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.

‘My entire world was gone’: floods devastate northern Pakistan

Sajjad QAYYUM. AFP•July 19, 2019

Once a small cluster of houses stood along a gentle stream in Pakistani Kashmir. Now only jagged rocks and a few damaged homes remain after torrential rains wreaked havoc on the picturesque mountain village in the Laswa Valley.

More than 270 people have been killed in recent days across South Asia as monsoon rains deluged large swathes of the subcontinent, flooding waterways and destroying communities.

On Sunday evening, the normally quiet stream running through the valley morphed into a raging current — uprooting everything in its path.

Twenty-three people are missing, presumed dead by officials.

Seven others were injured, while 150 houses and businesses were destroyed and about 50 buildings damaged in the seven hamlets spread across Laswa.

“I was holding the hand of my mother trying to save her, but unfortunately I lost her hand and she was swept away by the floodwater,” says Amin Butt, who was visiting his family in Kashmir.

“Within a minute my entire world was gone, my mother was gone and my home,” Butt said, his eyes misting over.

“We have nothing left here now except for the stones.”

– Hard rain –

Kashmir has been divided since the end of British colonial rule in 1947 and both New Delhi and Islamabad claim the former Himalayan kingdom in full.

Located just a few kilometres (miles) north of the Line of Control — the heavily militarised de-facto border dividing the disputed Himalayan territory — Laswa has been frequently shelled during bouts of fighting between Pakistan and India.

But in recent years it had been largely spared despite increasing tensions.

On Sunday, the tragedy brought by the floods reminded residents of the horrors of war from the past.

Shahnawaz Butt lost his wife and three of his six children in the disaster.

“I was unable to see their faces again because their bodies were not found,” he sighs.

“I would like to appeal to whoever hears my voice, to provide us with the basic necessities of life like electricity and water,” he pleads.

Several residents interviewed by AFP criticised the slow response by officials, saying supplies arrived slowly by the single road that enters the valley rather than being flown in.

White tents provided by the Pakistani army now stand in place of the homes that resided there just days ago, where survivors receive condolences from their neighbors.

Raging from June to September, the monsoon is essential for irrigating crops and replenishing vital water sources across the subcontinent that approximately one-fifth of the global population depends on.

But the yearly rains often turn deadly, as floods wash away communities and destroy farmland.

Fearful sights

Fearful sights in diverse places

Fearful flooding in diverse places

Fearful flooding

Great Rain

Great Flooding

Great Destruction

Great Crop Destruction

Being swept away

Being carried away

Flooding around the world

Sudden Flooding

Flash Flooding

Biblical Flooding

Record Rain

Record Flooding

Atmospheric Rivers