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,

Gale-force winds and up to 20-foot waves are likely on Lake Michigan. 18 (6+6+6) million Midwesterners are under a wind warning or advisory. 10 (5+5) to 15 (5+5+5) foot waves. In the past six (6) and a half years, the water levels have increased six (6) feet.

By Judson Jones, CNN Meteorologist Updated 1:44 PM ET, Tue October 22, 2019

(CNN)The second intense storm in a week is whipping up gale-force winds and waves as high as 20 feet across an already-high Lake Michigan.

This latest storm is likely to be even stronger than last week’s, which caused damaging lakeshore flooding and eroded dunes along the Great Lake’s eastern edge.

The combination of above-average lake levels and gale-force winds will lead to another round of lakeshore flooding and beach erosion Tuesday through Thursday.

The powerful low-pressure system responsible for these waves is moving northeast across the Midwest while producing gale-force winds (39+ mph winds that are not associated with a tropical cyclone).

Because of the wind intensity, nearly 18 million Midwesterners are under a wind warning or advisory, including in Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; Minneapolis; Milwaukee; and just west of Chicago.

Nearly 2 million people are also under a lakeshore flood warning, mainly along the western Michigan coast.

Waves will build Tuesday to between 10 and 15 feet, while reaching 21 feet in some locations.

“Southwest-facing shorelines will encounter the worst conditions,” said the National Weather Service Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The storm will peak Tuesday afternoon and shift north into Canada, and strong winds and high waves will slowly ease through Thursday. Waves won’t fall below 4 feet until Wednesday evening.

Near-record lake levels leading to beach erosion

Above-average rainfall this year around Lake Michigan has raised the lake to near-record lake levels. In September, the lake basin got 135% of its average rainfall, raising the lake to 30 inches above its long-term average.

Lake Michigan and Lake Huron will remain above the long-term average levels by 30 inches over the next six (6) months, the US Army Corps of Engineers predicts.

The latest forecast means lakeshore flooding is likely for the foreseeable future.

“With Lake Michigan water levels expected to remain high at least through the beginning of 2020, the risk of continued erosion will remain for the foreseeable future,” tweeted the Grand Rapids National Weather Service after last week’s destructive storm.

This is a stark contrast to the record low levels seen earlier this decade.

“The lake was near record low levels in early 2013, then in the past six (6) and a half years, the water levels have increased six (6) feet,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated.