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.
New Nipah virus case in southern India. Nipah virus is listed by the World Health Organization, alongside Ebola and Zika, as one of the eight priority diseases that could cause a global epidemic.
AFP•June 4, 2019
Thiruvananthapuram (India) (AFP) – An Indian student has been infected by a virus that killed at least 17 people in the southern state of Kerala last year, local officials said Tuesday.
Nipah virus is listed by the World Health Organization, alongside Ebola and Zika, as one of the eight priority diseases that could cause a global epidemic.
The student, 23, is undergoing treatment for high fever but remains stable, Kerala’s health minister, K.K. Shailaja, told reporters.
Nearly 90 people who came into contact with him are under observation, including two nurses who treated the man initially and one person who has been moved to an isolation ward.
Nipah spreads from animals to humans or through contaminated food and directly between people. Fruit bats are the natural carriers of the virus.
The virus is linked with respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis, and there is no known vaccine against it. Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, dizziness and nausea.
State authorities in Kerala urged the public to remain calm, and take precautions to prevent an outbreak as the federal government rushed a team of doctors and medicines to the state.
Last May at least 17 people died after being infected by Nipah across several cities in Kerala. The outbreak was declared over a month later.
The dead included a nurse who was treating infected patients at a hospital.
Scores of others were kept in isolation wards, and treated for the deadly virus.
It was initially blamed on fruit bats, but tests did not confirm the claim and the source of the outbreak remains unknown.
Nipah has killed more than 260 people in Malaysia, Bangladesh and India since 1998.
It is named after the Malaysian village where it first appeared in 1998. It spread to Singapore, killing more than 100 people.
In India the disease was first reported in 2001 and again six years later, with the two outbreaks claiming 50 lives. Both times the disease was reported in West Bengal state bordering Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has borne the brunt of the disease in recent years, with more than 100 people dying of Nipah since the first outbreak was reported in 2001.