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.

UK seizes nearly $50m worth of heroin, one of its largest heroin busts ever. Drug pestilence increasing.

By Samuel Quashie-Idun and Bianca Britton, CNN Updated 1:46 PM ET, Tue August 6, 2019

London (CNN)In one of the largest ever seizures of heroin in UK history, British law enforcement have seized £40 million ($48.7 million) worth of the drug after an international operation, the country’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said Tuesday.

Officers from the Border Force and the NCA acted Friday on intelligence that identified a suspicious vessel in Felixstowe, England, the agency said.

Inside, officers uncovered a container with approximately 398 kilograms of heroin, concealed under a load of towels and bathrobes.

“The drugs would be worth at least £9m to organized criminals selling the whole consignment at wholesale, and at least £40m at street level in the UK and other European countries,” the NCA said.

The heroin was removed and the container returned to the vessel and sent on its way.

After arriving in the port of Antwerp, Belgium, the container was moved by truck to the Dutch city of Rotterdam, all under close police watch. When suspects took steps to unload the contents, Dutch police swooped in.

Two arrests have been made by Dutch Police. A man from Bromsgrove, UK, has also been arrested.

“Substantial seizures like this help to keep communities safe and hit the organized crime groups involved in the international drugs trade hard,” said Border Force Deputy Director Mark Kennedy.