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.

Nearly 600,000 advised to evacuate as storm makes landfall on Japan

By Elaine Lies. Reuters•August 14, 2019

TOKYO (Reuters) – Heavy rains lashed parts of western Japan on Thursday as tropical storm Krosa made landfall, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and trains as authorities advised more than half a million people to evacuate.

Authorities warned the total rainfall in some areas could surpass 1,000 mm (39 inches) in 24 hours to Friday morning and advised some 584,100 people to evacuate as some rivers were verging dangerously close to flood stage.

Krosa, a Khmer word for crane, was packing sustained winds of 108 kmh (67 mph) and gusts up to 144 kmh (90 mph) when it made landfall in the western Japanese prefecture of Hiroshima, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

“Given the predictions of record rains and high winds, we’d like to ask people in the affected areas to avoid going outside if they can, and to make early preparations to evacuate if needed according to directions of the local authorities,” Yoshihide Suga, chief cabinet secretary, told a news conference.

Despite the rain, there were no reports of flooding, and only a handful of injuries. One elderly man was in a critical condition after slipping off a wharf and falling into the sea.

More than 200 people died in torrential rains and flooding in parts of western Japan in 2018, areas that could also be hit by severe rains from Krosa – memories that some people said remained far too vivid.

“Given what happened last year, I came here really early,” one elderly man at an evacuation center in Kure, which was badly hit in 2018, told national broadcaster NHK. He lost his home and is still living in temporary housing.

“I never want to go through things like last year again.”

Eighteen people, including a five-month-old baby, became trapped on Wednesday when a river rose suddenly as they were having a barbeque. None were injured and they were rescued, draped in blankets, by noon on Thursday.

The Shinkansen bullet train service was halted in one part of western Japan, as were all local train lines, and several highways were closed. A total of 679 flights were canceled, NHK national television said, snarling travel plans for thousands at the end of Japan’s main summer holiday period.

“My flight got canceled today, and without any trains running, there isn’t anything I can do,” one man told NHK.

Hot air brought to Japan by the storm sent temperatures soaring in parts of northern Japan, with one part of Niigata prefecture hitting 40.7 Celsius (105 Fahrenheit) by early afternoon. Meanwhile, the eastern part of the country continued to swelter through a heat wave that has seen high temperatures stuck above 31 Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) in Tokyo since July 24.

Eighty people have died from the heat in the two weeks from July 29, with 31,100 taken to hospital.