In all, there were 105 riots in nations throughout the world in 2011.  So far, there have been 31 riots recorded for 2012 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/list_of_riots), but this list is incomplete.  There are ongoing riots in Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Belfast; the riots in Syria have turned into civil war, just to name a few. 

Jesus's disciples asked him what would be the sign of His return, and He said, "
Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places" Matthew 24:7.  Most of these riots are about economic crises throughout the world, and there are certain elitists in control of the world economies who are at fault, who literally trigger these financial events, such as they did during the Great Depression, in order to confiscate more wealth, to add riches upon riches to themselves.  The nations are rioting because of austerity measures enacted which have mostly affected the struggling and the poor; of course, you rarely hear of those making six-digit incomes in government cutting their own pay.  The Word of God says they can't get enough, "Hell and destruction are never full, so the eyes of man are never satisfied" Proverbs 27:20.


About a quarter of a million people have had to evacuate their homes due to torrential rains in Japan, with over 2,600 homes destroyed across Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto and Saga.  China has also been experiencing deadly floods, affecting millions of people since May.  There are floods in Britain, New Zealand, the United States, and recent floods killed 171 in Russia, which have caused an uproar from citizens, who blame the government for lack of warning.  Over 19,000 people are displaced in Russia due to storms. 

About 2,700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote about the wrath of God being poured out upon the earth through storms, "Behold, the Lord has a mighty strong one, which as a tempest of hail and
a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, He will cast down to earth with the hand" Isaiah 28:2.

Another bird flu outbreak hit Mexico this time, as Jalisco lost 2.5 million chickens to the bird flu either by death or slaughter, and another 3.4 million chickens are carriers of the virus.  Jalisco produces 55 percent of Mexico's eggs.  The Japanese continue to import eggs from Mexico, although Africa and Europe have placed bans on eggs from Mexico.  The avian flu has affected birds and people in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and now Mexico.  "There will be great earthquakes in various places, famines, pestilences and fearful sights and great signs from heaven" Luke 21:11. 

512 Magellanic penguins have washed up along the coast of Brazil.  Veterinarians have reported that the birds were in good health, well fed and free from oil stains.  A major colony in Antarctica has also declined 36 percent since 1991, which have wildlife officials perplexed.  About 2,700 years ago, Hosea prophesied about the mass animal deaths occurring in the last days, "The land will mourn and everyone who dwells in it will languish, with the beasts of the field, the fowls of heaven, yes, the fishes of the sea will also be taken away" Hosea 4:3.  There are mass bird, fish and animal deaths occurring all over the world, like never before in recorded history.  You might ask why the land will "mourn?"  As people become more sinful and perverse throughout the world, even the land is affected spiritually by man's degraded condition.  This phenomenon caused by sin is actually explained in the Bible, "And the land is defiled, therefore I do visit the iniquity upon it and the land itself vomits out her inhabitants" Leviticus 18:25. 

These stories are just a tiny tip of the iceberg.  Within the last couple of years, it seems the world has suffered more animal deaths, catastrophes, pestilences, major earthquakes, riots and wars than we have seen in recorded history.  Times are chaotic and some are even desperate, but the Word of God tells us that the great tribulation period will be worse than anything ever known to man, even outweighing the holocaust!  Jesus said, "Then will be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be" Matthew 24:21.  Do you want to be here when that happens?  I sure don't.  Jesus said, "Watch therefore and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of man (Jesus)" Luke 21:36.  Jesus will return for His people before the wrath of God falls out full force on the ungodly (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).