May 10, 2015 – End Times Prophecy Report

PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: Part 2

PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: The world prepares one way, the true Christian prepares another. — **PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES:** The world prepares one way, the true Christian prepares another.

There is much media dedicated to the topic of “Christian prepping.” Articles and videos abound claiming to help the “Christian” prepare for the end times.

But is trying to prepare physically Biblical? Or is it the world trying to “pull one over” on readers?

PART ONE: PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: What Did Jesus Command?

God’s Word is not silent on this issue.

So, what does the Bible say about preparing for the future? What does the Bible say about preparing for times of chaos and uncertainty? Where does the Bible say one should place their trust? Should the emphasis be on trying to store groceries, guns and gold?

Or should the believer looking for a better way to prepare?

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
—Proverbs 3:5

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
—Psalms 37:3

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”
—Matthew 6:25

“And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.”
—Luke 12:22-23

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
—Psalm 23

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
—1 Peter 5:7

“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.”
—Psalm 71:1

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
—Philippians 4:6-7

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
—Psalms 55:22

The true believer is to trust in the LORD. God has promised repeatedly to provide for his own and He will provide. Those who are God’s already know this.

Jeremiah 9:23 seems to be a verse which cautions against trusting to one’s own devices or schemes.

“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:”
—Jeremiah 9:23

Why?

“But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
—Jeremiah 9:24

“Christian prepping” is a contradiction in terms.

By concentrating on the physical and trying to circumvent God’s will, the “Christian prepper” is actually running up against what God and Jesus command throughout both the Old and New Testament.

For the believer, “Don’t be scared, be prepared” should have a completely different meaning than it does for the world and those of the world.

The best end times preparation guide book is God’s Word.

The best place to prepare for the coming chaos in on one’s knees.

The believer is as well-prepared as he will ever be when he puts on the full armor of God.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
—Ephesians 6:11-18

The believer prepares by drawing closer to God in whom he trusts completely.

Not by stashing away food, guns or precious metals.

PART ONE: PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: What Did Jesus Command?

THE GOSPEL

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

RELATED ARTICLES

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: ETPR/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-15. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted in those blogs/websites.

PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: What Did Jesus Command?

HOW IS THE CHRISTIAN TO PREPARE?

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”
—Mark 13:33

There are any number of websites, books and articles which claim to provide tips on how the Christian should prepare for the end times. Almost universally, these sites highlight articles and advice on “physical preparation.” The three G’s are prominently featured: groceries, guns and gold.

These sites often supply information which runs contrary to the Bible itself. For instance, a fourth “G” is sometimes given lip service: God. BUT how can one be preparing in a godly fashion IF one is ignoring what God’s Word says on the subject?

PART TWO: PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: Part 2

So, how is the true Christian–as opposed to the apostates, tares and counterfeits–to prepare for the end times?

Fortunately, Jesus was very clear on the subject.

NO PHYSICAL PREPARATION FOR THE END TIMES

When it came to preparing for the end times, Jesus had plenty to say. However, none of what He said involved putting up food, gathering firearms or stashing away gold.

So what exactly did Jesus tell us about preparing for the end times?

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”
—Matthew 24:4

“And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:”
—Mark 13:5

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”
—Mark 13:33

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
—Matthew 24:6

“but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
—Mark 13:13

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
—Matthew 24:13

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
—Revelation 2:10

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
—Matthew 24:42

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
—Matthew 25:13

In fact, Jesus SPECIFICALLY WARNED against physical preparations.

“Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:”
—Matthew 24:17

“And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:”
—Mark 13:15

Not even a “bug out bag?”

“Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.”
—Matthew 24:18

“And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.”
—Mark 13:16

“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.”
—Mark 13:22-23

“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 21:36

“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.”
—Mark 13:35-36

In fact, Jesus instructed his disciples not to even think of what they were to say when they were hauled in front of rulers.

“But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.”
—Mark 13:11

“Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”
—Luke 21:14-15

Finally, Jesus gave one piece of advice which should speak to all who are placing their trust in worldly, physical preparations.

“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.”
—Luke 21:34

IN CONCLUSION

Basically, Jesus’s advice to his disciples for the end times consisted of four points, none of which involved physical preparations.

Take heed. Be alert!
Don’t be deceived.
Watch
Pray

In addition, Jesus also urged His followers to “endure to the end.”

As the reader can see from studying Jesus’s advice: it is very heavy on staying alert (take heed), watching and praying. Nothing is mentioned about storing up items to prolong the believer’s physical body.

The world prepares one way for the end times. That type of preparation involves physical needs and depending upon man. But the true believer’s end times preparations should be totally different from that of the world. The true Christian’s preparations should be based on the commands of Jesus.

