Isaiah 32: 17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
Even though the above passages refer primarily to the earth made new, the statements also apply in some measure to life on planet earth, because The Lord has put in place certain systems to help those who trust in Him, to navigate and mitigate some of the difficulties and challenges we encounter in our sojourn down here.
For instance, the angel of The Lord encamps around them that fear Him, and He delivers them, so that a measure of peace, protection, and security is made possible through the providential interventions of God.
Now, this does not mean to say that in every single case, without exception, that this will ring true, for there are times when the Christian might have to confront challenges that are incidental to everyone else. However, we are always much better off under the shadow of The Almighty.
Hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and accidents do not generally differentiate between a Christian and an unbeliever, however there’s no doubt that in many instances God has intervened to deliver those who trust in Him. That is an undisputed fact.
That being said, individuals and families within the remnant church, and indeed, all sincere believers the world over, who know what is coming should position themselves intelligently, according to what is written.
The reason why this counsel is necessary is so that when the going gets rough you would have had an intelligent understanding of the ways, and means to be adopted as the crisis deepens upon the earth.
As many earthly systems which we have become so accustomed to are uprooted, and as safety nets that we have come to depend on are dismantled, we will find it necessary to revisit the ways, and means God given us to live by in His word.
We have become accustomed to healthcare systems and monetary systems, and we currently depend on healthcare systems with health and home insurance to help mitigate the risks that are being posed by an increasingly warming planet, and by the increase of diseases and pestilences the world over.
There are king tides in many places where flooding did not previously exist in former years. I personally visited a home on the water in Surfside Miami some years ago when water levels were 6 feet lower than they are currently, and with the increasing intensity and frequency of hurricanes, according to the Bible, the worst is yet to come.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires are becoming more costly, they are lasting longer, and they seem to be covering larger swaths of territories as things on planet earth continue to deteriorate.
The fact is that most of the costliest hurricanes, with the exception of hurricane Andrew have all occurred within the past twenty years, and this bears witness to the veracity of the predictions made in the Bible. Let’s read:
Luke 21: 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
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 day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Katrina 2005 3 $201.3B,
Harvey 2017 4 $160.0B,
Ian 2022 4 $119.6B,
Maria 2017 4 $115.2B,
Sandy 2012 1 $88.5B,
Ida 2021 4 $84.6B,
Helene 2024 4 $78.7B
Irma 2017 4 $64.0B,
Andrew 1992 5 $60.5B
Ike 2008 2 $43.2B
Milton 2024 3 $34.3B
Ivan 2004 3 $34.0B
Michael 2018 5 $31.2B
Florence 2018 1 $30.0B
Wilma 2005 3 $30.0B
Rita 2005 3 $29.4B
Laura 2020 4 $28.1B
Charley 2004 4 $26.6B
After Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992, with up to 200 mph winds, some insurance companies went out of business permanently, for even though they had given customers their word, the bills that came due were just too great for them to handle. Thus, some were forced into insolvency.
That’s a problem, for if after paying for many years, your premiums which are sky high, only to find out that your insurance does not have the capacity to foot the bill for repairs when they come due you can get left holding the proverbial bag, as many persons are finding out, more and more.
This requires that we first understand the difference between assurance, as it comes from God, and the insurance industry, as we know it. Assurance, as it comes from God, according to His providential will, takes care of potential disasters before they come, so that the God-model is prevention is better than cure.
But insurance generally deals with calamities after they occur. That is the main difference, and it is a huge one, especially when insurance companies are not able to honor their financial obligations because of being financially strapped.
With life insurance, benefits might be paid out, but someone may have to die first. With your home insurance too, benefits might be paid out, but your house will have to either burn down first, or some hurricane or tornado would have to destroy it and the valuables inside it, before your insurance will kick in.
This is what is currently unfolding in California after the deadly wildfires devastated some communities. This is what is also taking place in certain parts of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas after hurricane Helene literally razed many properties and buildings to the ground.
Insurance companies might step up to the plate, but you will have to suffer the destruction first, let alone the hassle of trying to rebuild, and the wrangling, or back and forth which often takes place between the insurer and the insured, as companies may become hesitant to pay out such enormous sums as a result.
With the Scriptural type of assurance, God, in some instances may prevent or turn away the hurricanes, the tornadoes, and the wild fires from doing their dirty work in the first place, so that you would not need insurance at the back end. Again, as we stated before, this is subject to God’s will in situations that He deems appropriate and/or necessary. Let’s read:
Mark 4: 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
And even if God allows a calamity to strike, as it was in the case of Job, the Christian in some cases could still be better off, when it comes to claims, for your insurance company would, in the majority of cases, only cover you for what you house, and valuables are worth, but in some cases, God might reimburse you for much more than you had previously. Let’s read:
Job 42: 10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Preemptive assurance is what satan recognized as fact, as he was doing surveillance on Job’s property, for it then became evident that the peace, and the tranquility enjoyed by Job, with persons under his jurisdiction, were not the result of chance, or good luck, but was instead the direct interposition of God to stop calamity before it strikes.
After permission was granted, satan brought on the tornado which leveled the house where Job’s kids were having a party. Tornados, and other disasters would have been brought on much earlier if it were not for God’s assurance protecting Job. Let’s read:
Job 1: 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Have You not made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands and his substance is increased in the land.
