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.

‘Excessive rainfall’: Waterlogged Midwest, Plains brace for yet another soaking

Jorge L. Ortiz. USA TODAY•May 5, 2019

The already-drenched residents of the middle part of the country are advised to keep their rain gear handy. Showers, thunderstorms and flooding will be a fact of life again for much of this week.

A cold front moving in from the north through the Plains and Midwest will clash with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to persistent precipitation over large swaths that are already saturated by runoff from the unusually heavy snow in the winter, forecasters said Sunday.

Even if the coming rains starting Monday don’t result in major surges in the area’s larger rivers, they will extend the amount of time those waterways stay above flood stage.

“It’s going to be very active over the Plains and Midwest this week,’’ said AccuWeather meteorologist Max Vido. “There’s two sides of the story, really. There’s potential for severe weather and thunderstorms, which will be especially prevalent over the south-central Plains. The other aspect for this week will be the excessive rainfall, the unwanted rains, from the central Plains through a good portion of the Midwest.’’

The forecast calls for a slow-moving, lingering storm to bring 1-3 inches of precipitation stretching from Kansas and Nebraska and heading east through Midwestern states like Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, with the heaviest periods coming Tuesday through Thursday.

Davenport, Iowa, which has been hit hard by floods as the Mississippi River crested at a record-high 22.7 feet on Thursday, faces the possibility of flash flooding, along with Omaha, Nebraska; Madison, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri; and Chicago and Peoria, Illinois.

That would add to what has already been a devastating rash of inundations in the Midwest, primarily in communities along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers that have claimed at least four lives and could continue into June.

National Weather Service meteorologist Gregg Gallina said there’s nothing unusual about a spate of spring showers in the Midwest, but they happen to follow a “fairly historic’’ winter that saw vast accumulations of snowpack, which has since melted into the bursting rivers.

“In terms of thunderstorms and where they’re placed, this is actually a fairly typical springtime pattern,’’ Gallina said. “The problem is that, because of the wet winter, these kinds of rainfalls will exacerbate any of the flooding along the main stem rivers.’’

In Grafton, Illinois, less than an hour’s drive north of St. Louis, the Mississippi River is projected to crest early this week at 31.7 feet, not a record but the highest since 1993.

Gallina said the past two weeks have been very wet from Kansas to Illinois, so that region is more at risk for flash flooding of smaller tributaries.

“You can see it’s going to be a pretty large area of real estate,’’ he said.

A respite from the rain may finally arrive on Friday, and it figures to be welcome with cries of “Hosanna!’’ by farmers.

The persistent rains in America’s Breadbasket have kept the soil soaked and delayed the start of planting by farmers, who have expressed concern about the impact that might have on their crops when summer rolls around.

Forecasters say they’ll just have to wait at least a little longer.

“It’s going to be another tough week for farmers,’’ Vido said, “across the corn belt especially.’’