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 pains, growing in intensity, frequency, size and duration.

Anchorage, Alaska, shrouded by one of longest smoke events in history

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist July 02, 2019

Following the first ever Dense Smoke Advisory for Anchorage, the Swan Lake Fire, responsible for the smoke, continues to burn south of the city over the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska.

The city is likely to face more smoke and may challenge record high temperatures this week.

Smoke from the blaze drifted over the Anchorage city area from Thursday to this past weekend.

The large fire has charred more than 70,000 acres on the Kenai Peninsula since being ignited by lightning on June 5.

The fire was 14 to 15 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, according to Inciweb.

The city’s international airport registered its second longest duration of an observation of smoke with visibility at or below six miles since 1960, according to Climatologist Brian Brettschneider.

The record is 119 hours from 2004. The current stretch ended at 74 hours as of 3 p.m. local time Sunday.

The National Weather Service office in Anchorage issued the first ever Dense Smoke Advisory for the region on Saturday afternoon.

Air quality was listed at good levels on Sunday night as the worst of the smoke had cleared.

That will not mean an end to smoke problems for Anchorage. Winds may not be strong enough to sweep all of the smoke away from Anchorage during early July.

“Fluctuating winds can spread smoke back to Anchorage at times this week,” according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.

Residents, especially those with respiratory issues, the elderly and children, should be prepared to take the necessary steps to protect against smoke inhalation.

Any smoke can then get trapped near the surface as a strong area of high pressure is set to build back overhead late in the week. Air quality can worsen amid the stagnant conditions.

A weather pattern similar to what is expected later this week caused Anchorage to endure its hottest day in three years on Saturday as temperatures soared to 82 F.

The upcoming weather pattern is forecast to send temperatures soaring back to or above 80 F. Daily record highs will be challenged.

For much of Alaska, the warm weather pattern is likely to last into early next week.