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). (Emphasis added). 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.

Sat 20 Oct 2018 07.00 EDT. The Guardian.

‘We never used to have fires like this’: the human cost of California’s wildfires. Part 1

Photographer Gideon Mendel documents the residents of Shasta county as they return to their fire-ravaged homes. Interviews by Federica Armstrong.

Elizabeth Barkley

I’m assistant chief on the highway patrol, so summer was a busy time for us first responders. I just couldn’t believe that my house would burn down. We got a few things out that were immediately accessible. Our photos were a priority, but it was mostly the clothes on our backs. By the time we came to evacuate my daughter from her boyfriend’s house, at 6.30pm or 7pm, the fire was totally different: tens of houses just going down as the tornado-like winds were picking up. I told them just to follow behind my lights and sirens, so I could get them to safety.

At 9.30 the next morning, my lieutenant called me. He said, “Chief, I don’t know how to tell you this, but your house is gone.” When I got up here, it was still on fire – some of the stuff was just collapsed and flames were burning throughout the property. I hugged my lieutenant. I started crying, he started crying – which you are never supposed to do on the highway patrol, right? But it was just for a moment – I realised I was just one of thousands of people who had lost their homes.

The fire started because an elderly couple were towing a trailer and the tyre blew. The wheel started sparking and caught the brush. I don’t know about climate change but the conditions here are heavily wooded. A little bit of breeze and not too much in the way of moisture to combat it: it was the perfect storm.

Jessica French

When we were told to evacuate, we left fast and went to my grandmother’s house. At about 5pm, the news said it was an error and we could go back. We thought: “We’re going to try to get more stuff out, just in case.” While we were packing, the electricity went out. My husband said, “That’s not a good sign – we need to get out of here.” Outside, all our neighbours were in front of their houses looking at the sky – all around were red, glowing flames and the whole sky was just engulfed. We saw a plane drop retardant on the fire, which was blowing towards us. One minute you’re OK, and the next you’re fleeing for your life. My fear was that there is only one way out. It was bumper-to-bumper traffic and very scary. My kids were with me and my little one was screaming: “I don’t want to die!” We went to my grandma’s and within the hour they were evacuated, too. Everyone started packing her pictures and my grandfather’s military stuff – we threw it in our cars and got out of there. Later, on Facebook, someone posted a video of our neighbourhood: we saw that our house had gone.