Dear Brethren and Friends,
Greetings from Charlotte! God is now opening up doors for us here in North Carolina beyond what we have ever experienced in this present Work. We are most thankful for this, and are looking forward to having a genuinely significant impact on the world as time moves along.
But, right now, prophetic events are moving along at a faster rate and in a more broad-based manner than ever before! Having been full-time in Christ’s ministry for more than 50 years, I hope I can bring some perspective to the situation. Back in the 1950s, we had a serious drought that lasted for seven years. But the nation was very strong then and, in fact, was even increasing in strength. By the 1960s, a widespread immorality was seeming to increase more than ever in the United States, as “Elvis the Pelvis” became a sensation, and later the Beatles and other hollering, screaming, gyrating characters came along and generated a sense of hysteria among the young people. Some of the youth used marijuana, or other drugs far worse! But the nation as a whole was strong, and the U.S. military was the strongest in the world.
After the debacle of Vietnam and the “malaise” of the 70s, the nation still was able to strengthen itself militarily under President Ronald Reagan, and this momentum carried through until the first Gulf War under President George H.W. Bush. Then the Clinton years came along, when America’s military was essentially “gutted” and immorality accelerated its rise, encouraged by the horrible example set “at the top.” Nevertheless, in His mercy, God allowed no terrible foreign adventures to weaken us, or any strong foe to challenge us since the demise of the Soviet Empire, which had already taken place under the watch of the first President Bush.
But now, the situation is definitely deteriorating all over the world as far as America and Britain are concerned. As many news analysts and commentators have explained, the general disrespect and even hatred of the U.S.—among hundreds of millions of people in the Middle East, Asia and even Western Europe—is increasing at a phenomenal rate. Our current President has not yet had time to rebuild the military in order to face the various challenges that seem to be facing us. Our national debt is exploding, the balance of payments situation seems to be getting worse and worse for the United States, and the euro has gained a great deal against the dollar. Slowly but surely, Europeans, Asians and others are beginning to withdraw their investments from the United States and place their monies in Europe and elsewhere. Even now, while U.S. forces are massed in Iraq, the dictator in North Korea is threatening the world with an atomic bomb! Also, some of the 1.2 billion Muslims all over the world may be stirred to aid in various terrorist attacks and other acts that would undermine the pride and prestige of the United States and its faithful ally, Great Britain. Various “mystery” diseases such as SARS are beginning to show up around the world, earthquakes are growing more powerful and more frequent and occasional shortages of food and other items may begin to occur in our stores.
I feel it is incumbent upon me as God’s servant to warn all of you brethren to realize this—and to do your part to prepare for both the spiritual and physical emergencies that may soon be upon us! I have commented on this before. But now I feel it is time for me to give you specific warnings and instructions about this—and at least provide some general ideas and advice about how to prepare for these coming emergency situations.
We must always remember the “Big Picture” prophecy of Matthew 24:6–11. In these verses, Christ describes the fact that there will be a number of apparently “little wars” as well as the major conflicts directly predicted in the Bible. He indicates in Luke 21:11 that there will be “fearful sights”—or, as a number of translations have it, “terrors”—which will come upon us, as well as truly “great” earthquakes at the time of the end. Concurrently there will be famine and disease epidemics.
If we are truly Bible-believing Christians, we need to prepare for these situations—including the terrorist attacks which now seem to be imminent. Mr. Herbert Armstrong used to remind us about the old adage: “God helps those who help themselves!” He cited many examples of this in his own experiences, and indicated that—although God will often intervene supernaturally to deliver us—He does expect us to do our part to protect ourselves, and to use wisdom. Remember the example of Jesus’ stepfather, Joseph. The word of God tells us that, after Jesus was born: “Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him’” (Matthew 2:12–13). Later, God guided Joseph to return from Egypt. Then we read that, once again, God guided Joseph to take what might be called “evasive action” in order to protect the young child Jesus when, “being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee” (v. 22).
We should all remember the example of the original Joseph, back in the land of Egypt, who was warned by God to set aside extra food for a prophesied famine (Genesis 41:25–57). Obviously, God could have said: “Don’t worry or take any evasive action, I will just deliver you—no matter what happens!” However, the Bible—which reveals the mind of God—indicates that God wanted Joseph and His chosen people to go through the experience of setting aside extra foodstuffs and learning to do their part in preparing for a future calamity. As the Apostle James wrote: “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).
