Why Prepare For These Prophetic End Times?
A MESSAGE FOR CHRISTIAN PREPPERS
MESSAGES FOR CHRISTIAN PREPPERS
Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2
Jesus is Coming Again!
All Premillennialists* know that we’re on the cusp of the Tribulation, that prophetic time that immediately precedes the 70 weeks of Daniel! How much time is left in your estimation? And we know that after the Tribulation comes the millennium … and then eternity. These fact are an inviolable absolute, an immutable certainty.
Considering how much society has deteriorated in the last 50 year, do we have 20, or maybe 50 years left before slipping into the 70 weeks of Daniel?
We must wake up and acknowledge that to be the truth. Men can deny, reject, or ignore that truth; but they cannot change it. And who would want to?
Whatever you do, don't miss this point:
This being true, is it not obvious that there is not enough time left to save our beloved nation? Therefore there is no sensible options left other than to save what CAN be saved, and that is peoples souls and lives. To do that we will need to prepare physically, mentally, and especially spiritually.
I would rather be prepared a year too early than 10 minutes too late. How much time do we have left?
That was a short introduction. Now we need to know HOW to prepare … so please read on.
“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” ~Winston Churchill
“…In the last days difficult times will come.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:1
“When the righteous triumph, there is great glory. But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.” ~Proverbs 28:12
Not So Long From Now... I See Our Beloved United States of America As Lost and Irredeemable
The Bible is replete with history that mirrors the situation in America today. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel and most of the prophets are clear on this point. We would do well to read these historical narratives again looking specifically for what conditions brought down the judgment of God. And, what brought His mercy. This watchman believes that without the mercy of God this nation is doomed.
It is our responsibility as good citizens to vote responsibly, and as good Christians to pray for our elected officials and our nation. So let’s do that faithfully.
But as students of Bible prophecy we also need to wake up to the fact we are living in the prophetic end-times when the Antichrist system is manifesting itself as the enemy of all we stand for. Scripture makes it clear that Satan does dominate the world for a short time before Jesus comes again and destroys His enemies.
Neither restoring the constitution, stopping abortions and gay rights and gun confiscation, paying off the 17+ trillion dollar national debit, nor revolution can change that. If you are a premillennialist you know this to be true. Face it, we are on the cusp of the Tribulation.
And again I say, there is not enough time left for any other option than to prepare physically, mentally, and especially spiritually for the clear alternative we do have.
Like Issachar, we as Believers need to understand the times and then know what to do about it.
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do….” ~1 Chronicles 12:32
For spirit filled Christians that alternative is to prepare for the coming Kingdom of God. Let’s prepare for what God has promised us in His infallible Word. That has always been our mandate since Adam anyhow.
Let us now look at how God would have us to rebuke and counter Satan’s agenda against us in these last days. As you read these six web pages may the Holy Spirit confirm in your heart what He would have you do!
Now lets look at some other incontrovertible truths that our very lives may depend on.
Here is another sure signs we are in the end-times is the prophesied falling away taking place in Christendom today, and there is no reversing that either.
As scripture says:
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first…
~2 Thessalonians 2 (KJV)
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
~Luke 18:8
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
~1 Timothy 4
Another sure prophetic sign that we are in the last days was when Israel became a nation again. God said through His prophets almost 3000 years ago that He would bring them back to their land in the end times to restore it. The nation of Israel has existed since 1948 and it is blooming. (Isaiah 11:13) (Isaiah 68:8) (Ezekiel 36:1, 8, 24) (Ezekiel 37:21)
And there simply is not enough time left before going into the Tribulation to change anything in society anyhow.
If all this is true, then what are we to do? It would make no sense to continue as we have, as if none of this was true.
Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.
Think about this quote for a second and ask yourself, does this quote apply to the way you run your life and your ministry today? Are you of the, “If It Ain’t Broke Then Don’t Fix It!” Mentality? Society might just be broke and you haven’t admitted it yet.
