The time will come, maybe sooner rather than later, when those who preach the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will be directed by God to fall off the radar, meaning that their whereabouts will not be known, nor will be disclosed to those who are intent on eradicating them from the earth.
As the predicted sign of the Romans was rolled out against Jerusalem in the siege that was to follow, it became necessary for those who believed the word of Christ to relocate where they would be free from the interference of their enemies. And because they believed and obeyed, not one Christian was lost in the carnage that ensued.
Thus, because there is nothing new under the sun, and because history has always repeated itself, the people of God who live in the last days of earth’s history will soon find it necessary to relocate, in obedience to the word of God.
This is not merely a prediction of what will certainly come to pass, it is a scriptural teaching that must be clearly understood by those remnant people of God who would survive the last days of earth’s history, because the time will come when those who preach present truth will be regarded as the enemies of law and order.
For instance, it is becoming more and more difficult and awkward to speak against same sex marriage, especially since some very influential people have recently embraced it publicly. And therefore, those who dare to stand in the gap will soon be branded as troublemakers, as is the case currently in certain places.
Satan is hell bent on eradicating the true Christian from off the face of the earth, for he views them as a threat to his one and only opportunity to secure for himself the kingdoms of this world. And because of this, a startling warning is issued to the people of God in Revelation, chapter 12, so that the remnant may know the seriousness of the issues before us.
This information is not being given to scare anyone, for God has not given us the Spirit of fear. It’s just to make us aware of what will be coming our way, and as such, to be fully prepared, by learning to walk by faith alone, trusting God for any and everything that pertains to temporal and eternal life. Let’s read:
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Thus, the study of living off the “Grid” will become more and more relevant as we see the prophecies and developments spoken of by the prophets in the Bible, coming to pass in our generation. But before we delve into our study, it’s important for believers to know what constitutes living off the grid.
From time to time, some of the remnant people of God might choose to relocate to the countryside, in an effort to relinquish city living, where they will be surrounded by nature, and where the hustle and bustle of city life would not be a distraction in any way. That is all well and good, for this counsel has been given to the remnant who live in the last days.
However, in moving to the countryside, a lot of city baggage is also taken in order to live comfortably in the country. In addition to this, announcements of their imminent departure are most often made to the local church members and church memberships are often transferred to another church in the area where folks are relocated.
All of this is well and good, but for all intents and purposes it does not even come close to living off the grid. Again, the so-called “necessities” of life are often taken to the countryside, such as cell phones, laptops, credit cards, debit cards, Alexas, vehicles, and so forth.
Some even use G.P.S to guide them in their travel to the countryside, and for these reasons, living off the grid, as far as the Bible is concerned, is an absolute nonstarter. In fact, any tracking device in a person’s possession, whatsoever it may be, would effectually annul the very concept of living off the grid, for it is by faith and faith alone that we will survive the final conflict.
Tracking devices are often placed in very many, if not most of the new gadgets on the market, and it’s no coincidence or accident why this is taking place. Tracking devices will play a critically important role in the institution and the enforcement of the mark of the beast, that’s why there is a move to electric everything.
And Alexa is not innocent of tracking by any means, because information is constantly being gathered on the owners’ habits, preferences, whereabouts, conversations and so forth. Again, vehicles that are taken to the countryside also need to be registered with the county in question.
The same is true for land and home ownership. If a person or family were to purchase any property in a remote countryside location, registration with the county in question is required, and therefore folks can be tracked and traced through deeds, titles, cell phones, laptops, Fit-bits, computers and more.
Again, if one’s debit or credit card is swiped in the countryside, that transaction is always registered in the city, and thus, living in the countryside with all of the amenities, comforts, and conveniences of the city is not the same as living off the “Grid”. So, the following might be hard for some folks to swallow, but it is the truth.
According to the Bible, living off the grid requires a complete disconnect from any, and everything that savors of dependence on man-made systems, as we have become accustomed to, instead trusting God entirely from day to day for all that pertains to life.
It includes relinquishing our dependence on current health care systems entirely, where some have had the habit of running to your local pharmacy for the supplies needed to maintain health. Living off the grid includes relinquishing all those medicines and drugs in your medicine cabinets, which some have come to depend on for life.
