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FAMINE. The land had been so contaminated by the great and bold display of idols that it caused the Lord to consider even the land to be polluted. Therefore, He would reach out His hand and crush or cause to cease the growth of their farms and gardens. Eze. 14:13 As long as they walked with the Lord, their land was to be blest and bring forth plenteously. But if they walked contrarily to Him, this was to be one of the consequences which would come upon them. Lev. 26:26 Food would be scarce and rationed. Jesus predicted not just a famine as one of the signs of His coming but multiple famines. Mt. 24:7 This too, is found to be one of the four horsemen loosed upon the face of the earth before the return of the Lord Jesus. Rev. 6:5-6 The price of food will have a very definite effect on the eating habits of the peoples of the earth. Even in America we are told that thousands go to bed at night, hungry. We havenít seen the end yet by any means.
DEATH AND HELL loosed upon the earth. An intensification of the previous seals causing one fourth of the population of the earth to be destroyed. Involved here would be the type of pestilence or epidemic spoken of in Ezekiel. Eze. 14:19 There are still many diseases of long standing for which medical science has not yet found a cure, let alone new diseases which break out, such as the swine flu. These are days to take refuge in the secret place of the Most High and know that there is deliverance in the Lord. Ps. 91:3-7 The BEASTS of the earth. This may be applied to most any form of life which can cause destruction. From insects to wild and even domesticated birds and animals. Not excluded are the fish and animals of the seas. Because mankind keeps encroaching on their territory, the two periodically clash.
In spite of these great judgments and all that would happen to them, there would be a remnant who would be brought through all that was to take place in the destruction of Jerusalem. Their sons and their daughters, those who were the youth of the land, would become the hope of a restored nation. Like the corners of their fields which were not reaped at harvest time and that which fell to the ground was not gathered, the Lord would leave for Himself a seed wherewith He could rebuild the nation and have a people for Himself. This new seed, the new beginning of the nation was to be a source of comfort. Eze. 14:22 The Lord reminded them that all these things were in response to their disobedience to Him. Exe. 14:23 We can do well by taking heed to all of these things.