What Are You Preparing For?

[bbyrd009]

Are you preparing for Armageddon? Do you find it strange that that is pretty much what secular society is preparing for, this Biblical "battle?"

So, what are you preparing for?

[bbyrd009]

bump

[Timmy]

I'm preparing for the Super Bowl. :)

[scotty]

I'm preparing to finish the race, where ever God's track may take me.

[supertone]

I haven't started preparing anything as yet but I think that there is a good chance of the deflation of western economies to a point where there could be civil unrest in larger urban areas.

Is it worth hiding out in a bunker during an armageddon situation or to be out in the mix trying to help and save others?

[Amanah]

I'm preparing to be blessed by God.

Deuteronomy 28

Blessings for Obedience
1 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.
3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock.
5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
7 “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
8 The LORD will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. And he will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
9 The LORD will establish you as a people holy to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in his ways.
10 And all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you.
11 And the LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your livestock and in the fruit of your ground, within the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give you.
12 The LORD will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. And ou shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
13 And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them,
14 and if you do not turn aside from any of the words that I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

[Nitehawk013]

I have considered buying a few survivalist books and starting to stockpile nonperishable items and bottled water, batteries, fuel, etc in the event that civil unrest does become a reality. I wouldn't be surprised if there was another financial meltdown resulting in worse conditions than the last one in 08. Ifthe banking industry burst then theres a good chance we all would find ourselves without any money. It could be a repeat of the bank runs a century ago.

If it is widespread, people may just turn violent. I'd like to be somewhat prepared and able to hunker down in my home and wait it out safely with enough supplies to keep my family secure.

[Nitehawk013]

Of course, theres also that whole zombie apocalypse thing. That would be the real problem.

[Jay]

I am preparing for revival.

[RandyWayne]

I have considered buying a few survivalist books and starting to stockpile nonperishable items and bottled water, batteries, fuel, etc in the event that civil unrest does become a reality. I wouldn't be surprised if there was another financial meltdown resulting in worse conditions than the last one in 08. Ifthe banking industry burst then theres a good chance we all would find ourselves without any money. It could be a repeat of the bank runs a century ago.

If it is widespread, people may just turn violent. I'd like to be somewhat prepared and able to hunker down in my home and wait it out safely with enough supplies to keep my family secure.

Funny you should mention this. Last night I just bought a very nice water filtration system off of Amazon. The thing is good for up to 13,000 gallons which, as one reviewer noted, allows you to filter a gallon a day for over 30 years. This will allow us to store water in barrels versus cases of bottled water and make better use of the rain. We're also trying to find the cheapest way of allowing our solar panels to provide electricity when the grid power goes out (currently they are required to go off line when the power goes out).

This is the water filter.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007U00YE/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

[bbyrd009]

I have considered buying a few survivalist books and starting to stockpile nonperishable items and bottled water, batteries, fuel, etc in the event that civil unrest does become a reality. I wouldn't be surprised if there was another financial meltdown resulting in worse conditions than the last one in 08. Ifthe banking industry burst then theres a good chance we all would find ourselves without any money. It could be a repeat of the bank runs a century ago.

If it is widespread, people may just turn violent. I'd like to be somewhat prepared and able to hunker down in my home and wait it out safely with enough supplies to keep my family secure.

Well, I'd like to suggest, having gone all the way down this road, bought colloidal silver to replace foul water and antibiotics, the whole bit, that this is self-reliance, and God can take better care of you. This is preparing for Armageddon, which I completely understand, but if you will ("collective" you, here), please contrast this to preparing for a Wedding, Jay would say "revival," amen.

At the same time, I don't wish to put down self reliance, buying colloidal silver was the best thing I ever did there, but would like to highlight that buying a private island, if you are able, or hunkering down in a "safe" spot with the fam is just not what we are called to do, as tempting as that is, and as much "common sense" as that seems to make.

[bbyrd009]

A Wedding is coming! When those who are preparing for Armageddon "witness" you joyfully preparing for a Wedding, and relying on your Father for your needs, miracles will happen in your life.

[Nitehawk013]

What witness will it be however, if one neglects to prepare for life on earth beyond the next few years and they find themselves with nothing and wind up begging in the streets? Is it a better witness to prepare for the very worst and be supplied (thereby giving some the impression you aren't trusting in God) or not prepare at all and find yourself a beggar with nothing but relying on God?

Perhaps reliance on God includes USING ones common sense and preservation instincts and taking care to prepare for possible future problems.

[bbyrd009]

What witness will it be however, if one neglects to prepare for life on earth beyond the next few years and they find themselves with nothing and wind up begging in the streets? Is it a better witness to prepare for the very worst and be supplied (thereby giving some the impression you aren't trusting in God) or not prepare at all and find yourself a beggar with nothing but relying on God?

Perhaps reliance on God includes USING ones common sense and preservation instincts and taking care to prepare for possible future problems.

I don't think we should be ignorant of means for self sufficiency, Amen. This to me translates as "don't rely on the government for clean water," or anything else, for that matter. But "have no thought for tomorrow" should get a hearing here, imo; these things should be useful today, yes?

And our def's of "witness" are different, as a result. But I don't have a wife and kids; I would be sorely tempted to prepare for Armageddon if I did. Hell, I've been doing just that anyway. Let me state now that all my preparations, all my learning here, may serve me, but the first need evinced for my colloidal silver maker can have it; I have a better Source for clean water now.

To answer your Q, I have abandoned all my preparations in this area, as they were keeping me from my Wedding prep, and making me a beggar, in a sense. Now I rely on God for tomorrow, just like for today, but I will admit that this only came about for me after some pretty radical..."social surgery," lol.

[bbyrd009]

But I would still follow you to learn some new survival trick; if you can eat when others are starving, this is life. But any stockpiling to me is missing a central point now.

[KeptByTheWord]

What witness will it be however, if one neglects to prepare for life on earth beyond the next few years and they find themselves with nothing and wind up begging in the streets? Is it a better witness to prepare for the very worst and be supplied (thereby giving some the impression you aren't trusting in God) or not prepare at all and find yourself a beggar with nothing but relying on God?

Perhaps reliance on God includes USING ones common sense and preservation instincts and taking care to prepare for possible future problems.

I agree with this. I believe we should prepare for economic distress at the very least, regardless of whether Armageddon has anything to do with it or not. The writing is on the wall for our debt entrenched country. Whether or not this has anything to do with the "end of days" or whatever you want to call it, it would not be a bad idea to have on hand food to last you for at least three months, and basic survival supplies, in case of no water, food, or electricity. Urban areas will possibly be most hardest hit, as folks there won't have easy access to food and water, because of the masses of people. We have seen how quickly people degenerate when basic necessities aren't met in other countries with rioting and looting... what makes us think it couldn't happen here in our beloved America?

Yet, in all your preparing, and readying of supplies, keeping in mind that as in the days of Israel when they walked through the wilderness, God supplied and met all their needs, I believe the same will happen to believers during this time. I believe it will be a witness and a light to the rest of the world, when they see the protection of God over his saints even as destruction and terror reign in the land.

So yes, BB, and Jay, let's prepare for revival, for a wonderful day is coming, but until that day comes, basic supplies for difficult days ahead is not a bad idea, and beyond that, trust in Jesus to supply our needs.

That is how we are preparing anyway....

[bbyrd009]

Amen, I like all that. I just don't want to see Christians get sucked in to the Armageddon mindset.

[KeptByTheWord]

Amen, I like all that. I just don't want to see Christians get sucked in to the Armageddon mindset.

Yes, there are many "mindsets" out there to get sucked into...

[RandyWayne]

Amen, I like all that. I just don't want to see Christians get sucked in to the Armageddon mindset.

So perhaps I should just fill a single bottle of water and always trust God to keep it full?

If your trusting Him to do it for your food, why not your water?

[bbyrd009]

So perhaps I should just fill a single bottle of water and always trust God to keep it full?

If your trusting Him to do it for your food, why not your water?

Boy, I'll tell you, I'm feeling my way here. i'm just convicted that we are not supposed to be running around like the lost, preparing for some "sky is falling" scenario. I have only been "trusting God" for really a couple years, 2 years, and surely somewhat kidding myself, at that. But ya, a container that doesn't empty..."un-fortuitously." I'm getting some kind of related stuff, already...I mean, I'm a pretty self-sufficient person, even have trouble accepting soup from neighbors, so honestly, "survival" would be my natural inclination here. But so, I'm supposed to break off "wedding prep" to gather insurance? Not me.

[Amanah]

I agree with this. I believe we should prepare for economic distress at the very least, regardless of whether Armageddon has anything to do with it or not. The writing is on the wall for our debt entrenched country. Whether or not this has anything to do with the "end of days" or whatever you want to call it, it would not be a bad idea to have on hand food to last you for at least three months, and basic survival supplies, in case of no water, food, or electricity. Urban areas will possibly be most hardest hit, as folks there won't have easy access to food and water, because of the masses of people. We have seen how quickly people degenerate when basic necessities aren't met in other countries with rioting and looting... what makes us think it couldn't happen here in our beloved America?

