Blog note: 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.

 At least 105 dead after 6.9 magnitude earthquake rattled Indonesia Sunday

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

August 07, 2018, 9:32:36 AM EDT

At least 105 people are dead after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the same Indonesia island that endured a deadly earthquake last Sunday. More than 230 others were injured and more than 20,000 people have been left homeless following the power earthquake.

The quake shook the Indonesian island of Lombok on Sunday evening, local time (Sunday morning EDT). The epicenter was located on the northern tip of the island, where the United States Geological Survey estimates shaking strong enough to cause moderate damage occurred. Aftershocks shook the area on Monday, some with a preliminary magnitude as high as 5.4.

Shaking from this Sunday’s earthquake was felt westward throughout the island of Bali and over parts of eastern Java. Damage reports are mounting, including at the Ngurah Rai International Airport on Bali. At least three people have been killed there, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The airport stated that flight operations are generally running normally as transportation facilities, such as the runway and taxiways, were not damaged.

At more isolated locations, widespread devastation has made it difficult for rescuers to get resources to hard-hit areas. On Monday, rescuers pulled a man from a mosque that collapsed during the earthquake. Rescue efforts continued at the site of the mosque and other hard-hit locations across the region on Tuesday. Four government agencies are working to evacuate tourists from the popular vacation islands northwest of Lombok. The earthquake caused no injuries among tourists and nearly 5,000 have been evacuated so far, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

A tsunami warning was issued by the Indonesian Meteorological Agency after the earthquake struck. That warning has since expired. Small waves up to 15 cm (6 inches) high were detected, according to the AP. Lombok is still cleaning up from the strong earthquake that rattled the island last Sunday morning (July 29). At least 16 people were killed by that quake. Many buildings collapsed, and more than 1,400 homes were damaged, according to the Associated Press.

Fairly typical August weather is expected in Lombok for continued cleanup and recovery efforts, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Richards. “There will be some sunshine at times with a shower or thunderstorm over the next couple of days,” he said. “Most of the time, though, can be generally dry.” Highs will be around 29 C (middle 80s F) daily. Indonesia is located in the Ring of Fire, which is an area prone to frequent earthquakes. Sunday’s earthquake was initially rated with a magnitude of 7.0, but was revised down to 6.9 by the USGS. Aftershocks have since followed in northern Lombok, including one with a magnitude of 5.4.