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.
Tornado leaves trail of destruction in German town
By Nadine Schmidt and Matthew Robinson, CNN Updated 1:32 PM ET, Wed June 5, 2019
Berlin (CNN) A car was overturned and roofs were destroyed when a tornado struck overnight in northwest Germany in the latest spate of storms in Northern Europe.
Bocholt, a town in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, witnessed extreme weather conditions early Wednesday, with wind speeds of 181 to 253 kilometers per hour (112 to 157 mph), according to the German Meteorological Service, or DWD.
“There was a tornado in Bocholt last night,” DWD meteorologist Andreas Friedrich told CNN. “It is the fifth confirmed tornado in Germany this year.”
Karsten Tersteegen, a spokesman for the city of Bocholt, told CNN that the medium-strength tornado “wreaked havoc in one stretch of a road.”
“A total of nine houses were damaged, and about 100 trees have been uprooted,” he said. “Roof tiles were swirled around, and one roof came off completely. Windows and winter gardens were damaged.
“A car was caught by the wind and thrown 10 meters in the air, and other cars parked nearby were damaged.”
He said that one person suffered slight injuries. The incident commander for Bocholt’s fire services noted that the town was “lucky it occurred at night.”
Tersteegen said about 90 firefighters and 14 fire wagons were deployed throughout the night to respond to the incident.
Friedrich said that the weather service often cannot predict such tornadoes through radar or satellite images since the storm systems are too small or low in altitude.
“This morning I came in at 9 a.m. and was called by a local journalist,” he said. “A few minutes later I was in contact with the ESWD (European Severe Weather Database).
“Based on the damage patterns that were analyzed and reports from eye witnesses, we came to the conclusion that the damage we saw in Bocholt could have only been caused by a tornado
The meteorological service warned that heavy thunderstorms can be expected into Wednesday evening and Thursday morning across southwest Germany, with hale and gale-force winds. It said further tornadoes could occur.
In March, a tornado ripped through the German town of Roetgen, damaging more than 30 houses and injuring five people.
Roetgen Mayor Jorma Klauss said that about 10 houses had to be evacuated, and numerous properties suffered broken windows.