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.

‘Boy, they’re an ugly-looking thing’: Voracious swamp rodents swarming California and endangering water supply. Nutria suddenly reappear after being eradicated 50 years ago. Affecting up to 10 (5+5) million people. What do we know about the number Five (5)?

Jon Sharman. The Independent•September 25, 2019

Voracious swamp rodents have invaded parts of California, endangering the state’s water supply and threatening to destroy the habitats of other animals.

The nutria, resembling something between a large rat and a beaver, can weigh up to 9kg and consume up to a quarter of that mass daily in riverbank plants. Their destructive burrowing can damage wetland habitats.

“Boy, they’re an ugly-looking thing,” said David Passadori, an almond and walnut farmer in central California. “And the way they multiply – jeez.”

The nutria, known elsewhere as the coypu, was thought to have been eradicated in the 1970s. It was first brought to the region from Latin America by fur traders in the 19th century.

Most of the female nutria that wildlife rangers have found so far have been pregnant, and the animals can have up to three litters a year. More than 700 animals have been killed by rangers since their return was detected in 2017.

One of the greatest threats posed by the nutria is to public safety, officials have said. Unchecked, they could break into the Sacramento-San Joaquin river delta in central California, which provides drinking water for some 10 million people, as well as irrigation and flood protection.

“It sounds ridiculous, but these swamp rats are actually a major problem for our water infrastructure. They can cause floods by destroying irrigation canals and levees,” said Democratic state congressman Josh Harder earlier this year.

Now, armed with $10m (£8m) in state funds, rangers are deploying new tactics to eradicate the nutria and try to prevent the widespread destruction they are known to cause.

“Over the past two years, our best efforts were trying to not even control the population but keep it from exploding while we pursued the resources needed to actually pursue eradication,” said Valerie Cook, from the California fish and wildlife department’s eradication programme.

“We haven’t had nutria in California for 50 years, so nobody really knows much about them,” Peter Tira, a department spokesman, said. “We’ve had to learn on the job as we go.”