Yet, in all your preparing, and readying of supplies, keeping in mind that as in the days of Israel when they walked through the wilderness, God supplied and met all their needs, I believe the same will happen to believers during this time. I believe it will be a witness and a light to the rest of the world, when they see the protection of God over his saints even as destruction and terror reign in the land.

So yes, BB, and Jay, let's prepare for revival, for a wonderful day is coming, but until that day comes, basic supplies for difficult days ahead is not a bad idea, and beyond that, trust in Jesus to supply our needs.

That is how we are preparing anyway....

I live in Florida with hurricanes, I spent one month w/o electricity in a housing area that looked like it had been bombed . . . being prepared for a 3 month disaster is not a bad idea. MREs are pretty good btw.

[bbyrd009]

Well, we are each going to do what we will do. I would like to emphasize that anything useful in tomorrow's scenario should be good for today, otherwise what are you doing today that is not...sustainable tomorrow?

New Living Translation (©2007)
"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

English Standard Version (©2001)
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

International Standard Version (©2008)
So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

http://bible.cc/matthew/6-34.htm

But hey, I'm planting potatoes...

[bbyrd009]

It's worth saying that it isn't what you think about what may be going on around you that will matter, but what you do.

Also, the world may seem to be on fire right now
(it's Armageddon, that's where we're headin')
But understand this happens every 80 years, since industrialization at least, and other cycles obtained before this. In fact, you should be able to Google...ya, a G of "80 year c" auto-completes for "80 year cycle."

Although we have the additional flava of 1948 this time, understand why it might be a red herring. Auditing a "Zionism" thread should give you enough clues alone, but see that God may have a different, more spiritual definition of "fig tree" than we do. A diaspora has occurred since then.

In 80 years, your ancestors will likely be right where you are now, the only diff being that information and communications now available, which is why you know there is an 80 year cycle, will have been available for 80 years then, at least in some form. I'm not clear on exactly what evolution this might engender--knowledge time-capsule? Timed internet diaries of 80 years ago? Or merely a more vast archive of 80 years ago--but the advance of knowledge in general can only be considered a good thing (despite the danger of too much knowledge) and the advance of social knowledge can only be considered a holy pursuit.

[The Matt]

I'm preparing for being able to understand the right decisions when they come.

[bbyrd009]

I like that, particularly because decisions are something that one has to make. Amen.

[bertcarring]

Are you preparing for Armageddon? Do you find it strange that that is pretty much what secular society is preparing for, this Biblical "battle?"

So, what are you preparing for?

The world to come.

[bbyrd009]

The world to come.

Ha, an adroit side-step? When does this world "come?" How are you preparing for it? What might it look like to you?

[bertcarring]

Ha, an adroit side-step? When does this world "come?" How are you preparing for it? What might it look like to you?

After this one.

The Spirit of God.

Eternity.

[bbyrd009]

After this one.

The Spirit of God.

Eternity.

And when will this Eternity of yours--and most Christians, I guess--begin?
(when various things read in the Revelation, taken to be prophesies of literal manifestations occur)

So in other words, anywhen but now. This world that most of us envision, what we call our "eschatology," cannot possibly happen before sundown today, correct? See why the "AM" in "Understand I AM" might have been emphasized...

[bertcarring]

And when will this Eternity of yours--and most Christians, I guess--begin?
(when various things read in the Revelation, taken to be prophesies of literal manifestations occur)

So in other words, anywhen but now. This world that most of us envision, what we call our "eschatology," cannot possibly happen before sundown today, correct? See why the "AM" in "Understand I AM" might have been emphasized...

What shall my wages be if I teach thee?

[bbyrd009]

Well, that doesn't really seem to follow from "And when will this Eternity of yours--and most Christians, I guess--begin?"

[bertcarring]

Well, that doesn't really seem to follow from "And when will this Eternity of yours--and most Christians, I guess--begin?"

Can you see all the way to the end of the path I am on?

[Timmy]

Never thought it would happen. Bb has been out-weirded. :lol

[bertcarring]

Never thought it would happen. Bb has been out-weirded. :lol

I do not appreciate you being disrespectful to me. I want the Lord to see that you have been told that what you are doing to me is evil and a sin. Please do not do this to me again.

[bbyrd009]

Lol--yes, anyone can see to the end of your path, or anyone else's. It has only grown as far as to right where you are, and you are not guaranteed another sunrise.

Of course, to the extent that (I) don't really know the next thing you are going to say, I cannot see to the end of your path, which still ends in the same place, only I have not "caught up to you" in this sense, yet. But when I can accurately predict what you will say next, this is changed. imo.

[bbyrd009]

Never thought it would happen. Bb has been out-weirded. :lol

I wasn't aware that I was seen this way, hmm.

[bbyrd009]

I do not appreciate you being disrespectful to me. I want the Lord to see that you have been told that what you are doing to me is evil and a sin. Please do not do this to me again.

I'd like to ask that you recog that good can come from evil. We pay Timmy to foil for us, so we don't all sit around agreeing with each other. Every now and then I or Houston takes a turn...
(lol, pretty sure you'll be batting clean-up in the new rotation, tho : )
I, at least, mostly accept that you have some "new" truth to bring us, and may also provide fertilizer.

[Timmy]

I wasn't aware that I was seen this way, hmm.

My apologies, to both of you. But I didn't mean "weird" in a bad way. But you are both very, very ... um... different from most people, and even most AFFers. And he's even more different than you. ;)

[Timmy]

I'd like to ask that you recog that good can come from evil. We pay Timmy to foil for us, so we don't all sit around agreeing with each other. Every now and then I or Houston takes a turn...
(lol, pretty sure you'll be batting clean-up in the new rotation, tho : )
I, at least, mostly accept that you have some "new" truth to bring us, and may also provide fertilizer.

Is my check in the mail? :lol

[Timmy]

I do not appreciate you being disrespectful to me. I want the Lord to see that you have been told that what you are doing to me is evil and a sin. Please do not do this to me again.

You are very, very different from anyone else here. The term "weird" may seem disrespectful, but it is accurate. Since you asked, I will refrain from using it or similar in the future.

Now, I'm just curious, why do you want the Lord to see that you have told me I did evil? What will happen if He does see that you have told me this? Do you want me to be punished?

I mean no disrespect. I am genuinely interested.

[bertcarring]

You are very, very different from anyone else here. The term "weird" may seem disrespectful, but it is accurate. Since you asked, I will refrain from using it or similar in the future.

Now, I'm just curious, why do you want the Lord to see that you have told me I did evil? What will happen if He does see that you have told me this? Do you want me to be punished?

I mean no disrespect. I am genuinely interested.

I have no desire for you to be punished. If we converse I want it to be in the spirit of Mercy and Truth. I hate disrespect and I hate rebellion. Especially if it is without cause. And I hate to be disrespected. Especially if it is without cause. And if by telling you how I felt towards you about it causes you to cease or be corrected then I have overcome evil with good. And if not then I have lost nothing because I will have to endure your disrespect anyway. Till my Lord does something about it for me.

I desire there be peace between you and I. But if we must be at war. Then I will defeat you.

In the Spirit of the Lord.

[Timmy]

I have no desire for you to be punished. If we converse I want it to be in the spirit of Mercy and Truth. I hate disrespect and I hate rebellion. Especially if it is without cause. And I hate to be disrespected. Especially if it is without cause. And if by telling you how I felt towards you about it causes you to cease or be corrected then I have overcome evil with good. And if not then I have lost nothing because I will have to endure your disrespect anyway. Till my Lord does something about it for me.

I desire there be peace between you and I. But if we must be at war. Then I will defeat you.

In the Spirit of the Lord.

Cool.

[bbyrd009]

Seems to miss the point, to me...but ok.

[bbyrd009]

^ An excellent recap of the proper spirit in which to confront
what you may have determined to be evil...


This, [you], is your mission; you are the one in the middle.
http://i.imgur.com/jesgD.jpg

[Timmy]

^ An excellent recap of the proper spirit in which to confront
what you may have determined to be evil...


This, [you], is your mission; you are the one in the middle.
http://i.imgur.com/jesgD.jpg

I'm doomed! :lol

[Timmy]

I'm doomed! :lol

(Doh! I'm tricked! :toofunny)

[KeptByTheWord]

^ An excellent recap of the proper spirit in which to confront
what you may have determined to be evil...


This, [you], is your mission; you are the one in the middle.
http://i.imgur.com/jesgD.jpg

I think you "lost me" here BB.... in outer space.... LOL!

[bbyrd009]

Ha, it was mostly fun tricking Timmy, lol.

[Timmy]

Ha, it was mostly fun tricking Timmy, lol.

:Nhl_check

[bbyrd009]

I think you "lost me" here BB.... in outer space.... LOL!

I could provide many other images from God, and Scripture, to further illustrate, but this just says a mouthful, imo. What does a light do? It puts out a circle of light.

[Amanah]

I'm preparing to be prepared . . . for whatever happens

heaven, company, church, work, entertainment, death, loneliness, new beginnings

[bbyrd009]

Hmm, you bring to mind our role in what we are preparing for. Your tomorrow is defined by your today.

[RandyWayne]

Hmm, you bring to mind our role in what we are preparing for. Your tomorrow is defined by your today.

Huh?

[RandyWayne]

I could provide many other images from God, and Scripture, to further illustrate, but this just says a mouthful, imo. What does a light do? It puts out a circle of light.

Huh?

"Circle of light"?

[bbyrd009]

Or hide it under a bushel, I guess.
How big a circle does your light cast?

[kclee4jc]

I'm preparing to be used by God in the last days. I'm preparing to resist the devil and his deception.

[bbyrd009]

Ah-that has been the focus since about...70 AD, though? I am fond of saying "Today is the last day of the rest of your life," which I'm pretty sure I could find some Scripture for, but haven't tried, and we know "Resist the devil, and he will flee..."

I'd like to suggest that those both, together, use up about 5 minutes of my day, usually the first five...
And note how they both deal specifically with [you], although the thread title here might also seem to, what I guess this comes down to is, what is (your) "witness?" I'm still kind of groping here, but are (you) talking "wonderful hereafter," and witnessing "fear of satan?" "Be afraid of hell?" Why?

Christ is not afraid of hell, even a little bit; and I'm not either. If satan is dead to (you)--which admittedly doesn't usually seem to happen in a Christian's walk right away (for the exact same reason, imo)--reflect upon how this may actually keep him alive, in (your) "witness."

[Jay]

I am not certain I comprehend the meaning of that post, my friend.

[Sethern]

I prepare for the grave...

[Michael The Disciple]

Armegeddon and the wedding of Christ and his bride are in the same context.

[bbyrd009]

Armegeddon and the wedding of Christ and his bride are in the same context.
Ha that is the deepest thing I've heard since I came here.

[bbyrd009]

I am not certain I comprehend the meaning of that post, my friend.

We have been led into an introspective, hell-fearing, death centric, life absent, finger pointing, regulating, law giving basis for every religion that has proceeded from early Christianity, since the Council of Trent and Original Sin, "Born a sinner," and it is evident. The clues are everywhere. Basically what I've been ranting about, lol, but I'm hardly alone

http://www.wikihow.com/index.php?title=Recognize-the-Fallacy-of-Death-Centric%2C-Western%2C-Christian-Models&oldid=7193158

but don't expect much change for a generation I guess sigh

[bbyrd009]

Beck - Ramshackle

You've been so long
Your blind eyes are gone
Your old bones are on their own

So take off your coat
Put a song in your throat
Let the dead-beats pound all around

We will go
Nowhere we know
We don't have to talk at all
Hand me downs
Flypaper towns
Stuck together
One and all

The bargains you drag
Buckets and bags
And all your belongings

Your trains in the sand
Ramshackle land
Let the rats watch the races

We will go
Nowhere we know
'Til we find our one and all
Hand me downs
Flypaper towns
Stuck together
One and all

Praises get spent
Your trick face is bent
Pigsties and prizes

'cos there's no kind of wealth
You're shooting yourself
You leave yourself behind

We will go
Nowhere we know
'Til we find our one and all
Your hand me downs
Flypaper towns
Stuck together
One and all

[Jay]

The RCC is truly death centered as the do not believe that one is ever delivered from the power of sin. However, Pentecostals believe that you must die to sin, the world, and the flesh and then be restored through the Holy Ghost to a life lived in obedience to the Word of God.

[bbyrd009]

Amen. and for many of them, and many RCC now too, a more life centric theology just comes with age.

[bbyrd009]

or rather hearing.
The fungus might save us! Can't hurt...

Yes, you can recycle plastic, but that just means turning it into another product and recycling hasn't sufficiently slowed the production of new plastic.

According to a Yale study, globally we produced 245 million tons of plastic in 2006, compared to only 1.5 million tons in 1950.

One of the fungi we're looking at is called pestalotiopsis microspora...
A future with less plastic and more mulch, all thanks to fungus...
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/more-mere-magic-mushrooms-154207424.html

[Dalton]

Oddly enough, 4 years ago I would've said zombies, two years ago and up until a few months ago it would've been revolution. Now, I'm done preparing... I'm waiting. Just walking in the best way I know how.

Hey, I might die before anything happens so :P

[Sam]

I'm prepared for the rapture.

[RandyWayne]

I'm preparing for the Rise of the Machines.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/06/29/android_wideweb__470x326,0.jpg

[Michael The Disciple]

I dont have time or money to do much physical preperation. We have a few months supply of food and water on hand. We moved from a medium size city (Dayton, Ohio) to a rural area in Southern Ky. We probably wont do much more than this.

It COULD still be decades before the great tribulation. Nonetheless our personal "end of the world" meaning death is sure for all. I seek intimacy with Jesus every day. I want him so real that I can enter any situation with the confidence he is with me.

Now if we are at the end of the last days we should be spiritually prepared to be living on a planet where BILLIONS of people will soon die through war, famine, plagues, and other disasters. Living on a planet of satan worshippers. Living on a planet where to buy or sell one has to sell their soul to the devil.

No one is going to be able to live for Christ in those days if they cannot live for him now. Now is the time to seek the favor of YHWH. To have real experience with him so that when times are hard your vision our Heaven wont be closed. So that as he pours out his specialness in relationship to us our devotion and loyalty to him will increase.

Right now we are forerunners. Pioneers walking through the wilderness calling men and women out of the world and into the kingdom of God. We must be faithful witnesses to teach them the whole counsel of God.

Whatever generation is the "Armegeddon" or "end time" generation will I believe see the best of the best with Jesus and the worst of the worse with the world. I want to help that generation by encouraging wholeheartedness in regards to the first commandment.

You shall love YHWH YOUR ELOHIM with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The more we give ourselves to that love and that life the more prepared we will be.

[bbyrd009]

Oddly enough, 4 years ago I would've said zombies, two years ago and up until a few months ago it would've been revolution. Now, I'm done preparing... I'm waiting. Just walking in the best way I know how.

Hey, I might die before anything happens so :P

Ha--I do some (amateur) writing; my fave line so far is
"Armageddon ends for you when you die."

[bbyrd009]

I'm prepared for the rapture.

I'd like to think I am.

Ha, gotcha. Obviously something happens there in I Thess, Sam; I think I just got a little too strong an emphasis on it in my Apo/Pent days, and witnessed that its fruit seemed to be an introspective generation, simultaneously pointing fingers and proselytic, supposedly not worried because they were flying away, and God was going to remake the planet, so why worry about conservation, etc...just not good. I have since heard many more balanced rapture doctrines; it is, at the end of the day, divining, in my opinion, to speculate too deeply on it, and I only object to its improper application.

[bbyrd009]

I'm preparing for the Rise of the Machines.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/06/29/android_wideweb__470x326,0.jpg

(there heeeeere...) well, getting closer. I wonder if the internet is the beast?

[bbyrd009]

I dont have time or money to do much physical preperation. We have a few months supply of food and water on hand. We moved from a medium size city (Dayton, Ohio) to a rural area in Southern Ky. We probably wont do much more than this.

It COULD still be decades before the great tribulation. Nonetheless our personal "end of the world" meaning death is sure for all. I seek intimacy with Jesus every day. I want him so real that I can enter any situation with the confidence he is with me.

Now if we are at the end of the last days we should be spiritually prepared to be living on a planet where BILLIONS of people will soon die through war, famine, plagues, and other disasters. Living on a planet of satan worshippers. Living on a planet where to buy or sell one has to sell their soul to the devil.

No one is going to be able to live for Christ in those days if they cannot live for him now. Now is the time to seek the favor of YHWH. To have real experience with him so that when times are hard your vision our Heaven wont be closed. So that as he pours out his specialness in relationship to us our devotion and loyalty to him will increase.

Right now we are forerunners. Pioneers walking through the wilderness calling men and women out of the world and into the kingdom of God. We must be faithful witnesses to teach them the whole counsel of God.

Whatever generation is the "Armegeddon" or "end time" generation will I believe see the best of the best with Jesus and the worst of the worse with the world. I want to help that generation by encouraging wholeheartedness in regards to the first commandment.

You shall love YHWH YOUR ELOHIM with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The more we give ourselves to that love and that life the more prepared we will be.

You make some good points. It's mostly about "love your neighbor," and I don't see myself getting much better at that after...35 years, lol. yikes.

The thread title was kind of meant to address your first paragraph; but I'm sure I've made it plain now that I think believers should be preparing for a wedding. Your "prep" seems pretty ideal to me.

