Preparing

[BSLaidlaw]

Ok, so I know that the last thread that I started was On a very similar topic, but it is something that I have been thinking about a lot lately. The Big trend among survivalists and such is the B.O.B., or Bug Out Bag, and I have taken an interest in these, but for a very different reason than most. Most prepare them in case or Economic or Social collapse, where as I do it out of Spiritual belief. To Explain: Regarding the 'End Times', the 'Rapture' and the Tribulation, I am very much a believer in the Post-Tribulation Theory, and therefore want to prepare myself. To this end I have assembled a B.O.B of my own. Now, I am not the only person, as a fiend of mine also does the same thing, as well as her whole family. I have been doing some research on Preparation for the times ahead, and the Christian opinions on it, and there are the Pre-tribbers, which is a common viewpoint, but an increasingly popular view id the Post-trib. There are several groups that follow this, all from slightly different view points, and they are Messianic Jews, and the Branch Davidian... perhaps there are more, but I haven't come across them.What I wonder though, is why is there not more information on Christian groups urging preparation? Most of what I come across is for Spiritual preparation, which don't get me wrong, is VERY important.... But it is my opinion that we should also be physically prepared for the coming persecution of Christians at the hand of the Anti-christ. Now I don't want to come across as an extremist, or some sort of 'weirdo' but I feel that we must ready ourselves both spiritually and physically.

Anyway, Let me know your thoughts, opinions, and what-not! I look forward to hearing what people have to say!

Brad

 

[MelodyC]

Well you know I have so many chronic illness a Bug out Bag would just not be enough. Got to have my medication and if God doesn't miraculously heal me I might as well be dead.

So say I wasn't sick. You still have to hide and try and survive until what? Jesus comes down to rule and reign on this Earth from Jerusalem and if you miraculously make it until then you are still in this mortal body and having to live in the ruins after Armageddon.

Here is how I see it. If I let them cut my head off for believing in Jesus I'll be in heaven waiting for the Lord to take His revenge. No more pain, no more worries, no running and hiding. Up there I will have my heavenly body.

What can I say but "to die is gain!" There will be the two witnesses and the 144,000 and the angels declaring the gospel for people to repent they really don't need little old me.

Of course this all depends on there not being a Rapture prior to the Tribulation and my hope is in a pre-trib rapture. My plan B is to be beheaded. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

 

[BSLaidlaw]

Thank you for your reply. However I should add some things that weren't in my original post. My puspose for the B.O.B, or bug Out Bag is not to simply run away and hide till everything is over in protection of my own life, but to be used as a tool to enable me to survive longer so as to minister to unbelievers. You mentioned the 144,000 and the two witnesses etc. and therefore, you aren't needed, however I don't really believe that to be so as everyone can make a difference, and if only one person comes to Christ through your actions, that is reward enough in itself, but that person can then go out and make disciples. I don't believe that we should fall into a mentality of "well, someone else will do it, and therefore I need not to..." To me this seems like a waste of the time that has been given to us, and contradicts what we are called to do as Christian.

I respect your opinion, and you remarks however, as I do not claim to be right, or know everything that there is to know. Far from it in fact. I still have a long way to go.

I also would count it an honour to die for Christ, but I want my life to be of some purpose before that point. And who knows, perhaps I am completely off base about the whole "Post-Trib" thing anyway, and we won't have to face it. I can only say that I would happliy be wrong, but as of now, that's not where my thoughts are leaning.

God Bless you MelodyC, and have a great day!

BSLaidlaw

 

[Boanerges]

Being a little older than you I can say this-
I know brothers in Christ who were doing this 30 years ago. There is nothing wrong with being prepared for trouble but no one knows the day or the hour of His return. He could come next week or He could be merciful and wait another day (1,000) years, that is His choice. If one is found growing in their relationship with Christ, studying and living His Word by loving others then that on will be happy the day of His return regardless. So again, there is nothing wrong with being prepared but if you are close to His heart, if you are lead of the Holy Spirit He will tell you when and how to act, to prepare, etc.
Anyway those are just some thoughts. Either way you decide to go you are in my prayers.
Many blessings in His Name,
your brother Larry.

