In my previous article, Tribulation Saints: Unborn-Again Sheep, we allowed our hearts to consider those who would call upon the name of Jesus during the tribulation as our someday family. In doing so, they become real, living, breathing people to us rather than a group we safely call from a distance “the left behind.” Once they do become real to us, only then will their well-being become our concern and priority. For brand new Christians who will live in an unparalleled time in history, our care for them may allow them time to share the Gospel with others. And as I addressed in my previous article, making advanced provisions for these desperate people gives us constructive work for our hands and hearts in a current world where many, if not most, refuse to listen to our warnings.

While there are many facets to caring for God’s sheep, we can narrow most down to two categories: meeting physical needs and meeting spiritual needs. Whether those who enter your home after the rapture are new tribulation saints or the still-skeptical lost, what you provide for them may mean life or death, both physically and spiritually. Even if they arrive lost, they may leave found with the help of what you leave behind. This matters.

Because physical preparations will be a longer-term project, I think it’s best we begin there so that you can get started. I know for me, it’s been an extended labor of love, one that began in the summer of 2021 when I began to see that we were moving toward hyperinflation and potential food shortages. While preparing what I thought would be for my family, somewhere along the way, I realized it would more likely be for those left behind. Things are happening so quickly now that with the tribulation just a mile away, I know that the rapture must be a half a mile. That’s my blessed hope, anyway.

All that to say, if you’ve been stocking up on canned goods and water based on the warnings you’ve been given, then good for you and good for those who will consume them. We can suspect we will see some harder times, especially financially, so you and your family will put your stores to good use. Then once you’re “caught up” and while you attend the wedding of all weddings, what’s left over will be used by those who will need it most, a desperate people left in a world turned upside down by the exodus of the restrainer.

I’m not a prepper, not by a long shot. I don’t have twenty years of rice in five-gallon buckets or even a homestead. If you have those things, no judgment here. I simply don’t believe we, as born-again Christians, will be here that long. I am prepared for the short term, however. The sense the Spirit so heavily laid upon me was to “get my house in order,” so I did. Once I had a well-stocked pantry, I knew I was supposed to stop and only replace what I use. At that point, I was led to prepare for the unprepared, those on this side of the rapture who don’t see an economic downturn coming, and to make sure to have extra to offer them. That’s a subject I hope to write about soon.

This isn’t about hoarding for my family, though we are benefiting from me purchasing items prior to some food prices doubling. It is and always has been about following the leading of the Spirit who provides for His people before the rapture, the same Spirit who will provide for those in need during the tribulation.

Below, I will give you some ideas of what I’m doing. You can implement some or all of them.

The most obvious physical provisions are food and water. I won’t go into detail here in the article since the list of possibilities is extensive, but I do have some helpful information on the Items to Stock page of my Daybreak with Lisa website. The information there is geared toward what we can stock now in case of a storm disaster or general shortages, but the list can be used with tribulation dwellers in mind as well. Get what you can afford. If that means buying a can or two extra per week, then do that, knowing the Lord will use your offering, whether a little or much.

Although the following items have spiritual applications that we will cover in the next article, I am including them here since we must provide them in our homes in a physical sense. Some of the materials that I am using will be available as printable PDFs if you would like to use them.

– Where Do You Find the Missing People? letters posted where food and medical supplies are located

– Printouts with warnings of what the left behind might expect after the rapture (see the resources section below)

– ABC cards for salvation with a brief explanation about the missing people on the flip side (Link to PDF with note below)

– Bibles in gallon zip bags with other helpful items:

Scriptures, Missing letter, ABC cards for salvation, pens/pencils, notepads, paper clips, glasses/readers in some bags

– A Bible pack for my car with the missing letter, ABC cards, and a printout with what they might expect after the rapture

Often, inexpensive Bibles can be purchased at thrift stores. I purchased a case of 40 Bibles from Christianbook.com. The cost was $79.60, $1.99 each, which seems to be a fair price. I found the print in the Bibles to be so tiny that I’m including some glasses/readers of varying strengths with 20 of the Bible packs ($1.25 at Dollar Tree).

