Be Prepared

I’ve had a number of people speak to me about David Wilkerson’s admonition to be prepared for a sudden disaster. If you haven’t read about that, let me encourage you to read my blog from Sunday, March 8th (It's Time to Get Ready). I’d like to express my heart a little more about this.

Anyone who is acquainted with the writings of Daniel Ezekiel; with Jesus teachings from Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21; and who has a general understanding of the book of Revelation understands that we are living out right now the days just prior to the tribulation.

This period we’re going through is similar to the labor pains Susan experienced before she gave birth to our four children. We are experiencing a time of transition from one age to another. It is the transition from the age of grace to an age of Divine judgment. Nations are fulfilling destiny. Russia is in the process of re-asserting its military power. Iran is on a course to be armed with nuclear capability to be used against its perceived enemies. North Korea is unstable. China is strengthening its military. The violence in Mexico threatens our southern border. Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to be volatile. Satan knows that his time is short.

Institutions that men have trusted in for decades are crumbling. The god of greed (mammon) is being judged, and I believe that this judgment is the beginning stage of a one world currency that will be in force under the rule of the world dictator know as Anti-Christ.

Terrorists want the United States to be destroyed because of our support of Israel. On the other hand, our nation will face judgment from God if we align with Israel’s enemies. Our current course of urging Israel to give up land in order to create a Palestinian state will result in our being judged by the words of the prophet Zechariah: And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

This is a time of change and of volatility. Wisdom says be prepared for any hardship. Wilkerson’s admonition to have a 30 days’ supply of food on hand is wise. Joseph prepared for the famine to come. September 11th happened with no warning. These kinds of things could occur again, but on a broader scale.

While there are extremists who I think take things too far and have a disaster mindset and are planning excessively, it is wise to prepare for a brief time where food supplies at your local grocery may not be able to be replenished for a time due to some circumstance. And it would be wise to have some cash on hand.
I have made some simple preparations so that I’m not taken by surprise by any event. I’d encourage you to do the same.

Having said all of this, we’re not to have a mentality of hunkering down in fear and dread of what is to come! It’s harvest time! Jesus is looking for the precious fruit of the earth, which are the souls of men! Pray with me that Jesus will use us to win the lost. Pray for opportunities to talk to others about Jesus and invite them to church. Be prepared, but dwell on calamity. Instead. Live every day as a messenger. You have a message of hope and salvation to give every person you encounter. Live in such a way that others see your joy and ask questions!

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ (1Peter 3:15-16).