 

[MelodyC]

Thank you for your reply. However I should add some things that weren't in my original post. My puspose for the B.O.B, or bug Out Bag is not to simply run away and hide till everything is over in protection of my own life, but to be used as a tool to enable me to survive longer so as to minister to unbelievers. You mentioned the 144,000 and the two witnesses etc. and therefore, you aren't needed, however I don't really believe that to be so as everyone can make a difference, and if only one person comes to Christ through your actions, that is reward enough in itself, but that person can then go out and make disciples. I don't believe that we should fall into a mentality of "well, someone else will do it, and therefore I need not to..." To me this seems like a waste of the time that has been given to us, and contradicts what we are called to do as Christian.

I respect your opinion, and you remarks however, as I do not claim to be right, or know everything that there is to know. Far from it in fact. I still have a long way to go.

I also would count it an honour to die for Christ, but I want my life to be of some purpose before that point. And who knows, perhaps I am completely off base about the whole "Post-Trib" thing anyway, and we won't have to face it. I can only say that I would happliy be wrong, but as of now, that's not where my thoughts are leaning.

God Bless you MelodyC, and have a great day!

BSLaidlaw

I don't believe I am going to be in the Tribulation. If by any chance I am not raptured out of here before the Tribulation I wouldn't last long in the Tribulation (I'd be dead very soon).

Those who are Beleivers in the Tribulation will die for Jesus. Up until now most Christians have had it easy (I say most not all).

REV 12:11 They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.

I've spent my life sharing with everyone I have been able to share the gospel. I am pretty bedridded and I rarely get out of my house these days. I am not fit to run and hide. I will be found in my house and be killed early on in the Tribulation (which I don't believe I will see because the Rapture will happen before hand.)

I can't get around like I used to and I don't have any guilt whatsoever that I am not witnessing to people like I used to either. Before I came to Christ God was able to bring to people to salvation without me and He will be able to do so in the Tribulation if I am couped up in my house or dead. I'm not important and I'm not going to make much of a difference in the days to come. It's a "humility thing", not a "I don't care thing" that I say God can do it without me. Besides I have served God faithfully and I still do when I get a chance.

Note that even though I really believe whole heartedly that God will not allow the righteous to go through the Tribulation I am no fool. There is some room for error in any of the Rapture theories. All the Rapture theories are based on how certain words or scriptures are perceived. So I also know I could be wrong. I am willing to accept that and deal with the outcome.

Let me say I will not be doing Street Evangelism during the Tribulation. I am a sinner and I certainly am no brave Believer who wants to die by being beheaded. At the same time I can't run and hide to extend my life. I just hope when I die it will be as painless as possible and very very quick. As for sharing the gospel. I don't know if I would be brave enough to do so when things are really hard against Christians.

I'm being honest here. I am a coward, I'll admit it. May God forgive my weakness. Unless God puts a flame under me and enables me to speak I won't be running around telling people openly about Jesus as I do now.

So you can think of me as you like. But I won't be making any public promises of being a faithful gospel sharing servant for God in dire circumstances when I know my limits.

For your sake and mine I hope you are wrong and we are all Raptured out before the Tribulation. May God have mercy on those left behind, amen.

 

[BSLaidlaw]

Thank you again. Valid thoughts all, and just in case it appeared that way, I am not trying to come down on anybody, I am just looking for thoughts on the subject! I hope I am wrong too, there has been so much speculation over the years as to when and where, but I think that people can end up focusing too much on that rather than what's most important.

Again, thanks for your reply, and May God bless you in everything you do.

Love in Christ

BSLaidlaw

 

[BSLaidlaw]

In writing this, as much as it is my way of thinking, I also think that we as Christians sometimes focus too much on the whys and wherefores of eschatology, and choose to die on a hill that is really of little importance. What I mean by this is that I don't think that the timing of the 'rapture' or tribulation events is overly important compared to some of the other doctrinal beliefs of the Christian faith. HOWEVER, I still believe that, whichever way it goes, we NEED to be ready.

The bible says that Christs coming will be as a thief in the night, and if we are not ready, then we will miss it. And to me, being good stewards of what God has given us means complying eith this, and preparing ourselves Spiritually, and physically, both in material and in body, so that when the day comes, we will not be caught unawares.