There are doctrines that put us in the tribulation right now, at some certain trump; Sam would know better than me there. I note Christ spoke of "last days" in His time; and recall accounts that strongly suggest that our time here on earth, "alive time," might be compared to a time when one is doing something they hate, time seems to drag forever? v something they love, where time flies--and that at Judgement, people will be like, "Man; all I had to do was Love My Neighbor for a measely 100 years!" lol.

[RevDWW]

First off we need to prepare for eternity.
Secondly we need to be prepared for the end of the world as we know it.

[bbyrd009]

First off we need to prepare for eternity.
Secondly we need to be prepared for the end of the world as we know it.

I wonder if the two aren't more closely connected than we realize.

I believe in an "afterlife," but have come to see the model that is
preached to us--that I prolly would have preached, too--is surely from a child's pov, so to speak. When does "eternity" start? The "immediately after "free beer tomorrow" model just seems deficient, to me, not so much in theory, maybe, as in practice.

And we live in a completely different world than even a generation ago?
When does the end of the world end? Lol.

[RevDWW]

I wonder if the two aren't more closely connected than we realize.

I believe in an "afterlife," but have come to see the model that is
preached to us--that I prolly would have preached, too--is surely from a child's pov, so to speak. When does "eternity" start? The "immediately after "free beer tomorrow" model just seems deficient, to me, not so much in theory, maybe, as in practice.

And we live in a completely different world than even a generation ago?
When does the end of the world end? Lol.
The end of the world as we know it is not the same as the end of the world. The end of the world as we know happened for the folks of New Orleans with Katrina, it happened resently with the mass tornados in Mississipi and the Midwest. Folks need to be prepared to survive and even thrive when the world around them falls apart.

[Sam]

The end of the world as we know it is not the same as the end of the world. The end of the world as we know happened for the folks of New Orleans with Katrina, it happened resently with the mass tornados in Mississipi and the Midwest. Folks need to be prepared to survive and even thrive when the world around them falls apart.

the "end of the world" can mean different things to different people.

reference this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgcy-V6YIuI

[Sam]

700 some years before the birth of Jesus Christ, Amos preached:

"prepare to meet thy God, O Israel" Amos 4:12

[bbyrd009]

I'll check out the vid when I can Sam, on wrong pc right now.The end of the world as we know it is not the same as the end of the world. The end of the world as we know happened for the folks of New Orleans with Katrina, it happened resently with the mass tornados in Mississipi and the Midwest. Folks need to be prepared to survive and even thrive when the world around them falls apart.

I don't have a problem with this; until it becomes putting up extra veggies in prep for "The end of the world, prolly tomorrow maybe," which let's face it, to most people's minds, Armageddon might happen, but hasn't started yet (you think), and so, by process of elimination, becomes more likely tomorrow. And then even more likely the day after that.

BAM, "Be prepared." It should be like, a motto or something.
But the world as you know it, right now, has ended.
Did you see that? It just ended again.

Teaching me how to build a fire from nothing, today,
that I can use tonight, just takes my brain to a different place
than "It's Armageddon, that's where we're headin'-"
"Better prepare for tomorrow."

If you are preparing for an imagined tomorrow, you cannot possibly be walking with Christ today. If you had prepared for Christ's tomorrow, you, who cannot divine, would have surely done something completely different than go to Jerusalem--and He knew what was coming.

Am I alone here? Is this just my opinion?

[bbyrd009]

Alrighty then.

[RevDWW]

I'll check out the vid when I can Sam, on wrong pc right now.

I don't have a problem with this; until it becomes putting up extra veggies in prep for "The end of the world, prolly tomorrow maybe," which let's face it, to most people's minds, Armageddon might happen, but hasn't started yet (you think), and so, by process of elimination, becomes more likely tomorrow. And then even more likely the day after that.

BAM, "Be prepared." It should be like, a motto or something.
But the world as you know it, right now, has ended.
Did you see that? It just ended again.

Teaching me how to build a fire from nothing, today,
that I can use tonight, just takes my brain to a different place
than "It's Armageddon, that's where we're headin'-"
"Better prepare for tomorrow."

If you are preparing for an imagined tomorrow, you cannot possibly be walking with Christ today. If you had prepared for Christ's tomorrow, you, who cannot divine, would have surely done something completely different than go to Jerusalem--and He knew what was coming.

Am I alone here? Is this just my opinion?

So are you saying that if we really trust Christ we don't need to grocery shop at all or only need to shop for one day or one meal?

[bbyrd009]

I had no idea what dinner was going to be tonight, until it landed in my lap.
Um, and not to be picky, but personally my trust is in God;
Christ is my Savior, and I am joint heirs with Him.

