Overview

“Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (II Peter 3:10-12).

Overview

Believers have been anticipating Christ’s return ever since Jesus ascended to Heaven after his resurrection. However many Believers believe we may in fact be in the final days leading up His return.

If Christians actually believe we are in the conclusion of the end times, we need to prepare as such. That means preparing for a radical shift in every area of our lives. This means first and foremost we are ready spiritually. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. Then we need to look at a Biblical approach to the practical actions we need to take as things stand now in regard to current local, national and world trends.

This is not to promote a “Head for the hills” strategy on the part of believers, quite the contrary. We are called to the light in a world of darkness and promote the Kingdom in all we do, not flee from it. But how should the body react to what is an obvious shift in world events? Following is one approach:

1. An honest assessment of the current state of government and cultural influence.

2. Look at trends developing from the that assessment.

3. What are the various scenarios that can result from those trends.

4. How the Body of Christ should be prepared for those scenarios and what needs to be done currently.

Priorities

1. Communication

2. Food/shelter

3. Service toward others

Plan of action:

– Identify likely disasters.

– Gather critical information.

– Outline assignments and procedures.

– Identify emergency communication methods.

– Encourage member preparation.

Progressive scenarios affecting Believers

1. Culture turning away from Judaeo-Christian values.

2. Increased attacks (verbal) against Believers

3. Increased censorship of Believers (no dissension)

– On/through media

– Laws – hate crimes

– Financial

4. Isolation of Believers

5. Physical attacks/ imprisonment via society and govt.

6. Increased govt. control – cashless, Internet, surveillance, etc.

Immediate emergency scenarios

1. Natural disasters

2. Unintended infrastructure failures

– Phone service

– Internet

– Utilities (water and power)

3. Intended infrastructure failures

– Cyber attacks (phone, Internet, utilities)

– Physical attacks (EMP, terror attacks, etc.)

4. Declared (undeclared) war

5. Terror attacks

Factors to consider

– Spiritual warfare.

– Individual

– Corporate body

– Understanding prophesy. It provides the basis of our playbook in being ready

– Self sufficiency (as opposed to dependence on govt.)

– Biblical approach to who and what we should rely on at any time, not just the end times.

– How should Christians prepare for the end times.

– Political/ News awareness

– Use of force in defense?

– Two ends of the spectrum: pacifist <—-> militant

– Is force a part of the Christian life and if so, when and how?

– Social/ political scenarios

– Personal defense

– Defense of family

– Defense of friends

– Defense of/in community

– Personal survival (immediate family/friends)

– Food

– Shelter

– Medical/first aid

– Defense

– Communication

– Downloads

– First aid

– Bible, Bible studies, etc.

– Survival guides

– Community (What determines exactly what community is – relatives, general friends, other Believers, etc.?)

– Self reliance (due to man made, govt. or natural causes)

– Infirmary – refer to lists. Provides basic first aid, preventive and               maintenance care.

– Food

– Shelter

– Communication

– Community within the Body of Christ (as opposed to community with unbelievers)

– Outreach to unbelievers

`              – Bibles

– Tracts

– Books (?)

– Places to meet and share Salvation

– Service to those with a heart of gratitude as opposed to service to those with a heart of entitlement. Potential behavior shown by both, especially hostile behavior by those feeling entitlement.

– Specific areas to bring believers together

– How to organize

Communication

1. CB

2. Long range walkie talkie

3. Ham radio

4. FM transmitter/radios