Love in Christ,


Brad S. Laidlaw

 

[just-a-servant]

Ok, so I know that the last thread that I started was On a very similar topic, but it is something that I have been thinking about a lot lately. The Big trend among survivalists and such is the B.O.B., or Bug Out Bag, and I have taken an interest in these, but for a very different reason than most. Most prepare them in case or Economic or Social collapse, where as I do it out of Spiritual belief. To Explain: Regarding the 'End Times', the 'Rapture' and the Tribulation, I am very much a believer in the Post-Tribulation Theory, and therefore want to prepare myself. To this end I have assembled a B.O.B of my own. Now, I am not the only person, as a fiend of mine also does the same thing, as well as her whole family. I have been doing some research on Preparation for the times ahead, and the Christian opinions on it, and there are the Pre-tribbers, which is a common viewpoint, but an increasingly popular view id the Post-trib. There are several groups that follow this, all from slightly different view points, and they are Messianic Jews, and the Branch Davidian... perhaps there are more, but I haven't come across them.What I wonder though, is why is there not more information on Christian groups urging preparation? Most of what I come across is for Spiritual preparation, which don't get me wrong, is VERY important.... But it is my opinion that we should also be physically prepared for the coming persecution of Christians at the hand of the Anti-christ. Now I don't want to come across as an extremist, or some sort of 'weirdo' but I feel that we must ready ourselves both spiritually and physically.

Anyway, Let me know your thoughts, opinions, and what-not! I look forward to hearing what people have to say!

Brad

Brad,

This is not all I would like to tell you, but is enough for this thread. The fact the tribulation period is seven years in length, makes the need for a BOB moot. You could not amass sufficient "emergency supplies" to be of any use for the time period.

The main thing I would like to convey to you is this: If you are aware you will be required to endure the tribulation years, the best thing you can do is prepare yourself both spiritually (through prayer) and scripturally (study and learn the Bible) so when the challenges and horrors of the tribulation come, you will recognize them and, most importantly, be able to lead others through them.

It is far more important for me to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant," than it is to hear the shout of the archangel and the trumpet at the rapture. I pray you are ready for the trials to come.

just-a-servant

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Jehovah Jireh. My provider.

No matter the circumstance. No matter what you are going through. GOD is our source. we do not live by the 'Babylonian system' we live by Gods system. We are in the world. We are NOT of the world.

Its like traveling to another country. They may be having civil war but you are not. They may be in the middle of a financial crisis but you just walk to the bank, insert your card into the machine and draw all the funds you need from your bank at home.

The situation of the world has NOTHING to do with you, or your provision. Start learning how to live by your God given faith in His Word.

Selah

 

[BSLaidlaw]

I reading the replies here, I am seeing some VERY valid, and sound statements, but I feel that I should clarify something:

MY reason for preparing is NOT to merely sit safely in the woods waiting for it to pass, it is my no means an evasion, and it is not meant to be the sole preparation. I DO strongly believe that one must be prepared spiritually, but ALSO physically. My point behind this physical preparation is to be able to get to a place safely where I can EFFECTIVELY help other believers, and minister to the unbelievers.

I know that each person follows a different view of eschatological theology, and I respect others views.

 

[kevinlb63]

you are right

Post-Tribulation in all the scripture!
mark 13:24 But in those days, {{{after}}} that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the {{Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory}}.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven
luke 21 says the same thing!
matthew 24:29 Immediately{{ after}} the(( tribulation)) of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken And{ then} shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory
I thessalonians 3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are {appointed thereunto}.
4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer{ tribulatio}
II thessalonians [9] Even{ him,} { jesus}
whose coming is{ after } a f t e r the working of {{{Satan}}}
with all power and signs and lying wonders,
and revelations
it says after the tribulatons,,,,,,,, it is a goodthing to know there are people out there that read the word and see that jesus said after and after means after... thanks for your post!!!!!!

 

[JDFree]

I'm throwing in with El Hombre viejo. If we do not believe that Father God will provide for all our want in Christ Jesus by His Spirit, regardless of the circumstances, then it would be hard to prove we believe at all. Of course in anything, we must do our part. But in those things which exceed the normal things of life that we'd normally handle, such things that are entirely beyond our control as in the Tribulation, there's only one Hope, and that is the same Hope we stand within now: Jesus!

