Mr. Chet Carpenter: Prepping For the End Times
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Chet Carpenter is an area pastor serving in the northern California and south Oregon area. In a recent forum message addressed to the Living Education-Charlotte students, Mr. Carpenter gave important principles to be prepared for the end-times.
Are You a Prepper?
Mr. Carpenter began by asking this question. Many of us know individuals who enjoy camping and the outdoors, and those who aim to be preppers in case of survivalist situations. The world is an unpredictable place, and the results of being unprepared for disasters can be deadly. The things we hope won’t happen often do, and we should be prepared for physical danger.
As we march closer toward the end and the return of Christ, we see world events heating up. It’s important for us as Christians to be prepared not only physically, but also spiritually for the trials that we know are coming. God expects us to be prepared and ready as we seek to inherit His Kingdom.
Building a Fire
Mr. Carpenter spent time explaining some important elements of prepper skills, beginning with fire. Any survivalist should know how to build a fire for emergency situations—but what about spiritually?
It takes physical action to be mentally prepared. Open the Bible, pray, fast, and meditate—these actions help not only keep us focused on God and His way, but they also build a fire of zeal within us. We should be actively stoking this fire and allowing God’s will to consume us. 2 Timothy 1:6 states: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Maintaining this fire takes effort on our part. As trials come, our motivation, fortitude, and resilience that are rooted in God’s word keep us ignited for His purpose. To be spiritual preppers, it’s important to start and maintain a spiritual fire.
Food
One of the other critical elements of being a prepper is food. Knowing how to find safe food in the wilderness is an important skill, and spiritually, we have access to spiritual food as well. God has given us His word as a source of sustenance, inspiration, and learning, and through it, we are both informed and satisfied.
Water
Water is undoubtedly a necessity of life. Without water, no one can survive very long. A prepper needs adequate water storage. Spiritually, God has given us living waters and the gift of His Spirit to help us.
The other side to this equation is the fact that we must have a thirst for that living water God is offering. Psalm 63:1 states: “My soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” God offers the only solution to our thirst, and we must appreciate and seek it out by developing a relationship with Him. If we have a deep awe and thirst for what God gives us, He in turn will give us that gift of His Spirit.
Spiritual Shelter
As a natural result of these steps—igniting an internal fire for God, seeking out the food of His word, and relying on the living waters of His Spirit—we can have rest, protection, and true shelter in God.
While there is nothing wrong with preparing physically for emergencies and trials, we should also remember to keep the big picture in mind, follow the right steps, and keep God first. We should always stay loyal and on fire for God and His will, seek and crave His spiritual food, and rely on the refreshing water of life He gives. God loves us and promises to watch over and protect us, and we should take comfort in His promises.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
