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.
M5.3 earthquake, aftershocks hit near capital Athens, Greece
Posted by Teo Blašković on July 19, 2019 Watchers.news
A shallow earthquake registered by the EMSC as M5.3 hit 23 km (14 miles) NW of Athens, Greece at 11:13 UTC (14:13 local time) on July 19, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 13 km (8 miles). Athens Institute of Geodynamics gave it a preliminary magnitude of 5.1, the USGS M5.3.
The quake was preceded by M3.2, M2.5 and M2.7 at 11:33, 11:40 and 11:51 UTC, respectively, and followed by M2.5, M2.6, M3.6 and M4.2 at 11:55, 12:07, 12:28 and 14:12 UTC.
According to local media reports, it caused limited power cuts and communication problems, and trapped people in elevators.
Bell tower of the Pantanassa church in Athens was damaged as well as other buildings in Attica but there were no reports of injuries.
A senior seismologist at the Institute of Geodynamics, Gerasimos Papadopoulos, said the quake was felt across southern Greece due to its shallow depth.
“It is too early to say whether this was the main earthquake, but there have been aftershocks of magnitude 3.5, 2.5 and 3.2 – and that is encouraging. We need more time and data to have a clear picture.”
The most powerful quake to hit Athens in the past 20 years occurred was M5.8 on September 7, 1999. It caused extensive damage and killed 143 people.