So many times Jesus speaks of Father caring for the lilies of the field, the birds of the field, little sparrows that fall to earth and then comparing His compassion for them as a measure of His extraordinary love and compassion for us. Seems obvious from that, to believe and know that God is sufficient in ALL things is all we need to know. The best B.O.B is not a Bug Out Bag, but a Bag of Bible, tucked up under your arm. If you have that in the tribulation and stand fast to claim it as your own you will not have to endure long at all!

kevinlb63, with all due respect, I can post many times that list of Scriptures that support a pre-tribulation rapture. One thing that's imperative is to always apply the 20/20 rule to study of the Bible. For any given verse, always study the 20 verses before it, and the 20 verses after it. This helps insure that we understand the context. As my favorite pastor says, "Any verse taken out of context is a pretext..."

Not saying you are wrong, or you are right, but only that there's strong indication that either view may be correct, or possibly BOTH! One thing that occurred to me some time back. The Lord speaks many times about the level of one's faith, and about trials of that faith, and how our faith will directly affect the circumstances of our life. He also speaks of rejecting those whose faith is amiss. So I got to thinking, hmmm: what if both views are correct?

Maybe:

Those who do NOT believe in a pre-tribulation rapture by the Grace of God are destined to endure the tribulation, as long as they are able.

Those who DO believe a pre-tribulation rapture are grabbed up by our Lord to be with Him in peace & safety, so not to endure tribulation, because of their faith.

 

[BSLaidlaw]

@JDFree

I agree with you completely on everything that you have said, but I also don't think it is right, or responsible to sit silently and inactive, having made NO effort at preparation of any kind, and then EXPECT God to provide everything. Sure he could, but he also told believers to be ready for the day. I believe that this is indeed a spiritual preparation, but also a physical one as well. Looking at the passages that refer to 'not reentering your house to grab anything, but to leave the roof and head to the mountains... pray that your flight is not in the winter or on the sabbath' that whole section, to me, portrays a sense of readiness that must be made.

I could be wrong, I do not claim to be right. Goodness knows that I am often wrong, and that is why I created this post, to find information and wisdom from others!


Thank you for your post!

 

[JDFree]

@JDFree

I agree with you completely on everything that you have said, but I also don't think it is right, or responsible to sit silently and inactive, having made NO effort at preparation of any kind, and then EXPECT God to provide everything. Sure he could, but he also told believers to be ready for the day. I believe that this is indeed a spiritual preparation, but also a physical one as well. Looking at the passages that refer to 'not reentering your house to grab anything, but to leave the roof and head to the mountains... pray that your flight is not in the winter or on the sabbath' that whole section, to me, portrays a sense of readiness that must be made.

I could be wrong, I do not claim to be right. Goodness knows that I am often wrong, and that is why I created this post, to find information and wisdom from others!

Thank you for your post!

Well I know I don't have all the answers either hah! But I lean toward what I find in Scripture as my guide on this complicated issue. One of the most pointed conversations Jesus has about the subject is in Mark 13:3-37. He goes into great detail and yet in all of that, preparing His own closest apostles, He doesn't say a single word about any physical preparations!

It's interesting too, the last sentence: "And what I say unto you I say unto all." Jesus by His Holy Spirit knew well what these same men would suffer in their own lives, their own martyrdoms. I'm pretty sure He knew they would be martyred before the last days, even though He said nobody but the Father knows when the end will come.

That means this conversation He had that's published was intended for us, not them, in regards to the tribulation.

I'm also reminded of when He sent out the 70 disciples in Luke 10:1-20, ordered to carry no purse, no scrip, and no shoes. I think the 'no shoes' things is that they weren't to take a spare pair of sandals, rather than they all went barefooted. Anyway, they went with no provisions at all and God provided for their every need.

I just don't think preparations will make much difference. You'll be okay until your faith is challenged, then even if you have a million dollars worth of gold bars your life won't be worth a plugged nickel.

I posted some about the tribulation in another thread here, might be of interest to you.