I felt I should offer my viewpoint about whether a Christian can hold to a pre-trib Rapture position and still believe in prepping. My answer is yes, and I am both a pre-trib rapture Christian and a Christian prepper. I believe that Scripture absolutely teaches the pre-tribulation rapture position, for all the reasons Pastor Bob puts forth. So, why am I a prepper?
First of all, the non-scripture reasons. In 1990, I ran across my old, yellowed copy of Late Great Planet Earth. I thought it would be a "hoot" to reread it after 20 years, to see how much had come true, how Hal Lindsey may have missed it, etc. I reread the book, and by the time I had finished, "hoot" was hardly how I felt about it. Things I believed couldn't possibly happen until after I had been raptured out of here were so common place I didn't even notice them. This was in 1990, well before personal computers had taken over our daily lives.
Then, in 1990, the Ruby Ridge tragedy at the hands of our government. A couple years later, the tragedy at Waco, Texas at the hands of our government. Whether or not the belief systems of the Weavers and the Branch Davidians were right or totally off the mark, they suffered and died at the hands of our government because of their beliefs. After these events, I still believe in the pre-trib rapture position. I no longer, however, believe it is going to be sunshine-lollipops-and-rainbows, RAPTURE, tribulation. The signs of the times are going to be pretty scary, and indeed they already are. We may well need these supplies, and if I never do, they will hopefully bless some poor souls who are left behind.
I believe scripture also teaches us to save for a rainy day. God told Noah to not only build the Ark, but to prepare a food supply for all the people and animals that would be on the Ark (Genesis 6:21). God's provision was given before the need. Joseph's ministry in Egypt involved acting in response to his dream of seven good years followed by seven years of famine. The nation of Egypt collected grain during the seven bountiful years, and fed not only their own but also surrounding nations during the seven poor years. God supplied the supply in advance of the need. The Exodus, where the Hebrew people left with the shirts on their backs, even shows us the plan of gathering manna in advance of the Sabbath. Yes, God supplied the manna to feed the Hebrew people, but THEY WERE TOLD TO GATHER IT, and before the Sabbath, they had to gather a day in advance. Proverbs 6 gives us the example of the ant and the warning not to be a sluggard. In the New Testament, the early church, living in community, helped anyone in need. Paul advises against not being able to provide for our family. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul says Perilous times will come.
I believe the question of whether prepping shows a lack of faith, or is God's plan for the last day believer, will obviously need to be prayed about by the believer. Of course do not go into debt to store food and supplies. Sometimes on a tight week, all I purchase may be a gallon of water or some packages of rice. I always do something. For him to know what to do, and not to do it, that is sin. Of course, if someone is unable to financially to do this, that's that. We must remember that our grandparents lived a life of prepared, canning food, having gardens and livestock, etc. It was just the way they lived, not "prepping."
Live as the Lord leads, and let us all realize we may not be called to live out our salvation in exactly the same way. God bless you Pastor Bob, and thank you for your teachings on the Rapture. God Bless you all, Cynthia (A Christian Prepper)