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.

Downtown Burlington, Iowa, inundated as flood wall fails along Mississippi River

Joseph Cress and Tyler J Davis, Des Moines Register Published 9:32 p.m. ET June 1, 2019

DES MOINES, Iowa – Another flood wall has failed in Iowa, inundating a county seat in the eastern part of the state.

The Burlington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a downtown flood-prevention barrier failed Saturday afternoon. Water seeped onto Front Street, and city officials were working to dry the area near Burlington’s port and auditorium. Authorities said a four- to six-block area of downtown is being affected.

Weather service gauges indicated the Mississippi River at Burlington crested Saturday afternoon at 24.45 feet – half an inch over the projected crest.

The flood wall was made of HESCO barriers, giant boxes made of sturdy metal netting covered by a tough fabric, often filled with sand or gravel.

A county official said the city would release more information later Saturday. 

Parking lots and a handful of buildings were underwater early Saturday evening. The damage appeared less widespread than recent flooding in Davenport, about 75 miles upstream on the Mississippi River, where similar barriers broke, sending floodwater rushing over several blocks of downtown Davenport.

Nearby businesses remained open. A few onlookers rode bikes through the shallow water, couples dined at a restaurant around the corner and an Amtrak train rolled by, passengers opening windows to see the water below.

Work was underway to minimize damage and keep properties dry; crews pumped water out of a bank and other buildings, while others appeared to pump water out of basements. 

The area has been “exceedingly wet” over the past months, pushing the Mississippi River near the city past flood stage for the past 79 days and counting, Pierce said. 

A flood warning was also in effect and will continue to be until the water falls below flood stage. Pierce said that’s not expected to happen until mid-June, if not later. 

“We went into a wet pattern in late March and it continued all through April and May,” he said. 

Pierce said of the 10.3 inches of May rainfall in Burlington, nearly half – or 4.93 inches –fell between May 26 and May 29.

Rain should leave the area beginning late Saturday night and is expected to stay away until Monday. Pierce said next week’s weather pattern near Burlington looks more active, though, with the likelihood of rain increasing Tuesday and getting stronger as the week progress.