Is An Orchard a Lack of Faith?
I enjoyed reading your article about prepping. Some look at my wife and me and think of us as “preppers” but we are probably closer to “homesteaders” if I need to use terms. We do have a market garden that allows us to sell some produce in our local community.
I have truly struggled with reconciling “imminence” with “long term planning”. Some years ago, when we left Adventism, we started studying deeply into the teaching of the Rapture and have landed in the pre-trib rapture camp. And along with that came many preacher/ teachers that while not “setting dates”, often used phrases like, “He could come back even before I’m finished with this sermon,” or “He’s coming back sooner than you can possibly think or imagine,” sometimes with significant urgency built into the tone of voice.
While it’s not yet been a decade since we’ve been paying attention to that mindset, it’s getting close. Problem is, it leads to a real uncertainty in what to do today. I’ll give a couple of examples.
First example, we moved to a new location a few years ago. It has room for a small orchard, something that might be desirable for income in later years…But having been hearing, “He’s coming back, sooner than you can possibly think or imagine, OH! OH! OH!”, I never bothered planting those fruit trees. And now looking back, I see: we’re still here; I don’t have much of an orchard, and I’m pushing towards a decade older. And here I sit today wondering if I should order those fruit trees still? After all, He’s coming back so soon that I’ll never see fruit from them, will I?
Second example, I’ve not bothered to pay much attention to retirement types of things…After all, look at how the world events are lining up. Listening to most preachers/teachers, there’s nothing left to happen before the Rapture. How could it be much longer?…Yet, here we are.
My concerns are not exactly about “prepping”, but these are some of the things that I truly struggle with when going between the world of “imminence” and “the practical daily living” not knowing just when that glorious event is going to happen. We all think it’s “soon” (which is a very undefined term.) And we all like to think we’re the “final generation”. So where does that leave the kinds of plans that can be made today that won’t have any appreciable reward for years to come? If I plant my orchard this fall, I won’t see much fruit until 2028–2030. “Oh, there is no way we’ll be here that long.” So… if that’s the case, why bother? And so we have that vicious circle that goes nowhere.
How do we deal with that in practical terms? Is planting that orchard an unspoken statement that I don’t really believe He’s coming back soon? Is actually planning for retirement income also an unspoken statement that I don’t really believe He’s coming back soon?
I really struggle with that. And I don’t have answers that don’t tear me in two different directions. The place where spiritual enlightenment and the physical reality I’m actually living in from day to day has a very ragged zone in between that is definitely a challenge for an aging farmer. Any thoughts?
—VIA EMAIL
Response: Thank you for writing! I completely understand your concern and conflicting thoughts!
I’ll just talk through how Richard and I have been dealing with these things. First, the analyses of preachers watching prophecy cannot be the guiding impulse for our decisions. Yes, godly teachers and preachers help us understand God’s word, but we can’t go farther than the actual words of Scripture state. Yes, we have become convinced that Scripture suggests (but does not explicitly state) a pre-tribulation rapture. We don’t divide with believers who think otherwise, but the more literally and contextually we read the Bible, the more clear it is that the Old Testament promises of God will be fulfilled exactly as He stated them, and the more clear it is that He has promised to guard His church as He has guarded His chosen people since the flood when He rescued Noah and family and took Enoch before the deluge. We just can’t ignore the biblical evidence that He won’t pour out His wrath on His own bride.
That being said, we also believe that Jesus taught His followers to watch the times. Luke 13, for example, ends with His saying they can analyze the appearance of the earth and sky; why don’t they analyze “this present time”? Also, His parable of the fig tree in Mark 13, for example, is one more evidence that He is telling His disciples, in the words of Donald Gray Barnhouse, to “Keep your eyes on Israel.” When you see Israel apparently moving from dead to showing signs of life, pay attention. This is a sign of the times and of the end.
At the same time, I see no evidence for infusing angst into a congregation by suggesting the end could come in the next minute. Of COURSE it can—but we are to live in this world, doing the things God brings us to do—until He directs us to stop. He is the One who leads and directs us. We can’t base our decisions on the personal reactions of anyone else.
It’s interesting what Jesus said in His parable of the servants and the money He gave them. Notice what He says in Luke 19:13:
And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come [back].’”—Luke 19:13 LSB
He promised to come back, and He didn’t tell them when. But whenever it would be, the servant would have to give an account of what He had given him to develop for His purposes. “Engage in business until I come back,” He said. And I believe that applies to us as well. We don’t know the time, but we do know the resources He has given us as well as the work He has placed in front of us. If the Lord has given you room for an orchard and the desire to plant one, ask Him if that is His will. Be willing to place the desire in His hands and to understand His wisdom and will for you. It’s not people’s analysis of the urgency that should direct your path, it’s God’s word and His personal leading of you.
The Lord absolutely makes His will clear to us—not always the details, but the big picture.
All to say, if the Lord has given you land, if you are asking to know His will, and if you feel confident that you are where He wants you for now, an orchard isn’t a lack of faith. Further, even if He should come before an orchard would fully yield, that doesn’t make the orchard a mistake. He knows how to grant you the work He gives you, the provision you need, and the heart to be aware of His leading. The rapture has never been for the purpose of keeping us from engaging in our lives and communities. It has always been for our HOPE. Whatever we do, whenever He comes, what we have will be left—and that is all according to His plan and provision.
So just stay in His word, and let His word guide you even more than the words of teachers and preachers as much as they really can be helpful. But everything must be tested by God’s word, and if He has given you provision and His work and provided for you, thank Him and ask Him to direct you as you make the best possible use of what He has gifted to you!
I hope this helps some!
Prepping and Adventism Closely Related
I loved the article on prepping (or not), Colleen. My Adventist mom is BIG into prepping—not sure if she would be regardless of the beliefs of the Adventists—and it can be scary hearing about how we “should be” prepping from a number of sources.
I loved your take on this. God is not going to forget us or our needs in dire circumstances. Like you, I’d like to prepare for a couple of weeks (we have storms sometimes here in New England in winter), but now I feel relief that I don’t have to stress about trying to prepare for six months or more.
I’m so grateful for your common-sense approach to things and all you’re doing to spread the word about the true nature of Adventism. Hoping to send along another small donation soon (I’m in the process of building a private practice, and it’s slower going than I’d like) but wanted to reach out and thank you for all the great work you’re doing in the meantime.
—VIA EMAIL
Paul Opposes EGW (Commment on Former Adventist Podcast)
I had so many issues with Paul’s writings because they went against what EGW has taught. I almost discounted him as a true apostle and thought that he was blasphemous until I really believed in the true gospel and received the Holy Spirit. He led me to truth! My scales fell off after awhile, though.
—VIA YOUTUBE
- April 18–24, 2026 - April 16, 2026
- We Got Mail - April 16, 2026
- To Prep Or Not To Prep? - April 9, 2026