Thanks for being a watchman on the wall and posting these things.
It is not being an alarmist nor a fear monger to warn people of what is coming, but very prudent, resposible and wise. I don't think there is any subtle way of saying this.
I think that before Jerusalem was sieged and destroyed by Titus and the Roman legions, and the Jews sent into diaspora, the Jewish Christians were warned to leave. Prophets like Agubus would have sounded the alarm to them.
I truly believe we are living in the times just prior to the Great Tribulation, and we as Christians must prepare for some hard times ahead, even a collapse of society as we know it. It already starting in other countries and I think it will continue and go global.
How do we prepare and give ourselves a little peace of mind?
I do believe that we as Christians need to be preparing and setting things aside for the dark days ahead. I am not a pre-trib believer, but even if I was it is still prudent to be setting things aside. I am against the "extremist survivalist mentality" that has gripped some that call themselves Christians, but not with preparing...which is what I think we should do.
I want to point out that there is nothing wrong with preparing materially. David Wilkerson thinks we need to have a least one month supply stored up if we can; I think we should have at least 3 months (and we can always rotate this as we use it). I think that along with many others, that there are dark clouds on the horizon...the days of judgement are indeed coming on the world and we as Christians are going to have to help each other. I also think that we as Christians should be wise with the foreknowledge that God has given to us of the coming events. Listen to the watchmen that God has appointed, there are some even on this forum.
God will provide for us in times of need, and we should also be prepared ourselves because we know what is coming. There are a few that take this sort of thing serious, and are preparing by setting aside some storable foods and learning how to grow your own food etc.
What happens in the event of war in the Middle East (and we know this is coming soon) and the cost of fuel becomes out of reach or even unavailable for extended periods of time to the general public?
How are we to receive product in our stores if they can't be delivered, or deliveries are few and far between? I am not trying to be an alarmist, but these days are coming. I know that we as Christians will get through the dark days ahead by helping each other and by being our brothers keeper (God help us). It will be harder on those who live in cities of course, and easier on those who live in farming communities...especially those who don't rely on fuel for farming. Back to the days of horse and buggy I guess.
Anyway, in the early Church, in the days of the Apostles, there was oneness in the Church. The gentile Church would send help to the Church in Jerusalem because of famine, and all Christians were one. There were not the divisions and lack of love for God and each other that we see in Churches today.
Brotherly love and unity is what Tribulation will bring about in the true Body of Christ...the perfecting of the saints, the time when those who call themselves Christians are true Christians indeed...for no one else will want to call themselves Christians, because of the persecution and martyrdom that comes.
It is not a sin to plan for tomorrow, neither is it a sin to store up against the evil day that is coming. Be wise with what we have while it is still within our ability, for the evil day will surely come…when famine and war and pestilence will overtake the earth.
Neil is another one on this forum that can share important information with us, and I really wish he would.
Anyway, I am posting this as food for thought.
Some preparedness links to consider.
http://www.nitro-pak.com/index.php
http://www.bridensolutions.ca/
http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/cannedfoodstorage.aspx
http://www.prepper.org/
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
http://www.aema.alberta.ca/pa_emergency_preparedness_week.cfm
Disaster Preparedness Information
DHHS Family Disaster Plan: http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/pdf/disasterplan.pdf
Lots of good info here: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/basic_preparedness.shtm
American Red Cross: http://www.prepare.org/
Emergency Supplies: http://beprepared.com/Default.asp?bhcd2=1254083726
Nuclear Preparedness: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/ed-ud/prepar/nuclea/index-eng.php
Personal Preparedness for Bio/Chem/Rad/Nuc Terrorism: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/#personal
I like what David Wilkerson has to say:
There is simply no possible, failsafe way to prepare for what's coming.
Of course, God will prepare His people concerning what to do, how to act wisely, and how to lay aside what is needed. But that should never be the focus of Christ's Bride.
I assure you, if you're making spiritual preparations - getting your heart in order, dealing with sin, calling on the Lord with greater intensity, trusting in His word, building up your faith - then your readying yourself for anything.
You'll be able to face a depression, losses and privations, calamities all around. You'll be ready for all troubled waters, floods, fiery furnaces, persecutions, crop failures, droughts, shortages, sicknesses. But most of all, you'll be ready to hear the trumpet of God in the last hour. You'll be prepared to march into the wedding feast to be untied with Christ...
...I believe the covenant that God has made with us holds the secret to perfect peace, no matter what storm may come.
