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.

Canada lists three whale species as threatened

AFP•May 6, 2019

Ottawa (AFP) – Canadian scientists on Monday listed three types of whale that swim its waters, including two of the world’s largest species, as threatened.

Sei whales were classified as endangered while Fin and Sowerby’s Beaked whales were found to be “of special concern” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

In a statement, the independent panel, whose reports form the basis of Canada’s conservation efforts, blamed human activity for the predicament of the marine giants.

The cetaceans, it said, get tangled in fishing gear or are killed in collisions with an “ever increasing” number of large ships navigating Canadian waters.

Because they evolved in quieter seas, noise from ships, naval exercises and seismic exploration also “impedes their communication and survival,” the panel said.

COSEWIC noted that Sowerby’s Beaked whales are particularly susceptible to noise pollution as the species uses sound to navigate and hunt.

Sightings have recently increased in a marine protected area off Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast that offers whales a respite from the clamor.

The panel urged the creation of more refuges, including in international waters, to reverse the whales’ decline.

“Species don’t care about borders,” COSEWIC chair John Reynolds said in a statement. “We need to address threats as a global community. No country can save these species on its own.”

The announcement coincides with Monday’s release of a UN report on biodiversity warning that as many as a million species are threatened with extinction due to mankind’s destruction of the planet.