So, how is the true Christian to prepare for the end times?

Take heed, watch and pray.

“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
—Mark 13:37

Christian “preppers”: take heed.

PART TWO: PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES: Part 2

THE GOSPEL

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

RELATED ARTICLES

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: ETPR/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted in those blogs/websites.

Satan is NOT the God of this World

SATAN TEMPTS JESUS: The devil offers temptations and lies to the unwary.

STEALING GOD’S GLORY

SATAN CRAVES WORSHIP

“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
—Matthew 4:8-10

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
—2 Corinthians 4:4

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
—1 John 5:19

The three preceding verses are usually used as arguments to support the proposition that Satan is the god of this world. A closer examination of all three texts reveal that they do not support the idea that Satan is the god of anything, let alone the earth.

MATTHEW 4, LUKE 4

The first [Matthew 4 and Luke 4], the story of the devil tempting Jesus, is employed because Satan declares that the kingdoms of the world and their glory are his to do with as he pleases.

However, the devil is a liar. And not only is he a liar, he is a notorious liar: the father of lies.

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
—John 8:44

No less an authority than Jesus said there is NO TRUTH in the devil.

Isaiah 37:16 specifically declares Satan’s boast about the kingdoms of this world being his as an abject lie.

“O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.”
—Isaiah 37:16

Basing anything on what the devil says is risky business.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:4

There are a number of reasons the second verse (2 Corinthians 4:4) is not a very good argument for Satan being the “god of this world.”

1. God says He doesn’t know of any other gods.

“yea, there is no God; I know not any.”
—Isaiah 44:8

“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me:”
—Isaiah 45:5

Would God’s Word declare Satan is the god of this world when God has emphatically declared that there are no other gods?

Of course not.

Isaiah 37:16 and 2 Kings 19:15 are both especially clear on this point.

“O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.”
—Isaiah 37:16

“And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.”
—2 Kings 19:15

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”
—Isaiah 42:8

Deuteronomy 4:39 flatly declares that the LORD is God “upon the earth”–which should settle any argument.

“Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”
—Deuteronomy 4:39

There are a number of other passages where God states clearly there are no other gods. Would His Word then call Satan “the god of this world?”

2. The word translated as “god” (theos) in 2 Corinthians 4:4 is used 311 times in the New Testament. A cursory count reveals that well over 300 times it is capitalized. Why did the translators not capitalize it this time? There was no scholarly reason.

3. The context of 2 Corinthians 4 is not talking about Satan. It is talking about God.

4. God says a number of other times in Scripture that he blinds the minds/eyes of men so that they cannot receive the light/gospel–including just 8 verses earlier in 2 Corinthians.

“And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.”
—2 Corinthians 3:13-14

“Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”
—Isaiah 6:10

“That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.”
—John 12:38-40

God’s Word declares it is God Almighty who blinds the minds of men, not Satan.

Satan IS called the “prince of this world” and the “prince of the power of the air.” [John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11 and Ephesians 2:2.]

JOHN 5:19

The King James translation of John 5:19 is as follows:

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
—1 John 5:19

Most of the newer, corrupt translations change “wickedness” into a person “evil one.”

This is not the only instance of the newer versions doing this. In the corrupt versions, in 1 John, “antichrist” becomes “THE antichrist.” Which just so happens to support Satan’s version of the end times.

CONCLUSION

So why is there any confusion over a seemingly open-and-shut case of whether Satan is a god of this world?

Satan craves worship.

Pure and simple: Satan wants to be a god and he wants worship. Satan will get his wish for a VERY SHORT WHILE in the end times.

“And they worshipped the dragon [Satan] which gave power unto the beast:”
—Revelation 13:4

It makes sense that his followers would try to turn him into the god of this world.

But it doesn’t appear to be Biblical.

By a remarkable coincidence, not too very long after the translators made their mistake in 2 Corinthians 4:4, commentators began calling Satan the “god of this world.” (Although there are one or two commentaries from the 1500s which still call the god of 2 Corinthians 4:4 God Almighty.)

Matthew Poole’s Commentary (1669-1676) sums up nicely the bandwagon the commentators jumped on–which is reason enough for the believer to mistrust ALL Bible commentators except the Holy Spirit.

“Though some, by the god of this world, understand the true and living God, the Lord of heaven and earth; yet the notion of the most interpreters, that it is the devil who is here called the god of this world…”

Again: Satan craves worship.

Which is the reason so many men have called him “the god of this world.”

“Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”
—Deuteronomy 4:39

[Parts of this piece are from various recent email discussions.]

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

RELATED ARTICLES