More than likely, you’ve heard all the recent hype about May 21, 2011 being the day the Rapture is to occur and the end of the world to start. If you haven’t, the basics of the concept is that Harold Camping, a preacher of some sort, states that using mathematical equations in line with concepts from the Bible, the Rapture was going to occur May 21st at 6PM in every timezone. He also went so far as to say that on October 22, 2011 God was going to destroy the Universe or something to that effect.
Well, it’s now May 22nd, and I’m still here. While I certainly agree that I’m not prefect, nor is there any way I could be, I feel that I am saved, as per the Bible, but I wasn’t taken. The truth of the matter is that the reports are in and it seems no one was taken…so…does this mean I’m not saved? Certainly not. While certainly true that there are sections of the Bible that are difficult to understand, like the ‘abomination of desolation’, there are other sections that I find quite clear and straight forward. Especially when it comes to the Rapture.
Quite frankly, it’s people like this guy that piss me off. It’s people like him that give the true Follower’s of Christ a bad MO. Any true Christian would of told you he was out of his mind too. Now, certainly there was every chance the Rapture could of occurred, but the more he preached it, the less likely it was to happen. I feel truly sorry for all the people he followed him so blindly too. Reports say that there are many people who sold their house and all other possessions for the sake of advertisement to on the Rapture. Granted, I’m glad people were told of the Rapture, and perhaps a good number were saved, but you can bet that these people’s lives are pretty much ruined now.
When we look at the Bible, there are many versus (Some are even duplicated) that tell us that Christ himself did not know when the Rapture would occur. Only God knows. Will someone please explain to me how it is that the most Perfect man in the whole of time didn’t know when the Rapture is to occur, but this random guy was able to predict it using Christ’s own words? How the heck does that work? Mathew 24-36 tells us this:
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only
That’s pretty straight forward in my opinion. In fact, we see the same thing again in Mark 13-34:
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
The bottom line is that there is no way for any of us to know when it’ll come, and people like this are why true Christians look so bad. ‘False Prophets’ as the Bible calls them. While we can’t say when the Rapture is to occur, we can still hint at it. However, understand that it is impossible for us to predict a date or a time. The Bible tells us that the Rapture will occur ‘Like a thief in the night.’ But we can see hints to it’s arrival. Granted, this Camping guy did tap into this stuff a bit, just not the right way. Patriotically lets look at what Christ says in Mathew 24:6-8:
And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
All the recent wars and earthquakes point us close to the Rapture. Further more, he goes on to talk about the ‘abomination of desolation’ and how that signals the beginning of the end. Now, many speculate on what the ‘abomination of desolation’ is, but we don’t have a clear answer. If memory serves me correctly, some believe it to refer to the Anti-Christ. Others believe it to mean when an idol is placed within the Temple of Jerusalem. What it means for sure, I can’t say. In any case, there are other factors we can look at that just make this whole thing blow up in Camping’s face.
First off, in addition to the Rapture prediction, he stated that the world would be utterly destroyed by Oct. 22nd. Well, lets jump over to Revelation. I personally don’t spend much time in Revelation, because I feel it’s more for those who aren’t saved than those who are. However, there are still some key points in there. First up is the defeat of Satan not once, but twice. The second time is when he’s defeated for good. The first time, however, in Revelation 20: 4 we get this:
…And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
…Umm…how can Jesus reign on Earth 1000 years if there is no Earth to reign on? Furthermore, how is the earth going to end in 5 months when Revelation clearly tells us the true end times will take 7 years…?…so now apparently the Bible, in all it’s perfection, is just wrong? I for one find that hard to believe. If memory serves me correctly (Been a while so do excuse me if I recall incorrectly), Revelation also indicates that in the end times, you can only buy food and what not via a ‘mark on the right hand’, also believed by some to be some form of electronic chip in the hand…I’m sorry, but while our technology is good, it isn’t that good. Granted that could be due to the fact that over 3/4 of the earth’s population is going to die pretty quickly following the start of the Tribulation that this would be possible.
Ultimately, I think it’s safe to say that the Rapture didn’t occur. As to when it will, only God knows, but certainly we’re close. In the mean time, we need to keep living our lives as Christ and God intended: with absolute love for others. Many believe the Bible is about fire and brimstone, but the reality is it’s about Love. However, people like Camping give us a bad name with stuff like this. Certainly, we should be aware of it and be ready for it’s coming, but you don’t have to destroy your life by selling everything to make posters for a day that Christ himself doesn’t even know. You can preach the Gospel without having to do that. Anyone that thinks they should are being deceived by Satan in an attempt to destroy them.
So for now, I’m going to wait, watch, and teach the Gospel until such time as the Angels of the Lord truly blow those trumpets. I’m still here, and I don’t plan on going anywhere until the true Christ returns, and not just because some guy decides he can outwit Christ.
Peace.