So, we need to ask God how He would have us prepare for this prophetic age that precedes the soon coming Tribulation period? These Last Days demand a new approach to the fellowship of God’s people. How do we fellowship? How do we equip the saints? How do we prosper in the worst of bad times?
Is God prompting us (you and me) to prepared physically, mentally and spiritually for this prophetic era we are now in? That is where the covering and protection we will need will come from.
Every military manual, as well as every serious book on survival, talks about the importance of maintaining a positive mental attitude. You must make sure that your survival plans include some means of keeping yourself “UP” emotionally. Otherwise, the you’ll lose the motivation to keep trying. That could be fatal. Being in fellowship in a community of like minded brethren who are centered on Jesus and the Bible will do wonders for your mental health.
Yet in face of these self evident facts most churches aren’t warning or preparing you and me for what MUST come in these uncertain times … most probably BEFORE the Rapture takes place … and most definitely after.
When was the last sermon you heard that addresses in depth the End Days? I know several pastors who are addressing this issue, and hopefully you do to.
The whole world is turning upside down. And yet the question most churches are avoiding — the question most pastors are going out of their way to sidestep — is “What’s the prophetic significance of it all?” What would a prudent man do?
“A prudent man sees evil and hides himself,
The naive proceed and pay the penalty.” Proverbs 27:12
I speak out against all the false doctrines and heresies in the church today. But I seldom speak out any more against corruption in our government and social, cultural and political matters (and best I can tell, neither did Jesus nor His Apostles). But I do vote (for the lesser of two evils it would seem sometimes).
I still love America, my temporal country, and I am not a pacifist, but now days my focus is on the Kingdom that is eternal and on the saints that inhabit that Kingdom; the Kingdom of God. This earth shall pass away but the Kingdom of God is eternal (Rev. 21:1-3).
To be involved in those world arenas is to not help anything that potentially targets God’s saints.
Again; after the 70 weeks of Daniel comes the Millennium … and then eternity. So trying to save our nation and the church in these last days is like trying to put a fire out on a gasoline soaked straw scarecrow. Even if we save it, what will we have?
God lays the blame not at the feet of the wicked world leaders or of the leaders of the false, pseudo-church. God holds the remnant, the true Church, fully accountable for this state of affairs.
So where has the true Church been in all this? Thought you would never ask. The true Church laments the condition of this mighty nation and wonder what has gone wrong. However, we fold our hands, close our eyes, cross our fingers and simply hope things will get better. The church has been fast asleep while Satan has been rocking the cradle.
This watchman now gives the Church what may be the final warning. Return unto God while there is yet time. It is time to put away the pleasures of sin for a season, being caught up in the cares of this life, and being deceived by riches. It is time to BE the representatives of God that we were meant to be.
Only the true Church has direct access to God. Only God can remedy the mess in this nation. This pattern of problem and solution is throughout the entire Bible. Let us look only at what Jesus (our Lord and King) did while He walked the earth. His method of operation, His pattern of living, is abundantly clear. He did nothing on His own and put no confidence in the flesh including His own abilities or those of His disciples, or the religious leaders or Rome. A simple example of this is in John 17:11. Jesus identifies the problem and gives the solution. What is the solution? I come to thee [Holy Father]!
Why have so few believed our report? Could it be because we do not practice what we say we believe? Is it because we see no real faith in God demonstrated in our own lives? I pray not. Nevertheless, I say unto you all, the true Church, turn to God while it is yet day for soon the night comes. Wake up! Clearly see that all these ills befalling America are the judgment of God.
Remember that God’s judgment always comes with mercy. Cry out to God in repentance and seek mercy for this nation (the very people you love). If the true Church will not cry out to Almighty God in this dark hour who will?
So, what are we Christians to do? Has God provided us covering and instructions for these dark, prophetic times?
Yes He has, and we will discuss them in this series of 6 articles.
I urge you not to wait. Start today, right now, right where you are. Set aside some time everyday and intercede for America. God’s hand of love, mercy and grace is stretched out still.
Lets think on these things.
