Dying Sealife - A Sign of Judgement?
10/25/2000, Vince Aquilino
Expect the Unexpected - Part 4
On Sep 21,2000 it was reported that Jellyfish are swarming through the northern Gulf of Mexico in unprecedented numbers, signaling an ecological shift that could mean sweeping and catastrophic changes for Gulf fish populations. Hordes of jellies are positioned in prime spawning areas just as breeding season for many popular gamefish kicks into high gear. Scientists say the animals have already started eating eggs and larva at an alarming rate. "I’m just dazed," Joanna Shultz, a fish larvae specialist with the National Marine Fisheries Service lab in Pascagoula, Miss., said after learning the extent of the jellyfish swarms, both inshore and offshore. "This is pretty serious. It could be totally devastating." This explosion of native jellies could, threaten the future of commercial and recreational fishery in the northern Gulf, scientists say.
But it is an invading exotic species, the spotted jellyfish, that scientists consider the real wild card. These 25-pound jellies have established themselves in passes between the barrier islands that divide the Mississippi Sound from the Gulf, creating a impenetrable wall that tiny larval fish, shrimp and crabs cannot pass through without becoming dinner for the invaders. Scientists report that the Australian jellies are proving to be incredibly efficient predators, scouring the water from the surface down to the bottom, consuming not only the eggs and larvae but also the plankton the larvae need survive. In the next few weeks redfish, speckled trout, white trout and Spanish mackerel will be spawning outside the barrier islands, their eggs and larvae drifting on currents that will carry them straight into the jellyfish.
Add to that the massive numbers of native moon jellyfish swarming far offshore in a major king mackerel and red snapper spawning area, and scientists begin to talk in terms of a "These guys are eating a hole in the water," said Monty Graham, a jellyfish scientist with the Dauphin Island Lab and one of only about 70 people in the world who study jellyfish. "It’s not just a jellyfish problem. It’s an ecological problem, and a bad one. When Graham first heard about the infestation (Australian Jellyfish) , he said he didn’t want to be an alarmist. That has changed. "I’m an alarmist now," he said, "but an alarmist with data." That data, obtained during a two-week research cruise in the Gulf, shows that the invaders have a predilection for eating fish eggs and larvae. And it shows that they have situated themselves in extremely high concentrations in the places where they could potentially do the most damage to fish stocks in the northern Gulf.
Then on September 26, 2000 that one of the largest toxic algae bloom in almost 15 years was spreading along a widespread area, from the Texas Gulf Coast all the way to the Florida Panhandle. The bloom, known as red tide, is large enough to be detected by satellite. (Is this a fore-picture of the sea turning to blood?) Millions of fish have been killed by the red tide. In 1986, a similar thing happened, with the toxic Red Tide finally killing an estimated 22 million fish within just four months.
Dave Buzan, of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said, "We do not have an accurate number yet. But we are estimating several million fish have been killed so far."
Then on October 14th, it was reported that this red tide had devastated Texas oyster industry, and had grown so large that it now showed up satellite photos as a swath of crimson red spanning 300 miles of Texas coastline. It saturated oyster beds, killed millions of fish, fouled beaches and made some people sick. The deadly algae produces a toxin that paralyzes fish so they can't breathe. It's called "red tide" because it turns seawater reddish-brown ( …and a third of the sea turned to blood?)
It us not just America that is experiencing unusual activity in sea. Millions of jellyfish in a swath 50 miles long and almost a mile wide has been located off the coast of Israel. In one of the strangest events recorded, on June 5th, the skies rain fish on dry southern Ethiopia. Drought-stricken peasant farmers tending their fields in southern Ethiopia were pelted by fish as millions of fish from the air -- some dead and others still struggling -- created panic among the mostly religious farmers. It is also noteworthy that Southern Ethiopia has been in the grip of a severe drought for two years which aid officials say threatens the lives of up to 8 million people.
Now let's get back to America. On September 26th, it was reported that Lake Mussels in Florida near Tampa have been contaminated with radium. And they fear that other Florida lakes could have the same problem. Five more lakes in the same area are currently being checked for high radium concentrations.
