Harold Camping: May 21st, The End of the World, and You

In the last few weeks, a gross amount of attention has been given to a man by the name of Harold Camping. Harold, as we all probably know, has predicted that Jesus Christ will return to rapture His church tomorrow, on May 21st, 2011. Now normally, I don’t give this sort of stuff any attention. But I can’t help but notice the great amount of people who have. I guess there is nothing more important happening in this world right now, and it must just be a slow news cycle. Such claims of men who say they know when Jesus will return, as we all know from history, aren’t entirely unusual. Though of course, they are a bit odd and out of place considering that the Lord explicitly taught that no man knows the day or the hour of His return. Most Christians understand this very basic teaching, and aren’t in the slightest way moved by it.

Yet without fail, every few years somebody comes along who feels that through their diligent research and study of the Scriptures, or by means of some secret divine revelation, they have managed to figure out something that nobody else has figured out. They know the timing of Christ’s return! And to some degree, many of us laugh at it all. So much so that some people even throw end of the world parties. But tonight I’ve realized something about Harold Camping. Harold Camping is a paradigm of how many Evangelicals study the Scriptures. When you look at Harold Camping, instead of thinking you see some crazy old man and false teacher, realize that you just might be looking into a mirrored reflection of yourself.

We all have been influenced by some Bible teacher over the years who just seemed like he had an amazing grasp of the Scriptures. Every time such a teacher speaks, great mysteries and levels of understanding just seem to be unlocked, and we are blown away by his penetrating insights and discoveries. We highly esteem such individuals. So much so, we want to be like them. So we do what comes naturally, we do our best to try and imitate them. So we spend a lot of time reading the Scriptures, memorizing verses, and being extremely caught up in the world of theology and Biblical studies. We highlight every passage and look up ever single word in a dictionary.

But a problem occurs. Through our first few readings of the Scriptures, we find ourselves having a hard time understanding them. We discover we aren’t as insightful as our beloved Bible teacher after all. But not wanting to be ignorant, and always wanting to have some super deep spiritual insight to share with others, we attempt to look very hard to find some hidden gem. And when that is not enough, we begin to try and squeeze water out of rocks. Why? Because something of our pride is tickled, and we want to say we understand something great and awesome, and appear insightful to others. And because of such, we become poor Bible students. And instead of being blown away by the awesome work of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross and in His resurrection, we find ourselves caught up in lesser things.

Why do we do such? I’m convinced we do such because we are ultimately bored with Biblical Christianity and the faith once and for all handed down to the saints. Because we think the cross is so elementary, we move on to what we consider the real “deep things of God.” But in doing such, we’ve show ourselves to be deceived. For there is no greater mystery in all of the universe to understand than God crucified. And if you can ever get bored with this mystery, then it shows you’ve never really even begun to understand it. There is no nugget of truth greater or any insight more precious than what God did in Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago.

This isn’t to say we should neglect the study of eschatology– the doctrine of the last days. We should most certainly study these things. But my main point is this: if we can’t rightly understand the doctrines of the last days in light of what Christ did 2,000 years ago on the cross and in His resurrection from the dead, then we can’t honestly expect to understand anything at all. For in that place is found all insight and knowledge. And apart from a mastery understanding of what Christ did there, the rest of the Bible will be a very dark place. And it will be a very dark place for you, because like Harold Camping, you’ve became bored with the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ. And God doesn’t want you to understand the precious truths contained in the Scriptures apart from the truth found in Christ.

So, make fun of Harold Camping all you want. But consider that perhaps God has raised such a man up to serve as a mirror for you to gaze in. And be warned, that in making fun of Harold Camping, you are only making fun of yourself.

Hi Jimmy

I have been thinking of all this for quite some time as well since I could not help but notice these things going around (even though I may not agree with Harold Camping etc...).

I am glad to see you write on this and it does make sound-logic for me atleast.

May be Harold is indeed a mirror/warning for many.

I am not sure we disagree Cyan. There is great shame he is bringing to the cause of Christ for sure. But with that said, I think if many would look at him, they would see their own reflection.

