(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who might happen to read this article and do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)
I have had several conversations about the subject of “prepping” with brothers and sisters and many non-believers, especially over the last year or so.
It seems, in the case of believers, that some have a problem in that they equate this practice with a lack of trust in God, so I thought it might be a good time to talk about it.
This is a very complex subject with more possible cause-and-effect factors than most might imagine.
In some instances, the word “prepping” is spoken as though it is automatically linked with a negative connotation, and that connotation is, at the same time, applied to those who “prep.” That every “prepper” is a drooling psychopathic fool is oftentimes implied as well. This is not only wrong, but it is not an accurate conclusion. Perhaps even un-Christian as well.
Let me also state that I am, unabashedly, someone who likes to be prepared. It may be that the reader will understand that statement with a little more clarity by the end of this article.
“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3). There is no shortage of evil, my friends, and it continues to grow.
First, I think we might want to assign some sort of definition to “prepping” as it is a very broad-based and subjective matter of opinion.
Let me also state that this article is not focused on how to “prep” but on helping my brothers and sisters in their assessment as to whether it is appropriate conduct for a believer.
In order to try and keep this extremely complex discussion manageable, I think it may be fair to say that there are really two different kinds of prepping. Although they can differ considerably and with considerable overlap.
We will try to move forward with this understanding in mind.
Before I attempt to “classify” different mindsets of people who prep, let me make a couple of thoughts expressly clear:
- There is no mockery or demeaning intent to anyone in this article. Prepping (or the lack of it), as I said, can be very personal and very subjective. The activity of most “preppers” affects only them and their immediate family, friends, etc. It is seldom an influence outside this narrow window.
“To each his own” has never had a more appropriate application than it does here.
1: The very serious(?) types who prepare for the worst possible scenario in which the individual(s) might still be around to require the use of their supplies after a significant event. This is typically thought of in terms of vast amounts of supplies, weapons, etc., stored in a secure facility of some type where subsisting below ground may be necessary and for a substantial amount of time. Clearly, this would be catastrophic.
2: The beyond-the-basic(?) types who prepare in terms of planning to be able to function (eat, drink, survive, and protect their families) for an extended period of time as well. They think more in terms of natural disasters, possible grid-down scenarios, and perhaps even complete anarchy when law breaks down and the police are already busy defending and providing for their OWN families.
Then there are people who do nothing (or very little) out of the ordinary and have decided that they will “just trust God.” There is no fault found with this position, but it does beg the question, What does Trusting God really look like?
These are very general descriptions, and truly it must be said, every combination of thinking and action exists in between these views today, and that is to be expected.
The fact that, I believe, a significant number of people are becoming cognizant of the need to prepare for difficult days ahead says a great deal about the current state of the world.
I think we can safely conclude that things are never going to go back to normal in this world, and people are having to acknowledge it.
As we continue this conversation, we will approach it from the position that it is being addressed to the believing family of God.
Is prepping acceptable in Biblical terms?
Let’s have a look at what the Ultimate Supporter of being prepared for the future has to say: The Lord Himself.
“Come and let us reason together,” it says in Isaiah 1:18, so let’s do that.
It is said that somewhere between 25-30% of the Word of God is prophetic. As I have said in the past, I think that is a low number, but it will serve our purposes here.
The book of Revelation describes many severe judgments. We will, as the Bride of Christ, be gone before the events described in the Seal, Trumpet, and Bowl Judgements begin, but the precursors to these events that are described by Paul, Peter, and others in the various epistles and letters that comprise the New Testament are very indicative of the future, and they are very much in evidence right now. I don’t believe most could or would even be willing to deny that.
I believe that we have entered into the time Jesus spoke of as “the beginnings of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8). A time when the consequences of sin and rebellion against a Holy God are rapidly maturing.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
For the sake of brevity, and since I am writing primarily to brothers and sisters in Christ, I am certain that you have a Bible handy. I would suggest a review of the following verses that may help to clarify my claim that the institutionalization of these conditions, which has now happened, must inevitably lead to the need for God to execute the promised judgments.
Romans 1:28-32; 2 Tim 3:1-5; Matthew 24:4-8.
