Prepare for "the end" or exercise Faith? *merged*

[jadeeyes]

I want to be clear that I would never advise people to be completely unprepared for any disaster. There have ben a few times in my life when we were snowed in or iced in for a few days. We've had a few successive winter days stuck at home with no electricity. I have a manual can opener, canned goods, bottles of water, radio, flashlights, batteries and a lot of other things. We have a wood burning stove and keep a supply of seasoned wood on hand. When we had an ice storm that brought down power lines everywhere and were left without electricity, that woodburning stove and firewood kept us nice and toasty. I have stocked a few supplies to get us through several days without power if necessary. I just hate to see these preppers stockpiling all these supplies and weapons and training for survival while ignoring their eternal destiny, Even if they survive a cataclysmic event, they will eventually come face to face with our Holy God. The only preparation for that cataclysmic event is to turn to Jesus in faithful repentance now, before it's too late.

[Buzzardhut]

Well... if you're not a believer, you're gonna need that stuff. Right? I caught one episode - my only thought was Man I hope we're out of here before society goes in that direction.

This is the direction Obama is leading us...

[Barachem]

I think there needs to be balance in prepping.
I believe being prepared is not bad in itself, the reason why is the real issue.
Preparing to survive an occasional problem, emergency or disaster, wise.
Preparing to survive long term government assaults or turtling in one's house, foolish.
Mental preparation and trusting in our Father's care is of utmost importance, whether one does have only a tiny bit of preparation or the means to survive a few weeks or months is then up to the individual.
Not preparing for eventual problems is like not acknowledging that the world is a bad and hostile place to live in.
Overpreparing is like thinking that the world is all there is and not preparing for death or rapture.

One day we will be gone from earth, be it by death or rapture, let us give God the room to prepare us for that time and give others the opportunity to come to a saving faith in Jesus, so they and we will see each other again before God's presence.
If you're led to prep, do so, if you're led to not prep, do that.
In any case, do acknowledge that everyone, even christians, prepares for eventual problems in life and that no amount of preparation is enough if the situation gets out of hand.
I hold this philosophy: Prepare as much as being led to, all the while trusting in God's leadership and provision.

[Cleanheart]

Good topic. While I have not seen the show I have been a member of a prepping site where the people there are post tribbers and have no patience for pre-tribbers. Most of them seemed to be "Christians" but are misled I believe. Real Doomers all of them.
Fortunately I have been a minimalist backpacker for many years and have the knowledge, experience and gear for any disaster should I live through it. I have extensive knowledge for wilderness survival depending on the geographical location I am in(at least for living off the land for food).
I am content in believing that God will take care of me and that is why I do have "preps" on hand.
I was laid off work 2 years ago and if it wasn't for my "prepping" mindset at the time I would have been in trouble a long time ago.
These poor unbelievers will get a rude awakening I'm afraid when they see that they are wrong hopefully they are right with God and we'll all meet in the air and all their preps won't matter anymore.
I do have unsaved family members and I have made it known to them about my preparations so they can retrieve them if they can. I just hope they will come around before they are needed!

[Time4me2fly]

To put things in perspective, the riots and civil unrest that was shown on the world's television screens was because of massive cuts in social benefits and government pay and pensions in Greece. What was that massive number, percentage wise, that caused all the burning, looting and destruction of property? Five percent! Yes folks, you heard me correct. Now I want to challenge you to go to the national debt clock, just google it. Go to the bottom and look at the section titled " Unfunded government liabilities . Do you see that number? It is 118 trillion dollars. To those who want to see it in real numbers, that is 118,000,000,000,000. A trillion dollars , is a million, million to put it another way. Now I could see no reason for our government to have to do such draconian cuts in benefits to our good citizens if this is all we have promised to our people (who by the way, continually voted in politicians who promised them these things in return for incredible wealth and power.) There are something over 300 million people in the U.S., including newborn babies. Do the math. I like most believe that the rapture will bring in the total collapse of our economy, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that bad things could happen soon. So when the trouble comes then many of these people may not look quite so radical. By the way, the rapture will be the trouble on steroids.

[Tall Timbers]

I don't have access to tv shows, but just based on the title "Doomsday Preppers" I think it might be smart to acquire a hundred pounds of bacon or so and freeze it just in case. Bacon does pretty well in the freezer... and you can slowly restock your stash while consuming it a bit at a time.

[Teresa_1966]

I work with a few people who spend a good deal of the mornings talking about what to do when the Zombie Apocalypse or bad things happen like Korea takes over the world. They like to shoot their guns on one of the co-workers farm for fun, but also so they can be prepared. They talk alot about food hordering (which I did suggest they watch that extreme coupon show for pointers. ), they talk about how much ammo and medicine they should have on hand. How to have fresh water. You get the picture.

This talk is for the most part a bunch of silly fun, but I also know that there is a real underlying fear of what might happen and how they would handle it. Today one of my co-workers asked me what I plan to do when there is no civilization as we know it. My answer was simple, "Stay prayed-up and trust Jesus." He said I was nothing but zombie bait. I nodded and said, "good then I can go home sooner than expected."

In all seriousness my heart goes out to these people, because they just don't have the blessed assurance that all will be well. I know I should be more of a witness and I am praying on what might be the best way to do that without them thinking I'm as wacky as they are.

