Before I came to the Lord Jesus Christ in 2016, I had felt for a long time that things would change in the world. This change I felt would be chaotic and extreme, and I was having dreams of natural disasters such as large tsunamis striking coastlands.
As a result of these dreams and how they changed my outlook, I began to be led to consider preparing for the coming times ahead. At the time I was considering physical preparation such as being on good land in a remote area, having stored food and water, and survival equipment.
I was also considering mental preparation of being in a survival situation or having to live off the land if required. One thing I didn’t understand at that time was the truth of the Word of God. I had not come to the Lord Jesus Christ and was not aware of what the Scripture said. When I began to consider the Scripture in detail I realised that God has prophesied the things I had seen in my dreams that would occur on the earth by His judgment.
As we come into a New Year I reflect on what the Lord has shown and taught me since committing myself to Him, and I look towards the future, feeling led to plan for what it may bring.
Peaceful planning
The Word says for us to trust God with everything, including our physical provision:
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?’”
(Luke chapter 12, verses 22 to 26)
We see here that we should have faith for God’s provision in our lives and the Lord tells us if we are not able to do the least, then don’t be anxious for what we can’t do. I feel this is saying trust in the Lord and don’t be anxious for the things you can’t control.
God has not encouraged us to be fearful or anxious:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 to 7)
Examples of preparation in the Word
At the same time the Lord has warned us that prior to His return there will be wars and rumours of wars, nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places (see Matthew chapter 24 verses 7 to 8).
The Lord has personally led me to prepare physically for the times that are ahead. While I believe physical preparation is important, mental and spiritual preparation is vital and this comes by your relationship with Jesus Christ that will truly sustain you.
We can see that preparation is a Biblical teaching:
“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.”
(Proverbs chapter 6, verses 6 to 8)
“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.”
(Proverbs chapter 22, verse 3)
Also important are the faith led lessons of physical preparation in the Bible of Noah who built the ark before the flood and Joseph who prepared grain for seven coming years of famine.
Led by faith into the wilderness
I had a dream recently where war had come to our nation and many Christian youth came to my home and a woman who ran a 100 acre eco village was speaking with them suggesting we leave and go into the wilderness to her eco village, a place with natural homes and gardening to live from the land.
The children were completely excited and agreed and we planned to go to the wilderness to await the return of Jesus Christ. While this may seem like an extreme thing to do, remember that the Word warns us of great persecution coming to Christians before Jesus Christ’s return (Matthew chapter 24 verse 9). It also warns of the mark of the beast that will be implemented worldwide and that whoever takes it will be condemned (Revelation chapter 14 verses 9 to 11).
While I see the world changing rapidly and the signs of Biblical prophecy soon to be fulfilled, I also have peace from the Lord because I am doing as I feel led by Him. I am doing what I can do and I am not anxious or afraid of the future.
I believe physical preparation for the coming times is important for those who are led by God out of faith. I am one who is led by the Lord in this regard. I share my experiences and perspective on this issue and some insight from the Scripture as we look to this New Year, encouraging you to consider, should we plan for the future?
Christopher Harris is 28 years old and confessed his faith in Jesus Christ in 2016 and has sought to set his focus on the Lord. He makes videos on his youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/JESUSisLORD and believes the world is living in those times prophesied by the Holy Bible as the last days.
A link to Christopher’s other articles: https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/christopher-harris.html