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.

Burning haze blanketing cities sees hundreds of schools closed across Malaysia. What do we know about the number Five (5)?

Indonesia’s neighbours regularly complain about forest fires started by country’s farmers

Zamira Rahim. The Independent. September 12, 2019

Malaysia has closed 409 schools after forest fires caused a haze to descend on the eastern state of Sarawak. The government said the haze was caused by smoke from neighbouring Indonesia, where over one thousand forest fires are burning on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

The Malaysian government has issued 500,000 face masks for residents in Sarawak.

Officials said that Sarawak district hit a “very unhealthy” 201 pollution level on Air Visual’s air quality index, while unhealthy readings were recorded in five other states in the country.

Air quality has to reach a rating between 201-300 to be designated “very unhealthy” on the index.

Honolulu in Hawaii, considered one of the cities in the world with the cleanest air, has an 8 rating on the index. London, which struggles with air pollution, has a rating of 21, which is ranked as ”good”.

Singapore said its air conditions could also hit unhealthy levels over the next 24 hours, as winds blow pollution in from Indonesia.

An unhealthy ranking on the scale is anything over 151, with Singapore currently rated at 99.

The city-state advised residents feeling unwell to seek medical attention.

“Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, healthy persons should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion,” the country’s environment agency said

“Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.”

Indonesia’s neighbours in southeast Asia have regularly complained about smog caused by the country’s forest blazes.

The fires are often started by farmers trying to clear land for palm oil and pulp plantations.

Indonesia has deployed thousands of emergency crews to combat fires at over 1,500 hot spots, according to the AFP news agency.

The practice had previously caused officials to worry about a potential negative impact on the country’s tourism industry.

Indonesia denied Malaysia’s claim that the haze was caused by its forest fires.

A government spokesperson said the haze could have been caused by other fires currently raging in Malaysia, as well as in the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, East Timor and Thailand.

Indonesia’s weather agency said it had detected more than 2,500 fires across the region.