Both my wife and my oldest daughter have prophetic gifting. They both see the things that I see in the Spirit (mainly dealing with the revelation of the Word) and sometimes even before I do. Just last weekend my daughter dreamed that manna covered her yard (which is within a half mile of our farm) and then she woke up. As I considered her dream this morning I felt the LORD would have me write this post.

Many Christians see the great tribulation approaching, even on our doorstep. Some believe it will last seven years after the pattern of Joseph’s seven years of famine. I believe that it will last 3 1/2 years according to the Books of Daniel and Revelation which describe it in terms of “a time, times, and half a time,” “1260 days,” and “42 months.” Some believe that Christians ought to store up food for this terrible time, again according to the pattern of Joseph’s years of plenty and famine. I do not. Christians do not need to store anything for this coming time, and it is not because they are going to be raptured before it happens. Only the firstfruits manchild of Revelation 12 will be glorified before the tribulation. They are the only Christians ready; the rest still have to buy oil from those who sell according to Matthew 25. They will not be ready in time, for they are just now waking up.

Jesus always taught in parables and this includes all of the historical accounts written in the Bible. Most of the narratives relate historically accurate facts as well as prophetically predict future events. Joseph, for example, fulfilled a type of God’s overcomer. Although in the world he was not of the world. He did not succumb to lusts of the flesh and he suffered for it. According to the Biblical record Joseph was perfect. This is not because he was actually perfect during his natural life. It is because he fulfilled the saying of Jesus, “Be perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Every overcomer desires this perfection even though he fails in this flesh and mourns his still carnal position.

The number seven in the Bible means “complete.” God always uses the number seven to illustrate that the particular matter spoken of is now complete, or finished. Thus he created the earth in a complete week of seven days including the Sabbath day of rest. This pattern continues for man’s allotted time on earth. He has been given six one thousand year days and God will bring a Sabbath rest in the seventh thousand year period.  In Leviticus 4 we see the priest sprinkle the blood seven times before the vail. In Leviticus 8 he sprinkles the blood seven times to anoint the altar. In Leviticus 26 God warns Israel that he will punish them seven times for their sins. In Joshua 6 we see seven priests bearing seven trumpets walk around Jericho seven times. Psalm 12:6 says, “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” And there are many more examples.

Similarly Joseph’s seven years of plenty and seven years of famine point to complete prophetic realities. Joseph did collect and store food for seven years and he did sell food for seven years after that, but the point of the story is not that there will be some future seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. The point is that Joseph completely filled his storehouse in heaven. Consider what Jesus taught us about storing.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV)

 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:16-21 KJV)

Many people, including Christians, counsel us to buy guns and food to prepare for the horrible times coming on the world. I don’t believe that Jesus would buy or wear a gun and I don’t think he would dig a cellar to store grain like Joseph did. No, the parable of Joseph means that Joseph stored up treasures toward God in a complete way so that he would have abundance with respect to all things necessary, especially heavenly things. He represents the overcomer who has stored up treasure in heaven and who will be able to withdraw from his treasury as others, including himself, have need of it.

If I store thousands of dollars worth of grain and food on my farm, then I can be assured that when tribulation comes one of three things will happen: 1) I will give it away to those who have need besides myself; 2) People who learn I have food will come and steal it by force; or 3) the beast government will confiscate it. If I have no extra food, however, there is nothing to steal or confiscate. But, since I have treasure in heaven, I can pray for and expect to receive my daily manna. I will have enough for myself, my family, and to share with those whom God brings!

Tribulation is coming. Be sure your treasure is stored in heaven and not on earth.