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.
South Korea and Vietnam are asking millions to stay home to avoid coronavirus as more people get infected and die outside of China
Mia Jankowicz Business Insider•February 20, 2020
Millions of people in South Korea and Vietnam are being encouraged — or forced — to stay home, showing the increased harshness of prevention measures as the coronavirus spreads beyond China.
South Korea reported its first death from the disease on Thursday.
It also recorded a new total of 104 infections, 53 of which were added on Thursday — almost doubling the number from the day before.
Thursday also saw two deaths recorded in Japan, elderly Japanese nationals who were aboard the stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship.
It brought the number of deaths recorded outside China to 11, three of which from Thursday alone.
33 of the cases have been traced to a single church in the country’s fourth-largest city, Daegu, where all 2.5 million citizens have been encouraged by the local government to stay home whenever possible.
Mayor Kwon Young-jin made the request. According to The Guardian, he told reporters: “We are in an unprecedented crisis.” The request to stay home does not have the force of law.
Meanwhile in Vietnam, the 10,000 residents of Son Loi, 44km from Hanoi, have been under a strict 20-day quarantine since February 14, according to Reuters.
11 of Vietnam’s 16 cases were traced to the rural town, including a three-month-old baby.
Police there are staffing checkpoints outside the town and health officials, clad in protective gear and spraying disinfectants on cars.
Vietnam has banned flights in and out of China since February 1. Schools and universities in most provinces outside of Hanoi are closed until at least February 29, according to Vietnam Briefing.
The increased rates of infections in both countries stands in contrast to China, where reports in recent days suggest the rate of spread of the virus is slowing.
In China, state media reported that the number of recoveries has outpaced the number of new infections for the past three days.
However, according to The Guardian, this could be linked to a second change in how the virus is diagnosed rather than a genuine halt in the spread.
On February 13, recorded cases in China soared up as the diagnostic method was broadened. But on Thursday, “suspected cases” – earlier classed as “infections” – were again separated out from the main figures.