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.

51 people killed in South Africa floods

By Aanu Adeoye, CNN Updated 9:31 AM ET, Wed April 24, 2019

(CNN)Fifty-one people have died in floods that ravaged parts of the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa’s southeast, local authorities said.

The flooding began on Monday after heavy rain caused mudslides in several towns in Durban, the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, government spokesman Lennox Mabaso told CNN.

“The areas most affected are Amanzimtoti, Chatsworth, Mariannhill,” Mabaso, who works for the provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department, said.

Mabaso said there were reported incidents of collapsed buildings, walls and flooded homes in the area.

He added that the South African Weather Service has warned there could be more rains in the coming days.

“We have been told there is 50 percent chance of more rain,” he said.

Makeshift shelters and food are being provided for those displaced from their homes in the aftermath of the flooding.

State-owned broadcaster SABC puts the number of those displaced at over 1000.

“We are assisting them to cope with this tragedy through counseling and other forms of support like helping to identify their relatives that have passed on,” he said.

The flooding also left three people dead in the Eastern Cape province, SABC reported.

More than 300 people have been evacuated from their homes in Port Saint Johns, a town in the province, the report said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was forced to cut short his trip to the African Union (AU) summit in Egypt to visit the areas affected by the tragedy.

Ramaphosa, accompanied by Nomusa Dube-Ncube, a high-ranking member of the KwaZulu-Natal government, inspected the town of Amanzimtoti, which was badly hit by the floods.

He also visited the Eastern Cape province and a site in Chatsworth where seven members of one family died when their home collapsed during the flooding.

“Our hearts go out particularly to families and communities who have been directly affected by death, injury and the loss of property,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.

“This situation calls on all of us to pull together as a country to reach out to affected communities and to help alleviate their hardship.”