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.

UK weather: Woman dies and hundreds evacuated after ‘biblical’ floods hit North and Midlands. Six (6) severe “threat to life” warnings were issued. £2.5bn (5) and £50m (5) flood defense investment. “The flooding is the most severe that I’ve known it, in my 25 (5×5) years living here.”

Jane Dalton. The Independent•November 8, 2019

Boris Johnson has warned of even more flooding in future because of climate change after the UK was deluged with a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours in some areas.

The prime minister insisted the government was investing billions of pounds into flood defences, as hundreds of homes were being evacuated because of the danger to life.

Six severe “threat to life” warnings were issued around Yorkshire and the Midlands, and a major incident declared in South Yorkshire, which was hit by the worst floods since 2007.

A woman died in Derbyshire when she was apparently swept away by waters while hundreds more were forced to flee their homes.

The Environment Agency repeated warnings for people to stay away from swollen rivers, with residents describing the deluge as “almost biblical”.

Fire crews were called in to help guide people to safety while rail and road users were warned against travelling on certain routes.

Residents in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, were told to evacuate their homes immediately as the Environment Agency warned against flooding from the River Don.

Some areas were hit by mudslides after more than 80mm of rain fell on Thursday. The average monthly rainfall total for Yorkshire at this time of year is 89mm.

Kathleen Overton, from Toll Bar, South Yorkshire, said: “It was almost biblical, I would say. You were just looking out of your window in disbelief at how much of it was coming down.

“People’s cars were getting submerged in the water, gardens were ruined, you couldn’t drive anywhere. It was carnage.”

During a visit to Matlock in Derbyshire, when asked what the government was doing to support people during floods, Mr Johnson said: “We’ve got a huge programme of flood defences and flood preparation – there’s £2.5bn going into it and I think £50m has gone into Derbyshire alone.

“But in the end, you’ve got to face the reality that places like this are vulnerable to flooding – we’re going to see more of it.”

He added: “You cannot underestimate the psychological effect of flooding on people – it is a big, big blow.

“But we are seeing more and more serious flooding – perhaps because of building, almost certainly because of climate change – we need to prepare and we need to be investing in those defences and that’s what this government is doing.

“It’s a good time to do it. The cost of infrastructure borrowing is low – so let’s get it in now.”

Residents in one street in Doncaster were rescued from their homes by boats on Friday as waist-high water filled the street.

Lacey Hanrahan, 24, told how she and her baby had to be taken on a boat when water started coming into her home. She said: “It got to the point where I wasn’t able to walk out, so I was taken out on the boat. I just can’t believe how deep the water has got.”

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it rescued more than 100 stranded people on Thursday night.

About 36 homes in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, were evacuated after a mudslide caused when a quarry collapsed, while residents in 25 homes in Worksop were also ordered to escape because of the floods.

Rail operator Northern advised passengers not to travel, with services between Hull, Leeds, Lincoln and Manchester disrupted.

Footage of a woman on a mobility scooter braving the severe flooding in Sheffield as though nothing had happened went viral on social media.

Stephanie Jubb, who captured the video, said: “She didn’t even lift her legs up or anything.”

She said the moment illustrated “northern spirit”.

Away from Mr Johnson’s visit in Matlock, Beth Windle photographed ducks sitting on the arms of submerged benches and able to reach higher bushes.

“The flooding is the most severe that I’ve known it, in my 25 years living here,” she said.

In Lincoln, Chelsea Foster said she was shocked to see swans swim to the wall at the bottom of her garden from an overflowing River Witham.

Alex Burkill, a meteorologist with the Met Office, said: “Some places have seen a month’s worth of rain in one day. The rain is easing and moving south but obviously the impact of that will continue to be felt.”