It involves relinquishing all economic privileges, and access to all monetary systems together with formal schooling in colleges and universities as we know it. Then again, those visits to your local grocery store such as Publix, where shopping is a pleasure, would also have to be given up, in exchange for trusting in God alone to supply our daily needs.
God is able to take care of any, and every situation that might occur, to preserve the lives of His chosen people. This runs the entire gamut, from regulating temperature to clothing, food and shelter to natural remedies, and healing, and security in the fullest sense of the word.
Any, and every situation and circumstance would be covered by God, when He bids His people to live off the grid. At that time, we will not be depending on insurance, but assurance, for the just shall live by faith.
Thus, when carefully considered, living off the grid is no walk in the park, and it is not for the faint of heart by any means. Only those who have learned to trust in God fully, who have by habit and practice depended on Him for everything, will trust Him in those difficult days which will precede the second coming of Christ.
Therefore, let us turn to the scriptures and observe what it says about living off the grid, why such living becomes necessary, and the ways and means God employed to make such living even possible. Elijah was given a message to relate to king Ahab, that a devastating famine would begin shortly.
He went straight up to the king’s gates, entered the palace, unannounced and without invitation, and he delivered the goods in an unadulterated form, as he spoke truth to power. king Ahab becomes numb at hearing the message and when he recovers himself, Elijah has already left the palace, and is nowhere to be seen or found.
This announcement of a coming devastating famine was the result of Israel departing from the laws and principles given them by God, and now the chickens would be coming home to roost, and when they do, the economy will be left in shambles and very many dead bodies of man and beast would be left in the dust. Let’s read:
1st Kings 18:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubles Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.
After delivering that message of coming doom, the prophet vanishes and falls off the radar so that no amount of searching could discover him. Diligent searches are made, and all Ahab’s tracking devices are employed, and they search, and they search, but Elijah is nowhere to be found. This leads us to the first step in living off the “Grid”.
Elijah was nowhere to be found because God had instructed him to go to a specific location, where he would not be disclosed, and where the protection of God would cover him night and day. That’s why we stated in a previous Bible study, that wherever folks plan to relocate, let’s make certain that God is leading. Let’s read:
1st Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
Those words, “Thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee” all mean that God is going to take care of all of Elijah’s needs, when living off the grid becomes necessary. There is no need for any believer to stock up with groceries, and much bottled water for many years, in some underground bunker.
No need to buy many rifles, and bullets to protect oneself, and there is no need to worry about those variations in temperature which are certain to occur for when God mentions bread and water, He would also include the regulation of temperature, and His protection against all enemies, seen and unseen. Let’s read:
Isaiah 4:5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense.
6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
There are specific promises given in the Bible for all who will be called to live off the grid, which will be a sustaining, dependable assurance to all who believe and obey. Too much emphasis is laid upon what the human agent can and should do, and in the heat of the moment we often leave The Almighty God out of the picture. Let’s read:
Exodus 13: 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Exodus 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
Isaiah 33: 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
Exodus 15:26 If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight and will give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, for I am the Lord that heals thee.
The habit or tendency of making plans for ourselves and then asking God to underwrite those plans isn’t good, for doing so puts us in the driver’s seat, with God as a sort of tag-along in our minds. The scripture teaches us “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and the result is that He will direct our paths aright”.
Elijah did not ask to go to this remote location, he did so by the command of God alone, and because of this, any, and every adverse situation that might occur, he would have the confidence that he was only following God’s will, not his own. This is what will make the world of a difference when the time comes for persons to live off the “Grid”.
Now folks, if you will receive it, Elijah’s undisclosed location was not too far from where Ahab lived, but because God sent him there, Ahab could search the entire planet, and he still would not find Elijah, for it is God, and not man who had directed the prophet. This aspect of living off the grid cannot be stressed enough, for it’s not our will, but God’s will that must be done. Let’s read:
1st Kings 17:10 As the Lord thy God lives, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
The experiences of Elijah also teach us that it’s quite possible to live off the grid even in the city. The key to living off the grid is not human wisdom, cunning, or secretive planning; the one, and only key is our willingness to obey God. This has always been, and will always be the only key to success in all of life’s vicissitudes.
