Wednesday, November 30, 2022

The Christian Prepper and coming affliction

The goal of the Christian is not to see how long he can physically survive in this world, but to live faithfully for God according to his revealed moral will and as an intentional minister of both reconciliation (of people to God through faith in Christ for salvation) and edification (building up) of the body of Christ (the "church") through the role(s) (or "gift") he/she is inclined/ enabled towards. 

The Christian who is more inclined towards DYI and survivalism and is more keenly aware of coming affliction (mostly from opposition from those who oppose God and the Bible, but also from cultural and social trends that can make life more difficult for all) will desire to seek to prepare physically to make enduring such affliction possible.

Such a desire and effort is not unwise, for it may provide in the time of trouble for both the preparer and others who have not prepared.  But such preparation should not be just to try to "endure to the end" physically.  The intent should always include the calling of the believer to fulfill his ministries of reconciliation and edification.  But it is natural to prepare for difficult times, and it isn't unwise to do so.  But it should not be the all-consuming aim of one's life, for there are some who devote their lives to prepping, and it almost seems that their goal in life is to make it to the end physically.  

When God pronounced judgment on Judea for her sins by the Babylonians, he said their life would be a prize to them.  Judgment was coming, and if they submitted to God's will, they would only get out with their lives.   Jeremiah the prophet speaks of their life being a prize to them, and he also spoke of some would be appointed to captivity and some the sword.   Revelation 13 speaks of this same thing in the context of the saints being given into the authority of the "Beast."  This understanding of how it will be is to be for the "patience of the saints."  One is to entrust their life to God.  If he wants to save you through it all, he will.  You can prepare, and you can run, if possible, but you must trust God with your life.  

8 "Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him. 10 For I have set My face against this city for adversity and not for good," says the LORD. "It shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire."'   Jeremiah 21:8-10

2 "Thus says the LORD: He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes over to the Chaldeans shall live; his life shall be as a prize to him, and he shall live.' 3 Thus says the LORD: This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.'"  Jeremiah 38:2-3

15 Meanwhile the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 16 "Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you. 17 But I will deliver you in that day," says the LORD, "and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. 18 For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me," says the LORD.'"  Jeremiah 39:15-18

4 "Thus you shall say to him, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, what I have built I will break down, and what I have planted I will pluck up, that is, this whole land. 5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh," says the LORD. "But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go."'"  Jeremiah 45:4-5

1 Then the LORD said to me, "Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people. Cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth. 2 And it shall be, if they say to you, 'Where should we go?' then you shall tell them, 'Thus says the LORD:

"Such as are for death, to death;

And such as are for the sword, to the sword;

And such as are for the famine, to the famine;

And such as are for the captivity, to the captivity."

Jeremiah 15:1-2

So the beast opened his mouth to blaspheme against God - to blaspheme both his name and his dwelling place, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 The beast was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them. He was given ruling authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation, 8 and all those who live on the earth will worship the beast, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was killed. 9 If anyone has an ear, he had better listen!

10 If anyone is meant for captivity,

into captivity he will go.

If anyone is to be killed by the sword,

then by the sword he must be killed.

Revelation 13:6-10 NET Bible

2 Then the LORD answered me and said:  "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 2:2-4


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