I know there’s much more to have on hand than what I’ve suggested, but for now, this is a good starting point. When you consider the scope of all I’ve listed above, including the link to the items to stock, it’s really a lot. That’s why we do what we can as we can. Yes, we should have a sense of urgency, but no, we don’t allow the enemy to condemn us if we’re not able to get it all done immediately or if we can’t afford to do much in the way of physical preparations. Even more important will be the spiritual impact you make, a topic we will cover in the next article. If you have zero extra dollars to spend these days on a physical sanctuary, rest assured that you can spend your time on preparing a spiritual one. “But Peter said, ‘I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!'” (Acts 3:6)

Get Your House in Order

Now that my physical preparations are well underway, the concept of getting my house in order takes on a new dimension. It may be next month or several years from now, but I know I will eventually have guests here. I used to be a freak about cleaning house before company came. The older I get, the less I worry about that. These days, however, the concept of tidying up my house has been on my mind. I don’t mean vacuuming and dusting. Who cares about that? I mean decluttering some of the things I’ve collected over the years that will someday–hopefully someday soon for us cloud watchers–be rummaged through by strangers. I must look at my home differently, as a place I will be vacating and leaving in the hands of others. It may even be a family member who remains. What legacy do I want to leave behind? What do I want them to know of me?

I have stacks of journals recounting my intimate journey with Jesus. Do I want to leave those for strangers or even a family member to view? Some may argue that anything we can leave may be beneficial for the lost. I’m not so sure about that. I’ve had seasons when I’ve lost what felt like everything that mattered. I worked through those losses on paper, me being tossed back and forth by the winds of pain and grief. Seems to me those thoughts may be too personal to be shared with someone who is newly introduced to Jesus, or especially read by the person who caused me the most pain.

Ministry partner Kim recently said something that’s helping me determine what to keep and what to toss. As she looks at any book or item in her home, she’s asking if it will be a help or hindrance to someone left behind. What a good question. I have books that I read early in my stumble with Jesus–I stumbled more than I walked back then. Those books are ones that I would no longer choose or recommend based on what I’ve discovered the authors believe or stand for now. Many Christian pastors and leaders, who ten years ago seemed sound in their doctrine, are now teaching woke agendas. In some cases, I have even older books by authors who probably weren’t so sound back in the day. I just didn’t know it then due to my limited experience with the Bible. I have much to sort through to ensure I don’t provide false teaching. That might be something you consider doing as well.

These next thoughts may be a little more uncomfortable for you to consider, but what’s under your mattress? What’s on your computer history? Are there items in your home that will damage your witness to a new believer or to a lost and skeptical someone you know? I suppose my recommendation is that you take a good look around your home to see if you find any skeletons hanging out in the dusty corners of your closets. This is a great time to sweep away those old rattling bones that have secretly followed you to the end of days. Along the way of getting our houses in order, we would be well advised to get our own hearts right with the Lord. That’s another topic I hope to cover soon if the Lord tarries.

Recap: What will they see of you? What will hinder? What will help? These are just a few questions to ask as you begin your preparations to hand your unneeded home over to those who may someday join the family of God.

Additional resources/quick links:

Where Do You Find the Missing People? PDF version of my “left behind” letter if you would like to print and use what I wrote

Left Behind Letters – RaptureReady.com: Various, heart-felt letters you may choose to use

ABCs of Salvation Cards – PDF version you can print and leave for after the rapture – Includes the ABCs to respond to the Gospel and a condensed version of “Where Do You Find the Missing People?”

**Please note: If the document you print comes out upside down and you don’t know how to change your printer settings for two-sided, short-edge binding, then we may have a simple solution for you. Since all printer dialogue boxes are different, and I can’t give you steps to correct it, I’m including an upside-down version that should print right side up. (Kind of funny that I had to do this.)

ABCs of Salvation Cards: Upside-Down If this version doesn’t work for you or you can’t print two-sided, you can take the single-sided documents you print to a local print center like Staples and have them make copies that are front and back.

The following are resources I’ve found online that you can copy and print to leave in your home, warnings for those who are left behind of what will likely occur during the time after the rapture:

A Guide for Those Left Behind – RaptureReady.com

Rules for the Remnant – Rev310.com, Pete Garcia

Note: Rules for the Remnant, as offered on Pete’s website, didn’t copy over in a printable format for me, so I reformatted it. You’re welcome to use my PDF version if you encounter problems as well.

Rules for the Remnant – Lisa’s formatted PDF version

I hope you find the above information helpful. Remember, we do what we can as we can. Just don’t allow the enemy to convince you this doesn’t matter or that you can’t make a difference. You can. What if even our modest efforts help a lost soul encounter the love of Jesus? To that person, it means the world. Let’s blaze for His glory and cast light into their darkness.

