Jesus Christ established the Christian church, when he was on earth. He called apostles and gave them instructions on how it was supposed to be executed. He gave one man, Simon Peter, the authority to lead the church. Largely to have preached and taught the Jewish people and that is where they lived. Were Jews. But the big Jews rejected Jesus and his message of being the long awaited Messiah. And they crucified him. After being crucified, the apostles of the Christian church continued to teach the Gospel to the Jews. Then a man named Saul (later changed to Paul) was converted to the Christian church and began to teach the Gospel to the Gentiles (those who were not of the Jewish faith.) This is essentially the first division occurred in the Christian church because if it is what Christ taught, it was not what many of the early Christians wanted.

In 70 years a group called the Gnostics, who later became the Eastern Orthodox Church proclaimed a higher law and gospel. In about 300 AD the Roman Empire recognized the Christian Church as the official religion and, therefore, the Roman Catholic Church was born. The Gnostics and Catholics continue to disagree and wider the gap until it became completely split just after 1000 AD

Then in the early 1500s people began to question the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church is, that church members can not read or interpret the Scriptures on their own. The priests were the only ones authorized to do so. Some also questioned the method of baptism, which was sprinkling of infants. They believed that baptism should be by immersion of adults like Jesus Christ. This led to religious reform and the exodus of many to the United States to find religious freedom.

In the United States in 1800 was an awakening. People began to seek their own truths, instead of just their religion of birth. When you do not find what you were looking for, some began their own churches. Continues to this day. People continue to seek a Christianity that fits their lifestyle and their belief system.

The economic turbulence associated with today’s market has spurred a revival in Great Depression Era survivalism. From cities to suburbs to mountain hideaways, Americans are turning to stockpiling and self-sufficiency in order to secure their future. And although Christian prophecies have inspired Christians to make up a large cross section of the survivalist movement, the church has been largely silent in regard to this growing tendency. So just what is the church’s role in crisis preparedness?

Contrary to the opinion of many, preparedness is not an amoral issue, and there are implications for the Christian church. Scriptures are not silent regarding preparation for perilous times. Consider the following Biblical teachings, and the profound impact they might have upon the Christian church.

Joseph: A Lesson In Crisis Preparedness

Thousands of years ago, before survival kits or crank radios or MREs, God inspired one man to store enough provisions to feed an entire nation for seven years.

The story of Joseph is not new to most Christians. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Then, gaining the favor of his master (no less than an officer of the Pharaoh himself), Joseph became the trusted overseer of all of his master’s house.

After Joseph was unrighteously cast into prison, he was later summoned to interpret the dreams of the Pharaoh – dreams that signified the coming of seven years of famine. But Joseph did more than just interpret the dreams. Genesis 41:35-36 recounts how he offered to Pharaoh a plan for survival for all the land:

35 “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.”

36 “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.”

It was through this plan, this preparation, that God worked to sustain not only His people, but all of the nations that looked to Joseph for help. Verses 54-57 recall this quite clearly:

54 “And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

55 “And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians; Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.

56 “And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the store-houses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

57 “And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

It is clear here that Joseph’s trust in God did not lead him to simply sit and wait for sustenance to fall in his lap. On the contrary, Joseph’s trust in God led him to prepare. With the same wisdom that led Joseph to sustain God’s people through seven years of famine, we prepare to sustain our families, friends, and neighbors through any coming turbulence. And perhaps the seven years of famine in Egypt is a picture of the coming seven years of tribulation. If we follow Joseph’s model, we will surely prepare for it.

Proverbial Crisis Preparedness

Almost any real, Bible-believing Christian would agree that the book of Proverbs is intended as a guidebook for Godly living; a resource for making wise and insightful choices. So wouldn’t it logically follow that a believer should follow any of the book’s advice regarding preparation? Here’s a bit of what the authors had to say:

Proverbs 22:3 “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”

Proverbs 21:5 “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

Proverbs 12:27 “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.”

Proverbs 10:5 “He that gathereth in the summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”

These passages are simple and clear. It is the prudent person who “takes precautions”, who prepares for perilous times. But it is the simpleton who goes on blindly. Although we should always trust in God to provide, we must use the wisdom and revelation he has given us. Just as we work to provide food for today, we should work to provide food for tomorrow.

With the curse of Genesis 3, man incurred the responsibility for eating bread “by the sweat of [his] face”. If providing food for ourselves and our families is our God-ordained responsibility, why would we not also provide that food for the time of trial and tribulation which God promises will come to mankind?

Preparedness implications for pre-, mid-, and post- tribulation rapture theories

In the event of a mid- or post-tribulation rapture, the case for preparedness is simple and clear. Mark 13 and Matthew 24 both speak of “wars and rumors of wars”, “great tribulation”, famines, and pestilences – all associated with the Great Tribulation. And so if the church anticipates either of these possibilities, preparedness is the logical conclusion.

But in the case of pre-tribulation rapture doctrines, the conventional wisdom holds that Christians will be spared the “pestilences” and “famines”. However, this may not be the case.

In order for the tribulation to be ushered in, the world must first see global despotism, an increase in natural disasters, and conflicts in the Middle East in global scope and reach. With this information in mind, it is rational to assume that even in the event of a pre-tribulation rapture, Christians will experience perilous times of some sort before they are taken away from this world.

What this means for the church

As in all cases, the church is expected to apply Biblical principles to daily life. In the face of impending adversities associated with economic unrest (and the possibility of a depression), significant conflicts in Mexico and around the world, nuclear proliferation, and a growing global food shortage; the church must instill in its members the Biblical principles associated with preparedness.

What’s more, the church is given a commission to care for the afflicted, the needy, and the “poor and the fatherless”. This may be difficult if the church members find themselves standing in bread lines along with the rest of the world. If we are to be given to Christian charity, there may be utility in storing food and water in anticipation of the possibility for turbulence and unrest, so that we may exercise that charity when it is needed most. After all, when can the need for charity be greater than when one’s survival depends upon it?

If Christians truly are “led of the Spirit”, we should find ourselves living according to Godly wisdom. A virtuous and Spirit-led church body will emulate the “prudent person” of Proverbs 22 who, “foresees danger and takes precautions”, and will surely teach the same among its membership. Those that continue to spend their money irresponsibly and resist the preparedness characteristic of Joseph may find themselves without legitimacy – or even the means – in ministering to the lost.

He wrote to me asking:

I started taking a serious stand in my spiritual life this year and coming from a sinful life, I think you know how hard the road may be. I can not confirm nor deny that I have the Holy Spirit, all I know is that I’m confused. I spoke in tongues during prayer a few times and do strange things, but I just do not understand these things. I may not have enough faith, or just too suspicious. Naturally, I’m an intelligent person, and my understanding of Scripture is above average. My confusion comes because I’ve only been exposed to a large number of doctrines of Christianity (Saturday for maintenance, Pentecostal, Protestant and others) and each of them claim to be true and they all believe in yourself and the attack on Jesus, but . Why do non-believers when we joined the same Lord and what is the truth regarding what God really wants from us? The investigation of the truth of various believers made me rethink what I have is if the Holy Spirit or a demon. At the end I just can not trust anyone at this time, and I do not think a miracle performed in front of me because he can convince anyone of the Bible also speaks of false prophets who can do the same. Somewhere, somehow some people who claim to be Christians are a real good lie and deceive, or do not know. Why the Lord, let the devil deceive us?

Now I can only trust that the Bible though is full of riddles and parables, and therefore sometimes difficult to understand. How do you know that you have the true Holy Spirit or not? I am a huge dilemma about it and I really need prayers because I believe strongly that this is one of my biggest obstacles in my life, Christianity, has made me a lot of progress this year, but its just hard for me.