FOOTNOTE: Premillennialism teaches that the Second coming will occur before a literal thousand-year reign of Christ from Jerusalem upon the earth. This view is most often contrasted with Postmillennialism and Amillennialism, otherwise know as Partial Pretersis and Preterist views that basically say the Second coming happened way back in 70 AD.
NOT GLOOM & DOOM NEGATIVISM
TO PREPARE FOR PROPHESIED TIMES
The majority was wrong in Eden (Gen. 3), in Noah’s time before the Flood (Gen. 6:1-13), at Babel (Gen. 11:1-9), in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18:16-19:30), when David went against Goliath (1 Sam. 17), in the churches in Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6), and Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22), and in the entire world between the Fall and the Final Judgment (Mt. 7:13-14). Similar Biblical examples may be multiplied beyond this sampling.
If the truth of this matter were to be told, the majority is usually wrong this side of glory. It is a rare exception when it is otherwise. Righteousness is not determined by the majority anyway. Truth is not decided by popular vote, and “belief” is not “truth”. The last two presidential elections are a case in point (Meaning Obama and Bush). God’s Kingdom is not a democracy. The three Persons of the Triune God is the only majority that matters when it comes to righteousness and truth.
Gloom and doom is promised prophetically to the lost world in these end-times, but not to the Bride of Christ.
ARE THESE INDEED THE LAST DAYS?
- What are the specific events that will herald the approach of the Last Days? Does the Bible really spell them out?
- What is the spiritual significance of Israel? What role is she called upon to play in the Last Days?
- How can I know for sure that Israel – this Israel – is a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy – and is not simply a fluke of history?
- Does the Bible really tell us that the Jews will return to Israel in unbelief?
- How can I use prophecy to reach the unsaved and bring them to Christ?
- What does the Bible have to say about apostasy in the Last Days?
- Does the Bible call upon the church to engage in social, cultural, and political reformation?
- Do adherents of the Christian and Islamic faiths worship the same God – as we’re being told by so many of today’s evangelical leaders?
- Why are so many Christian pastors emphasizing what the Christian and Islamic faiths share in common when it’s what they don’t share in common that is of such eternal importance?
- Why are so many church leaders redefining sin and playing down its consequences; e.g., homosexuality?
- Why has the church lapsed into silence regarding these questions?
- Are you prepared physically, mentally and spiritually for the coming crash of our economy and nation … terrorists attacks … Ebola and other plagues … mega natural disasters … all these approaching Last days events?
AND YET THE CHURCH REMAINS SILENT! When was the last sermon you heard that addresses in depth the End Days? Who is pleading and preparing the church for such a time as this? Now is the time to prepare!
I keep looking for better ways for end-time Christians to hide in plain sight, to go underground and become invisible to the coming Antichrist system; when that day comes. This is the lesson of history. The church has always gone underground in times of persecution and tribulation. Amazing as it may seem, the church always grows in numbers and purity in such hard times.
Now to most folks such talk is silly, and will contentiously exclaim, “that’s stupid!” They rage at us! And many of them are Christians. Go figure.
But many Bible believers do know a time of persecution is coming, and most probably in our lifetime. Not just in China and other far away places, but in our beloved America as well; in the land of the free. We just never thought about defending the idea of taking care of ourselves before, by hiding in plain sight; when that day comes, that’s all.
Think about it this way. Going underground is in fact hiding from an enemy, and hiding in plain sight is one such tactic.
Many Preppers and Survivalists are working towards being prepared for hard times, whether short term (as in a crash of the economy) or long term (as in the seven year tribulation). Of course, a lot depends on the eschatological belief system one prefers to believe as to how (or if) to prepare. Whatever our end-time beliefs are, we all are taking the risk that the eschatology we prefer to believe is correct, and then we subconsciously base all our planning on that. And whether we realize it or not, we all plan that way. I have written on that subject, so I won’t write at length about it here.
The Best of Times vs The Worst of Times
Of course I am making a play on a quote we all know from the famous book by Charles Dickens called “A Tale of Two Cities,” as I bring out a Scriptural truth here.
