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.

Mekong levels at lowest on record as drought and dams strangle river. Is the great river Euphrates next? Almost 50 (5) more hydro plants under construction. Water level lowest in almost 30 (6×5) years. The Mekong courses through Six (6) countries.

AFP•October 31, 2019

Loei (Thailand) (AFP) – The once-mighty Mekong river has been reduced to a thin, grubby neck of water in stretches of northern Thailand — record lows blamed on drought and a recently completed dam far upstream.

The $4.47 billion Thai-owned Xayaburi hydro-electric power plant went into operation this week in Laos after years of warnings over the potential impact on fish flow, sediment and water levels on a river which feeds tens of millions.

Along parts of Thailand’s northeastern border at Loei, the kilometre-wide (3,300-foot) river has shrivelled to a few dozen metres, with boulders and bedrock encasing muddy pools of water.

From above, the encroaching banks of Laos and Thailand are now a thread of water apart, restricting fishing grounds to a slim channel.

Fishermen blame a combination of this year’s weak monsoon and the Xayaburi dam, around 300 kilometres (185 miles) to the north.

“I don’t want any more dam construction,” said fisherman Sup Aunkaew, who tossed a meagre catch into his boat, adding that the fish spawning habits have been “confused” by the unseasonally low water levels.

“But we can’t really oppose their plans if they want to do it.”

Landlocked and impoverished Laos has set its sights on becoming “the battery of Asia”, with 44 operating hydro plants and almost 50 more under construction many on key tributaries of the Mekong, according to monitor International Rivers.

The Mekong River Commission (MRC), a body governing regional water diplomacy, said the water levels from June to October are the lowest in nearly 30 years.

In Nong Khai, which faces the Laos’ capital Vientiane, the water dropped to around one metre (3.2 feet) on Tuesday, several times shallower than average, the MCR said.

Measurements across the river “are significantly below the minimum levels for this time of year and are expected to decreases further”, it said in a statement to AFP.

“The concern is for the upcoming dry season.”

– ‘Death of a thousand cuts’ –

Experts say the dam-building frenzy in China and Laos has compounded the drought.

“These are causing the Mekong to die a death of a thousand cuts,” said Brian Eyler, author of “The Last Days of the Mighty Mekong”.

He said the lower part of the river is at a “crisis point” until rains come again next year.

The Mekong, which rises on the Tibetan plateau and courses through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam — sustains tens of millions of people along its banks through fishing and agriculture.

The 1,285-megawatt Xayaburi dam was built by CKPower — a subsidiary of the Thai builder and majority shareholder CH Karnchang — which went ahead with construction despite protests in Thailand, which is buying most of the electricity.

As it began operations the company plastered Thai newspapers with advertising this week referring to the “greatness of the Mekong” and calling the dam “fish friendly”.

It did not respond to several requests for comment but the company has trumpeted its commitment to clean, sustainable energy.

In July the dam operator denied tests on the mega-structure were responsible for the river drying up downstream in northeastern Thailand.