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.

CDC: Measles cases surge past yearly record for 21st century. The number of reported cases of measles in the USA has surpassed previous annual totals this century – less than four months into 2019.

Jorge L. Ortiz. USA TODAY•April 25, 2019

The number of reported cases of measles in the USA has surpassed previous annual totals this century – less than four months into 2019.

Another rash of measles cases, mostly concentrated in New York City, raised this year’s figure to 695, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

The previous highest total since 2000, when measles was declared eliminated in the USA, was 667 in 2014. At no other point in this century had the amount climbed above 400.

Health officials warn that the longer the outbreaks continue, the greater the chance that measles will again become entrenched in the USA.

New York health officials said Wednesday that 61 cases were confirmed since last week, pushing the national figure closer to the 700 mark and making this the worst year for measles since 1994, when there were 963 instances.

The disease, which typically kills one or two per 1,000 cases and can cause long-term damage, has made a comeback largely because of  pockets of unvaccinated communities. Some parents reject immunizations because of erroneous information, often distributed through social media.

“Probably the No. 1 factor we have to fight is misinformation, this concept some people have that vaccines are dangerous,” said Judd Hultquist, assistant professor of infectious diseases at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Public health practitioners regard the measles vaccine, administered along with immunization for mumps and rubella, as safe and highly effective. It provides 93% protection after a first dose, recommended at 12-15 months of age, and 97% protection after a second shot at ages 4-6.

About three-quarters of this year’s illnesses in the USA have been in New York state, mainly in two ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn and suburban Rockland County, which declared a state of emergency and barred unvaccinated minors from public places in late March. The order was blocked in court.

Ultra-Orthodox rabbis generally have no religious objections to vaccines and urged their followers to get inoculated. But the anti-vaxxer movement has made inroads among the ultra-Orthodox, even though they have little exposure to the internet.

The CDC said measles cases have been reported in 22 states this year, including outbreaks – defined as three or more instances – in six states.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through coughing and sneezing. Someone who is not immune can become infected after coming in contact with a contaminated surface or airspace, where the virus can last for up to two hours.

Symptoms of the disease, which has no cure, may take a week or two to appear and include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that starts in the face and spreads to other parts of the body. In some cases, the illness can lead to pneumonia and dehydration.

Unvaccinated children in impoverished countries are most vulnerable to the harshest effects of measles, which killed 110,000 people as recently as 2017 – most of them under 5 years old – according to the World Health Organization.

Adults are susceptible, too. Last week, an Israeli flight attendant fell into a coma after contracting measles and developing encephalitis.

Nate Smith, director of the Arkansas Department of Health, said the increased opposition to vaccines represents a significant public health concern because the diseases they protect against are no longer being mostly imported by the occasional ill traveler.

“We’re seeing actual transmission of cycles of measles here in the U.S. That’s very concerning,” Smith said. “The progress we made to basically build a wall of protection with immunization has crumbled.”