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.

Insurance claims from deadly California wildfires top $11.4B

KATHLEEN RONAYNE. Associated Press•January 28, 2019

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Insurance claims from California’s deadly November 2018 wildfires have topped $11.4 billion, making the series of fires some of the most expensive in state history, officials said Monday.

The latest tally adds to growing concerns about the future availability of home insurance in wildfire-prone areas.

More than $8 billion of the November 2018 losses stem from the fire that leveled the town of Paradise, killing 86 people and destroying roughly 15,000 homes. The other $3 billion in losses are from two Southern California wildfires that ignited the same week.

The numbers were expected to rise, though not dramatically, state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said. So far, total damage for 2018 wildfires is close to $12.4 billion.

“These are massive numbers for us,” Lara said.

California’s wildfires are increasingly destructive and the fire season is stretching longer due to climate change. A series of 2017 wildfires in Northern California’s wine country and in parts of Southern California became the state’s most expensive in history at $11.8 billion.

It has already become harder for people in fire-prone areas to get or keep insurance, although Lara said the state is not at a point where it’s impossible for homeowners to find it. A recent law requires insurers who do not renew policies to notify customers of other options, including a pooled insurance plan of last resort known as the “FAIR plan.”

“We want to make sure that we’re monitoring the situation, and right now we don’t feel this is an area we should be alarmed about,” he said.

Still, he said the worsening fires put California “in uncharted territory.” The insurance department is beginning to collect information on non-renewed policies to assess patterns such as location, he said.

Representatives from the insurance industry acknowledged that some insurers may stop doing business in certain areas. But they said plans should still be widely available.

“California still has a competitive market, there are other carriers moving into place to write new business,” said Nicole Mahrt-Ganley of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, which represents about 60 percent of the nation’s property casualty insurance market.

Pacific Gas & Electric Corp., California’s largest utility, is preparing to file for bankruptcy as early as Tuesday. Company officials say the utility cannot afford an estimated $30 billion in costs related to deadly 2017 and 2018 wildfires.

California law makes utilities entirely liable for damage from wildfires sparked by their equipment, regardless of whether they are found to be negligent. The bankruptcy would consolidate the victims’ lawsuits and could potentially leave thousands of wildfire victims without compensation.

State investigators recently found that PG&E equipment did not spark of one of the most destructive 2017 fires, but the cause of the Paradise wildfire has not yet been determined.

After insurers pay out claims, they can try to get back the money from a utility if it is found at fault.

Armand Feliciano, vice president of the industry group, said he hopes the bankruptcy process is fair to people suffering losses and to insurers.

Regardless of what happens with PG&E, California’s insurers are prepared to pay out all the claims, most of which were filed by residential property owners, Lara said.

“We are confident that the insurers have the money to make sure that we make people whole,” Lara said.