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.

Party’s over: Rio reels from deadly disasters

Louis GENOT. AFP•April 17, 2019

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Long a party hot spot, Rio de Janeiro has not had much to celebrate after a series of deadly disasters rocked the Brazilian city, exposing the dire state of its infrastructure and official negligence.

Flooding, landslides and the collapse of illegal apartment buildings following torrential rain last week left more than 25 people dead and the “Marvelous City” in shock.

The havoc caused by the unusually heavy downpour was amplified by rampant construction in neighborhoods controlled by heavily-armed gangs and militias, where emergency workers are wary of entering because of the threat of violence.

“It’s not the rain that kills, it’s the incompetence of the leaders of the city and our country,” wrote Brazilian columnist Miriam Leitao in the powerful daily O Globo after the predicted torrential rain on April 8-9 left 10 people dead.

Independent risk analyst Moacyr Duarte said Rio officials had made the postcard-pretty city, which has a “complex” topography of verdant hills and granite peaks, even more vulnerable to natural disasters through their lack of preparation.

“We had very intense rain which would have caused damage anywhere, but the impact here would have been much less if everything had worked properly,” Duarte told AFP.

– Mayor under fire –

Much of the blame has been heaped on Marcelo Crivella, a former Evangelical pastor who is halfway through his term as Rio’s mayor.

Already unpopular for his frosty attitude toward the city’s Carnival, Crivella faces impeachment over allegations he illegally extended advertising contracts.

Now he is being skewered for failing to invest enough money in the city’s creaky infrastructure.

In response to claims Rio has not spent anything on drainage works since the start of the year, a city government official told AFP that 103 million reais ($26 million) had been allocated for prevention works against flooding so far this year.

But she admitted that the figure for the entire year was down more than 33 percent from 2016, the year before Crivella took office.

– ‘Absence of the state’ –

Beyond the numbers, the roots of Rio’s problems go much deeper.

For decades, authorities have been unable to tame the city’s wild expansion as illegal construction proliferated in high-risk areas.

Analysts say the problem has been aggravated by the lack of efficient public transport, which leaves many commuters stuck in traffic for hours.

“Many people often prefer to live in precarious conditions near their place of work when they could live better further away,” said Mauricio Ehrlich, a civil engineering professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

“If we want to avoid deaths, we need to remove populations from risky areas and relocate them elsewhere, but often the public authorities do not act in this direction for fear of losing votes in the next election,” he said.

Ehrlich also denounced the “absence” of the state in areas where residents live under the yoke of drug traffickers and shadowy militias.

Such militias control Muzema favela, where the two buildings collapsed on Friday, killing at least 16 people. Another eight were still missing on Tuesday.

They sell land rights and control access to city services such as water and electricity.

Government officials have tried and failed to stop illegal construction in the city, where some estimate that 50 percent of homes have been built without proper permits.

The state, according to Ehrlich, “is only looking from afar with binoculars.”