Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a women experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period

… 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).

… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)

… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)

… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)

Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several 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.

Winter storm that left at least 7 dead targets Mid-Atlantic, sparks snow emergencies

By Travis Fedschun | Fox News

A powerful winter storm that has left at least 7 dead and spawned winter weather alerts spanning 1,500 miles is targeting the nation’s capital on Sunday, bringing the region its biggest amount of snow so far this season.

The National Weather Service said that the heaviest snow threat has shifted into the Mid-Atlantic, where 5 to 12 inches of snow is expected through Sunday night. Between 8 to 12 inches of snow is expected near Washington, D.C., with “locally higher amounts” possible.

“To the south, freezing rain is expected into Sunday near and east of the central and southern Appalachians, where up to a quarter of an inch of ice could accrete, with locally higher amounts possible,” the NWS’s Weather Prediction Center said.

The storm moved into Kansas and Nebraska from the Rockies on Friday, then east into Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, covering roads and making driving dangerous.

Part of Interstate 44 near St. Louis was blocked for several hours Saturday, and at one point the Missouri State Highway Patrol warned of traffic delays as long as eight hours.

Authorities in Kansas said at least 3 people died in crashes on slick roadways, while at least 4 deaths were reported by authorities in neighboring Missouri.

“PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL,” authorities warned Saturday on Twitter. “While roads are improving, many are still snow covered.”

As the storm headed east, states such as Maryland and Ohio declared snow emergencies to limit travel.

“Above all, please put safety first and communicate with your neighbors, family and friends,” Russ Strickland, executive director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, told FOX5 DC.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam also declared a state of emergency Saturday night in order to allow the state to be better prepared to respond to the storm.

Missouri had gotten the worst of the storm by Saturday, with the National Weather Service reporting more than a foot of snow Saturday morning in some places around St. Louis and Jefferson City, and more than 18 inches in Columbia.

Missouri troopers responded to more than 3,000 calls for help through early Saturday afternoon, including more than 700 crashes and 1,300 stranded vehicles. Illinois State Police said troopers along the Mississippi River across from St. Louis have responded to more than 100 crashes during the storm.

“We’re anticipating still more snow through today, so we’re asking motorists to stay home until the roads are cleared,” Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Collin Stosberg, stationed in suburban Kansas City, told the Associated Press. “If you do have to get out on the road, we’re asking you to do three things: Have your cellphone fully charged, wear your seat belt and slow your speed for the conditions.”

At Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, most flights were canceled or delayed on Saturday.

In central Missouri, officials said about 12,000 households and businesses were without power in Columbia and the surrounding area at one point.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.