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.
Britain branded the ‘drug capital of Europe’ amid addiction crisis. Increasing drug pestilence in diverse places.
Christian.org.uk August 30, 2019
Experts are calling for the UK Government to take addiction seriously after reports reveals the extent of Britain’s drugs crisis.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that drug deaths in the UK are at the highest level on record, with cocaine-related deaths doubling in the last three years.
And the European Drug Report revealed that almost 40 per cent of drug overdose deaths in the EU occurred in the UK.
‘Dereliction of duty’
Freedom of Information requests showed that since 2014, 30 residential rehabilitation centres have closed, with one in five local authorities cutting funding for addiction services by more than a third, and some cutting by more than 50 per cent.
Andy Cook, CEO of The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) said: “There has been a clear and worrying correlation between the recent reductions in addiction funding and the increase in drug-related deaths.
“Recovery is earned through an enormous test of character and emotional determination. We should be doing all we can to support those going through this process.
“It is a dereliction of duty that rehabilitation centres are turning away those in need due to a lack of funding.”
‘Deeply worrying’
Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative Party leader and founder of the CSJ, said the scale of the addiction problem in the UK is “deeply worrying”.
He said: “Whether through gambling, drugs or alcoholism, addiction courses through society.
“The elderly have been exposed to an increased risk of prescription opioid addiction and too many of the 55,000 children defined as problem gamblers are aged just 11 years old.”
He added that “addiction entrenches disadvantage, deepening the woes of poorer families disproportionately”, and that it is “responsible for mental health issues, homelessness and domestic violence”.
Funding
The CSJ report called on the Government to create a Prevention and Recovery Agency to formulate a single addiction strategy that would be implemented nationwide.
The think tank said it was “simply not good enough” to say the country cannot afford to help treat addicts, and said funding should be provided from central taxation.
It also suggested that a gambling levy and more taxation of alcohol could help to provide extra funding for addiction services.