What, precisely, were those present told could happen as a result of a bird flu pandemic striking the United States of America? According to information Milbank gathered:

Milbank's commentary, in my opinion, really captures the dark mood of the disease experts who appeared at the event, making the threat of a bird flu pandemic a much more realistic scenario to imagine unfolding in our nation. Granted, I knew all along it could be bad, as I've stated on numerous occasions in the past, but what Milbank documented some of the disease experts warned may happen exceeded even my wildest expectations, something that doesn't happen very often given my profession as a law enforcement officer. Perhaps because people only call us when we're on the job to share their bad news with us (and get our help of course), ten hours of which I partook of today, police officers naturally expect to hear things that are disturbing - and often. Even so, even my street-hardened psyche is penetrated by the sheer horror something of this nature could bring down upon our nation, particularly if it isn't handled effectively - and it doesn't seem likely it's going to be if this scenario becomes a reality.

Is the United States prepared for a bird flu pandemic? Well, I'll let Milbank's words answer that question (emphasis added mine):

As if Milbank's commentary, which I thoroughly hope everyone who reads this will take time to read in its entirety via the provided links, isn't frightening enough, we need to remember that this frightening scenario is just what is projected could happen to the United States of America alone! When we consider that world health experts fear we may see a global flu pandemic in the near future, these frightening projections are even more somber to imagine coming to pass.

And then, just when you think bird flu is as dangerous as it could possibly be, someone in Vietnam being treated for bird flu, according to a BBC report, has become partially resistant to the antiviral drug experts plan to use to tackle a human bird flu outbreak! Great! Now the one drug that seems to be a glimmer of hope in all this may not, in the end, be effective in every case? Lovely!

Am I trying to scare my site's readers to death? Not all all! Even though information like this is quite disconcerting to absorb, Christ told us pestilences like bird flu are just a small portion of what is going to be going on in the times leading up to His return. The good news amid all this gloom and doom? Jesus Christ is coming again --- and soon!

Rather than being scared by what we're seeing take place in the world around us, as well as what may be on the horizon, this is a great time for Christians to be considering the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, taking place in the not-too-distant future!

Jesus said of the end times, as recorded in Luke 21:10-11: Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Jesus also said this, something each and every Christian needs to reflect on as a comfort to their souls: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28)

We're not told to look for our redemption when all these things have come to pass, but to look for it to come when these things begin to come to pass - a reminder that Jesus Christ's return could come at any moment! A moment like right now! Or now! Or now!

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psa 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psa 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Psa 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Are you abiding under the shadow of the Almighty or are you trying to go it alone? If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it's time to do so! He's coming soon and you can not afford to be found here without Him when He does! If you think the threat of bird flu is bad, what will take place during the seven years after He comes to gather His own will make the current threat posed by bird flu seem pleasant in comparison. Want more information on how you can come to faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today? If so, visit my site's Salvation Issues page.