Grace and peace as we wait,

Lisa

If you need to catch up on previous articles in this series, here you go:

Rapture: Before the Final Sunset – An invitation for you to join in preparing a sanctuary for those who will be left behind

Tribulation Saints: Unborn-Again Sheep – A challenge for you to look beyond the title of “the left behind” and to see those who will put their faith in Jesus as future family

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Free Resources:

Daybreak, Last Days of Light – Free ebook download

How Do I Share What I Know? Lisa’s Rapture Ready Series

Prepare Your Heart – Lisa Rapture Ready series

Updates – Sign up here to be notified when new articles are available.

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About Daybreak with Lisa:

Daybreak is a way of life, one of exposing the rising darkness and telling of the soon-coming Light. We only have so many daybreaks remaining before that final sunset when we, as believers, are caught up in the air to meet Jesus.

As an author, Lisa Heaton is a storyteller with a heart for truth. Her greatest desire in her fiction and nonfiction work is to challenge the reader to discover the truth of who Jesus is and who they are to Him. Now, here as we wait for the any-minute arrival of Jesus for His church in the rapture, Lisa’s latest mission is to warn the lost and wake the found and to help others discover their unique voice to share the truth of our times. More at DaybreakWithLisa.com. Contact Lisa at Lisa@LisaHeatonBooks.com.

Scripture warns that a time will come when good will be called bad and bad will be called good (Is 5:20), and Paul speaks of perilous times in the last days, which will be marked by earth’s inhabitants despising those who are good (2 Tim 3:3). Surely, these days are upon us.^[1] Currently, the bad are so beguiled that they believe the good should be apologizing to them for disagreeing with their life of debauchery.^[2] Truly, apology is exactly what this untoward generation needs. In fact, they desperately need the righteous to apologize like never before. Say what? The righteous need to apologize to the wicked? Absolutely, at this most trying time, every Christian must realize that ‘We Must Apologize.’ But what does this mean, really?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “The earliest uses of apologize more often meant “to offer an excuse or defense” than “to acknowledge a fault.” The verb came into our language from the noun apology, which similarly had an initial meaning (beginning in the early 16th century) that did not necessarily acknowledge fault (“something said or written in defense or justification of what appears to others to be wrong or of what may be liable to disapprobation [condemnation]”).^[3] (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]

From this earliest understanding of the word apologize, stems what some consider to be a distinct branch of theology called ‘apologetics.’ However, this discussion will attempt to identify apologetics as the ultimate commission of ‘all’ who call upon the name of the Lord.

Apologetics

“Apologetics is the study and practice of giving answers for the reasonableness and truth of the Christian faith. The word comes from the Greek apologia and means “to give a defense.” In 1 Peter 3:15, Christians are commanded to give an apologia to anyone who asks the reason for our hope.”^[4] Here is this passage in context:

1 Peter 3:14-17

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify [venerate] the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” ^[5] [author’s comment]

Notice that Peter indicates that the defense one makes, of the hope provided by the gospel of Jesus, is what ‘may’ cause the evildoers who falsely accuse the good, to be ashamed. Therefore, each and every Christian has to apologize (defend the gospel) when reviled instead of finding offense and expecting the wicked to say, I’m sorry. Remember, the only difference between the wicked and the righteous is the latter believes in Jesus. Paul spoke of this:

Ephesians 5:8-11

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them [with the truth of Scripture 2 Tim 3:16].” (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]

Titus 3:3-8

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly [Apologize – Defend the truth], that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain [continue in a state of ready defense] good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (emphasis mind) [author’s comment]

While there is a distinct theological discipline of apologetics. It is clear, even from this cursory view of Scripture, that ‘all’ are to defend the gospel by showing and telling others the hope that resides in them. However, there is another aspect of apologetics that applies to every Christian, the defense of all Scripture without strife or quarreling.^[6] Paul speaks of this:

2 Timothy 2:14-16

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (emphasis mine)

Notice Paul encourages Timothy to charge the believers to avoid striving when defending the truth. This strife can only bring about the destruction of the hearer. This means the apologist (Christian) must simply defend the truth without entering into frenzied contention. The truth itself is enough, and salvation comes to the hearer that acquiesces to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Though, sadly, many choose to reject the Holy Spirit and become Godless.^[7]

The second point to notice here is that it is very important for the Christian to study God’s Word to the point of thoroughly understanding it. Whereby making the defense all the easier. Think about this: when you are very sure of your position, it is easier to state your case and leave it at that. Therefore, fully understanding God’s Word eliminates the need to strive.

