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 woman 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.

Iran floods: Mass evacuations amid warnings of heavy showers. Fresh flooding may affect 400,000 people in southern Iran, officials say, after 70 people were killed by rising waters.

by Saeed Jalili  7 Apr 2019

Tehran, Iran – Dozens of villages and towns have been evacuated in southern Iran as authorities issued warnings for a fresh round of flooding in the regions bordering Iraq, home to a number of rivers and dams.

Continuous floods that started in March have so far claimed 70 lives, destroyed infrastructures and displaced thousands of people across Iran.

On Saturday, Iraq officially closed the Chazabeh border crossing after Iranian authorities banned travelling and trade through the border amid flood warnings in the south Iranian province of Khuzestan.

Customs authorities of Khuzestan had called on trade companies on Wednesday to use another border crossing further south as a replacement, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported.

The transit road to the border passes through lands surrounding Karkheh River that is expected to carry floodwaters as authorities ordered an emergency discharge in its dam to alleviate water pressure. 

Khuzestan has three major rivers that pass through several villages, towns and cities, including Karoun River that cuts through the provincial capital Ahvaz.

Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said flooding might affect about 400,000 people in Khuzestan out of more than 4.7 million residents of the province.

Heavy showers are also expected in the northeastern provinces, including the city of Mashhad.

Stalled relief efforts

Flash floods recently displaced thousands and prompted chaos and panic in the western Lorestan province.

The town of Poldokhtar bore the brunt of the disaster but floodwaters also submerged homes in numerous other villages in the province, while destroyed infrastructures slowed emergency relief efforts.

Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abdolhashem Hassannia said on Saturday roads to 275 villages in the province were blocked.

“During the floods, 200 bridges and 400 kilometres of roads were 100 percent destroyed,” Iran Labor News Agency (ILNA) quoted Hassannia as saying.

Lorestan’s representative in Parliament, Mohammadreza Malekshahi, said many residents who left their homes due to the flood have no place to sleep.

“The level of the damages left by the recent floods has been unprecedented during the past century,” ILNA quoted him as saying.

Much of the disaster occurred during Iran’s New Year holiday, Nowruz, when many Iranians travel, leaving thousands stranded either at home or at holiday destinations.

On March 25, flash floods killed dozens in the southern city of Shiraz, a popular destination for tourists. Heavy rainfalls caused the flood to spread through the city, move vehicles and wash away pedestrians.