In California's Sierra Nevad waters a toxic mercury warning has been issued against eating fish caught in portions of California's popular Sierra Nevada foothills due to the finding toxic mercury contamination Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey found "elevated levels" of the poisonous heavy metal in as many as five reservoirs and seven streams in Placer, Nevada, and Yuba Counties.
The decrease in the Ozone layer, as reported in "Expect the Unexpected - Part 3", is also having an alarming effect on the ocean. Several years ago, in a direct field study in the waters south of Chile, there was a twelve percent decrease in the growth of plankton. The Ozone destruction has grown much worse since then. Recognize, that plankton is the basic food supply at the bottom of the ocean's food chain. This is a potential disaster in the making. If the bottom of the ocean's food chain is destroyed, famine (which is already a serious problem around the world) will greatly increase in incidence and intensity. The "birth pains" have begun. They will continue to intensify as the day of the Lord's return grows near.
According to one `Consumer Report", even ``farm-raised'' fish which only spend several weeks in ocean pens for breeding, are contaminated. ``Consumer Reports'' says that 90% of the fish tested contained mercury. Some clams contained high lead levels, and others contained arsenic. In addition, 45% of the salmon and 25% of the swordfish tested contained high levels of PCB's. PCB's seriously impair our immune systems, making us more susceptible to disease. Between the effects of UV radiation and the ever-increasing environmental contamination, pestilence and rampant disease will certainly escalate. The fulfillment of the Bible's prediction is clearly in view.
Every day, more then 40 million gallons of partially-untreated sewage are sent gushing into the ocean from New York City's Hudson and East Rivers alone. Since most of the fish live within 200 miles of shore, the world's richest fishing grounds are being transformed into open sewers. The effects of this environmental contamination is devastating to sea life. The great coral reefs off Florida and Australia are dying. These reefs support as many as 3000 species of plants and animals. Their ecosystems are being destroyed at alarming rates due to oceanic pollution.
To make matters worse, Russia has admitted dumping the nuclear plants of ten submarines and other nuclear waste into the Atlantic. What effect will this have? These are like ticking time bombs which will eventually go off.
What is the prophetic significance of these events?
…And a third of the sea turned to blood. (Revelation 8:8b) The two witnesses) "have the power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want." (Revelation 11:6) The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. "
(Revelation 16:3-4)In the above vision, what was John seeing? In Rev 8, it was apparently a meteor or comet that had landed in the ocean, but in Rev 11 and 16, John is apparently seeing some sort of plague on the waters which turned them to blood. Is what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico, and around the world a fore-taste, of these judgements? Are the oceans dying? Is sea life dying? Is the stage being set for these plagues? Perhaps, but God in Hosea sternly warns a nation that continues to shed innocent blood in the land that even the fish will be taken away:
"Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel, for the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all restraint, with bloodshed after bloodshed. Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea will be taken away. "Now let no man contend, or reprove another, for your people are like those who contend with the priest. Therefore you shall stumble in the day; the prophet also shall stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. "The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. They eat up the sin of My people; they set their heart on their iniquity. And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds. For they shall eat, but not have enough; they shall commit harlotry, but not increase; because they have ceased obeying the LORD.
(Hosea 4:1-10)God continues to warn America.
"The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom - We have heard a message from the LORD: An envoy was sent to the nations to say, "Rise, and let us go against her for battle" - "See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised. The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," declares the LORD.
(Oba 1:1-4)Jeremiah also brings a stern warning to any nation that refuses to hear and obey the Lord.
"But if any nation will not hear and obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, says the Lord."