Just yesterday several of the unbelievers at work were talking about the Rapture that is supposed to take place according to Camping's prediction. First, they make the mistake of believing that all Christians believe Camping's prediction that the rapture will happen May 21. Next, they mocked and laughed to scorn the whole notion of the rapture and let it be known "good riddance". Then one of them is planning a "looting party" to grab the material possessions of the Christians once they're gone. It just breaks my heart. And to think that when May 22 comes around and the Christians will still be here, those unbelievers will gloat about how Christianity is baloney and they will be even more hardened in unbelief and blasphemy. Now I sorta know how Noah felt right before the great flood.

KingJimmy, I agree with your statement about Harold Camping. However, the problem stems from many Christians not knowing the word of God and not knowing the God of the word.

Think about it many are deceived by false prophets and teachers, preachers etc, all because they do not read the bible. Jesus, warned us in his word that false prophets would lead many astray.

There are many false prophets among us and many of us are listening and believing in there word. Just look at the teachings of the prosperity preachers. Christlam movement, etc.

Read 2 Peter 1: 3- 21 and follow Jesus.

Our preaching should be Christ and him crucified.

Doomsday Prediction Misses 1st Deadline
6 pm passes in New Zealand without incident.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20110518/US.Apocalypse.Saturday_/

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I've never heard so many secular news sources talk about the "Second coming of Jesus Christ" before in my life!! Praise God for it! It's brought it to the forefront... this did NOT take God by surprise, He knew Harold Camping would come out with this and I belive He will use the way He wants too!

God bless,
Lisa

This end of the world thing has meny people talking.

What a great chance to share Christ with people!

O Lord raise up a people that bring glory to your name!

Sonsigns,

I don't think too many Christians, if any, are being disturbed or deceived by Campings predictions. If anything many are probably growing in their knowledge of Christ because of the topic being brought up. 99.5% of Christians I know believe you can't know the hour or day. But many will open their Bibles in dig into it to find out what they believe. And as many have pointed out, this generates opportunity for discussion with the unsaved. Campings predictions are of course also creating chances for mischief by sinners. But where sin abounds, grace much more abounds.

Jimmy

It was embaressing on the street today as I had someone insult me because of Harold Campings prediction like rob bells book it gives christians a bad witness

Matthew 7:15 KJV
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 24:11 KJV
And many false prophets shall rise , and shall deceive many.

Matthew 24:24 KJV
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mark 13:22 KJV
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise , and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce , if it were possible, even the elect.

The bible does explain that many false prophets will arise and it promise that more will come! How do you explain to a Muslim that Harold Camping is wrong or an atheist or explain why rob bell is heretical?

The bible does explain that many false prophets will arise and it promise that more will come! How do you explain to a Muslim that Harold Camping is wrong or an atheist or explain why rob bell is heretical?

Men who don't want to hear an explanation will not hear you no matter how much sense your explanation makes.

sonsigns said

KingJimmy, I agree with your statement about Harold Camping. However, the problem stems from many Christians not knowing the word of God and not knowing the God of the word. Think about it many are deceived by false prophets and teachers, preachers etc, all because they do not read the bible. Jesus, warned us in his word that false prophets would lead many astray.

This.
It is so true that there are so many people who profess Christ and yet do not read the Bible for even 5 minutes a day.

Harold Camping has failed to predict the second coming of Christ but Christ has predicted that there will be men like Harold Camping falsely predicting his coming. He gives us a stern warning in

Mat 24:
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.
26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

I believe that there is yet more powerful deception to come and it will eclipse what the false revivals of the past 2 decades showed us.

I agree with Deltadom that it makes men weary when they hear us talking about the imminent return of Christ and the coming judgment of the sinners.

But then there were others among his camp who went and sold their homes and quit their jobs to take "end of the world" vacations, because they figured that since the end of the world was coming that the way to spend their last days was to VACATION and have FUN. Not to spread the Gospel or pray but to have a big shabang!

