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.

Hundreds of sharks and rays tangled in plastic waste, research shows

True figure expected to be much higher, scientists warn

 July 5, 2019. Independent.co.uk

Hundreds of sharks and rays are dying after getting tangled in drifting “ghost nets” and plastic waste, according to new research.

However, scientists have warned that the true number could be far higher.  

Entanglement, mostly involving lost or discarded fishing gear,  is a “far lesser threat” to sharks and rays than commercial fishing, but the suffering it causes is a major animal welfare concern, the study by a research team from the University of Exeter said. 

The scientists scoured existing published studies and Twitter for shark and ray entanglements.

They found reports of more than 1,000 incidents, but warned few studies have focussed on plastic entanglement among shark and rays, indicating the real number of entanglements could be significantly larger.

“One example in the study is a shortfin mako shark with fishing rope wrapped tightly around it,” said Kristian Parton, of the university’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation. “The shark had clearly continued growing after becoming entangled, so the rope – which was covered in barnacles – had dug into its skin and damaged its spine.”

The review of academic papers found reports of 557 sharks and rays entangled in plastic, spanning 34 species in oceans including the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian. Almost 60 per cent of these animals were either lesser spotted dogfish, spotted ratfish or spiny dogfish.

On Twitter, the researchers found 74 entanglement reports involving 559 individual sharks and rays from 26 species including whale sharks, great whites, tiger sharks and basking sharks.

Both data sources suggested “ghost” fishing gear (nets, lines and other equipment lost or abandoned) were by far the most common entangling objects. Other items included strapping bands used in packaging, polythene bags and rubber tyres.

The study identified factors which appear to put certain species more at risk:

Habitat – sharks and rays in the open ocean appear more likely to get entangled, as do those living on the sea floor, where materials such as nets loaded with dead fish sink and attract predators, which in turn get stuck.

Migration – species that cover long distances appear at more at risk of encountering plastic waste.

Body shape – sharks seem to be at greater risk than rays. Species with unusual features – such as manta rays, basking sharks and sawfish – are also at more risk.

The study says more research is needed, and the researchers have worked with the Shark Trust to create an online report form to gather data on entanglements.

Overall more than 100 million sharks are estimated to be killed each year by commercial fishing alone, with the true number estimated to be even higher – according to a 2013 estimate 230 million could be killed each year.

In 2018 just 4 people were killed by sharks worldwide according to the International Shark Attack File.

Luke 21:11

Pestilence of water pollution

Pestilence of air pollution

Pestilence of Aquatic Life

Pestilence of Animal Life

Pestilence of Livestock

Pestilence of Crops and Agriculture

Pestilence of plants and bio-diversity

Pestilence of Earth’s Biodiversity

Pestilence of Land

Destruction of Rainforest

Destruction of Seas, Lakes, Rivers

Destruction of Earth’s Biodiversity