This is a collection of some recent questions I received that encapsulate the various questions and responses I have received over the years. The following is an edited response to one of these individuals, which may be of benefit to all. I love to read our reader's questions! If you have a question, feel free to contact us!

Question 1: “Is your ministry, postings and writings primarily focused with arming up and stocking up for the future "confrontation" with our government?”

I do want to clarify that there is a disclaimer on our main page to the effect that we do not always fully recommend or fully agree with some of what we post, but that discernment should be exercised. That said, I try very hard not to post articles or commentary suggesting uprising or overthrow of legitimate authority. Although, some articles posted and linked to do bring to our attention the growing usurpations of liberties and encroachments that are outside of the sphere of lawful authority. Also, some articles are posted merely for observation and note of the angst growing within our nation at these egressions. In that light, encouragement and exhortation to “stock up for the future” is that whether you or your neighbor ends up being part of some coup or revolution, we will all feel the ramifications on our families, and should live prudently in light of it. Knowledge of an event to occur does not have to involve complicity or agreement; but, to not act on what one does know would not be prudent stewardship.

Question #2: “…I am reminded that we are told in the Bible in Paul's epistles to pray to lead a quiet life working with our hands, minding our own business…”

Absolutely. I agree 100%. The lost certainly aren’t praying for it, and it is only the prayers of Christians that hinder and thwart certain aggressions against our lawful liberties, enabling us a greater liberty of opportunities to serve God and our family. Of course, the flipside is that if we are not properly informed of what threatens the ‘quiet life’, then we will not know what to pray for, how we ought to pray, or even have any urgency to pray about it.

Question #3: "Doesn't the Bible command us to pray for those in authority over us?"

Again, I agree 100%. I Timothy 2:2. We should pray for all that are in authority. We should pray that they do right, have the courage to take a stand, and if they are not so inclined, that they be thwarted in their endeavors. Take careful notice that this last phrase is the key to your whole sentence. The keyword is “authority.” Scripture does not equate “authority” and “power.” Authority and power are two completely different things. A police officer has the authority (delegated power) to stop traffic; however, he does not have the power (physical ability), in himself, to stop a semitruck. The Mexican army may have the power to knock on your door and demand tribute money at gunpoint; but, they do not have the legal authority to. I am not going to go into great length here about authority vs. power since I want to write a complete article on it, but in Proverbs 29:2 it says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Notice that it changes the terms when it talks about the wicked. Also note that the writer of that passage was a king. When legitimate authority is in power, people can live a peaceable and quiet life. When illegitimate rulers are in power, you have neither peace nor quietness. The whole of Romans 13 hinges on this separation. Verse 3-4 clearly lay out the bounds and limits that legitimate authority (from God) has. When powers step outside of these limits (and against), they are no longer operating under what God has defined as their legitimate role.

Just because someone occupies a position of power does not mean they are legitimate authority. A great example of this is Queen Athaliah in II Kings 11. She occupied the seat of power, but she was not the legitimate authority: Joash, who had zero power, had legitimate authority. It is interesting to note that the usurper in that passage claimed those helping Joash were guilty of treason – a charge that was essentially meaningless since she was not in authority. Take extra note of how the chapter ends, after Joash was made king, “…And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet…”  As stewards of God, we do have a responsibility to check and make sure that we are informed as to whether we are following an Athaliah or Joash.

Question #4: “If God is in control of all things should we not strive for peace and trust him with all things regarding our lives even if that means we get thrown in a "concentration camp" somewhere in the mid-west?”

Cares are not responsibilities. We cast our cares and burdens on Him, yes – but, as stewards, we still have responsibilities. The Apostle Paul, trusted wholly in God’s protection, but wasn’t above sneaking out a window in a basket to escape those seeking his life - an account that twice he boasted of. Read my article “Tempting God: The Errors of Presumed Protection” for more examination of this subject. After reading that, then read the articles “God’s Provision I” and “God’s Provision II” to examine various case studies of how God led in the lives of those who did trust in Him with all things.

Question #5: “Hasn't the example given in the Bible has always been one of submission and trusting in the Lord who judges justly?”

This is a common misunderstanding. God’s desire is not that we submit to wicked rulers, and God says that He will judge those that do nothing about those that do do wrong. Some things to think about: How many judges did God call to primarily lead the people in battle to overthrow their occupiers? Was Gideon’s refusal to submit to the overthrow of his land wrong? If Nehemiah was trusting God, why did he build a wall and arm all of the people against the enemy? While God desires for us to live peaceable and quiet lives with righteous authority, as the ideal, He will often use wicked rulers and/or invaders as punishment for a time. Again, read the two articles about God’s Provision, and you will see that trusting God can still entail responsibility.

Question #6: “...Jesus told Pilot that any power that he had to do to Jesus what he was about to do came from God not man.”

Absolutely; yet, do not interpret this to mean that Jesus was submissive. Jesus Christ, unlike you or I, came here to die – in His timing. Several times during His earthly ministry, people attempted to kill Him. Once they wanted to throw Him off of a cliff, and twice they took up stones to stone Him. Was He submissive? No. It was not His time, so He defended His life. (Luke 4:29-30), another time He went and hid (John 8:59). When He was finally ready to accomplish His purpose, He put up no resistance. His answer to Pilate was not that Pilate was the man in charge, but that God was deliberately allowing Himself to go through this for His own plans.

