A Guide to Overcoming

The Rapture Doctrine is a major tenet of modern Evangelical theology. It has sound biblical support. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality." I believe. In other words, a moment is rapidly approaching when Christians will instantaneously be transformed into heavenly beings. However, the all-important question remains... When will this event occur?

For most western Evangelicals this coming event is their heavenly bomb shelter. Rather than experiencing any kind of hardship or persecution, these folks are out of here! Hardship translates into no more lattes or Friday evenings out. Persecution means an immediate family member might think the believer is a little weird. This theology is silly and weak at best.

A number of these Christian escapees pooh-pooh modern day ‘preppers' and consider them paranoid. If one has extra food, water, or as crazy as it might sound, toilet paper, then he or she doesn't have faith.

Dooms-day preppers are radical in every sense of the word. These survivalists store enough provisions for years and build massive bunkers; a few even refurbish former missile silos. Some have enough firepower to outfit an army.

On the surface, the two groups appear to be at opposite ends of the spectrum: Rapturists are otherworldly, and Dooms-dayers are hard-core realists. Or are they? Ultimately, both groups possess a very selfish spirit and find themselves together at the far end of the spectrum. It's all about them and their loved ones. Rapurists are in a round-about way saying, ‘I'm flying away and don't really care about what happens to you, now or later.' Dooms-dayers are just more honest and make no bones about their self-centered ways.

For believers, whether we fly away now or much later, the motivation must always be the same, love. Believers are called to bless others by whatever means possible. Prepping is OK; in fact, it's probably wise, as long as we intend to help others. Love is the only measure now and later, in heaven and earth.

We've turned the corner and crossed the point of no return. Life as we know it will never be the same.

God is making a distinction between those who belong to Him and those who don't.

Those that thrived will struggle and those that struggled will thrive.

Promises are coming to fruition.

God is doing creative miracles on behalf of His children.

The favor of God rests on His chosen ones.

A true order is finally coming to the church.

Formal and informal Christian communities will pop up as well as secular.

Multigenerational homes are quickly becoming the new standard.

Practical skill sets will be at a premium during this new season.

Save, save, save... Store, store, store.

Is this the year for a great earthquake in California? (I have felt this for the last four or five years, but as of yet, it has yet to occur. Even so, that disturbing, uneasy feeling in my chest refuses to leave.)

The economy will dump.

Lawlessness will reach an all time high.

Governmental control and invasiveness will reach an all time high.

People will say about the coming election, "How could this happen?"

Recently, I've found myself very frustrated. Folks seem to be so sketchy. They say they'll call, and don't. Others make appointments, and then don't show up; believers and unbelievers alike. A few borrow money, and yet, when the debt is due, oh well... even a few hundred dollars. A number of folks believe the government is completely evil, but somehow, they still want disability checks or welfare from it.

Is this flaky, irresponsible behavior just a sign of the times? Maybe I'm just being too critical? Have I been just as sketchy, and now, I'm getting some of my own medicine?

Interestingly enough, as I've watched most of these individuals, and, I might say a few for years, nothing ever changes. The same personal crises occur over and over again. Sadly, most of these people live a real-life "Groundhog Day." They go round and round the mountain.

Jesus said, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." [Luke 16:10] I'm convinced the Lord isn't going to trust them with more because they've been unfaithful with little. If they can't make a phone call, why would the Lord reveal a mystery, or another person's heart to these folks? If they can't handle ten dollars, why would He entrust thousands of dollars to them? If they can't show up to an appointment on time, why would He bless them with more business? Why would God ‘fix' their children when they won't allow Him to fix them? Good questions, aren't they? Consequently, people grind out the same old problems time and again.