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.

Netherlands heatwave in July led to hundreds of extra deaths.

Three quarters of the fatalities were among people aged 80 years and older

August 10, 2019. The Independent.

Almost 400 more people died than usual during a single week in the Netherlands during the recent record-breaking heatwave.

In total, 2,964 people died during the week starting 22 July, Dutch national statistics agency CBS reported on Friday.

This is around 15 per cent more deaths than average for a summer week in the country.

About 300 of the additional fatalities were among people aged 80 years and older.

Temperature records tumbled across Europe during late July’s heatwave, with the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands sweltering under their highest temperatures ever record

Temperatures hit 42.6C in Germany and 40.6C in Belgium, the Met Office said.

The Netherlands’ 75-year-old record was broken several times. The Gilze-Rijen airbase near Breda first reached 39.2C, then the southern city of Eindhoven hit 0.1C higher. 

On 25 July, Gilze-Rijen recorded 40.7C, which stands as the current national heat record according to Dutch meteorological service KNMI. 

Most of the deaths occurred in the east of the Netherlands, where temperatures were higher and the heatwave lasted longer than in other parts of the country. The Netherlands has a total population of around 17 million.

The death toll in the country during that week was comparable to the rate during two heatwaves in 2006, which were among the longest ever in the country, the researchers said.

The KNMI issued an official warning advising Amsterdam residents to stay inside during the heatwave for their safety. 

Residents and tourists were caught bathing in fountains throughout the city as they tried to cool off. One group was even photographed with their feet in an inflatable paddling pool at a bar.

A large bridge at Rotterdam port had to be sprayed over fears the metal would expand in the extreme heat. 

Twenty children fell sick at a summer camp in Leusden at the height of the July heatwave; some of them were taken to hospital, local media said. 

The heatwave was the second to hit Europe in a month, and climate specialists warn such bursts of heat may become more common as the planet warms up due to greenhouse gas emissions.