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.

Underwater eruption near Fonualei Island, Tonga

Posted by Teo Blašković on August 19, 2019. Watchers.news

A new underwater eruption took place near Fonualei island in the Tonga archipelago on August 7, 2019.

The eruption was first reported on August 7 when large clouds were observed ‘on the horizon at the location of Fonualei volcano.’ “The plume continued to get larger over the next few hours. It seemed to pause and then erupt again,” an observer told Volcano Discovery.

The next information about the eruption came on August 15 after catamaran Sail Surf ROAM, en route to Fiji, encountered volcanic rocks completely covering the ocean surface at location 18 55′ S 175 21′ W. The crew reported entering the pumice at 08:00 UTC (19:00 local time).

“Rubble slick made up of rocks from marble to basketball size such that water was not visible,” ROAM crew reported on their Facebook page.

Description of the event, as reported by ROAM:

We had heard the previous day on email of “pumice fields” 50 NM North of Vava’u. We saw none as we rounded North of Vava’u earlier in the day on our route ex Bora Bora.
Sailing on 255T we started seeing some floating rocks of random sizes (marbles to tennis balls) from position 18 46′ S 174 55’W. We reduced sail to slow our speed.

At position 18 50′ S 175 05′ W we had faint but distinct smell of sulfur. TWD = 115T at the time had us down wind of Home Reef charted as area of volcanic activity.

We continued sailing at reduced speed on 250T.

At position 18 54’S 175 19’W we started to see and strike larger floating rocks. We took down all sail. Allowing the boat to continue on bare poles at 2-3kts on COG 255T. As we could no longer smell the sulfur we assumed we would be soon clear of the rubble so elected to continue at slowest speed.

At approx 0700hrs UTC (1900 local) 15/8/19 at position 18 55′ S 175 21′ W we entered a total rock rubble slick made up of pumice stones from marble to basketball size. The waves were knocked back to almost calm and the boat was slowed to 1kt. The rubble slick went as far as we could see in the moonlight and with our spotlight. We made a turn to starboard and managed to sail clear of the rubble slick under Staysail. We had entered it approx 200m and the edge could be made out in the partial moonlight back to the
NE. It was extensive in all other directions.

In the slick our steering became temporarily/partially fouled by rocks jamming between rudders and hull. Our speed log was also inturupted but thankfully this morning both functioning as normal.

Once clear of the rubble we acted with caution and retraced our course under 3rd reef main and staysail before turning south and then west.

Other vessels in the imidiate area were notified and we remained in touch to update one another on our status and that of the conditions in our area.

My intention was to return to the East and sail around the windward side of Home Reef and surrounding charted areas of volcanic activity some 35NM to our SE. The two other yachts I informed of the rubble slick found clear water going South and turning west from 19 00′ S 175 05′ W so we followed them.

We have since cleared all sign of volcanic rock and continuing to Fiji. Location of source of volcanic activity unknown. Please warn yachts sailing Vava’u to Fiji.