Have you noticed that Jesus said He will come at a time that seems most unlikely to Christians, and certainly to the world. It seems confusing and contradictory to say the best of times can in fact be the worst of times; it depends on whether you are a discerning, mature Christian or not. The discerning will have understanding and will prepare. The blind (the oblivious) and the silent will lead the blind to destruction.
“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends.” ~Martin Luther
Let me explain that comparison by referring to these verses in Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ~Matthew 24
In verse 39 Jesus said people would be enjoying their prosperity and peaceful times; eating, drinking and marrying and going on as if nothing sinister was happening, right up to the day He breaks up their party– big time.
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
~1 Thessalonians 5 .
According to these passages Jesus will come in what seems to the world like the best of times when there is peace and safety, and not what we perceive to be the worst of times when we so desperately need Him to rescue us. That’s still as clear as mud, so let me show you what many Premillennial Christians are already saying.
Jesus said He was coming at an hour ‘you do not expect,’ and He also gave specific signs to watch for; saying ‘when these things begin to take
place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. And as we have seen, what seems to be the best of times when there is peace and safety, will in fact be the worst of times, because it will be the Antichrist who brings this deceptive peace and safety. Who will expect Jesus to appear in the sky to rapture us when things are really going great? This peace and prosperity will blind many.
Most Christian Preppers believe that the Antichrist system will progressively replace all world currencies with a one-world currency. (I wrote a popular article on this years ago that you might want to see.) The conspiratorial process of bringing down all the currencies in the world will bring hard economic times. But once the one-world currency has been in place for awhile, great prosperity and peace will spread world-wide.
Then comes the contract. “Dear World citizen, it is now necessary to establish World Unity, and to show our appreciation and loyalty to our beloved world president who came as a God to established this peace and unity out of chaos and deprivation.” So these brief “best of times” for the world turn out to be the dreaded “worst of times” for discerning Christians. This is what Bible prophecy is warning us about, is it not?
“Peace if possible, truth at all costs.” ~Martin Luther
Can you say with me, “I want the truth, no matter the cost!” Any erroneous teachings we prefer to believe; I’m talking about our eschatological (end time) beliefs…can kill us. Our eschatological views are the colored lenses we see the world through. Our world view comes from this biased perspective. Depending on how accurate it proves to me –and time will test it– as to how safe you will be.
So, what will you do with this warning? Ignore it? Be offended?
“That prophecy is just too negative. Pay no attention to it!”
Or are you not a bit sure what you should do? But it is now clear that what we all must do (now that our eyes have been opened) is plead with God to make it clear to us just where He would have us, and what He would have us do. (Jesus is our Ark).
“Oh well, I chose to believe that God will protect me just like He did Moses in the wilderness.”
But why did God protect Moses in the wilderness?
The reason was obvious! God protected them because, (don’t miss this point) they were where God led them (by the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of smoke by day). Your survival may be contingent upon you being where God has chosen to protect you. It is presumptuous to assume God will protect you if you chose to go where your career or your interests lead you rather than where He wants you to be.
May I say lovingly and cautiously that we really hope the pre-tribulation rapture teaching is correct. But what if they are wrong? Millions could die because of trusting completely in a belief that left them unprepared, confused, angry and desperate.
“Prophetic Warnings Are Not Meant to Demoralize You.
THEY’RE MEANT TO SAVE YOU!”
And for most believers, that’s their take on prophecy. It’s just too negative! Who needs it! Most of us have enough trouble plaguing our lives without having to sit through a sermon on prophecy that’s all about doom and gloom!
But a danger sign is not meant to demoralize anyone. Nor is prophecy. The purpose of both is to save us from harm – to rescue us and our loved ones from catastrophe.” ~Douglas Shearer – Urban Hope Ministries
Jesus said the season of His return would be distinguishable, and in fact commands that we be watchful and in prayer; to encourage each other all the more as that Day approaches. It is possible, is it not, for American Christians to come into a time of tribulation when true believers will be killed or imprisoned for remaining faithful to Jesus.
