Our world is in turmoil as wickedness increases but we have a most precious promise from our Savior, “… I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
We’ve definitely got problems!
Do we love the comforts of this world more than trusting God and being obedient to His warnings? On waking each morning do we pray for protection and guidance as we wonder what trouble may have occurred during the night?
We are being warned that our Nation’s power grids are under threat. How would you cope if you weren’t able to pick up something to eat from a drive-through restaurant? Would you calmly say, “Ho Hum, I’ll just make a sandwich at home,” but would you weep if you found there wasn’t air-conditioning, hot and cold running water, a flushable toilet, or a hot bathtub to soak in with lovely bubbles up to your ears? Could you manage without a washing machine and clothes dryer, a refrigerator-freezer, a dishwasher and a gas or electric stove to cook on?
Would you go into shock not knowing how to cope, not able to think clearly or know what or where to start? We would be stunned, sitting in a corner wrapped in a cuddly security blanket, blowing our nose on Kleenex and sniffling. You could ask “Alexa” what to do, but she’d probably politely reply, “So sorry, I don’t have a clue.” Oh no, that wouldn’t work, no power!
Do we know the warnings that God sent through His prophet? Read the book by E. G. White, “Last Day Events,” and put it in perspective with where we are today. The world is rapidly falling apart and we’re definitely not prepared. Counsel has been given for what is coming as an, “overwhelming surprise.” We are closer to that, “overwhelming surprise” than we have ever been.
Who do you believe and trust?
The Lord promised He’d be with us, and never leave us. Do you trust Him, or do you trust the Leaders of this world with their smooth words, comforting conveniences, and innumerable worldly entertainments and amusements? Over and over instruction has been given to leave the cities. They’re very dangerous and getting worse.
We ought to buy land in a remote, safe place, with a little cabin to protect us and our family. Or land with space to park a camper-trailer or motorhome. The time is soon coming when, (as we have been warned), we’ll suddenly have to leave the cities. If you can’t afford property with a cabin, join with family or faithful, trustworthy friends and purchase a place together.
What you will need.
Forego property connected to the power company. When we can’t, “buy or sell” and unable to pay the utilities bills, the power will be cut off and you won’t be prepared to cope.
Prepare the cabin with bunk beds, blankets and pillows, etc. Make sure you have a couch that someone can sleep on and an extra camp-cot or two for desperate family members who are sure to arrive unexpectedly. You can welcome them and provide comfort and peace.
Buy lots of camp fire matches, dried and canned food. Think simply, you probably won’t have a refrigerator or freezer to store food and leftovers.
Then there’s that need for water. Not possible to dig a well, (we don’t have a clue nowadays how to do that), so you would need a well drilled, drilling is very expensive. A well needs a pump, and a pump needs power. There are a variety of hand pumps that function for wells up to 325 feet deep, (research on Google). Solar power will pump well water, but it is costly to install.
Solar power costs over $35,000 for a small two-bedroom cabin, and it takes many weeks to have the required permits, inspections and work completed. Prepare now, think rain barrels, buckets and metal tubs to catch the rain, buy while you still can. “The Lord sends rain on the just and the unjust,” (Matthrew 5:45), that’s a heavenly promise. If possible, buy land with access to a stream, but remember streams can turn into raging torrents.
How on earth did Elijah cope?
God warned Elijah to depart immediately from King Ahab’s presence and hide by the Brook Cherith. He obeyed. There’s no record of Elijah having a discussion with the Lord about not having a tent, or a bed with pillow and blanket. He didn’t have matches, a pot for cooking, or to carry water from the Brook, not even a mug to drink from. He had to kneel down at the Brook Cherith to get a drink and was so thankful for that Brook. He had no folding chair to sit on, no books to read, no spade or shovel and just the clothes on his back. He didn’t even have a nail file; nail clipper, comb or credit card in his pocket! The Lord promised food brought by the ravens; Elijah believed the Lord. He didn’t whine or complain; he obeyed.
We feel so entitled.
We take for granted our daily comforts! O how we need to pray for wisdom to know how to prepare, and then pray much more. Ask our Lord to teach you, because we haven’t had to live without a thermostat to adjust the temperature or the switch for the lights, the home security system or fancy doorbell.