This is what I wrote back to him:

I know it’s really sad because Christians are so divided and that is a very important thing about the small difference that should not be among us. That is not a very warm welcome to the family of God, and I am very sorry that you have to experience. All that really matters is being full of spirit and believing every word of the Bible and acting on it. Many Christians do not believe much of what the Bible says they say or do, but I do not know much of what is in it, or simply choose not to live for some reason. Is due primarily to Jesus.

Jesus said we should be like children to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4).

Also 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “things that come from the Spirit of God … are spiritually discerned.” There are two reasons why you might have difficulty understanding the Bible:

1. You are trying to understand his mind, while the Holy Spirit wants to listen with your heart. That might sound like a riddle for you, but part of being a child is simply listening to what Jesus is saying and taking his word for it, and not trying to understand everything in our minds. Innocent children, they said something, and not try to understand in your mind how it might be true that you only believe. See, you have to discern its spirit. This is also one of the reasons Christians are so divided, but trying to figure of Christianity in their own minds, but they each have their own interpretations of the Bible, or take a verse out of context, and often not even stop to ask the Holy Spirit what he was trying to teach. They think they can interpret their own minds the spirit that God has written, which is absurd.

See Ephesians 3 speaks of “knowing” the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. “Because it is bigger than our minds, our own thoughts, but we can know His love in our hearts. Sometimes, the reason we have difficulty to experience God’s because we try to set out in our minds.

Ephesians 3:19 (New International Version)
19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that can be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

2. Another reason may be difficult to understand the Scripture is the devil is trying to put a spirit of confusion exists so that you can not understand what God is saying.

It is true that the devil is to deceive and divide us, but that should not stop us. We can avoid being cheated by him. Two reasons would be a Christian to be deceived by the devil is 1. They have sinned in his heart or life that gives the devil a foothold in your life or 2. Are not having the authority they have on the devil that Jesus had given them as seen so clearly in writing.

Luke 10:19 (New International Version)
19I have given you authority to trample snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, and nothing hurts.

And other verses are the same, we have authority over the enemy. Unfortunately, we do not use as often as we should. Some Christians do not even know they have authority because they do not know that the Scriptures say that they have authority. This opens the door to hell.

You said you can not confirm or deny that you have the Holy Spirit. Do not try to understand in your mind.

Romans 10:9 says:
9That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Have you done this, and do you believe in your heart that’s true? If so, are stored and thus, has the Holy Spirit that lives within you.

Romans 8:16 says:
16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.

Acts 2:38 says:
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 11:11-13 says:

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for [a] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If then, though they are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! “

His father is a loving Father, and if you ask God for the Holy Spirit will give you the Holy Spirit. You may believe Him, because He says in his word.

I would suggest some things for you. If you are still unsure if the Holy Spirit lives inside of you or not, ask the Father to give you. He is very loving father, and he loves when his children ask for special things in the Holy Spirit. And even if you have the Holy Spirit, we can always know the Holy Spirit more anyway.

So the next time you go to read the Bible, instead of going immediately to the Bible, start by asking the Holy Spirit, if you have any unconfessed sin in your life or any unforgiveness in your heart to anyone, and be silence a few minutes to see if something comes to mind. So if he brings something to mind, give it to God.

Then the worship of God at least 15 minutes, and let the peace of Christ rule on you to do this.

Then you can take the authority that Jesus gave on the enemy, and you can say something like, “In the name of Jesus Christ, if there is no spirit of Jesus here, I demand to be and not distract me from what the Holy Spirit wants to speak with me today. “

Then ask the Holy Spirit to speak with you and lead you to a scripture, and then open your Bible and read and absorb as reading and thinking a little. And see if you can understand it better this time.

I can not believe that there is a certain formula or steps that must be taken to the Holy Spirit to speak to us through the word. Is legal and is not well, but I know that these things have helped me in the past. That’s the only reason that I step toward you. I want the experience of Jesus in its fullness and experience all that for you, because it is much more than you can imagine. And if the Holy Spirit leads you to read the Bible or pray in the future, go right ahead.

