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.

Leprosy patients at risk as ‘heaviest monsoon in 25 (5×5) years’ brings deadly floods to India. Over 1,500 died. 55 in Bihar alone.

The Telegraph. October 3, 2019

Severe flooding in one of India’s poorest states risks depriving thousands of leprosy and lymphatic filariasis patients of treatment and leaving them destitute, a charity has warned.

Around 2,000 people with the diseases are in danger across four district of northern Bihar state, bordering Nepal in the north of the country.

India has this year had its heaviest monsoon in 25 years and more over 1,500 people have died since June. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have been particularly badly hit in recent days, with at least 55 reported dead in Bihar alone.

The crisis means health workers are struggling to reach leprosy patients and those with lymphatic filariasis, a worm infection of the lymph system that can cause elephantiasis, the UK-based international charity Lepra said.

“Raw sewage, filthy water and extreme weather conditions have seriously affected our ability to deliver care to those in these remote, isolated regions and the situation is now considered an international emergency,” a spokeswoman told the Telegraph.

Ashim Chowla, chief executive of Lepra India, said the flooding posed an “exceptional challenge” to help those already facing crisis due to their leprosy diagnoses.

He said: “There are large disparities across India between the rich and the poor. Bihar gets  no attention during times of natural disaster compared to the larger cities around India. The flooding is badly disrupting a health service which is already neglected and overstretched.

“These are predictable problems and yet, the governance in Bihar is in shambles. The  response system for people with lymphatic filariasis and leprosy is non-existent. Nobody has been working on disaster resilience in Bihar,” he said.

He went on: “The situation in Bihar is abysmal. Even one person losing their life is a  tragedy and hundreds have already died in Bihar since the flooding began.”

India still faces around 100,000 cases of leprosy each year. The bacterial disease can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes. It has been completely curable for decades by treatment with a battery of drugs, but in parts of India it is still considered a divine curse or a punishment for past crimes. Those afflicted can be outcast and lose everything.