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.

Smoky skies? Red sunsets? Blame Canada.

Doyle Rice. USA TODAY•June 5, 2019

Smoke from distant Canadian wildfires has made its way across the United States the past few days, bringing hazy skies and colorful sunsets to the Midwest and East Coast.  

In Chicago, the skies were reported as being “milky-looking,” while in Nebraska, the forecast was for “filtered sun.”    

However, it’s nothing like what the skies looked like near the fires. In Edmonton, Alberta, the skies were recently so red and smoky that a local meteorologist told NASA. “it looked like we were on Mars,” according to Mashable.

More than two dozen fires are burning in Alberta and 10,000 people have been forced from their homes.

Wildfire Today said several wildfires in western Canada have so far spread across 568,000 acres.

A few days ago, Discover magazine reported that smoke from the fires covered as much as 2.7 million square miles of North America.

Some smoke even wafted its way across the pond to the United Kingdom, where the stunning sunset colors there were partly due to the wildfires across parts of Canada, the UK Met Office said.

AccuWeather warned that wildfire smoke can lead to many health hazards, especially in those who suffer from respiratory illnesses, and can cause irritation of the throat and eyes.

However, according to the National Weather Service, the smoke from the fires is far up high in the atmosphere, and there are no current air quality alerts related to the smoke.

With all of the rain across the U.S. this spring, wildfires have not been an issue so far this year. Only about 293,000 acres have burned. This is far below the average of 1,379,802 acres, the National Interagency Fire Center said.

Contributing: The Associated Press