So, how does one prepare for such oppressive times?
We have to consider all the areas of preparation to truly be prepared both physically and spiritually; and emotionally. A lot of people will break down emotionally when victimized by various pressures for an extended time; something many American soldiers have experienced in combat. Remaining in God’s word, staying humble before Him, and putting aside the temptations of our materialistic environment will be paramount to being attuned as to where He would lead us.
Hiding Behind Common Titles
Regarding hiding in plain view…lately I have been considering some old terms that were around before the word “Prepper” became so popular. It may be a toss-up as to which term is the most controversial, Prepper or Homesteader, but in my thinking their goals are very similar and maybe even interchangeable. But for sure the term “Christian Community” really gets people’s attention. That term always sounds a little strange, don’t you know! One instantly gets a little suspicious. “Must be a cult of some kind,” they say. And even I cringe at the militant term “Survivalist.”
Another old term we should mention is tenant farmers. A tenant farmer is one who resides on land owned by a landlord. Tenant farming is an agricultural production system in which landowners contribute their land and often a measure of operating capital and management; while tenant farmers contribute their labor along with, at times, varying amounts of capital and management. We sure do not want to use that demeaning term any more, but it does show us the workability of the concept. For instance, J. B. Hunt’s parents were tenant farmers and he only had a 6th grade education. Yet he became a billionaire.
Today, a homesteader is one who has chosen the simple agrarian life style and hopes to become completely self sufficient. They want to make their own buildings and power sources, and grow all their food and raise a family in a manner reminiscent of our forefathers hundreds of years ago. This is a lifestyle that has taken societies through the best of times and the worst of times for 6,000 years. It works, but sometimes we first need to be apprentices and learn how to do it. But believe me, it takes hard physical labor and we will need committed helpers.
In ” the good old days”, a lot of sons and daughters were needed to run the farm. Today, with smaller families, we need farm hands (apprentices?). Do you remember the old saying, many hands make light work? People get sick, they get injured, and they need some time off. A farm can work a husband and wife to death, so never think you can do it alone. Over the long hall you cannot…period! Have you ever heard the old saying, “He bought the farm”? That means the farmer died and his life insurance paid off the loan on the farm.
So back to the argument for farm hands (community members, or apprentices).
An apprentice in this setting is one who may have all the skills and aspirations the homesteader has but doesn’t necessarily have the funds to get a start. So the apprentice lives on the homesteader’s land and works for, and with, the family. For their own peace of mind they should have most views in common about every social, economic and political view. But their theological views and heart desires must center on Jesus Christ.
In simplest of terms, they are preparing for the eschatological culmination of Bible prophecy in what they perceive to be in their life time. Since the terms Homesteader and Apprentices are so accepted these days, you can call your guests apprentices even though what really is happening is Christian community.
To take it to another level, (hey let’s get real) why not just call yourself a farmer (a word everyone is comfortable with) and call those people working with you farm hands, even though you all are in fact (discretely) living in Christian community.
Here is my thinking on this. Let’s invite like minded people (who have no money to buy land for themselves) to help us help them. Whether they live on your land or close by makes no difference. And whether or not they have an outside income source to supplement their income makes no difference. The fact that they are helping you in order to help themselves is what makes the difference. Together we can reach our mutual goal to serve and be secure in these end-times.
In other words, we are talking about a stealth, underground, hidden in plain sight; Christian community of like minded believers in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!
These are some ways to hide in plain view, to blend into the ethnicity of the area, to go … underground. Just be a common farmer amongst a community of common farmers. Yep, that tall old man out at the “Carrot Patch” is me … Ken! No one is sure though. LOL. Oh, and those guys moseying out to help the old man gather eggs and juice carrots, or something, are friends.
We consider this to be the lifestyle we prefer for ourselves, no matter the times or conditions. Many who call themselves Preppers and Survivalists live in fear and in a premature, self imposed deprivation, not discerning the Lord’s timing and will for them.
