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.
Japan’s controversial annual dolphin hunt begins. Will last for 6 months. What do we know about the number Six (6)?
Danielle Demetriou. The Telegraph•September 2, 2019
Japan’s annual dolphin hunt, a practice fiercely opposed by animal rights activists around the world, has started in the small coastal town of Taiji.
The hunting season kicked off in the town in Wakayama Prefecture on Sunday, with 12 boats reportedly setting off at 5am, before returning empty handed later in the day.
The practice, which will continue for around six months, sees fishermen herding dolphins and small whales into a cove with a net, before they are either slaughtered with knives or sold to aquariums.
The town’s annual dolphin hunt was cast into the global spotlight after the 2009 Oscar-winning documentary The Cove captured graphic scenes of the slaughter, inspiring a growing number of activists visiting the town to oppose the practice.
Japan’s maritime hunting policies have long been at odds with the international community. The new dolphin season kicked off just months after Japan officially left the International Whaling Commission on June 30, paving the way for the resumption of commercial whaling in July for the first time in 31 years.
Officials in Taiji were reportedly anxious that animal rights activists might attempt to disrupt the start of this year’s dolphin hunting season, as in previous years, according to Kyodo News agency.
Concerns prompted officials to arrange for police officers and personnel from the Japan Coast Guard to be deployed to the area throughout the season.
However, with only around 10 members of a Japanese animal rights group gathered at the port, the first boats set off from the port without obstruction.
“Thanks to the security, we can do (hunting) with ease,” Teruto Seko, head of the fisheries cooperative, told Kyodo News.
The latest hunting season went ahead despite legal action launched in Japan by activists earlier this year attempting to block the practice. The lawsuit, filed in a court in Wakayama, asserted that dolphins were biologically mammals and the cruelty inflicted on them was “illegal” according to Japanese laws.
The Japanese government has defended dolphin hunting in the past, with Yoshihide Suga, chief cabinet secretary, declaring five years ago that it is a “form of traditional fishing in our country”.
His comments were in response to criticism from Caroline Kennedy, then US ambassador in Japan, with numerous other high profile critics including Yoko Ono.