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.

Explosions at Texas chemical plant keep more than 50,000 (5) out of their homes. US. Five (5) residents were injured. Three (3) workers sent to hospitals. 12 (6+6) hours later, a second blast occurred. 50 (5) contract workers. TPC Group was fined earlier this year almost $215,000 (5+5+5) for excessive emissions and pollution, including a failure to report incidents.

Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY USA TODAY•November 29, 2019

More than 50,000 (5) people in southeast Texas will spend Thanksgiving away from their homes as evacuation orders remained in place after two powerful Wednesday blasts at a chemical plant in Port Neches, about 80 miles east of Houston.

A fire that sent large plumes of dark smoke into the sky continued to burn Thursday at the TPC Group plant, which manufactures butadiene and other chemicals used in synthetic rubber, fuels, lubricant additives and plastics.

Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens said there are no lingering issues with air quality after the explosions, but the risk of further blasts hurling debris and flames spreading necessitates maintaining the evacuation order and a 10 p.m. curfew.

“It’s Thanksgiving, a lot of people are displaced, they can’t go home,” Stephens told TV station KFDM.

There’s no word on when residents will be allowed back home, but officials plan to reassess the evacuation order Friday morning, and Port Neches Mayor Glenn Johnson said he’s “cautiously optimistic” they’ll be able to return by the weekend.

Government and company officials released a joint statement Thursday saying air quality results from 20 monitoring stations around Port Neches “continue to show no actionable levels” above state and federal standards.

The first explosion around 1 a.m. Wednesday sent three (3) workers to hospitals – they were treated and released that day – and blew out windows and doors in homes and businesses for miles. At least five (5) residents were injured, mostly by shattered glass.

More: Woman killed in gender reveal explosion was 45 feet away from device, died instantly

Some 12 (6+6) hours later, a second blast prompted county officials to impose the evacuation order covering a 4-mile radius that includes Port Neches along with neighboring Groves, Nederland and a portion of Port Arthur.

Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, the top county official, said Wednesday night that a loss of power at the plant prevented any investigation into the cause of the explosions or how much damage was done to the facility.

At a Thursday news conference, Branick said fires at the plant will be allowed to keep burning in an effort to depressurize its pumping and storage systems.

There’s no estimate yet on the extent of damage to surrounding neighborhoods, but Branick has first-hand knowledge of the explosions’ impact. He lives near the plant and said he was awakened by the first blast, which blew in his front and back doors.

TPC Group, which according to a spokesman has 175 full-time employees and 50 (5) contract workers, promised it would launch “a full and thorough investigation” into the cause of the explosions.

“We’re staying focused on the safety of our emergency response personnel folks in and around in the community as well as trying to protect the environment,” said Troy Monk, the company’s director of health, safety and security.

The Houston Chronicle said TPC Group, which until 2010 was known as Texas Petrochemical, “has a spotty environmental record in recent years.’’

The newspaper reported that earlier this year TPC Group was fined almost $215,000 for excessive emissions and pollution, including a failure to report incidents. The Chronicle also said a storage tank at the company’s Houston facility caught fire last year, although there were no injuries.

Texas has seen multiple petrochemical industry fires this year, including one that burned for days near Houston and another one that killed a worker at a plant in nearby Crosby.