I could be wrong on this, but I don't believe in a pretribulation rapture. I believe we as Christians will go through the tribulation, so we must be prepared to face some terrifying things that are coming on the world. If I am wrong, praise God! But if I am right, than many Christians will be woefully unprepared for what is coming...we must seriously consider that we will face martyrdom like the brethren in China and the Islamic world.
We need to do a few things. First, pray. This is essential, we do not posses within ourselves the strength to overcome, our only strength is in him. We must constantly pray for grace, for guidance, and for endurance. We are in a war and the battle is heating up, our greatest weapon is prayer, we ought to be using it relentlessly. Let's pray for our families, our friends, ourselves, and all the brethren.
Second, do not worry. Trust completely in the Lord, he is our shepherd. If we are truly in Christ he will never leave us or forsake us, and we will overcome. Who is it that overcomes?
"For
whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith."
- 1 John 5:4
So let us take heart, even in the midst of the firey trials and persecutions that are coming upon us. Our Lord has overcome the world, and because we are born of the Spirit, WE HAVE overcome the world, and WE WILL overcome!
Above all we need to love each other totally and completely. We need to break down all of these foolish divisions between us and united together as one body with different members. We need to pray for each other, love each other deeply, and encourage each other through these tough times. The world hates us and will hate us even more severely, to the point of putting us to death. But our love will bind us, and the love of Christ shall shield our souls. We need to constantly forgive each other and cover each others sins, laying down our lives for each other if need be.
"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober
spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a
special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks,
is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves
is to do so as one who is serving
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30458iby the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30461jfor the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30462ktroublesome meddler; but if
anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name."
- 1 Peter 4:7-16
As for physical things, lets not worry too much about that. God will provide, as he always has. Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided. God will instruct us on what to do when that time comes.
Oh, a snake. I thought you meant spears.