I've used this past week to routinely ask people what would they do if they somehow knew for a fact that the world was going to end tomorrow. Some people talked about living it up and doing something on their proverbial "bucket list." I liked what one pastor friend told me:

"Today I ran, mowed the grass, walked Cybil [his dog], talked a lot to Amanda [his wife], shopped and did sermon prep. I could go out on that."

Frankly, that is the most Biblical answer one could give. In other words he was saying he'd just continue to live his life the way he's been living it: faithful.

what i have seen is how people are mocking and scorning the whole idea of any judgement day EVER coming. This is what stands out to me; that Americans are so proud and scornful that they don't believe a judgement day will EVER come, let alone the current day May 21st. Now that is what is scary.

A good observation. But, I'm not so sure if this is scary. It's just part of the blindness common to mankind. Man feels like the show will always go on, and that things will always continue to be as they have been. Lost humanity and sentimental Christians must believe that lie, because the truth is just too much for them. In the words of Jack Nicholson, "You can't handle the truth!" A day of judgment is just too much for man to seriously contemplate. It would crush his spirit. It doesn't help make his day any better, so, he pushes it out of the way.

But with all this said, the issue of false prophets is never about the false prophets themselves, and the failure of their predictions. It never has been, and never will be. According to Moses, God raises up false prophets to expose the conditions of our hearts, and show where we stand before Him. How we deal with and respond to false prophets is what God is interested in the most.

And it is my thesis that the Harold Campings of American Evangelicalism are but a symptom of a much deeper problem with the way we approach the Scriptures, and do theology. And while we are busy going after the speck in Campings' eye, we fail to notice the beam in our own. Many hypocritically attack him for this reproach and shame he has brought on the body of Christ, without realizing they aren't too far removed from doing the very same thing. Harold Camping is treated as a heretic because he openly declared a date about the rapture of the church. Yet American Evangelicals by in large hold to the bogus idea of a pre-tribulational rapture of the Church, and espouse the very system and ethos Harold Camping operates on... they just don't pinpoint dates. But every hiccup in the middle east is viewed as a sure sign that Jesus could come tomorrow.

So, instead of removing the speck from Harold Campings' eye, let us remove the beam from our own.

KJ,

What is your eschatological understanding?

I ask because you wrote,

"American Evangelicals by in large hold to the bogus idea of a pre-tribulational rapture of the Church, and espouse the very system and ethos Harold Camping operates on... they just don't pinpoint dates. But every hiccup in the middle east is viewed as a sure sign that Jesus could come tomorrow."

Also,does your eschatological understanding give any/much attention to the middle east,specifically the land of Israel and the ethnic Jewish people?

Also,does your eschatological understanding give any/much attention to the middle east,specifically the land of Israel and the ethnic Jewish people

I'm post-trib/pre-mil, and my views are in line with Art Katz. Yes, I give much attention to the Jews. But every hiccup in the middle east doesn't getting me thinking that Jesus is getting ready to step out onto the clouds of glory.

And it is my thesis that the Harold Campings of American Evangelicalism are but a symptom of a much deeper problem with the way we approach the Scriptures, and do theology. And while we are busy going after the speck in Campings' eye, we fail to notice the beam in our own. Many hypocritically attack him for this reproach and shame he has brought on the body of Christ, without realizing they aren't too far removed from doing the very same thing. Harold Camping is treated as a heretic because he openly declared a date about the rapture of the church. Yet American Evangelicals by in large hold to the bogus idea of a pre-tribulational rapture of the Church, and espouse the very system and ethos Harold Camping operates on... they just don't pinpoint dates. But every hiccup in the middle east is viewed as a sure sign that Jesus could come tomorrow. So, instead of removing the speck from Harold Campings' eye, let us remove the beam from our own.

All I will say is- this is a mighty low blow from a professing Christian to others in the body of Christ. I can't see how Jesus is pleased with this comment.
Let's not bring hurt and accusations to others who may have another theological point of view.

Grace to you!