It is better for us to learn the lessons through these situations—and practice exercising caution, wisdom and perseverance—than to have God “deliver” us from every possible catastrophe. For God is training us to be His full Sons in His Kingdom and family forever. We must learn to develop an understanding of His will, and the wisdom to properly handle many different types of situations. Then we will be better fit and better prepared to be kings and priests ruling, under Christ, in tomorrow’s world.
Our heavenly Father tells us in Proverbs 22:3: “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.” Obviously, God does not want us to be cowards. But it is also obvious that a wise man or woman should sometimes “hide himself”—take evasive action—or be secretly let down over the city wall and “flee,” as the Apostle Paul did in a dangerous situation (Acts 9:23–26)!
Also, God gives us in Scripture the example of helping one another in emergency situations. “Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:28–30). In the coming years, it may become necessary—and our Christian duty—for us to help our brethren in other parts of the world when severe troubles come upon them. And, lest we here in the United States feel too smug and self-sufficient, let us realize that, just as the “Headquarters” area of the Church had to have help in Apostolic times, so too may we here in the United States need help from other parts of the world in years to come!
Remember, all of us are “bought and paid for” by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! The inspired word of God tells us: “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body?” (1 Corinthians 12:12–15). And again: “But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (vv. 24–27).
At times like this, we all need to be genuinely humble—and to listen to instruction from God’s Word, and from our human leaders in the nation and especially in the Church of God. We read: “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.… The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:1, 15). Besides listening, we need to act on what we are told, as long as we know it is within God’s will. Notice what God inspired in Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” So I hope that all of you brethren, and your loved ones, will take action on the things I have just pointed out, and that you will show God that you are willing to do your part zealously. Also, to help you think carefully about specific ways to prepare your household physically for tough times ahead, I hope you will read and consider the specific ideas and suggestions in the box accompanying this article.
Of course, above and beyond all that we humanly can do, our ultimate faith is in God Himself! For His inspired Word tells us: “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31). In this issue’s Editorial, on page 3, I will have more to say about the importance of such faith.
Creating a Disaster Plan
One of the most important steps you can take in preparing for emergencies is to develop a household disaster plan.
- Learn about the natural disasters that could occur in your community from your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter. Learn how to prepare for each potential emergency and how to respond.
- Talk with your household about potential emergencies and how to respond to each. Talk about what you would need to do in an evacuation.
- Plan how your household would stay in contact if you were separated. Identify two meeting places: the first should be near your home, perhaps a nearby tree or a telephone pole where you could meet if your home were on fire; the second should be away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
- Pick a friend or relative who lives out of the area for household members to call to say they are okay.
- Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by telephones. Teach children how and when to call 911.
- Make sure every member of your household knows how and when to shut off water, gas and electricity at the main switches. Consult with your local utilities if you have any questions.
- Take a first aid and CPR class. Local American Red Cross chapters can provide information. Official certification by the American Red Cross provides “good Samaritan” law protection for those giving first aid.
- Review property insurance policies before disaster strikes—make sure policies are current and be certain they meet your needs (type of coverage, amount of coverage, and hazard covered—flood, earthquake)
- Be certain that all your health insurance policies are current and meet the needs of your household.
- Consider ways to help neighbors who may need special assistance, such as the elderly or the disabled.
- Make arrangements for pets. Pets are not allowed in public shelters, though “service animals”—for those who depend on them—are allowed.
Disaster Supply Kits
Assembling the supplies you might need following a disaster is an important part of your disaster plan. You should prepare emergency supplies for the following situations:
- A disaster supply kit with essential food, water, and supplies for at least three days—this kit should be kept in a designated place and be ready to “grab and go” in case you have to leave your home quickly because of a disaster, such as a flash flood or major chemical emergency. Make sure all household members know where the kit is kept. Consider having additional supplies for sheltering or home confinement for up to two weeks.
- You should also have a disaster supply kit at work. This should be in one container, ready to “grab and go” in case you have to evacuate the building.
- A car kit of emergency supplies, including food and water, to keep stored in your car at all times. This kit would also include flares, jumper cables and seasonal supplies.
The basic items that should be in a disaster supply kit are water, food, first-aid supplies, tools and emergency supplies, clothing and bedding, and specialty items. You will need to change the stored water and food supplies every six months, so be sure to write the date you store it on all containers. You should also re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your household changes. Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supply kit in one or two easy-to carry containers such as an unused trashcan, camping backpack or duffel bag.
—Excerpted from Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Administration, pp. 4–10.