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.

A baby turtle was found with almost 105 pieces of plastic in its belly

By Alaa Elassar, CNN Updated 2:54 PM ET, Sat October 5, 2019

A baby turtle that washed up in Boca Raton, Florida, and died shortly after was found with almost 105 pieces of plastic in its stomach.

The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center on Tuesday shared a photo on Facebook of the tiny loggerhead sea turtle lying next to the fragments of plastic that cost it its life. The post has has since gone viral.

Emily Mirowski, a sea turtle rehabilitation assistant at the center, examined the turtle before it died.

“It was weak and emaciated. I could just tell it wasn’t doing well,” Mirowski told CNN.

After it died, Mirowski dissected the turtle and found its stomach was full of plastic, ranging from balloons to bottle labels.

“It was really heartbreaking,” she said. “But it’s something we’ve seen for several years and we’re just glad people are finally seeing this image and hopefully it’s raising awareness.”

Turtles suffering from malnutrition due to plastic consumption are so common that Gumbo Limbo Nature Center put a cooler in front of its building for residents to safely drop them off for rehabilitation. That’s how the loggerhead came to the center’s attention.

While some turtles survive, many do not.

According to Mirowski, dozens of washbacks dropped off at the center have already died since washback season started. Every single one of those turtles had ingested plastic.

Washbacks are turtles that have made it to the ocean and the Gulf Stream for a few weeks before being washed back ashore.

When the babies first hatch, they make their way towards mats of floating seaweed called sargassum, where they live for their first few years.

“The issue is that with all the plastic in the oceans, that’s where the plastic sticks,” Mirowski said. “All the microplastics stick to the seaweed, and it looks like food to the baby turtles.”

Having plastic in their bellies gives turtles the feeling that they’re full, Mirowski said. As a result, they don’t eat or receive the proper nutrition they need to survive.

By the time the turtles are found and dropped off at the center, they’re weak and emaciated.

“We give them a small amount of fluids everyday to get them hydrated,” Mirowski said. “Then we hope they’ll pass the plastic naturally. The important thing is getting them hydrated to get their appetite back.”

Mirowski says the problem won’t end until people stop buying plastics and disposing of them improperly.

“We have to reduce plastic use as much as possible,” she said. “Not just recycling, but eliminating plastic out of daily use. Every piece of plastic that’s ever been made is still out there. it never goes away, it just breaks down to smaller pieces.”