Our Concept of a Fellowship of Intentional Neighbor
When we refer to an Acts Model Christian community, we think in terms of a “Fellowship of Intentional Neighbors” as being farmers (as described above) buying adjacent property, or living within walking distance of each other. They would live in community only in a general sense of the term. I grew up in the plains area of Colorado among farmers and ranchers in the 40’s and 50’s and that is how they lived. But that community concept is unknown to most Americans today and needs to be revived.
Finding a solution for a community concept that will actually work long term in the American culture seems impossible. But the concept found in this article will actually work because it has been Americanized enough to fit our culture.
Having this “Fellowship of Intentional Neighbors” to work with sure will be a big help. It is hard to do all that work by yourself. Building a self sufficient Christian community is in many ways just another building project or program. Our vision must be greater than the limits of just being in community.
If you already see that you also believe what is being shown here, please consider emailing us to say so. Dozens of people have wrote to say they don’t know anyone that sees what they see, and were wondering if they were going crazy. Our forum will give you a lot of instant friends who are likeminded and who will encourage you.
What Is the Purpose of Life In These End Times?
This will fly in the face of the average Survivalist mentality; but, it does not matter whether we survive or not. What matters is whether we are obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and whether we are laying up treasures in Heaven … in eternity.
As I often say, the purpose of life is to prepare for eternity. Success is measured by treasures we have laid up in eternity, not here in this lifetime. Or as Leonard Ravenhill once said: “This life is a dressing room for eternity – THAT’S ALL IT IS!” Ref: 1 John 2:15-17″
Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s and He will gather first the dead in Christ, and then the living at the time of the catching away. And we will live with Him for eternity. So don’t fret the small stuff brethren.
WRITE TO US If God Is Moving You To The Ozark Mountains and share your testimony.
THE NORMALCY BIAS
We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.
Ignorance is not always the problem. The illusion of knowledge is often the real problem. The Bible is infallible, but we aren’t. And sometimes some of our doctrines aren’t infallible either (considering how many denominations there are). Our doctrines can be an illusion of knowledge sometimes. For instance, not every eschatological doctrine can be correct, and those that are not, are most likely an illusion of knowledge that can result in not preparing properly for end-time events as they actually occur. Our doctrines seem normal to us, but that may prove to be an illusion. Again, we don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are. Our perspective is our reality. So, what are we … you and me?If it weren’t for ignorance, the world would have little to work with.
Isaiah 5:13, Hosea 4:6, 1 Timothy 6:2
Ignorance is an unguarded door for the enemy to come through unawares, so we need to learn how to guard the door to our faith like the Bereans did. We CAN judge doctrine by the Word of God, and we’re required to test ourselves to see if we’re in the faith. If we believe we are in the prophetic last days just prior to the Second Coming and Tribulation period, then surely we can assume that the hard times we are presently in will get much worse BEFORE these climatic events happen. This continent has experienced three wars, a depression, 9/11, and many horrendous natural disasters in the past. What makes us think such things CAN’T happen again … BEFORE the rapture and tribulation period? My 50 years of experience (since receiving my calling in 1971) shows me that –most likely– over 90% of the people who will even read this article will be either mid or post-tribulation rapture believers, or some variation thereof. It seems to take this mindset to be able to see this truth. Very few will be pre-trib, and none will be postmillennial or amillennial. In my lifetime over 50 million Christians have been martyred –killed for their faith– worldwide. Why do we think it CAN’T happen in America? We are facing a series of end-time disasters prophesied in the Old and New Testaments. But, of course, we all want to live our lives as we always have. Discerning the times is just inconvenient. 1 Peter 4:16-18 (NAS) says Judgment will come first to the church, and then to the world.16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
Matthew 24:22 says: “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Proverbs 22:3 warns: “A prudent [man] fore seeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
Matthew 13 gives us a good example of this normalcy bias in that time, and in the church today. In the parable of the sower. Jesus said:
9 ” He who has ears, let him hear.”
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
12 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.
