RR editors’ note:
While we agree that Christians during the Church Age should be prepared for any economic or other disaster, our prophetic view is that the Rapture will occur before that “great and terrible day” –the Tribulation.
Complimentary Story
In Genesis 6 we read about how mankind became wicked and evil. Starting in verse 5, we read, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him to His heart…So the Lord said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land.’”
But God was not without a plan — nor was He without compassion. There was but ONE man — Noah, that the Lord knew He could count on, ONE man whom Scripture tells us, “found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” God’s Word tells us that Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation, and that he walked with God.
We all know the story. Starting, now in verse 11: “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it…’”
God then goes on to give Noah specific instructions on the construction of the ark, and also how to stock it with provisions that would be needed for him and his family to survive the massive destruction that was to come.
Historians believe that it took Noah about 120 years to build the ark, and during that time, it’s assumed that he also preached to those around him, warning of the danger of God’s wrath to come, amid their ridicule and derision. Much like the world today, as Christ-followers preach God’s Word and truth, enduring persecution, ridicule and hatred. But Noah was faithful. The Bible says in Genesis 7:5, “And Noah DID all that the Lord had commanded him.” He carried out this massive task, with only the help of his own family. And so Noah was prepared when God Himself shut the door on the ark and then the destruction came.
We can assume that Noah shared the words God spoke to him with the community around him. We can assume that Noah offered refuge and safety within the ark for those who would trust God’s words and repent. But none did. Only Noah and his family were prepared for what was to come…and they were the only ones saved.
Now let’s go all the way to Genesis 37. The story of Joseph in Egypt — in prison at the time for a crime he did not commit. Joseph had been in prison now for two years, when Pharaoh had a couple of dreams which his magicians and “wise men” could not figure out. Eventually, Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer remembered Joseph in prison — and that he was able, by the power of God, to interpret dreams.
Pharaoh’s first dream involved seven fat cows grazing along the Nile river. They were consumed by seven ugly, gaunt cows. Pharaoh woke up, briefly, and then fell asleep and had another dream. In this one, he saw seven healthy, robust heads of grain on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted, but these were thin and scorched by the east wind. The seven thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy heads of grain. What could it mean?
Pharaoh called for Joseph to provide the answer. Joseph was quick to point out that HE could not interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, but GOD could, and would. The seven good cows and the seven good heads of grain represented seven good, prosperous years in Egypt. But these would be followed by seven years of utter famine. Scripture tells us that famine would ravage the entire land. This was God’s warning.
And then Joseph gave Pharaoh some good advice: PREPARE! During the seven prosperous years, it was advised to take one-fifth of all the harvest and store up the grain throughout the cities of Egypt in preparation for what was to come. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph’s advice that he put Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt, and Joseph carried out the preparations.
And when the famine came, it not only hit Egypt, but all the surrounding lands, including the land of Canaan, and the house of Jacob. You know the rest of the story, but suffice to say, God once again warned of trouble to come, instructed His faithful servants to prepare for that trouble, and then faithfully brought them all through it, working all things together for good.
Let’s also look at some other areas of Scripture… Proverbs 6: “Look at the ant, you sluggard. Observe her ways and be wise, which having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.” Even ANTS have the sense to prepare in advance for difficult times ahead. Proverbs 20:4, “The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has NOTHING.”
What did Jesus say about what is still to come on this earth? In Matthew 24, Jesus told His disciples in a private conversation all about it: “…nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Jesus goes on, starting in Verse 17, “Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now — no, and never will be.” Jesus is speaking of the end times.
And then starting in Verse 29: “‘Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Of course, concerning that day and hour now one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor Jesus Himself. But only God, the Father knows. And it’s in verse 37 of Matthew 24 where Jesus says, “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Immediately after this, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. All ten took their lamps to await the coming of the bridegroom. But five were foolish, and brought no oil for their lamps. But five were WISE and PREPARED.
I believe there is evidence all throughout Scripture that God gives ample warning ahead of time for days of tribulation, turmoil and destruction to come. He warns, and the WISE listen. The foolish go on as always, consumed with the cares of this world, scoffing at the warnings of God — even HATING God Himself, certainly not planning ahead in any way. And when the day of calamity comes, Scripture tells us, men’s hearts will fail them for fear, and then they are destroyed.
