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.

Chinese Authorities Lock Citizens Inside Homes in Attempt to Stop Coronavirus Spread

Zachary Evans. National Review•February 6, 2020

Authorities in the Chinese province of Zhejiang have adopted draconian measures in an attempt to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, including padlocking families inside their homes, the South China Morning Post reported on Thursday.

Other measures include the closing of all public venues deemed “unessential” and the banning of weddings and funerals.

In four cities in the province, with a combined population of 30 million, citizens have been issued “passports” to leave their homes. Government officials stationed at residential buildings stamp the “passport” each time a resident leaves, and one person per family is allowed to leave their home every two days.

Allen Li, 26, and his parents were padlocked in their home in the city of Hangzhou after Li arrived from a different city. Hangzhou has 151 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

“We argued with them, but they said it’s a decision from above,” Li told the Post. “We understand we should not go out. But this is not humane. What if there’s a fire at our home at midnight, and we can’t get anyone to unlock it?”

Zhejiang has 954 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in total, the most outside the epidemic’s epicenter in Hubei province. Hubei has 19,665 confirmed cases, and is home to the city of Wuhan where the virus originated.

As of Thursday morning, there were 28,396 confirmed cases in the world, the vast majority of them in mainland China. The virus has resulted in 566 deaths, while 1,341 people have recovered.

Chinese citizens have criticized their government on social media after it was found that Wuhan authorities punished a doctor for warning friends about the outbreak of the as-yet unknown virus. That doctor, Li Wenliang, is now himself infected and unable to speak due to severe coughing and breathing problems caused by the illness.

The Trump administration has taken a series of measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the U.S., including mandatory quarantines for suspected carriers and a ban on all foreign citizens recently in China from entering the country.