When one is prepared, they are setting themselves up for success. As the old saying goes, “fail to plan, plan to fail.” On the flip side, of course, when one is not prepared it can become a matter of life or death. There have been an increase in “wars and rumors of wars”, signs in the sky, exponential increases in natural disasters and bizarre weather phenomena, all hitting too close to home. Many should be aware of how important it is to be physically prepared, but it seems with the constant bombardment from the media that many people are becoming desensitized to the dangerous reality our world powers are promoting and provoking. Ironically, the media across the globe has been writing articles about how to be prepared for nuclear war, an EMP attack, etc…The sad truth of the matter is, IT COULD HAPPEN, and because there is that possibility, it is essential to remain calm and organized. To be assured that your family and friends are protected, check out this Emergency Preparedness Checklist.
Proverbs 28:19-20 says that physical and spiritual preparedness can be a blessing.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Physical preparedness can seem a bit easier to arrange for, because after all a checklist is easier to go through to make certain the essentials are acquired (although checking different sites and forums may also be good because it is easy to overlook simple items in complex and changing scenarios). Now many may be skeptical and just rely on God alone, but here is the thing, we are responsible for our actions and God gave us a brain to use. It was God who warned Noah about an upcoming flood. Many were denying the possibility they all were not physically prepared, even though Noah warned them from the account in Genesis and in Hebrew 11:7 –
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.
How about the spiritual aspect of being prepared for disasters, whether natural phenomenon or nuclear war? Those are all emotionally and spiritually tolling realities that can be more devastating to ones psyche than one can imagine. There may be mass panic and chaos in these End Times, but being spiritually prepared can help give God’s peace which will help give God’s wisdom with the clarity of mind to act vigilant while helping others. There are scriptures showing that being prepared is important, especially since the coming of the Son of Man is upon us. Luke 21:34-36 says:
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole Earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 17:26-30, shows again how Noah was ready physically and spiritually:
And as it was in the days of Noe [Noah], so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
Matthew 25:1-13 is the parable about the 10 virgins where 5 of them were not prepared, and exhibited entitlement while doing nothing to be ready. A key message to take here is that many think it will be instantaneous and no trials or tribulation will ensue, but we must be prepared physically and spiritually for the Coming of the Son of Man, just as the 5 wise virgins were awaiting their bridegroom.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 also corroborates the importance of being ready in the End Times:
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Through just these few examples, we can see how important it is to be physically (with resources), spiritually (emotionally and mentally) for the coming of our awaited King. There are many places written in scripture explaining everyone will not be delivered from hardship in these End Times. No one knows the hour, but we know the season is upon us as Christ discusses the signs of the End of Days, the Great Tribulation, the Coming of the Son of Man in all of Matthew 24. Aside from what was written in the Bible and the wise words that were given, the world media is portraying it is also the End Times, when the curtain is to be lifted and all will be revealed. However, let us not be in a mind and state of fear, but of love and light where we are not to be anxious as stated in Philippians 4:6, and John 16:33 reminds us that we can truly have peace because of all that has been written to warn us and help us be vigilant.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
It does not hurt to be prepared, and having too much is never a bad thing because it can end up helping others in the time of need. When you find you don’t have enough, that’s when your spiritual walk can be compromised because emotions can flare up. Cognitive dissonance from reality can only promote an unhealthy way of thinking that can be detrimental to a point of risking salvation. The time is now to get off the treadmill of life and start putting your focus on being the love and light, being prepared physically and spiritually to ride out this storm of End Times of Great Tribulation and Skyfall. What are you waiting for?
Weekly Challenge:
This message is important because we must remain the watchmen on the wall. The Catholic Ecumenical Order of Christ is passing this message to help save lives, physically and spiritually. Too many have become dependent on the government to help save them from troubles and disasters, and that can lead to them becoming a victim. Challenge yourself and your family to make sure everyone is ready for these End Times, and be a light in these dark times to those who need help and the way to safety and salvation through love and not fear.