Examiner 06-08-2012: Arizona losing real hunger games

Arizona is above the national average when it comes to kids going hungry according to a recent report. Feeding America, a National organization committed to feeding America's hungry released their report this week which shows Arizona has tied with Oregon for last place in feeding its hungry kids. According to the Phoenix Business Journal, 29 percent of Arizona children suffer from what is referred to as food insecurity, defined by the USDA as those with "limited or uncertain access to adequate food.”

Unfortunately, this percentage rate has slightly increased from the 2009 Report. In stark contrast, the national average of hungry kids is at 21 percent, which has actually decreased from 23 percent in 2009. Moreover, it appears that kids are not the only people going hungry. The overall hunger rate in Arizona is at 19 percent while the national average is at 16 percent. The Phoenix Business Journal goes on to surmise that what may be a contributing factor in this food crises may be due to the high unemployment and poverty rate in Arizona.

The Bible Prophecy Connection

The book of Revelation warns that in the End Times the world will face a food shortage and resulting famine that will make this crisis in Arizona pale in comparison. In Revelation 6, the last two horsemen of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, show that food will be in short supply and that it will result in famine, and ultimately, death.

5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” 7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

Although we have already been seeing a gradual increase of food prices in the past several years, the black horse reveals that there will be a sharp increase of food prices during the End Times. This will eventually lead to increases in the occurrences of famine which will be one way the pale horse will bring death to the world's inhabitants.

WAKE UP!

It's time to WAKE UP and realize that hunger is not a game and this crisis is not just relegated to third world countries anymore but it is becoming a real issue in our country and even our state. Unfortunately, according to the Bible this crisis will continue to increase until Jesus comes back. However, it shouldn't stop us from continuing to do whatever we can to help feed people's mouths with food and feed their hearts with the gospel.