Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids - Should a Christian be a “Doomsday Prepper”?

Should Christians be "Preppers"? Do you think we need to physically prepare for the end time--storing food and water? Or would God consider it a lack of faith?

What is a "Doomsday Prepper"?

National Geographic Channel had a show entitled, “Doomsday Preppers”. It portrayed survivalists who are all preparing for doomsday, whether it's caused by a natural disaster, a financial collapse or a nuclear winter, and their plan is to outlast and outlive any apocalyptic scenario. The series goes inside America's "prepping" subculture and introduces otherwise ordinary folks who are stockpiling food, water, weapons and whatever else they think is necessary in the event basic services should falter and society turns chaotic and violent.

The daily news is full of bad news and predictions of possible worst case scenarios – 

Economic Collapse – Federal, State, and International debt continues to rise

Infiltration – Open borders, ISIS refugees, “sharia law” no-go zones

Gangs & Drug Cartels – Even law enforcement authorities can’t seem to stop them

EMP – Electro-Magnetic Pulse, whether from a nuclear device set off over the United States or a solar flare, the electrical grid is taken down

Racial Riots – Ferguson, Baltimore

Active Shooters – Columbine, Virginia Tech, Clarksville, TN, San Bernadino, Houston

Drought – Food and water shortages

Disease – Pandemic, unchecked immigrants, virulent strains resistant to treatment

Natural Disasters – Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods

Government Takeover – Martial Law

Terrorism – Physical attack or cyber-terrorism

Does calamity lie ahead? Most assuredly! Our Lord Jesus Christ told us so.

·       Seven Seals (Rev 6:1-17; 8:1-5)

1.      Religious and political deception, confusion, and chaos

2.     Riots, division, fighting, and wars

3.     Drought, food shortages, and famine

4.     Diseases, outbreaks, sicknesses, and quarantine (1/4 of the earth's population is killed during these first 4 seals) 1,823,250,000/7,293,000,000

5.     Persecution of true believers, denial of jobs and commerce, martyrdom

6.     Great earthquakes, meteors, changes in the heavens

7.     Thunder and lightning, fire falling from heaven, and more earthquakes

·       Seven Trumpets (Rev 8:6-9:21; 11:15-19)

1.      Hail, fire, and brimstone from heaven that burns up 1/3 of the trees and all the grass

2.     Great volcano erupting killing 1/3 of sea creatures and destroying 1/3 of all ships

3.     Meteor crashing to earth that turns 1/3 of all the fresh water bitter

4.     A third of the light from the sun, moon, and stars is darkened

5.     Smoke fills the air and darkens the sun. Locusts (or drones) released from the bottomless pit that torment and sting men w/o God's seal for 5 months

6.     200 million man army kills 1/3 of the people on earth

7.     Christ returns! Amid lightnings, thunderings, an earthquake and great hail

But should we as Christians be “Doomsday Preppers”? Would God consider it a lack of faith?

How could we possibly prepare for something like this?

Physical preparation

What does the Bible say about being prepared?

Pro 27:12 KJV  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.  

Pro 6:6-8 KJV  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: (7)  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, (8)  Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.  

Pro 21:20 KJV There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.  

Heb 11:7 KJV  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.  

Gen 41:46-49 KJV  And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. (47)  And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. (48)  And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. (49)  And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.  

Should we 'prep’ then, that is, should we store up beans, bullets, and Band-Aids?

If you believe that the systems of this world will break down at some point, you might want to set aside a few extra provisions. We should put aside what we can for later use when things become scarce either due to The Great Tribulation or just a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or a power outage. We should have a contingency plan.

However, we should not be extreme about it, possessed with fear and trying to save ourselves. We should put our trust in God, not in our storehouse or in the riches of this world.

God can take what we do have and stretch it to make due. e.g. Israelites’ shoes and clothes did not wear out during 40 years in the wilderness (Deut 8:4); Fed them with manna and with quail; Remember Gideon's fleece in Judges 6:36-40? If God can do this, he can drop manna in your yard if he chooses to; Elijah was fed by ravens until he went to the widow woman who fed him for many days with only had a handful of meal and a little oil. (1 Kings 17:8-16) God will provide for those that love Him.

If God plans to bring down the kings of the earth, (REX84) and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men who have every resource at hand, what could regular people like us possibly do to prepare so as to preserve our lives?

Pro 11:28 KJV  He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Mar 8:35-38 KJV  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.  (36)  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  (37)  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  (38)  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

NOT Physical preparation but Spiritual preparation

As Christians, our faith must not be in our supplies or our ability to procure them or our survival skills.  God makes it clear that He wants to be the sole object of our faith and trust.

1Tim 6:17-19 KJV  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  (18)  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  (19)  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

How to Be a Spiritual Prepper

Prove for yourself that God exists who rules over His creation and that He cares for you, He loves you, and wants what's best for you.

Prove for yourself that the Bible is indeed the inspired word of God. It is true and you can believe what it says. It is the ultimate Survival Manual.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. Change our habits to conform to his righteousness, his way of life, become perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect to the best of our ability in this fleshly existence.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might. Put on the whole armor of God daily - guard your mind, speak the truth

Pray early and often. Fellowship with God and Jesus Christ. Get to know them on a personal level. (1 Joh 1:3) How can you place your faith and trust in someone if you don’t know them? And you certainly don't want Christ to say, "I never knew you." (Mat 7:23) Pray not just for yourself but for each other also.

God can and will protect those who are faithful to trust in Him and patiently wait on His deliverance - Read Psalms 37 and 91 often

Psa 37:18-19 KJV  The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.  (19)   They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Psa 37:23-26 KJV  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  (24)   Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.  (25)  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.  (26)   He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

 Psa 37:39-40 KJV  But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.  (40)  And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

What Manner of Persons Ought We to Be in the Meantime?

Young men, who are more likely to be alive at Christ's return, rather than lamenting that they may not have a chance to develop their careers and make their own way in this life should prepare now to minister to those around them who will be suffering through the end times of the Great Tribulation. 

Pro 20:29 KJV  The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

  

Tit 2:6-8 NASB  Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;  (7)  in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,  (8)  sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Tit 2:6-8 KJV  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.  (7)  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  (8)  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

2Pe 3:11-14  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  (12)  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  (13)  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  (14)  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

We Should Look Out For One Another, Our Families, & Brethren

Mat 5:42 KJV  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Luk 6:30 KJV  Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

Gal 6:2, 10 KJV  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (10)   As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Rom 15:1 KJV  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Deu 15:7-8 KJV  If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:  (8)   But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

Joh 13:34-35 KJV  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  (35)  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

  

Mat 24:21-22 KJV  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  (22)  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

  

That is our only real hope for survival! There is really only ONE hope. The intervention of God!

God promised to give us the grace we need to hold up under the trials ahead and not lose hope or depart from the faith, but we must stay close to God and trust in him, patient despite what we encounter all around us, chaos and confusion, though a thousand may fall at our side. (Psa 91:7)

So put aside a few extra provisions as you are able but put your faith and trust in God, weary not in well doing, and patiently wait on the Lord with cheerful and hopeful endurance.

One Final Question or Two We Need to Ask Ourselves

If we prepped and were able to save ourselves by doing so, who would get the glory? Will God honor that or should we trust in that which gives glory to God?

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