So called preppers are people who materially strive to be self-sufficient during a natural disaster or societal breakdowns that lead to shortages of life’s physical necessities such as food, water, shelter, and all the other commodities we’ve become accustomed to in our daily lives. They typically store up large quantities of food, water, and all sorts of emergency supplies ranging from toilet paper to guns and ammo. Some even go off the “grid” completely, raising and preserving their own food. While it is a given that we all need to be prepared for short term emergencies such as power outages, extreme weather events, etc. just how much is practical and logical? Biblically literate Christians who comprehend the nearness of end-time prophecies have even more to consider, as they know of Jesus’ warning of great tribulation ahead and they are aware that they must “endure to the end”. So, what’s a Christian to do?
Some scriptural arguments for prepping include: Didn’t God tell Noah to prepare for a disastrous flood? Didn’t God tell Joseph to store up grain for seven years to prepare for coming famine? Of note in those cases is the fact that they were specifically God directed. What did Jesus say about this topic? “Therefore, I say to you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.” (Matthew 6:25). He went on to talk about how God supplies the birds and clothes the lilies and grass of the fields. He ended by saying: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:33-34). Note that He didn’t say don’t prepare for tomorrow but that we shouldn’t worry about it. Worry here is the key word. If we’re prepping or not prepping, worry should never be a part of it! If Jesus is to be our example, He was one who was never concerned about where His next meal was coming from or where He was going to sleep. Each day, carrying out His father’s will was what mattered to Him. He taught us to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread“.
So, what should the Christian position be knowing Jesus’ example and also that there is coming an imminent collapse of civilization as we know it taken over by the antichrist for at least 3 and 1/2 years? Concerning this great tribulation, Jesus told us to prepare by learning to avoid deception, avoiding lawlessness, and walking in His love. In other words, Jesus told us to prepare by heeding all His prophetic teaching that reveals the time of His coming and what conditions will be like at that time. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit will give us guidance in how to prepare, through the Word, by direct revelation, or other sources such as the two witnesses of Revelation 11. (Scroll down to read the important article on the two witnesses). If personal physical preparation is necessary, we will be given guidance at that time. God knows how to take care of His own.
But what should we Christians do now? I think the answer is simple. Common sense tells us that we should be prepared for emergencies of any cause. This is simply being responsible for care of our families. And we may be able to help a friend or neighbor who was not prepared for such difficulty. However, prepping materially in the extreme is not biblically called for. The only exception would be if God directs you. If you’re 100% sure the Holy Spirit is telling you to prep for a specific outcome, then by all means obey. God may be preparing you for a specific ministry during troubling times. Prepping should never be based on worry or fear of what’s coming. God’s fully in charge of what’s ahead and you can be confident He’s got your back in anything connected to your well-being.
Stay Alert, all God’s promises are yes and amen for you.
Maranatha, Jim