All I will say is- this is a mighty low blow from a professing Christian to others in the body of Christ. I can't see how Jesus is pleased with this comment.
Let's not bring hurt and accusations to others who may have another theological point of view.

I am not intending it as a blow to my brethren. I'm simply saying... bad theology is bad theology, no matter how many wonderful brethren sincerely hold to it. And we might need to consider God is attempting to show us where we've missed the mark by individuals such as this, who frankly, are only one step removed from the very same point of view.

And we might need to consider God is attempting to show us where we've missed the mark by individuals such as this, who frankly, are only one step removed from the very same point of view.

KJ.

One also might could say that your theology could be one step removed from Camping's point of view when you proudly say that Christ can’t come back before the tribulation.

The bible plainly says that in an hour that you think not the son of man cometh and that no man knows the day nor the hour so we are to be ready.

When a man says he knows then it is pride and lifting oneself up way to high above others as having a more higher place with God than the scripture reveals.

It is sad for anyone to go beyond the scriptures and bring reproach against the wonderful name of our lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you!

There is a great part of me that really wished Harold was right, I would much rather be with Christ in Glory than working right now. ;)

One also might could say that your theology could be one step removed from Camping's point of view when you proudly say that Christ can’t come back before the tribulation.

I am simply confident brother that this is not the case. Especially since Paul clearly said there are a lot of things that are going to happen before Christ gathers us to himself:

1 Thes 2: [1] Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, [2] that you not be quickly shaken from yourcomposure or be disturbed either by a spirit or amessage or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. [3] Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless theapostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, [4] who opposes and exalts himself aboveevery so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. - (2 Th 2:2-4 NASB)

Harold Camping has long been a heretic for far more serious reasons than simply declaring a date (false prophecies). His false doctrine runs deeper than stuff like this.

This may be true. I don't know. I've never heard of the man before he made the news. But I think your level of being upset with this man is rather unfortunate. Yeah, I don't like the guy either. I think what he did is entirely unacceptable and is complete and obvious error. But, if we think he is the one whom the Lord would have us focus our attention on here, I think we've missed a much more profound spiritual lesson. Again, I don't think Harold Camping is the real issue here. There is a greater lesson here to be learned.

You call me a hypocrite because I express my disgust at him bringing more shame on Christ, but it sounds more and more like you simply want to defend him.

I have done neither.

As for me, I do NOT believe in any pre-trib rapture of the church, etc.;

That is good.

i am not a pentacostal.

I'm not sure what Pentecostalism has to do with this topic? I would say that would be unfortunate though. But again, off topic.

What i believe in is the Holy Bible and no scripture is open to any private interpretation.

Great! Me too :-)

I have always felt that dogmatism and predictive prophecy are a dangerous mix. Some denominations are so pre-trib that they will not tolerate other views. Yet, during the 60's and 70's the belief was used as a scare tactic to both get sinners saved and keep believers holy. I remember as a 9 year old child living in fear that the Lord would come and leave me behind. It was the opposite of I Thess 4:18, "Therefore comfort one another with these words."

From a historical point of view I often point to the fact that the Jews had a good idea of the 'when' of Christ's first coming, but were in doubt about the 'what'. They filled in the blanks with all of their own Messianic concepts and most ended up missing their day of visitation. They became so dogmatic in asserting their own subjective prejudices and desires, that they were blind to reality. It is one of the most sobering things I know of. They so wanted Jesus to do what they wanted Him to do that they refused to recognize Christ. Rather than change their theology- they changed their 'man' and ultimately followed Bar Kochba to their own ruin.

Yet, what will we do with the 'blanks'__________? How will we fill them in? With concepts that are tailored to our own will? With ideas that cast us in the best construction? With notions that help us scare people in evangelism and comfort ourselves from persecution? These are the hard, soul-searching questions I have asked myself over the years. We have to identify the areas of our heart that are 'our will' and ask God to give grace to set those aside as we study and pray for revelation to come. We are all subjective in our reasonings (whether we realize it or not), because we are moving in influences and beliefs that exist in our minds and hearts undetected; but we can proceed safely if we can identify our prejudices.

