Check out this live countdown, http://vrsry.com/endoftheworld

While I do believe in our Lord's return, Jesus himself hinted that the coming of the Kingdom would occur in his own lifetime, as did Paul and others. On the other hand, this modernist notion of "the rapture," which has made a lot of people wealthy -- and many others not -- is at best extra-biblical, but more accurately non-biblical, and even diabolical.

Here’s my take on it. He may be wrong. And most likely is.Certainly, there have been others who were absolutely certain. Just shortly after Christ was gone from this earth, some believers were admonished for quitting their jobs and just hanging out for Jesus’ return
But what if Camping is right, and I wasn’t ready.
And worse, what if it wasn’t Saturday, but today instead?
Would I be ready? What would I do differently?

Mr Camping has been wrong once already and tomorrow is his second time to predict the "hour and time."

I feel sorry for him and those who have chosen to follow him.

Even so: Come Lord Jesus! Maranatha!

Without meaning to sound too glib, did Mr. Camping designate which time zone would constitute tomorrow? In some parts of the world, it is already May 21, and I haven't heard any cataclysmic reports.

One of the more interesting realities are the full page advertisements that appeared on back pages of USA Today this past week. I looked at the rate card and the Friday ad cost alone was $246,000+. Somebody believes with their pocketbook.

No one needs to worry about the end of the world, because according to Rob Bell, everyone goes to heaven after that, regardless of what they believe.

I am 70 years old. I have lived through several of these sort of announcements.The Lord told the disciples not to worry about when He would return,but be about the business God has called us to do. Even Jesus said he didn't know when the time would come, but that it would come suddenly, unannounced. We need to not worry about this, but we are to go anytime. Not all theologies teach a rapture, but all basically believe that Christ is going to return.You be pre-trib, mid-trib or post-trib, or a-trib. I believe in a pan-trip return - it will all turn out the way God has planned ti before the heavens were even formed. Let us be busy with what Christ has said, make disciples and that will keep you so busy you won't have tie to worry about this.

I'm so tired of these marginal, embarrassing figures (see: Quran-burning "pastor") turning Christianity's public square into a sideshow. It's instructive to spend time in a completely non-evangelical culture (which is a growing segment of people) and realize all they know about Christianity comes from guys like these. Or pedophile priests.

Biblical proof that Mr. Camping is wrong.
Matthew 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Luke 12:40 "..the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him."
Matthew 24:42 & 25:13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."
Biblical proof that Camping's word cannot be trusted in light of his previous prediction that did not come true.
Deuteronomy 18:22 "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously."

...keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. - Jesus Christ (quoted in Matthew's gospel)

Could we reschedule the end of the world on a Monday? That would be much more appealing than on a Saturday.

The problem I have with Mr. Camping is that he doesn't seem to be accountable to a band of Christians or isn't willing to be held accountable. That to Christians should be a red flag besides being un-biblical in how he uses the Word of God. Pushing 75 yrs I have heard it all including that Hitler would appear again as the anti-christ. People who are so wrapped up in prophecy that they lose sight of the Great Commission. The theme of Wycliff and New Tribes is "until every tongue, tribe and nation" hear the Gospel in their language.

Here we go again with date setters. It almost suprizes me that people still jump over scripture to promote their opinion. This time like other times in history past, the date setters are wrong because the Head of the Church, and only Divine son of the Living God said concerning the tribulation judgement time "But of that day and hour knows no one, no not the angles of heaven but my Father only." Mt 24:36. It's time for many to reread and study Matthew 24-25 among others scriptures on the subject.

Of course as many evangelicals and most pentecostals know, the catching away or "caught up" of the born again on earth church will happen sometime before(depending on your esctalogical interpretation) the great tribulation time of Revelation. (Personally, I hold to the before or pre-tribulation rapture of the church.) The "caught up" or rapture passages to be with the Lord are found in I Thessalonians 5:13-18.

Lets be comforted by the clear teaching of scripture and not worry about date setters who only weaken the faith of the Biblically unlearned.

The problem I have with Harold Camping who only has an engineering degree and no formal biblical and theological training is that his predications give unbleivers mocking rights against the church and bring reproach to the cause of Christ. Furthermore, his predications are a stumbling block to the unlearned of basic scripture.

