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.

California earthquakes just caused a major fault line to move for the first time, a study shows. The southern San Andreas Fault typically sees massive quakes every 150 (5+5+5) years. Area is ‘over due.’

By Scottie Andrew, CNN Updated 6:29 PM ET, Fri October 18, 2019

(CNN) The Ridgecrest earthquake in July was the strongest to strike Southern California in 20 years. And the main quake, along with more than 100,000 aftershocks, caused a major fault to move for the first time, researchers say.

The movement attributed to the quake is less than an inch along the surface of the fault and would be virtually undetectable to an ordinary resident. But it has intrigued researchers for two reasons. They’re not clear what it means, and they’ve never seen this particular fault move, said Zachary Ross, assistant professor of geophysics at Caltech and an author of a study of the fault published Friday in the journal Science.

Researchers from Caltech and NASA recognize the fault shift as creeping. The phenomenon, though, usually occurs without an earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey.

The findings come as scientists continue to warn that the “Big One” — the monstrous earthquake that could potentially level populous Southern California — is overdue.

Remember the July earthquakes? There were 110,000 aftershocks

It started on July 4, when a 6.4-magnitude foreshock struck Southern California, the study said. That gave way 36 hours later to a 7.1-magnitude main shock, sending tremors as far as Arizona and Nevada. The area’s low population density saved it from substantial damage, though nearby naval facilities require billions of dollars to repair.

The main shock ruptured just miles from the Garlock fault, a major fault line that runs more than 180 miles from the San Andreas Fault to Death Valley. It has remained relatively dormant until now and has slipped 2 centimeters since the July quakes, researchers found.

Combining advanced seismometer data with satellite imaging of fault ruptures, the team tracked more than 110,000 aftershocks in the surrounding area over 21 days. The “dominoes-like sequence of ruptures” put heavy strain on the Garlock fault, researchers said.

Southern California has seen a few triggered creeps before, he said. The southern end of the San Andreas fault started creeping after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2010 just south of the US-Mexico border. The creeping then didn’t lead to a significant earthquake.

What does all this mean for the ‘Big One?’

Californians have long feared the “Big One.” But the study proves how much is still unknown about earthquakes and how difficult they are to predict.

The USGS says there is a 31% chance that a 7.5-magnitude earthquake will strike Los Angeles sometime in the next 30 years. LA County is home to more than 10 million people, according to the census.

The southern San Andreas Fault typically sees massive quakes every 150 years. The last one occurred there in 1857, which means that segment is considered a “likely location for an earthquake.”

But the 7.9-magnitude quake in San Francisco in 1906 means there’s a slightly lower chance of a major quake in the northern segment of the fault.

Seismologist Lucy Jones tweeted that there’s a 2% chance of the Big One occurring each year, and a 1 in 20,000 chance every day.

The “Big One” is impossible to predict. So, the USGS urges California residents to stay prepared, retrofit homes to make sure they hold up during a quake, and keep a healthy supply of food, water and fuel in case of an emergency.