Any suggestions?

[Wally]

The only zombies are people so wrapped up in dystopian fantasy they become one.

Life is so full, and so full of opportunities: to help, share, show kindness,

and most importantly, learn about and know Jesus.


Challenge them to go out and live.

[Alex]

You made your point and a good one it was.

I know many like these and I'd bet when the feathers start flying most of those types will be laid up with wet pants begging for a do-over.

Next time use the seals and bowls events and ask them how they plan to get through each one? This is hard facts, theirs is storytelling.

[acceptedintheBeloved]

Preparing for the end of the world

[...]

Any suggestions?

Confidently tell them that our Lord has already told us how things are going to go, so read the Book... and tell them if they have any questions, that they are welcome to come ask you about it. Then see how they respond.

[Acts5:41]

Here's my opinion:

God is preparing the tribulation saints to live in, as Wally said it, a dystopian world. They will really need to address issues of food, medicine, clean water, etc. God, in my opinion, is burdening them with the need to prepare for the hell to come.

He knows, for whatever reason, they won't accept salvation before the rapture. So, He's preparing them to survive, afterwards.

Besides, if you read this, it sounds like a zombie plague to me:

Zechariah 14:12
This will be the plague the LORD strikes all the peoples with, who have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.

[DMac]

Here's my opinion:

God is preparing the tribulation saints to live in, as Wally said it, a dystopian world. They will really need to address issues of food, medicine, clean water, etc. God, in my opinion, is burdening them with the need to prepare for the hell to come.

He knows, for whatever reason, they won't accept salvation before the rapture. So, He's preparing them to survive, afterwards.

That's an interesting thought on the matter.

[Acts5:41]

It's just a theory. No verses on the subject so it is all pure speculation on my part.

However, I think it does make a lot of sense. I find it telling, watching "Doomsday Preppers" how ALL of them are absolutely convinced something horrible is about to happen.

[Jan51]

Here's my opinion:

God is preparing the tribulation saints to live in, as Wally said it, a dystopian world. They will really need to address issues of food, medicine, clean water, etc. God, in my opinion, is burdening them with the need to prepare for the hell to come.

He knows, for whatever reason, they won't accept salvation before the rapture. So, He's preparing them to survive, afterwards.

[skater]

It always stuns me that people who won't even consider the real living God will talk about zombies as if they're real. I have family members who discuss this with straight faces, but will get angry if I mention scripture - even casually.

[Tiger Lily]

It always stuns me that people who won't even consider the real living God will talk about zombies as if they're real. I have family members who discuss this with straight faces, but will get angry if I mention scripture - even casually.

This Chick tract mentions zombies. I wonder if that might somehow provide kind of a back door route to reach them:

The Walking Dead?
http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/1076/1076_01.asp

[Tiger Lily]

Zechariah 14:12
This will be the plague the LORD strikes all the peoples with, who have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.

I don't have the scientific knowledge to corroborate it, but I have read that this is a good description of what could happen as a result of a nuclear event.

[Teresa_1966]

Zechariah 14:12
This will be the plague the LORD strikes all the peoples with, who have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.

Yeah, that verse certainly sounds like some zombie action if you ask me!

Heather, I agree with what you are saying. My husband, who is planning to either renovate or build us a house, is on a website for green building. He oftens tells me stories of posts he reads about the urgency people are talking about for sustainable living. Their talk is much more "practical" but not unlike what I hear my co-workers talking about with their zombie attacks.

These are interesting times we live in and as an avid believer in the rapture, I think many of us see signs that our fellow man has no understanding of. I do pray for all those left behind and that they find Jesus in the midst of what is sure to be a true hell on earth existence.

[Job's Sister]

I have watched a few t.v. shows about people who are preparing for 'the end', storing food, medicines, guns, etc.. Are we supposed to be stocking foods, etc., or, like me, just having faith in God, and trusting Him to provide what we need?

[Acts5:41]

The Bible does not tell us to "prep".

However, if someone is unsaved, I'd suggest they start "prepping". Things will get very bad during the tribulation.

My husband and I are both disabled, and dependent on public transit. I have extra medication, a few groceries, and extra cat food. I'm sure some would consider me "hard core" for doing so.

When we had a nasty hurricane, the news and authorities kept telling people to check on their elderly and disabled neighbors. However, no one did. We only had what I had already purchased, and public transit didn't run for a week after the hurricane.

I have severe mental illness, so it's really important for me to have my medication. My doctor almost had a breakdown after the hurricane, because everyone forgot to take their medication, had meltdowns, and had to be nursed back to "normal". I was one of the few who had prepared and continued to take my medication afterward.

We are in foodservice, and we had a lot of people begging us for food after the hurricane. It was very awkward.

However, when I tell people "Throw a couple cans of lasagna in your shopping cart, when you go to the grocery store", people act like I went off my meds. But, those same people will come and beg for food after the fact. It is very frustrating. They could have fed themselves with minimal foresight, and my customers are not poor.

I do think everyone should have the minimums suggested at www.ready.gov

Edit; when you believe "The government will take care of us" you end up with Katrina. It really shocks me, how many people don't even have a flashlight.