12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So, Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, the fire of God (wildfires) is fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep, and the servants and consumed them and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house.
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness (Tornadoes) and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Before we proceed, we would have to set the record straight, as it pertains to the insurance industry, and the terminologies used in describing what they refer to as natural disasters. This phrase: “An Act of God” is of satanic origin, for it lays the blame for calamity squarely at the feet of God, when in most instances, this is not the case. Let’s read:
The Insurance Industry’s Interpretation: An act of God is an uncontrollable event, such as a tornado, a flood, or tsunami, that are not caused, or controlled by humans. Events, such as floods, earthquakes, or natural catastrophes, are considered as acts of God. Insurance companies would often limit, or exclude coverage for acts of God.
This wrong interpretation must now be corrected, especially since hurricanes, and other natural, and unnatural disasters will be ramping up in increasing intensity, and frequency. The God of heaven is not man’s enemy, He is man’s dearest Friend, who sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world to save us from ourselves.
This fact, Jesus had to make plain to His disciples as they called for retribution on persons who did not see eye to eye with Christ’s request. So, let us say it again, God does not stand as a destroyer towards the human family, it is satan and his minions who in most cases are doing the dirty work.
And then, poor mortals are found giving voice to his work of accusing God, when disasters are declared to be an act of God. Let’s read:
Luke 9: 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Isaiah 14: 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
[The Great Controversy pp 589] While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work.
In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hail-storms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power.
He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast.
So, the question is, how is the Christian to navigate all of these things, which are scheduled to increase exponentially? How could we, who are so immersed in the insurance industries, who depend upon them for almost everything, be weaned off of the systems to the point where assurance will take the place of insurance?
Let us just say here that we would have to become accustomed to doing things, and mitigating things in a completely different manner, from what we now consider to be the gold standard.
Understanding, to the best of your knowledge, the revealed works of God in behalf of His people, will greatly help in this matter. So, let’s read prayerfully with the understanding, the following solemn truth and then we will follow the angel of God, wherever he goes.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
1st Samuel 19: 19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.
22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.
23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?
Genesis 18: 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, will thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
29 And he spoke unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou come thither. Therefore, the name of the city was called Zoar.
Exodus 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.
13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
[Patriarchs & Prophets p 279] Many of the Egyptians had been led to acknowledge the God of the Hebrews as the only true God, and these now begged to be permitted to find shelter in the homes of Israel when the destroying angel should pass through the land. They were gladly welcomed, and they pledged themselves henceforth to serve the God of Jacob and to go forth from Egypt with His people.
Acts 16: 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely.
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
When salt is sprinkled or added to food, it changes the taste dramatically, so that everything in your pot is affected. Similarly, God has sprinkled His remnant people strategically throughout the earth, so that in certain instances, the inhabitants thereof might be beneficiaries of His assurance. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp 631] The Lord delights in mercy; and for the sake of a few who really serve him, he restrains calamities, and prolongs the tranquility of multitudes. Little do sinners against God realize that they are indebted for their own lives to the faithful few whom they delight to ridicule and oppress.
The Bible prophets predict a dramatic increase in the frequency and intensity of storms tornadoes, wildfires hurricanes and earthquakes, and because we know that God’s word never fails, it behooves us to position ourselves intelligently, based on the info He has given in His word.
As it pertains to assurance versus insurance, we will need to follow the direction God will give us in some circumstances. We are strongly advised, both in the Bible, and in the writings of the servant of God, to remove to the country wherever, and whenever we can.
In doing so however, we may want to consider that passage we read of earlier, which says: “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them.
Thus, in following the counsel given, God may direct two or three families to make their move to some particular location, so that there would be a heavy concentration of holy angels in the area, to stave off whatsoever may be coming down the pike.
This will also provide much needed support systems so that in the event of emergency and calamity, you would not be out in the boon docks all alone.
This is not to say that God cannot or will not protect the singular Christian living in the boonies; He can, but there is very strong evidence in the Scriptures for joining forces with other believers.
When David was being hunted by king Saul, he went to the location where other like-minded believers were, and because there was a strong concentration of the Holy Ghost, and holy angels in the area, Saul could not break through the invisible barrier to get at David.
In his dilemma, life or health insurance would have done him no good. Instead, it was the assurance of God’s preemptive protection that saved the day.
We are not advising anyone to go and cancel their insurance and switch over to assurance alone, but what The Lord is saying to us is that the systems of earth will fail you, and they are beginning to fail. And whereas in times past, we put our trust in these systems the time is coming when they would not be available to those who will obey God at a time when it will be very difficult to do so. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp 625] As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment-keepers shall withdraw the protection of government, and abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the cities and villages.
And associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge in the strongholds of the mountains. Like the Christians of the Piedmont valleys, they will make the high places of the earth their sanctuaries, and will thank God for the “munitions of rocks.”
Let us therefore at the very least, consider these things while we can, for no one knows when the mark of the beast will raise its head across the land. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that should enable us to navigate the challenges that are headed our way, and as always, we must take all our plans and concerns to God, to be led by Him in all things. 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.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most-High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
God Bless!