With regard to Matthew 24:4-8 – Very Important: Jesus was speaking to His Jewish brethren; however, He knew this prophecy would concern the church which was yet to be born and that these men would be the pillars of it, so it is another example of a prophecy spoken by the Lord knowing it would encompass the distant future (and of the end of the world) and that we would be reading and depending on it, even up to the present time.
Nowhere is it said that we (the true church) will escape persecution and the consequences of the evil and lawlessness described in these passages (up to the moment of the Rapture)!
The most well-known “prepper” in Scripture: Joseph
We all should be familiar with the account of Joseph and his rise to become the second most powerful ruler in Egypt. The revelation of a future famine given to him by God, through Pharaoh, caused him to stockpile food while it was still available. This resulted in him being able to provide for himself, his family, and (in that case) the general population of Egypt.
Did Joseph believe and trust God? Yes, he did, and he acted on what he was told. It is clear that God blessed him for it.
And we all are familiar with the story of Noah. Did he trust God? Did he prepare for a very uncertain future? I don’t think there is any doubt about that.
Are the conditions and signs of the times foretold in Romans 1, 2 Timothy 3, and Matthew 24 (above) actively coming to pass today?
Do you believe the prophetic warnings contained therein?
I do. And, I believe we all should be, as Peter wrote, in 2 Peter 1:19, “…paying attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place.” And this world has become a very dark place indeed.
I believe that one of my gifts, in addition to the love of prophecy, is to be a Watchman on the Wall.
“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand” (Ezekiel 33:6).
I certainly see the sword coming. How much will it affect the Bride of Christ? We do not know. The duration of the Age of Grace is not revealed to us for God’s good purpose.
I would point out that the focus of future prophecy has as its primary purpose a spiritual application; however, in the case of Joseph and the famine (and Noah and the flood), it can easily be said to have a practical and actionable application. Joseph took action, and he was blessed by God.
There are other reasons for preparing for an uncertain future that don’t necessarily involve human-caused disruptions. Prophecies in Matthew 24:7 warn of “natural disasters,” pestilences, etc.
A quick perusal of RR News on any given day will confirm that, indeed, there are continual weather and geological anomalies taking place globally in a steadily increasing stream. Like birth pangs, as some translations describe it (Matthew 24:8).
Now I come to the crux of this article.
Here it is important to point out that I believe that God judges many of man’s actions based on motives. What is your reason for preparing, and is there any conflict with the word of God relative to hoarding, or are you applying the principle of Proverbs 22:3?
These are questions we must each reconcile with scripture for ourselves.
What I AM saying? (At a MINIMUM)
- Do NOT cease praying. God says He will deliver us from the coming Judgments, and HE WILL. Season this with the understanding that we DO NOT KNOW how long or how much we will be required to endure in the run-up to the Rapture.
- There is no hard and fast rule as to what each individual should do, but there are certain needs that should be addressed logically.
- Have a stock of non-perishable food, clean water, and basic medications in the event that you are unable to access these basic necessities that may become unattainable at some point. This is only prudent.
- If you have not done this thus far and you decide to, – DO IT NOW!
- There is every indication that extreme shortages of food (mostly intentionally engineered to happen) and other life-sustaining items are on the very near horizon.
What am I NOT saying?
- I am NOT saying to stop trusting in God. He has promised to deliver us from the coming judgments that He has promised to execute on an unbelieving world.
- I am NOT saying to hoard worldly wealth in contradiction to Jesus saying to store up treasures in heaven (spiritually valuable actions) as opposed to perishable treasures that have no eternal value.
“In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver And his idols of gold, Which they made, each for himself to worship, To the moles and bats” (Isaiah 2:20).
I hope this conversation has been helpful. As is always the case, you must measure your conclusions against the plumb line of God’s Word.
Maranatha!
For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life.
You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior.
It requires that you come before God on His terms.
And, what are His terms according to His Word?
- Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
- Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
- That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
- To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
- Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross.
- To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.
God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.
- No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
- No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
- Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.
If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.
John 5:24: “Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life.”
There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics, or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.
The answers are in the Word of God—the Bible. If you ask God with all your heart, He will hear you. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
Pro Salvator Vigilans
To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com