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.

Devastating photos show the damage of Typhoon Lekima, which left at least 32 people dead and forced 1 million to evacuate in China. China was struck by the third-largest typhoon in its history on the morning of August 10. Videos.

Business Insider•August 11, 2019

China was struck by the third-largest typhoon in its history on the morning of August 10.

Typhoon Lekima triggered widespread blackouts, flight cancellations, and evacuations across major cities. Landslides and building collapses in China’s east Zhejiang Province left at least 32 people and left 16 others missing, local officials said Sunday, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. 

The storm battered the coast south of Shanghai, the nation’s financial capital, which is home to more than 20 million people. The strongest typhoon of the year caused landslides which spurred hundreds of homes to collapse, according to NPR. 

As of Sunday, the storm was headed further north along the east coast and was expected to bring torrential rains and heavy winds to the Shandong Province, state media said. 

The tropical depression (essentially a group of thunderstorms) originated in the Philippine Sea. Five days later, on August 7, it morphed into a super typhoon, with a wind speed of at least 150 miles per hour.

Before making its way to China, the storm passed through the Philippines, where it caused flooding in more than 400 areas.

The Red Cross estimated that more than 17,000 households in the Philippines were affected by the disaster.

China uses a color-coded system to inform citizens about weather conditions. Before the storm made landfall, China’s weather bureau issued a “red alert” — the most severe type of warning.

A million people were evacuated from their homes ahead of the storm’s arrival.

Evacuees included more than 250,000 residents in Shanghai and 800,000 residents in China’s Zhejiang province.

Lekima made landfall in Eastern China on the morning of August 10.

By that time, Lekima had weakened to the equivalent of a Category 3 storm, with wind speeds of 116 miles per hour.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration classifies Category 3 storms as capable of causing “devastating damage.”

The storm’s arrival triggered a landslide in the port city of Wenzhou, where a natural dam collapsed under pressure from heavy rain.

An estimated 200 homes in the Zhejiang province also collapsed due the storm. 

Around 2.7 million of the province’s households endured blackouts as the storm ravaged electricity lines.

As of Sunday, the death toll from the storm rose to 32, and 16 more people were presumed missing.

Lekima is the third-largest typhoon on record in China. 

As of Sunday evening, more than 6.5 million people were impacted by the storm.

Shandong Province, located in the country’s east, was bracing for the torrential rains and heavy winds on Sunday.

Shandong braced for the impacts of the storm on Sunday, prompting flight cancellations and school closures, according to Reuters. The storm was expected to bring torrential rain and strong winds, state media said.