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.

By JOHN BLACKSTONE CBS NEWS August 8, 2018, 6:40 PM

Smoke from California wildfires now covers three quarters of the state

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. — Police arrested a 51-year-old man in Southern California on Wednesday, accusing him of setting the Holy Fire south of Los Angeles. Forrest Gordon Clark allegedly sent an email warning “this place will burn,” before the fire broke out Monday.

It is one of 15 large fires burning statewide, and July was the hottest month on record in California. Are devastating wildfires a new normal? “It’s actually worse than that,” climate scientist says There is little relief on the fire lines, just more pain as more land is consumed by flames. Firefighters had hoped to contain the fast-growing Holy Fire. Even when massive drops of retardant slow the spread in one area, embers ignited a new stretch of hillside.

“It could jump over a quarter mile and start a whole new fire,” one resident told CBS News. Nearby residents are facing a giant wall of flames perilously close to neighborhoods. It is a scene played out over and over throughout California, especially in Mendocino, where the largest wildfire in state history continues to rage. “We have areas here that have never had any type of a burn history,” Cal Fire analyst Todd Hopkins said.

A nerve center at the Mendocino Complex Fire base camp has technology that helps pinpoint hotspots which helps more than 4,000 firefighters know exactly where to deploy. “The technology has helped us out in the field a lot more,” National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Smith told CBS News. “It’s the kind of information I never had 30 years ago.” And there signs of progress, especially in one spot where firefighters were victorious in cutting a fire break and stopping flames before it consumed a ridge.

Until full containment, smoke now covers three quarters of California. And there’s another toll for thousands of evacuees. “Right now, it’s pretty much just day by day,” a Mendocino evacuee told CBS News. “Pray that … tomorrow will bring more containment.” If there’s any silver lining to the Mendocino Complex Fire, it’s that the thick smoke is actually providing some shade, helping to keep the temperature down and suppress the fire. But experts warn those conditions can change at any moment.