Blog Note Preface: And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11). Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. This verse from Luke is one of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor pains that occur in greater severity, frequency and occurrence prior to giving birth. End of note.

Major 7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea
Channel News Asia. 26 Feb 2018

SYDNEY: A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea early on Monday (Feb 26), with unconfirmed reports of blackouts and damage to buildings, officials said. The quake’s epicentre was around 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Porgera in Enga province, according to the US Geological Survey, and hit at a depth of 35 kilometres.

The quake hit PNG’s mountainous interior and US scientists said there was no tsunami threat. Felix Taranu, a seismologist at the Geophysical Observatory in the capital Port Moresby said the quake was felt strongly at Mount Hagen, some 168 kilometres away. He said social media posts reported blackouts and damage to buildings at Porgera, although he was not aware of any injuries. “It will take some time to get assessment teams out there and get a clear picture of what’s happening,” he said. The quake’s epicentre is in rugged terrain about 612 kilometres north-west of Port Moresby.

USGS said some casualties and damage were possible and recent earthquakes in the area had caused landslides. It said homes in the region were “a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction”. The impact should be relatively localised, it added. Earthquakes are common in PNG, which sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

Source: AFP/ec