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.

Europe at major threat of INSECT-BORNE tropical diseases, scientists warn

Published time: 14 Apr, 2019 09:24Edited time: 15 Apr, 2019 08:40 RT

Europe is on the cusp of a major health threat from dangerous tropical diseases as climate change shifts weather patterns across the continent and people move around more, scientists are saying.

The harsher winters and generally colder conditions of Europe have long meant that insects that spread deadly illness like dengue fever and West Nile fever simply can’t survive to pass infections on to new human hosts. While the tiny disease-carrying critters can travel the distance from outbreak areas into more northerly regions, they can’t cope with the sudden drop in temperatures when seasons change in Europe.

However, with climate change impacting on the temperature and rain patterns in Europe, scientists have issued a stark warning that this will have a major knock-on effect in providing the ideal hotter, wetter conditions for these insects to breed and spread.

Scientists presented new research about the alarming expansion of vector range at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases on Saturday. “The stark reality is that longer hot seasons will enlarge the seasonal window for the potential spread of vector-borne diseases and favor larger outbreaks,” warned study author Dr Giovanni Rezza, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Istituto Superiore di Sanita in Rome, Italy.

Alarmingly, Rezza added that “Mediterranean Europe is now a part-time tropical region,” in which these disease-spreading vectors “are already established.”

The last decade has seen outbreaks of tropical diseases in Europe as mosquitoes spread, ranging from dengue fever in France, to malaria in Greece. Cases of the incurable chikungunya virus have been reported in both Italy and France, after showing up for the first time in Europe in 2007. Meanwhile, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) says that in 2018, transmission rates for West Nile fever were higher than in the previous seven years.

Experts on the spread of deadly tropical diseases have called for more efforts in monitoring the threat so as to be better prepared for warding off potential outbreaks.