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.

Matmo makes landfall, brings power outages and flooding rainfall to Vietnam

By Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist Updated Oct. 31, 2019 9:32 AM

Matmo made landfall Wednesday night, local time, bringing with it heavy, tropical rainfall and possible flooding to southeastern Asia.

Tropical Storm Matmo developed early Wednesday morning, local time, after it moved over the open waters of the South China Sea on Tuesday. Warm ocean water, weak wind shear and little to no interaction with land helped the system to strengthen into a tropical storm.

While the mountains near the coast of Vietnam will work to tear apart and weaken Matmo, it can still bring dangerous flooding to the region.

With round after round of tropical downpours, widespread rainfall totals of 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 inches) are expected.

In areas where the heaviest downpours occur, rainfall totals can reach 100 to 200 mm (4 to 8 inches). An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 300 mm (12 inches) is possible, especially in the higher elevations.

Through Thursday evening, local time, the city of Quang Ngai, south of Da Nang, reported 319 mm (12.56 inches) of rainfall from Matmo.

With this much rain expected in just a couple of days, flash flooding and mudslides will be a concern across much of the region.

Rain will spread farther west into Cambodia, eastern Thailand and Laos late in the day on Thursday and into Friday as the storm continues to dissipate. The heaviest rain will likely remain in Vietnam.

Winds began to increase along the coast of Vietnam on Wednesday and persisted on Thursday. Wind gusts reached 111 km/h (68 mph) in Quy Nhon.

According to CCTV Asia Pacific, approximately 1 million families in Binh Dinh, Quy Nhon and Phu Yen were without electricity.

Until Matmo moves inland and weakens, wind gusts will be able to reach between 65 and 97 km/h (40 to 60 mph). The highest gusts will be most likely to occur over the coast and near the center of the storm, especially on the northern side of the eye.

Wind gusts of this speed can bring localized damage and down some trees and power lines, especially given the saturated soil. Coastal flooding will also be a concern, especially in areas of the strongest onshore flow. After a short break in the wake of the storm, spotty showers and thunderstorms will return to Vietnam through the end of the week as recovery efforts begin.