The United States is done being the world’s policeman. Eventually, our navy will stop defending global shipping lanes and we’ll no longer give the world unrestricted access to our market. With an energy-independent United States gradually withdrawing from global affairs, the next several years are going to be a mad scramble for resources and influence amongst the world’s regional powers. Without unrestricted access to the American market and without the US Navy to guarantee the safety of international shipping, get ready for a more chaotic world, in particular a more chaotic Middle East. All of this will undoubtedly damage global food supply chains.
A little while back, an agreement was reached between the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) and Russian sovereign wealth fund RDIF. SALIC is looking to invest in Russian agricultural projects. According to Reuters, Russia and Saudi Arabia “also signed a memorandum on expansion of mutual food exports.” This is significant because the Antichrist, the leader of Russia during the end times, uses food as a weapon in the Middle East.
If this seems crazy, consider that Russia occasionally bans grain exports to protect its domestic supply. Reuters reported that the ban in 2010, brought on by a drought, “was partially responsible for triggering social unrest and a revolution in Egypt as more than 500,000 tonnes were not supplied.” While that wasn’t necessarily intentional, food can certainly be weaponized.
Daniel 11:24 prophesies that the Antichrist will distribute plunder and goods to his followers. Apparently, food shortages will play a role. Jesus said there would be famines during this time and the third seal in Revelation 6:5-6 depicts economic distress. The black horse represents depression and the scales represent rationing. By conquering land and taking plunder, the Antichrist will become very wealthy and have a large food supply. It’s going to come in handy. In any case, what might trigger these famines Jesus prophesied about?
Besides supply chain disruption, another possibility is widespread crop failures. Those who believe in man-made global warming, the modern mythology that our consumption patterns are destroying the planet, would be surprised to learn that sun-induced global cooling is a much bigger threat. That is to say, it could actually happen.
In fact, recent measurements show that “sunspot counts and magnetic activity were expected cyclically to fall from a high of over 100 in 2014 to a low of zero in 2022.” Amazingly, “the sunspot count plunged to zero in mid-2018” and this “could indicate onset of a super-cycle ‘Maunder Minimum.’” This last occurred in 1645 and lasted until 1715. The period had 7% less sunspots, massive global cooling and it’s widely known as the “Little Ice Age.” Across northern Europe, there were “widespread crop failures” along with “famine, disease, and increased child mortality. London’s Thames River froze over most years during the period.”
Regardless, whether global cooling takes place or not, food supply chains are going to be extremely vulnerable in the end times.