While on the topic of strife, the apologist is to avoid foolish and unlearned questions because they are designed to cause strife. Paul eloquently deals with this:

2 Timothy 2:23-26

“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord [anyone who serves the Lord] must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]

James provides the capstone to this section of study when he speaks of the superiority of the true wisdom that comes from above:

James 3:13-18

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work [this is why the apologist must avoid strife]. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]

Each Christian, while relying on wisdom from above, is called to peacefully sow righteousness through good conversation, which ultimately defends the truth of God’s Word. This alone can bring about the environment necessary for the lost to find their way unto salvation by believing on Christ Jesus, whom the apologist defends. With this in mind, it is important to remember how the faithless come to saving faith…

Romans 10:13-17

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Paul’s words should spur us into the reasonable service of apologetically evangelizing for Jesus.

Teachers Too

When we see Him face to face, and the Lord begins to judge all that we have done on earth, He will look at the teachers in a manner that is stricter than the student. Indeed, the teacher will be held to a much higher standard, as noted by James:

James 3:1

“My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” [author’s comment]

One can imagine the conversation between Jesus and any given teacher when He examines their works. One teacher may say, “Lord, I studied all of the writings of Luther, and I patterned my teaching after his.” Another might say they followed Spurgeon. Many others may indicate the scholar or theologian that shaped their teaching. In response, Jesus might say, “Why did you not follow me?” After all, Jesus instructed the disciples to teach those they went to, everything He had told taught them (Matt 28:20).

With this in mind, since Jesus is the Word of God, teachers should teach from the Word of God, not from the writings of any given scholar or theologian. Said another way, the Word of God must be the primary source of teaching. The writings of others must only be allowed to shed light upon (illuminate) the truth of Scripture.

Therefore, apologists must use the rock-solid foundation of Scripture in forming their defense of Scripture. This approach is antithetical to the process taught by most institutions of higher learning as they call for citations of many scholars in defense of any argument. Ironically, it often seems that in the process of citing sources, the thoughts of so many obscure the intended message of the one true God. This is akin to not being able to see the forest for the trees.

Before leaving this point, consider this: James chapter 3, understood in context, disparages anyone becoming a teacher, or as James put it, ‘master.’ Close examination reveals that James is actually teaching that no one has the right to claim a superior teaching position to that of Christ. In other words, we are not to be teaching in our own name or the name of any other. Instead, we are to do exactly what Jesus told the disciples to do… teach Him. If we truly desire to defend the truth, we must, without hesitation, teach Jesus Christ, all of Him, to the lost who desperately need Him. After all, He alone is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and His name is the only name under heaven whereby men must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Conclusion

Every Christian who apologizes, by offering their best defense of the gospel, should greatly desire to hear these words, ‘apology accepted.’ In fact, our greatest earthly desire must be to see the dead come to life. The alternative is unthinkable, for without the truth, the lost will be eternally separated from God. Therefore, may every apologetic Christian answer this call:

Calling all Christians… will you answer the call to be an apologist who studies God’s Word in order to mount a defense of the truth in a world that prefers lies? Will you engage in battle in a manner that is void of strife but full of love for the lost? Will you speak wisdom to the foolish in a way that establishes the fact that they have need of the Savior Jesus Christ? Will you be ready with this defense at any given time (instant in season and out of season, 2 Tim 4:2)? Finally, will you remain faithful until the very end?^[8]

If you answered yes to ‘all’ of these questions, welcome: Christian – Apologist – Evangelist.

Let us finish with a charge from arguably the greatest defender of the faith (apologist) to ever live, outside of Christ Himself, the Apostle Paul:

2 Timothy 4:1-5

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

Website: In His Commission

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[1] For greater understanding, see the article, “Watch – Warn – and Win Souls.”

[2] For greater understanding, see the article, “America: Once like David – Now like Cain.”

[3] Merriam Webster Dictionary, “Apologize.”

[4] From Answers in Genesis, “Apologetics.”

[5] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”

[6] For greater understanding, see the article, “While We Wait.”

[7] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Return of the Godless.”

[8] For greater understanding, see the article, “Help Us Lord – To Overcome.”