[bbyrd009]

God is going to respect your pov as sacred to you;
if you are "worried" about feeding your fam
tomorrow, He is going to let you handle it.

[Timmy]

God is going to respect your pov as sacred to you;
if you are "worried" about feeding your fam
tomorrow, He is going to let you handle it.

And I suppose if you don't worry about feeding your family tomorrow, God will feed them for you? Take no thought for the morrow?

[bbyrd009]

And I suppose if you don't worry about feeding your family tomorrow, God will feed them for you? Take no thought for the morrow?

Brilliant! If you trust God.
When I defend myself, I am attacked.

[bbyrd009]

I'm prepared for the rapture.

Here's the problem with that-
-Rapture doctrine is preached as
"escaping Armageddon," right?

Yet the rapture does not occur until the
7th trump, and the antiChrist comes
at the 6th trump.

A look at what is meant by
"prepared for the rapture"
reveals the lie.

[bbyrd009]

So are you saying that if we really trust Christ we don't need to grocery shop at all or only need to shop for one day or one meal?

Ok, and shop whenever you want to;
real food perishes quickly,
and becomes inedible in about 36 hours, tho,
without preservation.
Of course, virtually all the "food" you can buy at Safeway now is "preserved."

[Timmy]

Here's the problem with that-
-Rapture doctrine is preached as
"escaping Armageddon," right?

Yet the rapture does not occur until the
7th trump, and the antiChrist comes
at the 6th trump.

A look at what is meant by
"prepared for the rapture"
reveals the lie.

There are many different timelines. Which one's right? (If any? :D)

[Sam]

Here's the problem with that-
-Rapture doctrine is preached as
"escaping Armageddon," right?

Yet the rapture does not occur until the
7th trump, and the antiChrist comes
at the 6th trump.

A look at what is meant by
"prepared for the rapture"
reveals the lie.

no comment

[acerrak]

Here's the problem with that-
-Rapture doctrine is preached as
"escaping Armageddon," right?

Yet the rapture does not occur until the
7th trump, and the antiChrist comes
at the 6th trump.

A look at what is meant by
"prepared for the rapture"
reveals the lie.

rapture happends on the last day. after tribulation. the saints was given over. if all the saints are gone who is given over? If the holy spirit has been removed There will be no conviction.

will there be a rapture, or a catching away of saints yes. Before tribulation, I dont believe so.

[Sam]

ok, I know I said, "no comment" but I will flip flop and comment.

This is a comment, not an argument. I won't argue over stuff like this. There are just so many different ways Christians see these things and they are actually trivial when compared to other things.

I personally am pre-trib. I believe that Jesus Christ will call His people out of this world (rapture) before the tribulation.

In my opinion we see the Church Age in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 followed by the Rapture with the voice like a trumpet saying, "Come up hither" in chapter 4. In my opinion this is the "last trump" for the Church and is also mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. We then see the tribulation in chapters 6-19 with the second coming in chapter 19, followed by 1000 years of peace (not able to say how literal the number 1000 is) followed by the second resurrection and the new heavens and new earth.

If anyone sees this differently, that is fine with me. I don't base my fellowship on eschatological views.

[bbyrd009]

Ah, well ty. I had always heard this "pre-trib" and "post-trib" stuff,
and wasn't really aware of what it meant.

Your "last trump" was taught to me as the 7th trump,
we agree there. My understanding is that this is after the
antichrist, at the 6th trump.

But I agree with you in spirit, that it shouldn't matter;
as long as "pre-trib" doesn't mean "you as a believer
don't need to study Scripture to know how to battle
antichrist, since you are going to fly away."

[bbyrd009]

There are many different timelines. Which one's right? (If any? :D)

I have to believe the documentation for pre-trib is
compelling, for it to have become a doctrine.
Now that I'm aware, I'll go back and read the
"pre or post trib" thread(s), but I doubt I'll be able
to shed any light there.

I mostly take Sam, et al's arguments back to
Arnold Murray--a post-tribber, I guess--to get his reply.
But I agree with Sam here in Spirit.

As to the "if any," the abundance of prophecy
concerning the First coming v its actualization
naturally leads me to reject any popular
doctrine of men; which doesn't mean one isn't right.

I'm not interested in this from an eschatological
pov, so much as how it might affect a believer today.
I've never heard it preached, only 2nd hand, but apparently
it is possible to get a message similar to what I related
to Sam in the post above, and I have witnessed what I
would call fruit of certain rapture doctrines that seemed
to reflect this attitude.