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, size and duration prior to giving birth. End of note.

Japan, South Korea on alert for Super Typhoon Kong-rey (Category 5): If Kong-rey makes landfall in mainland Japan, it will be the ninth tropical system and potentially the eighth typhoon to do so this year.

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. October 02, 2018, 12:55:50 PM EDT

On the heels of deadly Typhoon Trami, Japan will face another dangerous typhoon this week. Super Typhoon Kong-rey is currently the equivalent of a Category 5 major hurricane in the Atlantic and east Pacific and will remain a dangerous tropical cyclone in the coming days.

A northwest track through Thursday will take this dangerous tropical cyclone toward the Ryukyu Islands, which are still reeling from damaging winds in excess of 160 km/h (100 mph) from Trami last weekend.

Where structures have been left weakened and the ground saturated by Trami, a blow by Kong-rey less than a week later would further heighten the risk of damage and flooding. Residents who evacuated or lost power during Trami may face the same struggles again with Kong-rey.

Miyako and Okinawa are expected to face the worst of Kong-rey’s impacts which will include damaging winds and torrential rainfall. Wind gusts over 160 km/h (100 mph) will again be possible during the worst of the storm. Yaeyama will endure locally damaging winds and downpours but will be spared from the strongest winds.

Farther north, Amami, Tokara and Osumi can all expect periods of gusty winds and downpours; however, these will be much less severe than what the islands experienced from Trami. Kong-rey will pull away from the Ryukyu Islands on Friday allowing improved conditions to return by late in the day or at night.

After threatening the Ryukyu Islands, Kong-rey is forecast to turn more to the north, sparing Taiwan and eastern China from any significant impacts; however, South Korea and parts of Japan will be at risk for life-threatening conditions from Saturday into Sunday. Southern South Korea as well as western Kyushu and southwestern Honshu will endure the most severe weather as Kong-rey unleashes damaging winds and torrential rainfall.

Southern South Korea can expect rainfall of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) with an AccuWeather StormMax™ of 300 mm (12 inches). Damaging winds of 100-130 km/h (62-81 mph) will be possible along and near the southern and southeastern coastline from midday Saturday into Saturday night.

Damaging winds will be the biggest concern for Japan as western Kyushu and southwestern Honshu may endure a six-hour period of wind gusts over 80 km/h (50 mph) with peak gusts reaching 100 km/h (81 mph) in exposed coastal areas. Southern Japan will dodge the heaviest rainfall from Kong-rey with most locations expected to receive less than 50 mm (2 inches) of total rainfall. The exception will be parts of eastern Kyushu and Shikoku where daily rainfall from Thursday into Saturday can total up to 125 mm (5 inches) can cause localized flooding.

Kong-rey will rapidly track toward the northeast passing near or over Hokkaido Sunday night. Despite weakening, Kong-rey will still bring the risk for localized flooding and damaging winds to Hokkaido during this time. If Kong-rey makes landfall in mainland Japan, it will be the ninth tropical system and potentially the eighth typhoon to do so this year.

“The record for landfalling typhoons in a single season is 10 from 2004,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls. Residents are urged to monitor the progress of Kong-rey closely. If possible, cleanup crews may want to focus on securing weak structures and clearing storm drains. Be sure to follow the advice of local officials and heed all evacuation orders.

Since Japan has been battered by numerous tropical systems, along with the historic flooding and deadly heat wave, Kong-rey can also further put a strain on the nation’s disaster recovery budget.