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.

Sydney smoke: city covered in thick haze as more than 50 (5) bushfires burn across NSW, almost 30 (6×5) uncontained. People with asthma or respiratory illness should stay inside, health authorities warn. Five (5) regions affected; Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Southern Ranges and Central Ranges fire regions. Six (6) lives lost.

The Guardian. November 18, 2019

Sydney woke up to a thick blanket of smoke over the city on Tuesday as New South Wales headed into the first of two “tough days” this week, with temperatures likely to rise to the 40s and little-to-no rainfall forecast.

Most of the state’s east coast was under severe or very high fire danger ratings, with more than 50 bushfires burning, of which almost 30 remained uncontained.

All were at “advice” level on Tuesday morning, with more than 1,300 firefighters on the ground.

Six lives lost and more than 420 homes destroyed in the past fortnight alone.

“More than 1,300 firefighters continue work on these fires tonight, ahead of forecast hot, dry and windy conditions tomorrow,” the Rural Fire Service said.

Winds dragged smoke from a huge fire at Gospers Mountain north-west of Sydney over the city on Tuesday morning, and the haze was not likely to dissipate until a southerly change in the afternoon.

The air quality rating was poor and people with asthma or other breathing issues were warned to stay indoors, avoid outdoor exercise and seek medical advice as needed.

Tuesday and Thursday would be “tough days” for NSW, Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers warned.

Parts of the state under severe fire danger on Tuesday included Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Southern Ranges and Central Ranges fire regions. These regions, along with the Northern Slopes and North Western regions, were also under a total fire ban.

Much of the rest of eastern NSW and the Australian Capital Territory were under very high fire danger. Some 1.6m hectares of land have been burnt so far – more than the entire 1993-94 bushfire season.

On Monday firefighters were battling a firefront of some 6,000km, the equivalent distance of a return Sydney-Perth trip.

Rogers said firefighters were “singularly focused” on preventing further loss of life and property and warned people to stay alert. “Even though it’s not a catastrophic danger it’s still going to be bad fire days,” he said.

He urged anyone who had not yet been affected by fires to “please use this as a wake-up call”, warning them to take steps including cleaning out gutters and having a fire safety plan in place.

A DC10 air tanker had been drafted in from North America, he said, to help drop over 36,000 litres of water and retardant on blazes, and efforts would be bolstered by help from New Zealand firefighters.

The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, asked everyone to “maintain their vigilance”.