(Jer 12:17)What is ahead for America if she will not repent:
"Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves. Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
(EZE 14:13-20)So much for the argument that God will spare America because there are good christians and churches in the land that send out Missionaries, etc. God is saying that even if you have the righteousness of Job, Daniel or Noah, only you yourself will be delivered from judgement; not your family; not your friends; only yourself. There is a teaching that says we have the imputed righteousness of Christ (which we do when we become a child of God AND ARE IN CHRIST -- that is walking in holiness), therefore I can live like the devil and still go to heaven. This is not what Jesus taught. He said either you are for Me or against Me. There is no middle ground. Jesus also said that if you love Him, you will keep His commands. Are you keeping His commands? Have you forgiven those who have offended you and spitefully used you? Are you still telling lies, stealing from your company, using the Lord's name in vain. Has your love for Jesus grown cold? Remember that Jesus tells us: ""I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth. "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked - "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' " (Rev 3:15ff)
Is America above military destruction? Note that the event that triggers military destruction (a sword upon the land) of a nation is that the "land sins" against God. Has America sinned against God? Please read the Three-part series entitled: "What in Heaven is Happening to America:
http://prophecyandcurrentevents.com/thglory/america1.htm
http://prophecyandcurrentevents.com/thglory/america2.htm
http://prophecyandcurrentevents.com/thglory/america3.htm
We must recognize that the Lord brings peace to a nation, but will also bring calamity. Our security resides in God only, not our national military and when God's wrath begins to fall, nothing will save us.
I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.'
(Isa 45:7)But some might note that America is a prosperous nation -- just look at the Stock Market. Is this "blessing" a sign of God's approval in spite of our corporate sin? You would think so to look at the stock market. As of this writing the Dow Industrials are once again in record territory; but this does not mean that God's blessings of prosperity is upon us because of our national righteousness.
"I spoke unto you in your prosperity; but you said, "I will not hear. This has been your manner from your youth, that you obey not my voice."
(Jeremiah 22:21)Recognize that about 100 years before God caused King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to militarily attack Israel, Israel had enjoyed the greatest run of material prosperity in her history. There were a few true prophets of God that warned the people that they would be destroyed if they did not repent, but the false teachers of that day pointed to Israel's national prosperity as "proof" that God could not be angry enough to destroy the country.
Sodom and Gomorrah, before God destroyed them, were exceedingly prosperous and they dominated the culture and the commerce of that day. [Genesis 13:10 and Ezekiel 16:49]
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and he will punish sin, both individual and national.
Throughout the Scripture, we see that massive national sin always triggers God's judgment.
God is continuing to warn America, but when final judgement comes, it will be sudden and without warning as the time of repentance has passed by. God often uses a wicked nation to judge a nation under God's judgment as Babylon was used to judge Israel. This is God's pattern of judgment. God used it in bringing physical judgment upon Israel on several occasions in the Old Testament and it will apply to the United States as well.
Nita Johnson and other prophets are echoing God’s cry for repentance, but is anyone listening? Nita recently indicated that it was too late for America to repent, judgment was assured, and the only thing intercession could do was to delay the inevitable.
What will you do with this information? Some will ignore it as "in the days Noah". Others will repent and seek God’s face before it is too late. Yet others will be overcome with fear and panic demonstrating a lack of faith in God and His provision for His children. Others will make prudent reasonable preparations for their families, their neighbors and relatives, and then get on with the Father’s business of soul winning before it is too late. What will you do?
Purify yourselves daily by the reading of the Word. Jesus is returning for a Holy and Spotless Church. ``Today is the day of salvation for many who are perishing; their tomorrow shall not see my return in glory to judge the living and the dead. Today is the day of their salvation." Don't delay. Time is short. You have no guarantee that you will even see tomorrow. If you die without receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your eternal destiny is fixed.
``It is now the hour to awake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith.'' (Rom 13:11)
As we see the signs of His return drawing close, what manner of holy life should we be living? Remember that Jesus is returning for a Holy and Spotless Bride. Whether His return is today or 10 years from now is irrelevant since eternity is only a heart beat away for any of us. So choose this day whom you will serve, ask the Holy Spirit to search you to see if there be any iniquity in you, and then call upon Jesus your Deliverer. He is faithful for forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unfaithfulness.
"Watch and pray, therefore, that you would be counted worthy to escape the judgment that is coming upon the earth and be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Maranatha!
How to Be Saved Through Jesus
Expect the Unexpected - Part 1
Expect the Unexpected - Part 2
Expect the Unexpected - Part 3
Expect the Unexpected - Part 4
Expect the Unexpected - Part 5
Matthew 24 -- Current Events and the Signs of the End of the Age -- Part 1
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