I pray to be blessed through this and you will find it in your heart to forgive us Christians who have made things so confusing for you. If you have chosen to follow Jesus and I am very happy because many people have refused completely to Christ because of disunity and hypocrisy of much of the western Christian church (although I do not know where you live).

I also wanted to share with you another scripture: Deuteronomy 13:1-3. 1 “Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and promise that the signs and miracles, and signs and miracles occur predictions. If you then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods, which gods’ – have not known before-3 do not listen to them. The Lord your God is testing you to see if you really love him with all your heart and soul “(NLT).

A sign, wonder, or miracle before it appears always to exalt Jesus. In the event that glorifies Jesus and the good fruit is the result (just like people to worship Jesus, who saved, healed or delivered, or Backsliders get home), then you know it is Jesus Christ. If the miracle does not exalt Jesus or in any good fruit that can be involved. Those things, along with the reliability of the word of God are three very good indication as to whether something is really Jesus or not.

What has been happening in recent years can be said that the recovery of ancient Christian history tattoos are used as a tool of worship. We can not deny the fact that while wearing a tattoo of any kind is met with a degree of opposition in certain sectors of the Christian church, the persistence of youth andalusia offered modern Christian tattoo very bright future. The proof of this lies in the comparison between our times and our parents. Back in those days was even greater hostility now and it seems that the modern youth is winning the argument

The cross is the most common Christian tattoos. The peacock represents the resurrection, while the lily is used during the Easter holiday to signify the relationship between immortality and eternity. The resurrection means phoenix, while the wheat heads are a symbol of the holy bread. The palm is a symbol of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. There any Christian tattoo done with a sense of atonement should choose the pelican symbol.

In the 5th century, there seems to be tattoos that derive their inspiration from the Christian doctrine of the time, that closely reflect those of the modern era. This is clear from the messages that tattoos were discovered in parts of the body of believers that are in line with the doctrine of Christianity. In one case, a tattoo with a “I like Jesus’ message appeared on the arm of a young man, while in the 6th century, a report was published by the Northumberland County Council, which mentions the use of tattoos among Christians as one of the contentious issues of the day.

Tattoo Christian opponents cited as a source of Satanism and paganism, and were led to believe that anyone sympathetic to the beliefs of these non-Christian sects. Users had a story to tell, however, claiming that they were favored by God to bring Christian tattoo

The star is another Christian tattoo design. Crusader knights used to carry in their arms or clapping. It is believed that the guarantee of a good Christian burial and was an indication that the person had been on a pilgrimage, so that the tattoo was designed and implemented.

The modern Christian tattoo has experienced many changes since the mid-1960s and early 70s. At that time, counter-consciousness is spreading throughout the world and threatens to engulf the Christian ideals heavily guarded. Christian tattoos were the saving grace with the church leaders used to maintain the hostile youth who were no longer willing to cope with the restriction of their liberties. The clergy wanted to avoid a situation in which Christianity would be too liberalized.

That is why we are both acceptance and rejection of Christian tattoo today by the Christian churches, although it seems now they are much more accepted than thirty years ago. Instead of being regarded as non-Christian, even the funkiest of tattoos are gaining a respectability that have appeared at that time impossible.

One of the justifications for this approach to modernization of thought is the argument that Leviticus, a book at the beginning of the Old Testament, no longer represents the thinking of modern Christians, whose religion is based in the New Testament, and liberalization of this part of the Bible dominates the ancient patriarchal beliefs of a few thousand years ago,

Another is that since our bodies are temples of God, Christians must sport tattoos to glorify him. The pastor is a very fashionable Christian tattoo that symbolizes tenderness and care. A tattoo that you can find fascinating is the Triquetra, which is an interesting geometric sign complicated. It explains the Holy Trinity and the interconnection between the three entities.

Whatever their own convictions in this matter, the arguments will continue, but a fact you can be sure: the Christian tattoo grow in popularity, and if that is what they want and then go with a clear conscience. Is also quickly realized that if the Christian church is to survive, it must move with the times.