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, duration and
scope.
Brazil deploys 5,000 (5) troops as fury mounts at inaction over worst oil spill in country’s history. 600 (6) tons of oil recovered. Accident called, ‘unprecedented in the world.’ They don’t know how the spill occurred, or where it came from.
Rozina Sabur. The Telegraph•October 23, 2019
Brazil has deployed 5,000 troops to its beaches amid mounting fury at the government’s inaction over the worst oil spill in the country’s history.
The environmental catastrophe began in early September when large quantities of oil inexplicably washed ashore.
The mysterious spill has continued and has now touched more than 1,000 miles of Brazil’s coast, polluting some of the country’s most picturesque beaches and destroying local marine life.
Now public anger is rising over the Brazilian government’s failure to stem the flow – or indeed establish the oil’s source. In response, local officials have resorted to urging volunteers to aid the cleanup mission.
Videos of volunteers’ inefficient attempts to clean up the spills have been met with ridicule on social media. Online commentators have shared footage of locals equipped with little more than rubber gloves and rudimentary fishing nets battling the huge environmental disaster, questioning why the government has not offered a coordinated national response.
This week Hamilton Mourão, the country’s vice president, announced he was dispatching 5,000 troops to the northeast to give more “more visibility” to the government’s response.
Mr Mourão said the government had recovered 600 tons of oil, the equivalent of almost 4,300 barrels, calling the accident “unprecedented in the world”.
But critics have argued the government is no closer to determining the source of the spill.
President Jair Bolsonaro’s government has posited several theories, including blaming Venezuela, criminals, or foreign vessels, but offered no evidence.
Mr Bolsonaro, who has already faced international criticism over his response to major fires in the Amazon, suggested the spill was the result of a “criminal action” to sabotage an oil auction taking place in November which is expected to generate $50 billion for Brazil.
The Brazilian leader said: “I wonder, we have to be very responsible about what we say – could it have been a criminal act to harm this auction?”
“It’s a question that’s out there,” he added.
The country’s environmental agency said a molecular analysis of the oil revealed it had not been produced in Brazil and the state-run oil company Petrobras has also denied any involvement.
Experts say that while naturally occurring oil spills are not uncommon, the sheer magnitude of the spill makes it unlikely to have occurred from the ocean floor or a sunken ship.