I hear what you are saying Todd and believe me I row around that pond a lot too! I guess where I am at is that I don’t prep at all for any of the seal judgements, like the scripture you quoted, I know I won’t be around when it gets that bad - but like Tammie said, no one really expected what 2020 would be like - and that being said, I feel like some of the seal judgements and tribulation period is sure casting a long shadow. Like the whole covid thing and the mandate thing et al, was that similar to the first seal and MOTB? It was not the first seal, and the jab and the mandate were not the MOTB as some were falsely claiming - but it sure was similar in a lot of ways -just a shadow of things to come. Just like this war in Ukraine, is it WW3 and the second seal - no, but could easily become that and is it a shadow of things to come probably. Then we start hearing about inflation and food shortages and it sure does smell like the 3rd seal and the scripture you mentioned - I am confident we are not here when things get that bad, but can it cast its long foreshadow over the church age? If the events of the past 2 years are any indicator I would say yes, so I think each person should seek wisdom and do whatever the Lord lays on each one’s heart knowing that we won’t be here to see the worst of it, but even as it says in Proverbs 27:12 “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished.” So if we see hard times coming, it is prudent to prepare for it really like all of our grandparents used to do before there were big grocery stores anyway. Also like Geri said, pack a few tracts or bibles with any stuff that is laid up and if we don’t need it maybe it will be a blessing to someone else. I have often wondered what would happen to my house and all my stuff when I get raptured? I wonder if some poor ignorant soul who didn’t understand the Gospel in the age of grace will find a little shelter here and be blessed - but then again if it turns into Mad Max beyond the thunder dome, I have often considered God could sent a big tornado and destroy everything if He doesn’t want roaming bands of heathen mauraders to be blessed by my things. Who knows? All I know is I won’t miss anything I have to leave behind! I haven’t personally bought any of the freeze dried buckets so I can’t say, the extent of my “preps” is just to have a little extra cheap food on hand to get by for a few weeks maybe a couple months if things got rough. And coffee. Everyone, including me will go nuts without a morning cup of coffee! I can always farm a little more and can a little more but if a shortage comes in winter, I’ll have a few months to wait to plant and my family won’t be eating good but they wont starve if they are not fussy! I’ve got chickens and goats and bees and keep cows for my neighbor so I’ve got a few options. I’ve always told my brother and my sister in law who are city dwellers if things ever get too rough come here and I’ll feed them - I joke it might be hard boiled eggs and dirt sandwiches that I’m serving but they won’t starve lol. Geri, I have and I have The Wise company, but like Patriot supply better and they carry gluten free Most people think it has to be freeze dried — but seriously — you can do yourself a huge favor by putting aside rice and beans. White rice can be bought in 20 pound or larger bags and divided up into zip lock bags or even jars. Same with beans and lentils. Oatmeal, cream of wheat (for those not gluten free), canned tuna, chicken, spam (although not healthy, sustenance). The idea with the freeze dried is this — remember the tribulation will be 7 years long — most of these products last for 5 to 20 years (depending on which company and what product). The left behind will need to survive with nothing growing (think of the seals that will come). All animals will be not always available to consume. You have to think survival — not grocery store, or even the ability to grow (I do have a small stock pile of seeds available for them). You can get lists from online sources and I follow many different sources. The ones left behind are due for a horrible life and starvation is top on that list. Geri — I would highly recommend getting powdered peanut butter as well. And teas (for you) coffee for the rest of us :mdrmdr: Remember you need a heat source to cook it, I bought from Sams, the burners that go under chaffing dishes and got a portable camping stove (it folds up to 4”x4”) this is a final back up for cooking. Water will be a problem - so they need to have tablets and purifiers TP will not be available, buy kitty litter and in many countries they already are used to using whatever they have, paper, magazines, etc…. I feel a heavy burden for them … Per chapter 4 in Revelation, the Bride will be taken out of this and is not subject to God’s wrath poured out on the earth. The church is not mentioned past Chapter 4, so when God’s wrath is poured out via the bowls and seals we will be in the lap of God’s love and enjoying our marriage feast …. But the left I need to have for them as God has opened the door and allowed me to prep for them…. Just my vision and mission :prayer-hands: And then there are those who have digestive issue's...needing gluten-free foods for storage!
