“God requires the training of the mental faculties. He designs that His servants shall possess more intelligence and clearer discernment than the worldling, and He is displeased with those who are too careless or too indolent to become efficient, well-informed workers. The Lord bids us love Him with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and with all the mind. This lays upon us the obligation of developing the intellect to its fullest capacity, that with all the mind we may know and love our Creator.” (Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, 333.2).
I and my wife Silvia have been dealing with the subject of preparation for the (little) time of trouble for about 20 years. During this time we have had many conversations and have faced a lot of hostility and misunderstanding from others. However, the Bible and Ellen White provide us with concrete examples in which children of God have prepared themselves for certain events. Take Noah. He has been building the ark for 120 years and Ellen White said: "Every blow struck upon the ark was a witness to the people.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 95.1). What is often overlooked is the fact that Noah also had to bring in the ark provisions for himself and the animals - so he made provisions!
It must have been a great experience for Shem, Ham and Japheth when the first animals entered the ark. What was waiting for them there? Food. The ark was full of supplies. Noah made preparations. He did the will of God: “And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” (Genesis 6: 21-22 KJV).
Another well-known example, also for our time, is Joseph.
“Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.” (Genesis 41: 33-36 KJV).
The Lord would not give us the task of creating a place of refuge if there were no refugees (people who will accept God's word as the truth in the time of the loud cry). I am convinced that we should do all our work with this in mind. God knows that they will come - whether we prepare for their coming or not.
We can count ourselves lucky and sincerely thank God that we do not have to be among the unwise. God wants to prepare His children for the coming crisis. Ellen White wrote about practical preparations for the time of trouble in several quotations. She writes about the time of trouble but divides it not into the little and great time of trouble. So, we need, from the context, to figure out what period Ellen White is talking about. The quotes where we are told about a practical preparation refer to the little time of trouble while the quotes where we are told that no preparation is needed refer to the great time of trouble. For example, the following quotes apply for the great time of trouble, not for the little time of trouble:
“The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them or in the field in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If necessary He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites.” (Ellen G. White, Early Writings, 56).
With such quotes it is argued that no preparation is needed, so they are taken out of context and applied incorrectly. Many brothers and sisters who feel that stockpiling and preparing for the time of trouble is not the right thing to do or is too hard, like to argue with Isaiah 33:16 too: “He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.”
However, the biblical principle teaches us otherwise. When the followers of Jesus had the opportunity, God warned them and asked them to take precautions and they were not on the run (like Elijah), they always had to move forward in faith, prepare and trust God's Word. They took the first step (start doing) and only then did God BLESS their trust and actions.
Satan says: "Human laws will be made so stringent that men and women will not dare to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. For fear of wanting food and clothing, they will join with the world in transgressing God's law. The earth will be wholly under my dominion”. (Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings,184.2).
This quote describes people who have not prepared themselves and transgress the law of God (accepting the mark of the beast) for fear of starvation or having nothing to wear. The main point of attack at this time will be the fourth commandment, the Sabbath. We are all familiar with the restrictions (neither buying nor selling) from Revelation 13: 16-17.
Another example is that of the 10 virgins (see Matthew 25:1-13). Five were not sufficiently prepared, although all 10 had lamps and also oil, but the foolish ones did not have enough oil - they made no provision! They were told to run to the merchants in this emergency situation and missed the wedding as a result. It was too late. We can no longer buy anything at this time.
Spiritual preparation is necessary but also practical preparation. Shouldn’t we therefore be more well prepared?
During many personal conversations, I noticed that the focus of many people's preparation is solely on horticulture. Far-reaching parts of preparation in the private sphere are not considered. I would like to share a few thoughts with you that I believe should not be ignored:
Aspects in which practical preparation is necessary
In our technological world, almost nothing works without electricity.
When we preserve the fruit that we harvest from the field, we either need enough wood or electricity. Be it for preserving or freezing. Fermentation is only possible to a limited extent without electricity or with little energy.
As we will later be cut off from all amenities, we will have to worry about common everyday things, such as the need to go to toilet. I assume that most people have already left the cities and live in rural areas respectively that they are preparing to take this step as soon as possible. Without electricity, it is no longer possible to operate a standard toilet (water pump / transfer to sewage treatment plant, etc.)
That means we have to think about an alternative. In the countryside, you can literally switch to an outhouse, but I think that a composting toilet with urine diverter would be more comfortable.
