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.

Thousands fall ill as Nepal becomes latest country to be hit by dengue outbreak

Telegraph.co.uk Joe Wallen, Delhi 11 SEPTEMBER 2019

Nepal is the latest country to endure an unprecedented dengue fever outbreak with six deaths and more than 8,000 people hospitalised in the last four months.

The epidemic – believed to be the worst in the nation’s history – has been attributed to climate change and urbanisation creating new breeding grounds for the aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus mosquitoes that spread the disease.

It is one of a wave of outbreaks of the debilitating virus that has spread around the world this year. Bangladesh, the Philippines and Honduras have all sounded national alerts over the disease, which causes debilitating flu-like symptoms including a high fever, headaches and joint pain. In severe cases it can be deadly. 

Earlier this year the World Health Organization warned that the disease was one of the top 10 threats to the world’s health because of its high burden and potential to spread. It kills 10,000 people a year and infects over 100 million.

Members of the public and opposition politicians have accused the Nepali government of being too slow to react to the current outbreak.

The Nepali Congress demanded Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli declare a national health emergency after his own Minister of Agriculture contracted dengue fever last week.

“The infection is on the rise,

[spraying of disinfectant]

should have been done earlier, steps are being taken only after a large number of people are infected,” Nani Maya Shrestha, a resident of Kathmandu, told Asian News International.

“If they had done this in the beginning, infection cases might not have increased.”

Three main factors are thought to be behind dengue’s rapid spread since it was first identified in the country in 2004 and this year’s outbreak.

Experts say climate change has led to a rise in annual temperatures and led to periods of more intense rainfall over the past decade – in July 50 people died in flooding caused by unusually heavy monsoon rain.

The hotter and wetter weather has created ideal breeding grounds for the mosquitoes in areas that previously did not have any of the insects with cases reported in over 55 out of 77 districts in the Himalayan country. 

Secondly – as in Bangladesh which has also endured a severe outbreak this year – rapid urbanisation in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara has caused water to pool on building sites, creating the perfect location for mosquitoes to lay their eggs and breed. 

Local media have also pointed the finger at improper waste management in cities for the same reason with discarded tyres, bottles and cans allegedly providing suitable breeding grounds.  The Nepali Ministry of Home Affairs has said it is carrying out a nationwide cleaning campaign, but some local authorities claim they lack the budget and manpower to do so.