Values-Driven

Someone on our facebook group asked me what we should do to prepare if we are indeed going to be here for the tribulation period. Here is my response to her question.

For those who wish to be prepared for the tribulation (or any other disaster/martial law), here are some things to consider. This is not a short/simple thing, since we are speaking about game-changing historical events, with many possibilities. As a result, several contingencies are necessary to prepare for multiple scenarios.

Preparation takes several forms. The most important preparation is SPIRITUALLY! Have you surrendered all to Christ, willing to sacrifice comfort, wealth, possessions, and even your own family and life for the Kingdom? I encourage everyone to read my book, Keys to Kingdom Expansion (FREE in ebook or print at http://www.valuesdrivenfamily.com/Keys_to_Kingdom_Expansion.htm). This will give you an understanding of the times, our clear and actionable role (see Daniel 11:32-33), and help you remain fixed on the positive, not the negative. Also, I strongly recommend the book Standing Firm through the Great Apostasy by Steve Gallagher—I get this book at a discounted price and will happily give it to you for $10—just email me). These two resources are life-changing—this is not an overstatement!

You must be resolved emotionally and spiritually. Scripture says to “not fret over evildoers.” It says to “not worry about tomorrow,” but rather “seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness.” It says to trust in the Lord. Therefore, there is a fine line between being wise and preparing versus trusting in the Lord. Joseph was warned of challenges and prepared accordingly. The Lord has given us ample warning concerning His coming and we are wise to prepare. However, worrying is a sin—we must trust in Him.

Likewise, we have to be resolved to give up everything. In the end, defending our property, stashes, and even families (with violence) will cost us our life and more. We have to be resolved to maintain a non-violent posture. He who tries to preserve his life will lose it and he who gives it will save it. Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek, not resist an evil doer, to pray for our enemies, to give to those who ask, and not lay up for ourselves treasures on earth. I recommend The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down by David W. Bercot and The Christian in the World by Isaac D. Martin to unwind years of Augustinian influence and compromised “Christianity.” They are challenging, yet good reads. Read Revelation 13:10. Remember, our enemy is not flesh and blood. Those doing bad things to us will suffer far greater torment than what we will experience in life, if we fail to reach them. Our suffering for the sake of the Gospel will reach many. Be resolved—stand firm. Overcome evil with good.

Read Foxes Book of Martyrs or Martyr’s Mirror as a family. Understand that Jesus meant what He said concerning suffering for the Gospel. Resolve in your heart to stand firm.

Now planning logistically. First, I want you to understand the times we live in. On the negative, recognize that this nation is heading in the wrong direction. We are heading down the tubes economically and on other fronts. Take the “Crash Course” at www.chrismartensen.com. It’s worth your time. It is secular, yet prophetic nonetheless. As a result, I believe wholeheartedly (based on a lot of sources), we will face a systematic collapse. The entire “just-in-time” infrastructure will eventually fail. No food, energy, or services. Immediately we will see chaos. If this was the worst of it, I would not fret. However, the sinister side of this whole scenario is that I (again based on many sources) have come to the conclusion that this is PLANNED! There are powers out there devising to pick up the pieces with a one-world government. This has biblical significance.

Now, recognize that nearly every generation, beginning with the time of the Apostles, thought they were in the end times. However, we are unique in that the world stage is actually set up for these events. Likewise, we are for the first time in history poised to fulfill the Great Commission—a precursor to the end (Matt 24:14). However, no one knows the day or the hour.

On the positive, recognize that God is on the move like no time in history. Read Megashift by James Rutz to see the incredible movement.

In spite of recognizing that there is a minute statistical probability that we are not living close to the end times in Scripture, understand that nations rise and fall, and this one is coming down in our lifetime. World forces are on the move. Changes are coming soon. Therefore, prepare.

So where do we start with preparing? I am an instructor for business process improvement and risk management. I am a bona fide expert at planning and preparing for all eventualities. So, I will present a little of what we are doing as a family.

I have a Plan A, B and C approach.

Plan A is: the world remains stable, yet our goal is still autonomy, self-sufficiency, and deinstitutionalization (energy independence, debt freedom, self employment, home school, home church, community orientation, homesteading…)—total freedom to serve the Kingdom and prepare our families and contemporaries to do the same!