Light/illumination is also an important issue. One solution would be a rhythm of life like that of chickens. However, artificial light seems more practical to me.
There are countless possibilities - from candles to oil lamps, flashlights (with crank dynamo). The Aladdin kerosene lamp (kerosene is safe to store) has proven to be practical for us - noiseless and as bright as a 40 watt light bulb (completely sufficient for Bible study and work in the kitchen).
For work where brightness is important and ambient noise is not a problem, the Petromax HK 500 approx. 450 watt light output is recommended.
Heating with wood seems to me to be the most effective method of heating (it may vary geographically).
A wood-burning stove / kitchen oven is an important tool for the kitchen and, if it is a water-bearing stove, then it can also be used for hot water and heating. Wood can be stored very well for years. In addition, wood-burning stoves are rarely affected by technical breakdowns or malfunctions (the few spare parts required can be kept in stock).
Cooking is also possible with wood, even in the summer. In the summer months, electricity or gas may be easier for cooking.
Gas cylinders can be stored well in the shade. However, it should be noted that gas is heavier than air and can accumulate in the cellar. There is then a risk of explosion. It is therefore better to store them at ground level.
If you produce electricity using photovoltaics (battery storage makes sense), portable induction hobs are also ideal for cooking wherever you are.
Hot water for personal hygiene can be easily obtained with photovoltaic modules and a photovoltaic boiler (more effective than thermal modules).
An outdoor shower and an outdoor hot water point for cleaning vegetables are also possible, for example.
The most important preparation, apart from the personal relationship with God, however, seems to me to be that of growing food.
Will you have room for the people God wants to send you in the time of trouble?
Will your garden and your "granary" have enough food to offer? Or will you have to say: "I'm terribly sorry! Unfortunately, we don't have room to take anyone in. We don't have enough food for everyone either. If only we had prepared better!" The Omniscient One prophesies that they will come.
However, it takes more than just living in the countryside to solve this problem. The refugees will be coming from the cities. They will come to the farms because they will have a serious problem: They won't be able to buy or sell anything. What do we do when the believers in the city can no longer get food? We will have to face this question. Then we will have more people to feed - but at the same time, no store will be willing to sell us anything!
The little time of trouble has not yet begun, but it would be practical to start thinking about it now when writing our shopping list: What will I do if I can no longer buy this or that item e.g. toilet paper? That’s part of building the “ark”.
Building an “ark” is not just about creating space for refugees, planting gardens, vegetable plots and potato fields, and planting berry bushes. Building an ark also means not only providing food, but also acquiring the know-how to train the people who will come.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the leader of a missionary organisation could say to his employees one morning: "Brothers and sisters, a few refugees arrived from Wilhelmshaven last night. They used to work in a factory and know nothing about farming. Could you teach them how to make a living from farming?" What would you say? "Send them to the nearest farm! We know nothing about farming. I just eat its produce; that's all!" Wouldn't it be a sad result?
Let's build an ark, let's always remember when we build our houses and gardens that people will come to us, because the Lord has foretold it.
If we want to follow God's instructions, we must build arks now, learn now and prepare now. The doors will soon be closed and then buying and selling will no longer be possible.
Noah invested everything he had in building the ark. Let us do the same with what God has given us, with all our strength and relying on His wisdom. Then God will be able to use us, we will become a blessing and be blessed ourselves.
I wish us all the guidance of the Holy Spirit in thinking about one point or another. He will show you where you are in the personal preparation of your ark. There is still a need for action in the personal preparation of your ark. Our God is a loving God who does not leave us ignorant. Ask him what you should put into practice next. Perhaps you will be surprised at what he has to say.
God wants to make every home a place of refuge, no matter how big or small the ark will be! Practical preparation and provision does not stand in opposition to faith and trust in God, but practical preparation is faith in action under prayer and God's guidance.
I would be happy to support you with advice - if God wants this.
Frank Thierauf - not a theologian, not a philosopher - but characterised by a firm belief in the imminent return of our Lord. He sees his mission in telling other people about this and - blessed by his craftsmanship and versatility - helping them to prepare for the coming time of trouble in a very practical and realistic way. Inspired by the story of Noah and Joseph, Frank wants to give impetus to what God wants us to do today, so that we can move forward strengthened in faith.
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