For us, we do not know our time. Sometimes foolish actions or poor stewardship can take us home before our time - that is not commendable. Eccl. 7:17 even asks the rhetorical question, “…neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” As God’s stewards, we must make every effort to defend our life and the lives of our family. God chooses our timing, not us.

Question #7: ”I am curious about your personal stance on the issue. Are you going to arm yourself to the teeth and stockpile food and wait?”

That depends on your definition. Am I arming myself to the teeth? No, regardless of the situation. I can take measures in day-to-day life to protect life and property, but even Jesus recommended that (Luke 22:36). Am I stockpiling food, etc. and waiting for some future revolution? Depends. Am I planning on being in one? No. Am I planning on suffering through chaos and tragedy that some ambiguous event such as currency collapse may bring? No. Read carefully my articles, especially the ones relating to ‘preparing’. It is not ‘preparing’ to launch an armed division of survivalist wackos; but, it is preparing your family and yourself to mitigate unnecessary suffering, whether it come from natural disasters or manmade disasters. That is one of the main purposes of this site.

Jesus told His disciples, concerning the fall of Jerusalem and the end times, that they should watch and take heed. There may be absolutely nothing we can do about the larger events; but, we can watch them, see where they are heading, and take heed (action).

Question #8: “In Isaiah 8:12-13 the Lord speaking through the prophet says "Do not say, A Conspiracy concerning all that this people call conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread:"”

While this verse may sound related, it is taken out of context. God is warning Judah about the impending invasion by the king of Assyria as punishment for their wickedness. He warns His people about taking false comfort in making political alliances (conspiracies) with the nations around them in order to fend off the Assyrians. God tells them that even though they may boast in their efforts and allies, it will be for naught. Instead, they should be putting their confidence and trust in God. The passage is a plea, not a statement.

Question #9: “Watching too much Fox news or reading too much WND makes me depressed.”

I would like to suggest Psalm 94:17 – “Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.” I would also recommend not watching Fox news. WND has a lot of hype and sensationalism, yet, they do have some certain exclusive coverage that is worth being aware of.

Question #10: “…Sometimes I think too much fear mongering is not healthy, also Proverbs 3:5-6 says that we are not to lean upon our own understanding of things and we are not to be wise in our own minds. God's ways are not our ways.”

Examining current events, prophecy, human nature, the state of our country, etc. could be rightly called fear mongering if the goal was to produce a “woe is me” attitude. However, that is certainly not the goal. When we examine the state of our world and nation, we should not focus on the apparent futility of our actions in changing those events. We should channel the urgency into what we can do and what we should be doing. Jesus, Himself, directed the disciples toward this end that our knowledge of the state of our world should direct and drive us to live lives pleasing to Him, engaged in endeavors that make the most of the remaining time, liberties, and opportunities, and also to bear fruit for eternity. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 13:11, summed it up well: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Our deliverance from this world is soon arriving. When that happens, the time to make a difference for eternity will be over. Too many Christians are in a spiritual stupor or sleep because they do not want to know the time. However, they do have a semi-legitimate excuse when they say that it can be depressing looking at the various news channels. Well, if you look at secular news sites, then the only conclusion you will get is a fatalist, humanistic perspective.

The world offers no conclusions of substance to what is happening in the world around them. That is why informedchristians.com is here. A Christian must have a Christian perspective on current events so that they can see the Christian conclusion. When Christians listen to the ‘talking heads’ discuss politics ad nauseum, they will start parroting the same perspectives. In Luke 21:28, Jesus reminded His disciples, “…when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” The world will not tell you to look up. Those who forget to look up will be depressed. Those who look toward eternity will be invigorated to serve Him.

Question #11: “Do you believe that God will protect those who are called by His name?”

Instead of the word “protect”, I would use the word “provide.” We are not guaranteed protection as we often like to think of it. Many a martyr, though, was provided with sufficient grace. Many a believer, was provided a way of escape or foreknowledge (See God’s Provision I & II). However, God has also delivered some of His saints by allowing circumstances to bring them home with Him. We do not know when our time will be, nor the manner in which God may ultimately provide. Regardless, He will be in control of all circumstances, and when He asks us to walk in faith we should follow His leading, and leave the results up to Him.

Question #12: “I would also like to know your position on the rapture of the church?”

From my study of God’s Word, and the examples He has given throughout His word in His dealings with mankind, coupled with the references in the New Testament, I am of the conclusion that Christ will rapture His children before the Tribulation. However, we must not associate a collapse of America as the tribulation, but as a potential springboard for the Antichrist to rally the world to his plans and control. Jesus warned His disciples that the days were going to be perilous. Things will not be bluebird skies, picnics, and ponies for everyone right up to the rapture; we should not be surprised to see perilous times here in America. Time is of the essence to do what we can, while we can, and as much as we can.

Question #13: “Shouldn't you be doing something more important than studying current events? We have to be careful that we do not become end time fear mongers. Until the Lord returns we are to be about our fathers business and telling people why Jesus came and the good news of the Gospel.”

Exactly - and the day I stop using knowledge of the times to help exhort, edify, and disciple Christians to their responsibilities in Christ, and their father’s business, is the day that my ministry ends. My goal is not to create fear, but to create action. I hope and pray that you are encouraged to trust and rest in God, and also go forward in your services and responsibilities to Him.

John 7:24 “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

Maranatha!
Daniel Valles