Even as many Christians read their Bibles and even read each of these accounts in Scripture, they don’t seem to understand the message. Instead, they believe they need not concern themselves with such things; that God will provide all of their needs, no matter what comes upon the earth. And He very well MAY. But have you considered that God Almighty has already WARNED us to PREPARE for the days ahead? To be READY for the times of trouble and calamity He described, so that we are able to survive and provide for not only ourselves and our families, but also be able to bless others around us in THEIR time of need?
Friends, we live in a day and age where the “end times” seem very imminent. Biblical prophecy is playing out before our very eyes now, every single day. I have a hard time imagining the days of Noah and Lot being worse than the utter wickedness and evil we have in our world today. Our streets are filled with reprobate minds. Everything described in Romans 1 is happening at an exponential pace now. We kill our own children on the altar of convenience, then sell their body parts for money. We embrace the sin of sodomy, and even encourage our children to “try it” out for themselves, because it just may be “right for them.” America is surrounded by enemies on every side, and not only that, but we are welcoming them in with a red carpet — those who seek to enslave and destroy us, and they’re doing it RIGHT NOW, from within, while we sleep.
The “Great and terrible day of the Lord” can come now, at any time. But terrible trouble PRECEEDS that one LAST day, as we know from Scripture. And that terrible trouble could begin TODAY. How prepared are YOU for such a scenario?
We are so spoiled here in America. Who among us can survive without their “Smart Phone?” We have all manner of food, provisions and supplies at our fingertips — a thousand choices at our local supermarket. Can’t afford something? Even teenagers are now given credit cards like candy. But what happens if one day your credit card no longer works? ATMs are shut down. Banks are closed. Today, we enjoy hot and cold running water. Cable TV. Almost everyone has their own car — or more than one car. With the internet, we can communicate with the other side of the planet in a split second. Most of us lack nothing. But almost none of us are prepared should all this suddenly be gone.
Whether it be a natural disaster or a massive power outage for days on end; or we lose our heat in winter or the water is shut off… Or enemies of our country wreak havoc in the streets… be assured TROUBLE is coming soon.
As I write this, we are less than one year away from the 2020 presidential elections. We’ve already seen that the Left will stop at nothing to bring America down. So no matter who “wins” in 2020, I believe we are in for SERIOUS trouble. If Donald Trump wins, I dare say we will see massive destruction in our streets: burning, looting, massive destruction of property, physical attacks, home break-ins, rapes, murders — perpetrated by the Left. Destruction like we’ve never seen before, because those on the Left are FILLED with irrational hate and rage. Without the Holy Spirit and with no conscience, there is no limit to what the depraved human mind can dream up. And our police force will be quickly overwhelmed by the chaos.
And if Trump loses, you had better be prepared for persecution of true Christ-followers like we have never seen before. Either way, the clock is ticking, and we have less than a year now to prepare.
What am I saying? I’m saying, it is time to be wise. It is time, NOW, to prepare. Stock up on drinking water, non-perishable food supplies, first aid and healthcare supplies. Have a way to cook your food without electricity or gas. Have a way to heat your home. Make a plan for your family as to where you will all meet, should you be separated in a chaotic situation.
Understand that you may need to flee from your home at a moment’s notice. How will you do that? All family members should have “bug-out bags” prepared and ready. Now is the time to plan… and HOW you will travel when roads are closed, and where will you travel to? Wherever that is, realize you may need to be there for some time.
Food, shelter, clothing, medical supplies, heat, light, batteries, a way to travel, and personal protection… yes, I’m talking about guns and ammunition. We do not shoot to protect our THINGS, but we DO need to protect our loved ones and others from the “bad guys.” Do you own a gun and know how to use it? Now is the time.
I advise you now, to focus on the essentials. Make yourself a list, and then begin preparing. Be ready to survive without any help from police or government for at least 30 days. If I’m wrong, and nothing happens, the worst-case scenario is that you will have a good supply of everyday needed items on hand. But if I am right, you’ll be among the very FEW who are prepared to survive the worst of times. times. Also, do not neglect preparing SPIRITUALLY. Do not lose your faith in God if times get tough and you were not expecting that. God DOES take care of His people. But He also WARNS us to prepare and be ready — to provide for yourself, your family and your neighbors if possible. He has done His part, and you can read it over and over in His Word. Are YOU doing yours? Now is the time to prepare because I believe that Great and Terrible Day IS coming… very soon.
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