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.

Wildfires spread across Lebanon as government is accused of neglect. “The world was red”. Firefighting helicopters ceased function Five (5) years ago. Videos.

Huge blazes broke out across Lebanon

Date of publication: 15 October, 2019. The New Arab

Lebanon has turned to its neighbours for help with battling forest fires that have ravaged homes and killed a volunteer firefighter in the Mediterranean country, the premier said on Tuesday.

“We have contacted the Europeans who will send means of help,” Prime Minister Saad Hariri said in comments carried by national news agency NNA.

Firefighters in Lebanon were desperately trying to put out at least 105 forest blazes raging across the country on Tuesday, as fires which started on Monday morning in the Chouf area of central Lebanon spread rapidly overnight.

One volunteer firefighter, identified as 32-year-old Salim Abu Mujahed, died as a result of a heart attack while trying to put out the fires in his hometown, Betater, in the Chouf mountains.

At least 180 people have been injured in the fires, The New Arab’s Arabic-language site reported.

The Lebanese Red Cross also said that four people had been injured in the village of Qerna al-Hamra in central Lebanon. The television channel NBN tweeted video showing the fires surrounding the village.

In an area south of Beirut, firefighters have for two days been unable to stop the blaze, which has burnt four homes to the ground and caused dozens to suffer from breathing difficulties, NNA said

The Director-General of the Lebanese Civil Defence, Raymond Khattar, said that 200 vehicles from the Civil Defence were working to put out the fires, with the assistance of the army.

Two planes provided by Cyprus were also fighting the fires on Tuesday morning, while Civil Defence teams worked to put out blazes which reached residential areas.

Lebanese Interior Minister Raya al-Hassan tweeted that she had chaired a meeting of a disaster response committee, and that Greece would also be sending helicopters. Jordan would also be sending assistance, she said.

Dry conditions and strong winds helped the fires spread and videos showed residents fleeing their homes in terror.

“We’re speaking of many square kilometers; the fire was jumping from hill to hill due to the high winds,” Khattar told the Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star.

A resident of the Metn area told Lebanese journalists, “We woke up at 4:30 and the world was red”.

“The fire was going over the building,” a member of the Civil Defence said.

Lebanese Environment Minister Fad Jreissati said that the country would be at risk of further fires over the next three days. He also said that some of the fires may have been deliberately started.

“At some point we have to execute people who set fires,” he said.

The Lebanese government has faced criticism for the spread of the fires, with three army Sikorsky helicopters – specialised in fighting fires – out of action due to a lack of funding for maintenance, The Daily Star reported.

The helicopters were acquired by Lebanon in 2009 but had ceased functioning five years ago. They can carry 4,000 litres of water, while the Lebanese army were using helicopters which can only carry 700 litres in their efforts to fight the fires.

Elie Mahfoud, the head of the opposition Taghyir (Change) Movement tweeted, “Our voices have become hoarse telling this government to set up a ministry for disasters and emergencies, but we can’t expect any achievements from a state which won’t even invest in its basic institutions like the Civil Defence.”