ARE YOU HIS?
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:27-30 [RNKJV])
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: (Exodus 19:5 [RNKJV])
If you are His, then he promises to keep you, but He does not promise to save you from the trials of the world.
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6 [RNKJV])
All the paths of YAHUAH are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalms 25:10 [RNKJV])
Matter of fact; He promises you that there will be such trials on account of who you have chosen to follow, His Son.
Yea, and all that will live reverently in YAHUSHA the Messiah shall suffer persecution. (II Timothy 3:12 [RNKJV])
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. (Matthew 10:21-23 [RNKJV]
THE GREATEST "PREP" IS BEING RIGHT WITH YHVH “YAHUAH” THE ELOHIM (GOD) OF THE BIBLE.
It's a walk, not a onetime prayer and eternal salvation insurance plan. Just as thinking "I bought an HF radio for comms when SHTF comes" and never using it will get you through an event, the same is with those who "say the prayer" and then continue on in their sin thinking they are His.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of YAHUAH is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (I John 2:3-6 [RNKJV])
WHAT IS HIS WILL?
Personally, I may never fire a shot when SHTF arrives and may give all my food away to those coming to my door. If that is what YAH is telling me to do, then so be it. Or I might bring in as many as possible and die protecting them.
I'm prepared for either course of action because Yah's Word tells me both are scriptural.
I am to provide for my family and letting someone take food from their mouths so they might live and my own die, that's not going to sit well with me, and I see no demonstration being required to standby while this happens being commanded of me in Scripture.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (I Timothy 5:8 [RNKJV])
On the other hand, telling someone who is in need, to "pound sand" is not very Christ like and will not sit well with YAH I imagine!
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7 [RNKJV])
THE KEY IS LISTENING TO YAH'S RUACH AND NOT ACTING IN THE FLESH. HAVING FAITH THAT HE IS ABLE TO SAVE.
YAH has the ability to hide you from your enemies and provide for you super naturally, there is nothing too hard for Him. But if He should choose not to protect my life or my family, I will still worship Him.
Yah does ask that we be participants in our own salvation by faith in His son YAHUSHA as well as being prepared and following Yah's commandments.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of YAHUAH is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (I John 2:3-6 [RNKJV])
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, (Proverbs 6:6-7 [RNKJV])
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. (Proverbs 22:3 [RNKJV])
ARE YOU BEING IRRESPONSIBLE?
"I'm just gonna let the 'good lord' take care of that." People who say this are planning to fail by not planning at all. It’s a copout and unscriptural behavior.
Scriptures demonstrate the importance of “prepping” or preparing for hard times as in the tale of Joseph and the seven years of fullness and seven years of famine [Gen. 41] the instruction to work as the ant [Prov 6:6], Yahusha’s admonition to sell a coat and buy a sword [Luke 22:36] for protection as well as many more examples.
BUT WHAT ABOUT KILLING?
Thou shalt not kill [H7523]. (Exodus 20:13 [RNKJV])
Many will look at the sixth commandment above and become total pacifists because it clearly say "thou shalt not", but the question becomes what does this word "kill" mean in this verse?
[H7523] Strong's Definition
7523 ratsach raw-tsakh' a primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder:--put to death, kill, (man-)slay(-er), murder(-er).
I submit that the word should be interpreted as "murder" as in "killing without justification" if the verse is to be consistent with the rest of Scriptures. We are shown all throughout the Scriptures that killing is commanded in many instances, but murder… never!
Otherwise, Yah himself is breaking His own commandments when he commands His people to annihilate "kill" every living thing of those inside the walls of Jericho.
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. (Joshua 6:21 [RNKJV]
WHEN IS KILLING JUSTIFIED?
That's a good question isn't it?
We know that YAHUSHA felt there was a need for His disciples to carry a weapon capable of killing, but was it to protect them against animals only?
Then said he unto them, but now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, and he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Rabbi, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, it is enough. (Luke 22:36-38 [RNKJV])
This was the second time he sent them into the world, the first he said take nothing.
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. (Luke 10:3-4 [RNKJV]
Does not Yah have the power to protect his disciples miraculously against evil men OR animals? Why require a sword then?
Scripture shows Yah uses man to punish evil men AND uses evil men to punish His own people. The whole Old Testament shows a falling away by Israel, then correction, then a return to His ways.
WHAT CHANGED?
The difference I find is that the second sending out was going to be immediately after His death on the cross and that the disciples would be hated for His name's sake. So the question becomes, are we allowed to protect ourselves with a sword?
We know we are to protect our family according to [1 Timothy 5:8], but isn't that a bit hard to do if you allow yourself to be killed by an evil man?
I would submit that killing is 100% justified if the act is protecting others and defensive in nature, not preemptively.
On the other hand...
You cannot say "I had to ambush them before they could find me" and not be considered a murderer, if they were not an immediate threat.
BOTTOM LINE
Scripture says to turn the other cheek when possible but also demonstrates a “scorched earth” policy when needed. Be prepared for both responses.
Some worthy interpretations but missing a few applications by using wrong dispensations. Thanks, Laurence2A