Stockpiling for end times?

I believe survivalism benefits everyone who wants to practice it. It's not just about preparing for the worst, it's also about living life with as little dependency on others as possible. The confidence in being able to care for and protect yourself is greatly rewarding. But it's not just doing little things like buying a little extra and setting it aside. You have to learn and work to make what you do have last as long as possible, no matter what the state of the rest of the country is in. It's not just about End Times, but there could be other situations that could mean disaster without being End Times as we Christians would know it. Everyone could benefit from learning how to live more independently.

love,

Sopranette

 

I don't have the money to save up or stock pile supplies.

But even though I believe the Christians will be gone before God pours his wrath out on the world, I also recognize the possibilty that America can become a third world country, Muslims can take over, and we could be persecuted the way other Christians around the world are today.

So in the light of that, it may not be a bad idea to learn survival skills, the way our great grandparents did.

BTW, I am undecided as to pre or Mid trib.

 

HP: In applying rules of interpretation I am having difficulty in understanding which it is of these opposing notions you really believe. :smilewinkgrin:

 

Come on Tim, just do like I did!

Split the difference! Be pre-trib in a mid-trib way! It's simple. Recognize that the Great Tribulation is only the last half of the seven year period and that the rapture preceds that last half! It's pre-trib in that it's before the Great Tribulation, but it's also mid-trib as others would understand the whole seven years to be the Tribulation.

 

HP: That is an excellent way to interpret Scripture as I see it. :thumbs: You worded that very well. The ‘wrath of God’ being poured out in the last half of the tribulation, having those that ‘endured to the end as believers being rapture out before the last half (three and a half year period) of the total tribulation period.

 

I take home the left over wafers from communion.

 

HP: The word ‘stockpiling’ carries many different connotations. Why not just ask about saving up supplies for times of need so that one may not be a burden to others in time of crisis, and to be able to share out of their abundance with others in their time of need?

I remember a time when we saved a large quantity (at least to us) of food and etc. faithfully over a period of time, in which in the end we shared with a VERY larger family in their time of need.

Why would it either have to be one or the other as you put it? Why does it have to be either classified as ‘stockpiling’ (as if greed or something was the reason and driving force) or a possible lack of faith? Was Joseph showing a lack of faith by preparing and storing for the times of hardship he saw as coming? I certainly do not believe so.

 

Well, I understand how many feel that self sufficiency seems like a fringe philosophy. The media has portraid it as such. But how about thinking of it in positive terms? I don't know if there is such a thing as too much independence. Would those who have grown up during the Depression wish they had been better prepared for it? Could a situation like that happen again? I'm sure there were a lot of Christians who went through very difficult times, but could have done better with a little more knowledge on getting by. It doesn't mean their faith is weak. I don't know if you're fine with just keeping a few extra batteries and cans, or if you would want your own self sufficient farm one day? It's not about how much stuff, or to what extreme is too far, it's how you use what you have wisely.

love,

Sopranette

 

Why would we? I for one will be in Heaven, and I really do not think it will do any good there.

 

Many various scriptures start going through my head when I think of stockpiling:

'take no thought of what shall I eat or what shall I drink or where withall shall I clothe myself..........' =the importance of faith in diversity, the providence of God in times of need.

'sell what you have and buy a sword....' be prepared for defense, protection.

'bring your tithe into the storehouse that there may be food for my people...' is the church supposed to be a place also of protection, of provision, of ministering to the needs with in the community in times of trouble?

and the story of the ant and the slothful sluggard.

and more, (this would make a good study perhaps?)

I don't think that prepartation for times of trouble is a lack of faith, if it is within ones means. There are many things which can occur which cause disrruption from our normal daily life: hurricaines, floods, tornadoes, snow storms, power outages, earthquakes, possibilities of food crop failures, possiblities of fuel shortages limiting the transport of food and supplies, possiblities of disease out breaks and quarrantines or limitations of movement resulting from impacts on areas............ and the desparation of people who, in general, have been raised in a godless society and have no conscience or discipline (and no faith) to control themselves from seizing provisions which they want or need.

I store what I can, thinking if a disaster hits.... here it typically is a hurricaine, there will be provisions enough to live through stablization and restoration of food, and utilities, and travel. Also, I hope, there will be sufficient to share, if there are unmet needs in the community or the church.

I do believe we are living in the end of times.... but how long that will be only God really knows. He, alone, knows how difficult it may get. It may be that all the preparations in the world would not 'save' one from perilous times..... It may be, that one saves, and another is heir to the provisions left behind. In the event of nuclear war or civil unrest, ones' provisions may be burnt up, or confiscated, or left for survivors.

Whatever the future, I know and encourage, build up faith in and dependance on God first and foremost. He who saved us is our provider. Beware of any fear that is not founded in awe of God: What we fear, we serve, we obey, we do what we can to protect ourselves from: Fear is an emotion which springs into actions of worship. God has said to place no other gods before him, so we must be on guard that any fear which arises in us is redirected and consumed by our trust in God.

Whatever I've said herein, let it not discourage you from seeking God's will and following the direction in which he leads you. All these other words are just words and my impression. (And, yes, I'm inclined to believe Christians will be living, however easy or difficult I cannot say, but living through the start of the tribulation, and face persecutions, and taken out before the Wrath of the LORD is poured out.)

 

With respect to the End Times, we should see what Scripture say and END all speculations. :thumbs:

 

Stockpiling is not wrong, neither is it right. Being honest and acknowledging why one does it will get you to the answer.

It is so sad to see "christians" being the fearful ones. I'm sure that nobody here is among the fearful :smilewinkgrin: , but I remember Y2K and it seemed the more "conservative" people were the more susceptible to fear they were. I think the two are linked in an important way.

I know a lot of homeschooling, homechurching, homesteading, homebirthing types that are bound up in a lot of fear. Fear of the government, the muslims, public schools, the end times, organized religion, non KJV bibles, Wal Mart, the Federal Reserve, agribusiness, ..........................

The result is that a lot of people combine this with a warped gospel and lost people run from the anything to do with Jesus.

Col. 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Then lets act like it :thumbs: .

 

Actually, self-reliance is the very opposite or greed or fear. It can help in you day to day life by teaching you to do with less, and being more confident in the skills you do have. It doesn't matter where you live, or how old you are. It starts by taking a look at what you surround yourself with. Look at it this way; Once you learn a new skill, you no longer have to be dependent or pay someone else to do it for you, which means you spend less, which means you work less, which means you have more time for your family. It's not about living in fear, it's about making the best out of what God has provided for you.

love,

Sopranette

 

you should be ready for hurricanes, ice storms, -- temporary suspension of service for a few days -- at the minimum..

Mid and Post trib is wrong according to Matt 24 - "After the tribulation of those days" Christ comes to gather the elect from the four corners of the earth.

The dark ages "100's of years of tribulation" already came - just as John predicted. And there is more "trib" to come - as we all know.