13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
In verse twelve, speaking to “whoever has”, is referring to those who have a revelation of who the Messiah actually is; they comprehend that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and what that means in relation to His Kingdom, and our part in it. In context with the parable of the sower, Jesus reiterates vs. 11 in vs. 12, saying something like this: Since it has been granted to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to you shall more of the mysteries of the kingdom be given, and you shall have an abundance of knowledge of these mysteries.14 “In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; 15 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’
16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
17 “For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower.
19 “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
20 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.
The Bible says there will be a great falling away in the end-times, and verse 21 may give us a clue as to why. Do not underestimate the possibility of these things happening in our near future. Maybe this year, maybe next year, no one knows … but soon. Remember, when Israel became a nation again, prophecy says the time thereafter is one generation. The theologian, Chuck Missler, says a Bible generation is 70 years. Well, Israel became a nation again in 1948, so that suggests all this can happen by, or before 2018 … if time is cut short. The beautiful hope we have is in Jesus! He has told us he would shorten those days for us or no life would be saved (Mark 13:20), and he has promised we are not destined for his wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes 5:9). Think on that!THE CIRCUS ELEPHANT AND THE NORMALCY BIAS… & US
I heard this story a while back and I think it’s deeply empowering…
If you’ve ever seen a Circus elephant, you may have noticed they’re only held down with a single small rope – that’s it.
No cages, no bars, nothing.
Now elephants are pretty mighty mammals, and they can break free whenever they want – but they don’t.
The reason they don’t is because since birth, trainers condition the elephants using small ropes because at that age, it’s more than enough to stop them escaping….
As time goes on, the elephant grows bigger thinking that the SAME rope will not let it get away – so it doesn’t even try.
In short, the elephant becomes conditioned to believe it’s being held back by its circumstances…
And the same is true for most people.
I know it was certainly true for me!
I was charging $7 for something that was worth WAY more because I had conditioned myself to believe this was ALL I was worth.
The truth is that most people never achieve success because they’re held back by limiting beliefs – many of which are either self-imposed or given to them by others.
They’re conditioned to think in terms of LACK rather than abundance.
This ‘poor mindset’ is what prevents so many people from having the kind of success they COULD have – if only they didn’t hold themselves back.
Or they just don’t know…
You can’t escape from a prison you don’t know you are in.
So what’s holding you back right now? (end)
ESCAPING FROM THE ELEPHANT PRISON
The circus elephant does not see things as they are, he see things as he is. Bound.
That is the circus elephant norm. Don’t let it be yours.
In essence, the elephants normalcy bias was created by the assumption that because the rope never got bigger, that it would never get bigger and that meant to him that that little cord would bind him for life.
If the world is about to slip into the prophetic era known by many as the seven year tribulation we must escape all the restraints that keeps us for preparing for it. The world is oblivious, and so is a vast majority of Christendom to this reality. Prepare for the worst case scenario as Isaiah advised!
BIBLE PRECEDENTS FOR THE ARKHAVEN MODEL:
The safest place on earth is in the center of God’s will for your life
THESE PRECEDENTS NEED LITTLE INTRODUCTION
Noah was instructed by God to prepare a place (Ark) that was totally self sufficient so he and his family could survive the flood and carry the linage of Jesus untainted. They were under God’s covering because they were obedient to make the Ark and to go into it when God instructed them to. The Ark was God’s place of promise, provision and protection. ArkHaven was named after the Ark model, but incorporates the insight these three models give us.
Moses showed us that we must accept the possibility that we may eventually and ultimately be living by miracles alone as his people did in the wilderness. Keep in mind that as long as they followed the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of smoke by day they were protected because they were where God placed them. God provided physical protection, provision, and promise so long as they were under His covering by being obedient to follow the pillar of fire.
Joseph is another model for us. He had seven good years to prepare Egypt and his family for seven bad years. Whatever time we have left we need to be preparing for the eventuality of the coming bad years, however many years that may be. Goshen was a protected area that stayed green during those 7 bad years, and it was protected again during the time of Moses and the plagues. They were under God’s covering by being where God placed them. May God lead each of us into a Goshen land.
