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.

EU warns coronavirus could cause ‘huge economic and societal disruption’

European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control says probability of further transmission of ‘high’ despite efforts

Jon Stone The Independent February 2, 2020

The Coronavirus outbreak could cause “huge economic and societal disruption”, the EU’s centre for disease control has warned.

In its Monday update on the spread of the disease the ECDC said that “the risk associated with COVID-19 infection for people in the EU/EEA and UK is currently considered moderate to high”.

The EU agency, which was established shortly after the 2003 SARS outbreak to help coordinate the continent’s response to infectious diseases, said that “many unknowns remain regarding the virulence, the mode of transmission, the reservoir and the source of infection” of COVID-19.

The centre said in its risk assessment as of 2 March 2020: “The probability of further transmission in the EU/EEA and the UK is considered high. There is still a level of uncertainty regarding several unpredictable factors in a situation that is still evolving.”

It said that evidence so far showed 80 per cent of cases of the virus are mild and that “most cases” recover, that 14 per cent have “more severe” disease, with 6 per cent causing “critical” illness.

“The great majority of the most severe illnesses, and deaths, have occurred among the elderly and those with other chronic underlying conditions,” the Monday risk assessment said.

“In addition to the public health impacts with substantial fatal outcomes in high-risk groups, COVID-19 outbreaks can cause huge economic and societal disruptions.”

The OECD this morning said it viewed the virus as the “greatest danger” to the global economic sine the financial crisis.

Major international events and meetings around the world, such as Paris fashion week and the Venice carnival, have been cancelled or scaled back to curtail the spread of the disease.

Central banks, including the Bank of England, on Monday hinted that they could provide economic stimulus to help cushion the impact of the virus outbreak.

Last week major stock markets suffered their worst weekly performance since the 2008 crash amid fears that the virus could disrupt economic activity.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this morning that the EU had raised its coronavirus risk level from “moderate” to “moderate to high” for those in the European Union.

She announced that the bloc was setting up a Coronavirus response team coordinated by five European Commissioners.

The most recent global analysis from the World Health Organisation (WHO), published on Sunday show that among a sample of 44,672 patients in China, death rates are estimated to be 1 per cent to 2 per cent.