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.

As deadly Australia bushfires rage, Sydney may be running out water. Home to more than five (5) million people. Dams could run dry by 2022. Four people dead. 1,300 (6×5) firefighters continue to battle the flames

By Jessie Yeung, CNN Updated 1:37 AM ET, Fri November 15, 2019

(CNN) Australia is reeling from deadly bushfires and the worst drought in decades — but fears are now growing that things could get worse, as a water shortage in the country’s biggest city begins to bite.

Four people have died in this year’s blazes, which have been exacerbated by hot, dry weather. And now the city of Sydney — home to more than 5 million people — faces a warning that dams could run dry by 2022, according to CNN affiliate 7News.

Since June, the greater Sydney area in New South Wales state has been under level 1 water restrictions, which limit water usage in filling pools or running hoses unattended. It is the first time the restrictions have been implemented since 2003, during a drought that lasted until 2009.

If dam levels drop just a few percentage points in greater Sydney, residents could face even harsher water restrictions.

Dams in greater Sydney are currently at 46.6% capacity. According to the NSW water authority, they are on track to hit 40% — which means level 2 water restrictions would be imposed by next February or March.

Melinda Pavey, the state’s water minister, told 7News she didn’t want to “scare people unnecessarily,” but said the government was considering level 2 restrictions.

Level 2 restrictions would further limit the use of water in daily operations — for example, only allowing watering gardens a few days a week instead of every day.

“With the current rate of depletion we could be in a tricky situation in a couple of years,” she said, adding that this was the worst drought in NSW on record.

Meanwhile, more than 1,200 firefighters continue to battle the flames that have ravaged the states of Queensland and NSW this past month. The blazes have already destroyed three times more land in New South Wales, which is home to nearly 8 million people, than during the entire fire season last year — even before summer truly begins.

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and four people have died. The fourth death was announced on Thursday — a 58-year-old man whose body was found near Kempsey in the state’s east.

While the cause of many of the blazes is natural, some people have ignored a total fire ban in effect over Queensland and NSW. Police said Thursday that they had arrested a 16-year-old in connection with a Queensland bushfire.

The drought and the fires are the most urgent symptoms of Australia’s climate crisis. Disasters like the fires and floods have devastated the livelihoods of farmers and wrought millions of dollars’ worth of damage. The country is getting hotter and drier, and the rains have stopped coming — this time last year, the dams were around 64.4% full.

According to the NSW water authority, more than 85% of greater Sydney’s water supply depends on rainfall — meaning that as the drought drags on and the dams run out, residents may face a serious water crisis with few other alternatives.

People are increasingly demanding action — thousands of climate-striking students recently walked out of class, while Extinction Rebellion activists are stopping coal trains and blocking roads.

On paper, it looks like the country is taking action — in 2015, Australia agreed to cut its carbon emissions under the Paris Climate Agreement. But many have accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his administration of not doing enough, and Morrison sidestepped questions last weekend when asked about climate change.