Elijah was instructed by the Lord to go to the brook Cherith, and there God sent ravens to feed him. Then the Lord told Elijah to go to Zarephath to be fed by a widow. God instructs some to prepare and others He instructs to go where God has arranged things so they will be provided for. He was under God’s covering by being where God placed him, and doing what he was instructed to do.
Lot was told by God’s angles to flee Sodom before God judged the city with fire and brimstone. The angels escorted him and his wife and daughters out of the city safely. But Lot’s wife just had to look back at their home and city she loved. (Genesis 19:26)
ArkHaven's Sister Ministries
BIBLE PRECEDENTS FOR THE ARKHAVEN MODEL:
What matters is that we all see clearly what we need to do to prepare for these coming days of devastation! God did not take Noah and his family off the earth He kept them safe while the waters rushed all around them. They were in a boat that took the pounding of the waves and all the animals were protected so life could begin again without all the evil and the demonic angles who followed the devil. The devil and his angels are creating havoc again in this earth and soon the time of wrath will pour down and we need to be ready for it. Ready in what way? What can we do?
BIBLE PRECEDENTS FOR THE ARKHAVEN MODEL:
A prudent man sees evil and hides himself,
The naive proceed and pay the penalty.” — Proverbs 27:12
20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
21 For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. ~Isaiah 26 (emphasis adder)
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. ~John 8
“When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.” — Proverbs 28:12
“But realize this, that in the last days
difficult times will come.” — 2 Timothy 3:1
“The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it” —Proverbs 22:12
As fish are caught in a cruel net, as birds are taken in a snare,
so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly on them.” —Ecclesiastes 9:12
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? —Ecclesiastes 5
“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do” —Psalms 11:3
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble;
thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:
I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalms 32
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame scorch you.” —Isaiah 43:2
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. ~Psalms 119
18 They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed:
their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity. Ezekiel 7:18-20
10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3
20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers,
and shut thy doors about thee:
hide thyself as it were for a little moment,
until the indignation be overpast.
21 For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. Isaiah 26
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Rev 3
Great Corrie ten Boom
Quotes For These Articles
“There are no ‘if’s’ in God’s world. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety – let us pray that we may always know it!”
― Corrie ten Boom
“If God has shown us bad times ahead, it’s enough for me that He knows about them. That’s why He sometimes shows us things, you know – to tell us that this too is in His hands.”
― Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place
“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”
― Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place
“You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.”
― Corrie ten Boom
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. ~Psalms 91
What People Call Preparation, God Sees as the Goal Itself
Here is a listing of hashtage terms commonly used by people who are preparing
for an anticipated economic crash and hard times:
Acts Model Community
Anti-Dependency Lifestyle
Apprentice programs
Arkansas Preppers
Beloved Community
- Boston Mountains
Bugout Location
Christian centered
Christian community co-op
Christian covenant
Christian Doomsday Preppers
Christian farm community
Christian Prepper community
Christian Retreat
Christian sanctuary
Christian Survivalists
Christian Village
Community Fellowship
Doomsday preppers
Green Community
Homesteaders
Homesteading Preppers
Intentional community
Kibbutz
lay Christian community
Neo Pioneers
Off the Grid shelters
- Ozark Plateau
Planned Community
RV’er Christian Community
Safe area
Safe haven
Safe Places
Save Zone
Skousen
SHTF
Sustainability Living
How to contact Ken Uptegrove:
Subscribe to Our Acts Model Community Forum
We see the need to prepare our families (physically, mentally, and spiritually) for the hard times we see rushing in on America and the world … very soon.
Worse yet, we feel alone and misunderstood. The church, our family and friends, and indeed the whole world, seems to be asleep and oblivious.
We are looking for like minded Christians who are being led of the Lord as we are (being like minded), so we can encourage and assist each other. We encourage those of other mind sets to form their own forums and stay out of this one.
WRITE TO US If God Is Moving You To The Ozark Mountains and share your testimony.