen for four consecutive years and world grain stocks are at the lowest level in 30 years. If farmers can't raise production by (late next year) we may see soaring grain and food prices worldwide".

Dr. Brown made this announcement in November of 2003 when he launched the translation of his new book ‘Plan B, Rescuing a Planet Under Stress' in China. Dr. Brown knew what he was talking about because 5 years later it has happened.

Jesus told us that one of the signs of his return would be famine.

"... and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come." (Matthew 24:7-8).

"When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, "Come." And I looked up and saw a black horse, and it's rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. And a voice from among the four living beings said, "A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley for a day's pay. And don't waste the olive oil and wine." ...They were given authority over one-fourth of the earth to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals." (Revelation 6:5-6, 8).

According to Matthew, famine is just one of the signs that heralds his return and also a time of trouble that has never been experienced before.

Jesus told us to watch and pray for we don't know the exact time when his coming will be, but we must be prepared. Read the signs and know that it is not far off.

Famine already exists in countries on the African continent. Don't believe that it cannot happen here in the western world.