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,
20 places in America where weather is getting worse. ‘Like the pains of a woman in labor.’ Part One.
10:00 a.m. EDT Aug. 4, 2019. USA Today Weather.
1. Alaska
The significant increase in wildfire activity in Alaska in recent decades is
associated with man-made and natural factors. In 2015, wildfires burned through
5.1 million acres across the state, the second worst fire season since record
keeping began in 1940. According to a report published by the American
Meteorological Society in December 2016, human-induced climate change may have
increased the risk of such a severe fire season in Alaska by 34% to 60%.
2. Arctic Ocean: Alaska
In 2016, the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska experienced its most intense marine
heat wave – defined as at least five-day periods in which sea surface
temperatures are extremely high for the region – since at least 1982, when
satellite temperature records began. According to the American Meteorological
Society, human-induced climate change increased the change of such an extreme
weather event occurring by as much as 50 times.
3. Arizona: Phoenix
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Phoenix averaged
77.3 degrees in 2017 – the hottest year on record. Phoenix is one of the
fastest-warming cities in the country, and in 2018 there were a record 182
heat-related deaths confirmed in Phoenix and surrounding Maricopa County, the
third consecutive year the death toll has reached a record high.
4. Central Pacific: Near Hawaii
During the 2015-16 El Niño, the central equatorial Pacific experienced
record-setting sea surface temperatures. According to the American
Meteorological Society, the temperature anomalies were unprecedented and
unlikely to have occurred naturally and are therefore likely the result of
human-induced climate change. The thermal stress caused damage to the coral
reef and seabird communities in the area.
5. Central U.S.: Oklahoma
In April 2018, the Rhea Fire burned a total of 286,000 acres of land throughout
Oklahoma, the third major fire in the state in three years. In total, wildfires
burned through approximately 466,900 acres of land in Oklahoma in 2018, one of
the worst fire years in the state’s history. The increase in wildfire activity
in the Sooner State is due to worsening drought conditions, strong spring
winds, and unusually wet summers followed by abnormally dry winters. Scientists
warn that the potential for large fires in the United States could increase
six-fold by 2050 as greenhouse gas emissions persist and human-induced climate
change continues to worsen.
6. East Coast of North America: New York, Philadelphia, Boston,
Cincinnati, Pittsburgh
Cities in the eastern part of the United States – New York, Philadelphia,
Boston, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh – all recorded temperatures in the 70s on
Feb. 20th or 21, each setting an all-time high for single-day temperature in
the month of February.
7. East Coast of North America:
Maryland
On May 27, 2018, torrential rains west of Baltimore dumped between 6 and 12
inches of rain on the towns of Ellicott City and Catonsville, Maryland, causing
catastrophic flood damage throughout the area for the second time in three
years. Based on historical records, there is a 0.1% chance that such extreme
weather events will occur and their frequency in recent years is likely due in
part to man-made climate change.
8. Mid-Atlantic: Virginia to New York
A slow-moving colossal blizzard in January 2016 dumped up to 3 feet of snow
from Virginia to New York, causing around $1 billion in damage and the deaths
of 55 people. According to the Regional Snowfall Index, the blizzard was the
fourth largest Northeast storm since 1900. Some scientists say the blizzard is
an example of human-caused climate change because it was an extreme weather
event.