Thus, when the waters of the brook Cherith became exhausted, God directed his servant to continue to live off the grid, but this time it would be in the city. Again, in obedience to the word of God Elijah leaves the countryside, and heads to the city, but, because he is following God’s will, and not his own, Ahab still won’t be able to track him down. Let’s read:
1st Kings 17:8 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,
9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongs to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
And so, it was only when God was ready for Elijah to be found, did Ahab see the prophet. In fact, as we’ll read in the scriptures, Elijah was never really found; instead, in obedience to the word of God again, he disclosed himself. All of the planning, and execution was done by God alone, and all Elijah was required to do was to obey. Let’s read:
1st Kings 18: And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
2 And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
But as is too often the case, sometimes, even the remnant may become so concerned for their lives that they begin to plan and make moves without first consulting God. When Elijah learned of those death threats issued by Jezebel, he feared for his life, and he once again went off the grid, but this time it was not at the command of God.
There was still work to be done in the city, because serious reforms were to be instituted in the wake of the contest on Mt Carmel. But Elijah became quite agitated because of Jezebel. Let’s observe what he now does in response to those threats. Let’s read:
1st Kings 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and ran for his life and came to Beersheba which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baked on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink and laid him down again.
7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have
forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
The mark of the beast, as predicted in the Bible will begin in America, and because, whenever America sneezes the world catches a cold, the mark would stretch its tentacles to every part of the inhabitable globe. Every Caribbean island, and every country on the planet would be affected because no territory will be exempt. Let’s read:
Revelation 13: 16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
However, one of the safest places for “Elijah” to be will be in America, because just as it was in the days of Ahab, Elijah would not be discovered. Obedience to the commands of God is what will make all of the difference during that time of trouble such as never was, since there was a nation. Let’s read:
Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most-High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely, he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
There is an ongoing push for many tracking devices to pervade the human experience in our day. Most of the new gadgets some are so eager to procure do incorporate that common denominator of tracking, and indeed, these devices have proven instrumental in the apprehension of, bandits, terrorists and other most wanted criminals, including drug dealers.
We’ve come to depend on these devices to navigate the maze of websites, and online services that are now considered essential for everyday living. But if we do not now learn to trust in God alone, we will become prisoners of our own devices. If we find ourselves not being to live without these gadgets, then living off the grid will become an impossibility.
This is not to say that persons should now dump all their cell phones, or their laptops, nor are we saying that Alexa should be quarantined. What the Bible is teaching us is that we must never lose sight of our entire dependence on God, even as we benefit from the increases of knowledge that was predicted by Daniel.
It would be very difficult for persons to disconnect from the comforts, amenities and devices of life, in exchange for an existence living off the Grid and the switch will not take place overnight, for when Israel left Egypt headed for the wilderness, it was not long before complaints were heard, because uprooting from the norms of life presented real challenges.
Similarly, when the time comes to live off the grid, there are those who would find the difficulties too great, and because some of us have not used God-given opportunities to learn to walk by faith alone, this mode of living will seem impossible, and again, the call to return to spiritual “Egypt” will be heard. Let’s read:
Exodus 14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Therefore, in lieu of what is looming on the horizon, and because history will repeat itself, the servant of The Lord writes to us in our day that we must learn from those who have gone before; we should study their history with a humble and teachable spirit, so that when our turn comes to walk by faith alone, living off the grid would not do us in. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 293] The history of the wilderness life of Israel was chronicled for the benefit of the Israel of God to the close of time. The varied experience of the Hebrews was a school of preparation for their promised home in Canaan.
God would have His people in these days review with a humble heart and teachable spirit the trials through which ancient Israel passed, that they may be instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan.
We have seen with our two eyes and we have heard with our own ears how, in just a few short months the nations of earth can be brought to their knees. The turmoil that is percolating right here in America portends the climactic events predicted in the Bible and we are just at the tip of the iceberg.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which should help us not to be overly worried about the developments that will take place on the earth and which indeed have already begun. Let us not take it upon ourselves to go live off the grid, without God directing us to do so. Instead, let us trust and obey, for there’s no other way to survive the final conflict. Let’s read:
Psalms 46: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
God Bless!