As for this man that was mistaken I think of a quote by Arminius:

First, it is very difficult to discover truth and avoid error; second, people who err are more likely to beignorant than malicious; third, those who err maybe among the elect; and fourth, it is possible that we ourselves are in error.

When a person makes a mistake in predictive prophecy there is a danger of being labeled a false-prophet or heretic. This is why I would caution against being dogmatic. What happens if when one view is affirmed and the other is shown false- would we be prepared to label those that were wrong as 'false-prophets' because they falsely interpreted prophesy? This man had a formula he used (if the press is to be believed he took Genesis 7:4 “Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth” and 2 Peter 3:8 “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day”, and concluded that May 21, 2011 is 7000 years after the Great Flood 4990 B.C., concluding that it indeed is the Doomsday. 4990 + 2011 – 1 = 7000 (the subtraction of “1″ is necessary because year 1 B.C. is followed by 1 A.D., skipping year 0)). Inductive reasoning led this man to conclude yesterday would be it, but obviously there are more variables than he took into account. ;-)

Inductive reasoning led this man to conclude yesterday would be it, but obviously there are more variables than he took into account. ;-)

I read of this formula as well. I am curious, has anybody seen how he concluded the Lord would return at 6 pm yesterday? My guess would be on how a Biblical day was reckoned, with the "evening" technically being the start of a new day?

I read of this formula as well. I am curious, has anybody seen how he concluded the Lord would return at 6 pm yesterday? My guess would be on how a Biblical day was reckoned, with the "evening" technically being the start of a new day?

I'm not sure on the 6 PM part either. As you mention with 'evening' the Jews consider the start of a day to be when the first star appears (so I understand it) so the start of a day is relative to the time of year. Not sure what they do on a cloudy evening. I can't help but wonder what would possess a person to make such precise predictions based on estimates and general information.

"I can't help but wonder what would possess a person to make such precise predictions based on estimates and general information."

Because Harold Camping is a Mathmatician and so put it trust and faith in his mathmatical skills rather than the Holy Word of God. His pride deceived him just as the pride of Edom decieved them in Obadiah. I believe Jimmy is correct in saying its likely the man is bored with biblical Christianity and so went to the "deeper" things thinking he is so clever mathmatically figured out the exact time and day, what I am impressed with is he knew it would start happening in New Zealand. What's with the exact location?

Because Harold Camping is a Mathmatician and so put it trust and faith in his mathmatical skills rather than the Holy Word of God.

I thought about how NASA scientists make their calculations to land a man on the moon or a probe on Mars, etc. but the difference is that they have a pretty good knowledge of the variables and can make predictions based on the various laws of physics, etc. What puzzles me is not that he used his maths, but that he was so sure of his start dates, etc. He was totally at the mercy of those that have kept the records over the last several thousand years.

What's with the exact location?

I figured this was because New Zealand was the closest to the International Date Line.

believe Jimmy is correct in saying its likely the man is bored with biblical Christianity and so went to the "deeper" things...

This has been a question that has troubled me for some time. There seems to be this notion that 'biblical Christianity' is not sufficient, but rather men and women must become legends and heroes so as to have biographies written about them, etc. I'm not convinced this is what God intended when He set out to build the churches of God. What ever happened to John Baptist's mentality, 'I must decrease and He must increase'? Yet today there is this desire to somehow rise to the top and stand out above the others. Men either want to be or want to make 'comic book figures' out of mere men. I'm persuaded that if each and every believer would get out and be a bible-based Christian we would not need super heroes or sensational stories. We could just 'be the church' and watch God bring the increase. No idolizing men, no press releases, no dividing the worship between them and God. Harold Camping IMHO is as much a result of a thirst for this type thing as it is his own willingness to play the part.

Harold Camping IMHO is as much a result of a thirst for this type thing as it is his own willingness to play the part.

EXACTLY.

Well said brother Tom.