One of the most important messages from the last-minute preparation seminar John Shorey gave Thursday morning on Grace Street didn’t concern food, water, shelter, finances or security.

The long-time prepper mentioned all of those things, but began his address on another point.

Time.

“Are these the last minutes that we have to prepare?” Shorey said. “I believe they are.”

Shorey, the author of “The Window of the Lord’s Return” and “Unlocking the Mystery of the Book of Revelation,” said now is the time to start focusing on the last-minute preparation steps he laid out in his address, the third and final seminar he gave at Morningside this week.

Shorey’s other talks focused on food security and survival tips.

On Thursday, Shorey said he believes the Biblical tribulation period will begin this spring. He has continued to stockpile food and supplies to help him prepare for what he believes is coming.

“I would rather be prepared and be wrong than be wrong and not prepared,” Shorey said.

The seminar covered some of the final steps that people can take to bolster their preparedness, and Shorey delivered his remarks with a tone of urgency.

“We will see the signs of the last minute, and we need to not wait for the last minute,” he said.

FOOD

Shorey advised people to continue collecting food with long shelf lives, but added that now is the time to start stockpiling food that does not have long shelf lives, such as flour, mayonnaise and canned meats and fruits. Those items with the shortest shelf lives should be purchased last.

People should also consider if they want to raise animals that can generate food, Shorey said, and mentioned chickens and goats as possible options. If they opt to go that route, he said that people should make sure that they obtain the animals and stockpile feed before it’s too late.

Shorey also encouraged people to start securing ways to cook their food and heat their homes without relying on electricity, recommending solar ovens and wood and propane. Whenever possible, he said people must test their equipment ahead of time to ensure it works properly.

HOME

Shorey advised people to buy supplies like lumber, plywood and hardware, should they need to perform construction or repair projects. He also suggested obtaining gardening tools and manure, as he believes successful gardens can help slow the consumption of food stockpiles.

He also told people to pump their septic systems.

“You’re probably going to have more people in your home and it’s going to fill up faster,” he said.

Shorey advised people to cancel their utilities “when things start falling apart.”

FINANCE

Shorey said it’s important for people to have cash on hand, including small bills, for purchases, as there could be a time when ATMs do not function and stores can’t accept credit or debit cards.

He said there was some value in precious metals, recommending silver over gold because gold can be difficult to divide gold bars into amounts that can be spent. He mentioned that pre-1964 United States coins could be useful tools for bartering, as they have high silver content.

He advised people to pay off critical bills and try to prepay property taxes and several months of their mortgages.

HEALTH

Shorey said people should not put off dental issues or minor surgeries, noting dentists and doctors could be hard to come by. He also advised people should stock up on prescription medications and bolster their first aid kits.

He said to look for disinfectants with long shelf lives.

HELPING OTHERS

Shorey advised people to start looking to form groups, reiterating there is strength in numbers. He said while preppers may be asked to help people outside their core group — he’s anticipating a soup line at his home — their group should consist of people they’ve known for a while and know they can trust. He recommended having a wide range of backgrounds — gardeners, security officers, trained medical professionals — but acknowledged that is easier said than done.

“You’re probably not going to get all of these skill sets,” Shorey said. “But you know what you can do? You need to acquire all of the training materials, like good books on gardening.”

He said those groups should prepare to act as underground churches and should stock up on Bibles and other devotional materials to help win the lost. But he said it was also important to ensure the groups have ways to defend themselves from those who may try to cause them harm.

Shorey’s earlier seminars also touched on the importance of helping others in the last days.

All three will soon be available for purchase through The Jim Bakker Show’s online store.