Most people living in the city don’t know how to grow food, their grandparents probably did, but the majority of our generation of city dwellers don’t know how, what or when. You’ll need vegetable seeds, a hand trowel, gardening fork, shovel, rake and a watering can. Probably the majority of us don’t know how to cook on a wood burning stove, or saw and chop wood for the fire. Wood needs to be stacked and protected for the winter and you need the necessary tools, equipment and implements. It takes a lot of work.
What to do! What to do!
How do you survive when you, “can’t buy or sell?” How do you wash clothes when the soap runs out and you can’t buy any more? You bang the wet clothes, etc., on the rocks and hang them up to dry. Make sure you move to land with at least some rocks!
You will need oil lanterns for light at night, (batteries run down) and a good supply of extra oil. Then pray for the Lord to please replenish the oil. Candles work well, but we don’t know how to live around candles, open flames are dangerous especially with children running around. Buy now an emergency radio with handle to wind it up.
Control is coming.
We are still here in this modern world and people will announce,
“How can we possibly live without a cell phone, electricity and TV!”
They don’t have a clue.
“What? I can’t possibly live without the Internet!”
Yes, you can, it was done for almost 6,000 years.
You will be tracked down through your cell phone signal or Internet connection, (if you have managed somehow to pay for it). Electronic equipment must have the memory deleted/destroyed and the items left behind. Take your Bible!
“If we place ourselves under objectionable influences, can we expect God to work a miracle to undo the results of our wrong course? No, indeed. Get out of the cities as soon as possible, and purchase a little piece of land, where you can have a garden, where your children can watch the flowers growing, and learn from them lessons of simplicity and purity” (Selected Messages, vol. 2, pg. 356).
On leaving the city and moving to the country you learn to trust the Lord completely. You are dependent on Him and He will protect you. Ask for help, knowledge, strength and wisdom, He’s a most faithful teacher and merciful Savior.
“He hideth my soul…”
Sell your city property prior to, “no buy or sell,” and depart before they come for you. When we can’t “buy or sell,” we won’t be able to pay our rent, mortgages, car and home insurance or property taxes, etc.
Not long after this we will have to leave that remote country cabin; Authorities will be searching for us. Prepare in advance with your backpack — Bible and tin cup, short handle shovel, good hiking boots, thick sox, sleeping bag, clothes, Band-Aids, sewing kit, toothbrush, nail file, nail clipper and comb. No need of a credit card or food; … bread and water are promised by our Heavenly Father.
Angels will guide and protect as we flee to the security of large forests or the mountains, to hide in a cave or the cleft of a rock, (do the words of a hymn come to mind? Hymn number 520 in the church hymnal).
We have seen those beautiful paintings of the Second Coming, the righteous on a high mountainside, arms joyfully raised to receive their glorious Lord and Savior. They are wearing their best Sabbath clothes. Little girls in frilly dresses with white sox and patent leather shoes, boys and men in suits and ties, ladies with hair nicely styled.
Then there is the actual reality by artist John Steel in the book, “God Cares,” by C. Mervyn Maxwell, vol. 2, pg. 486. The adults and children, with eyes fixed on Jesus are dressed in wrinkled, worn and very shabby clothes.
We will be like that too, bedraggled, wrinkled, worn and smelly — out of soap, out of deodorant, out of toothpaste, no shampoo, no hairdryers and no Kleenex! We wiped runny noses on sleeves or hem of a shirt, (a lot of banging wet shirts on rocks)! Those people are the precious ones who love the Lord with all their hearts.
Let’s hear the angels sing His praises!
Our eyes will only be on Jesus as He appears in indescribable glory on the clouds of heaven with millions of shining angels. Jesus’ heart will be filled with compassion for His beloved, faithful children. We long to see His face and have left everything of this world for our Savior. He left everything of His Heavenly world for this sinful dark earth to die on that terrible, cruel cross and save us! The faithful righteous hold onto that precious promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).
Listen to the trumpets blow and hear the angels sing, “Glory, glory, glory, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!” Oh, most wonderful and glorious Savior, please come very, very soon. We claim Your precious promise, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).
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