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.

$15 for a cup of Starbucks? The coffee industry is starting to get jittery with no significant rain in the forecast for Brazil

By John Roach, AccuWeather staff writer. September 12, 2019.

September marks roughly the end of the harvest season and the start of a new growing season for coffee in central-south Brazil, the world’s No. 1 coffee-producing country at more than 30% of the output, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

However, the key coffee-growing region of Minas Gerais in Brazil has not had significant rain in three months. Also, temperatures have been above normal in the state, which has stressed crops, according to one Brazilian analysis.  

Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo, which are also experiencing higher-than-normal temperatures, combined generate roughly three-fourths of Brazil’s coffee production. 

“It looks like it’s going to be a slow start to the rainy season in the coffee areas of Brazil and, of course, the markets get a little jittery,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls.

According to an AccuWeather analysis, average temperatures have been a whopping 7 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, and average precipitation has been 57% below normal since June 1 in the municipality of Franca in Sao Paulo on the Minas Gerais border of Brazil. 

“There’s no rain forecast for this week, next week or possibly the last week in September,” said Nicholls. “It could be early to mid-October, which is a little late, before that area gets at least a half of an inch of rain needed to have the coffee beans start to flower. If it’s not raining by mid-October, it’s really a problem.”

It’s still early, though, and no time for great concerns yet, Nicholls said. 

“If the rains do arrive and it rains consistently in late September or early to mid-October,” he said, “then you’ll still have a fine crop. Rainfall is the biggest key to the growing season in Brazil.”