Plan B is a financial collapse and government destabilization. This includes all the things above, but is off-grid. You see how very little time, energy, or money is wasted if Plan A and B are reasonably consistent. Food, water, energy, and medicine need an alternative source. Barter considerations are wise. This is an environment that is not yet hostile to Christians. Therefore, we can plan for self-sufficiency while remaining stationary at our homestead.

Plan C is a hostile environment. In this scenario, according to Jesus’s teaching, the only option is to go to captivity or flee. I personally can’t reconcile fighting back with the teachings of Scripture. Likewise, recognize that prior to the paganization of Christianity, no saints resisted with violence. So Plan C is a mobile existence. Therefore, have preparations made to “bug out” and fast. Make provisions for life’s essentials on the move. Have a mapped route off the beaten path. I also recommend Plan C take two forms: in a motor vehicle, and on foot as soon as the gauge reads “E”.

Here are considerations for Plan B. Get out of urban and suburban environments, if possible. Think rural. Now I do not know what will be of greater value, being debt free, or being remote. We opted for selling the remote home with debt for a home with neighbors but debt free. We’ll see how that plays out.

You need information, food, water, energy, and misc supplies. Here are some big things to consider.

Information:
• The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It by John Seymour (MUST own!)
• Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery (Highly recommended)
• We also have books on preserving foods, root cellaring., disaster preparedness (nuclear preparedness important), cooking with the sun, drying foods, making soaps, herbal medicine, home remedies, first aid, storing seeds, gardening, natural pest control, and so on. However, the two books cited above are comprehensive. If I had to “bug out” fast, I would take The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It by John Seymour and my Bible and feel pretty complete. Here is a recommended DVD set on food storage: http://tinyurl.com/StoringFood
• Read www.backlistednews.com. Do not trust the mainstream media. www.drudgereport.com and www.worldnetdaily.com are mostly good. Stay abreast concerning developments in the world.
• Get a hand-crank radio, with shortwave. There will be an information blackout and propaganda machine. The only truth will be pumped out via radio and person to person.

Food:
• A garden/field
• Root cellar
• Tools (think tilling by hand!)
• Properly preserved non-hybrid seeds (we have and are affiliates for this kit http://tinyurl.com/CrisisGardening —high quality)
• Canning supplies
• Firearms and bullets (for hunting)
• Livestock
• Bulk grains
• Hand-operated grain mill
• Oil
• Canned foods
• Cast iron cookware

Water:
• Alternative ways of extracting well water off grid, (check valve and tube, bailer and twine, DC pump with solar, wind mill, or manual pump) or…
• Nearby surface water with filtration/treatment
• Recommend Burkey Lite water filter (we use it now)
• A hand-held filter for “bug-out”
• Containers

Energy:
• Multi-energy cook stove (check this out http://volcano2.com/ —awesome unit that we own)
• Wood cutting equipment
• Gas cans (full)—minimum you store is enough to get your vehicle to your “bug out” destination. Likewise, keep your vehicles full of gas. It costs you nothing.
• Solar setup (we pieced the components together, but we resell a complete unit here for those not adept at engineering a unit: http://tinyurl.com/SolarPowerSolution)
• Batteries
• We have a small cast iron cook-top stove (Plan B only): Volcano II stove is not designed for heating.
• Shake flashlights
• Matches and striker (fire starter), lighters
• Oil/kerosene lamps and fuel (we do not have, but a good option)

Misc:
• Tarps/tent
• Blankets/sleeping bags
• Laundering and hygiene arrangements
• Herbal knowledge/supplies
• Rope/twine
• Hardware (screws/nails)
• Hand drill and basic hand tools
• First aid kit
• Duct tape
• Quality knives
• Sharpening stone
• An on-property “hide-out” is recommended if the bad guys come a-knockin

Now nuclear preparedness is a whole can of worms on its own. Shelter and supplies are necessary to survive. I recommend you email me personally if you want more information.

This is a great starting point. I’m sure I’m overlooking a few items. What are your thoughts concerning what is missing?

Just email me using our contact form if you have any questions specific to your situation or want recommended shopping locations/specific items for the supplies cited above.

Glory to the King!

Marc Carrier