I would add that many times I have listened to Camping teach on Family Radio. He does not tell people how to be saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He seems to promote a good works type of salvation rather than repentance and faith towards God through the death,burial and ressurection of Jesus Christ subsitutionary death on the cross our sins. If this is the case, then this in itself is hearsey.

When this latest date setting comes and goes. It is my opinion that it is now time for Harold Camping to step down from his position on Family radio staff and cease from teaching over radio. It's time for someone who will teach Christian basics and call sinners to Christ while their is still time before the Lord returns for his church. Lets not be ashamed of the Gospel?

In Christ Forever
Rev. G.J.H.

What's probably most interesting about this latest "date setting" is Camping's logic regarding how anyone could set such a date, the whole contention being that it was hidden to early Christians yet can be known to us now. Personally, I wish the Rapture were tomorrow, since "civilization," if we can even call it that anymore, is in a horrid state. One assessment I believe is very safe to make is that we are most certainly living in the the End Times. Any casual study of the current treatment of Christians and all the false teachers and false prophets among our ranks reveals that much.

I am concerned for Harold Camping as a person. Has he been examined for Dementia or Alzheimers? Multiple medications can have adverse effects on the mind.
I am not angry with the man just deeply concerned.
My sympathies go to the coworkers and family members.

Although I disagree with Mr. Camping, I believe that The Lord can/will use this to urge many to consider their desperate need for salvation.
I pray for him and his followers; especially those who have really staked their life savings on this timing.
May God just prompt each of us who trust in Jesus to recommit ourselves to seeking to discern His purpose and will for our lives. In Christ

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mark 13:32-33 (KJV)

Rapture? What rapt

This is a very special message from the one known as the Comforter in The End Times (John 14:16 and 14:26) to Harold Camping of Family Radio posted at

http://merkaba.org/recent/052011.html

I see very little difference between Harold Camping's Rapture date-setting and those dispensationalists who preach that the coming of the Lord is "at hand," or "just around the corner," or "imminent," or "impending," or "soon." Some of those 'doomsayers' are now scurrying to distance themselves from Camping. As an example, just check out some of the prominent and familiar names listed on this very thread.

What makes the 21 May doomsday scenario even more beguiling is the fact that even though the earth may not come to a screeching halt tomorrow, the culminating myriad of world and social conflicts, has forced a reappraisal of doctrines, intellectual and aesthetic considerations of what time, reason, faith, logic, and what humanity really means.

It is this continual protracted debilitation of our times, that in some way has ironically led to a kind of death of us all. Or perhaps a kind of liberation. After all isn’t that what the second coming is meant to highlight?

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2011/05/when-may-21-2011-backfires-will-the-world-end-tomorrow/

This, in a nutshell, is why the heresy of protestantism would be laughable if it weren't so tragic. This is why there are over 40,000 protestant denominations. Anybody who can read a bible can create his own interpretation and start a "church."

Protestantism at it's root is not about the worship of God but of self.

Tomorrow will come and go and the world will not end. There is no such thing as "rapture." And I will be happily worshiping my Father in heaven at Holy Mass on Sunday.

Repent now and convert to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church which was established by Jesus Christ.

Jason, you're so mistaken. Popes, priests, and pastors are all fallible men, and so are the churches, although God wants us to worship there with other believers. Our faith is in Jesus (the Trinity actually), and God will never let us down. Your popes and priests and many pastors have let down plenty of people, but Jesus is the *only* Rock we should put our faith in. Do we really need to go into how popes in the past and the numerous priests have sinned terribly against God?

The only difference between Camping and any other believer in "Jesus' return" is that one pegged their delusions to a date.

Camping should be fined and tried in civil and criminal court starting may 21 2011...because with the help of the media he is terrorizing people with this false prophecy, and causing damage to the, reputation of the christian faith. this idiot is motivated by his narccisistic personality to garner attention through his conjecture he calls spiritual insight, and he should be locked up in a straght jacket...can i get an Amen.

Rapture theory was an outcome of Dispensationalism, the invention of John Nelson Darby around 1820.
Darby was a fanatic with intense charisma who led others to follow his lead. He was a priest in the Church of Ireland (Anglican) but quit and turned into a full time promoter of what we now know as fundamentalism.
Darby got powerful support and financial backing from Lady Powerscourt, whose mansion is still a tourist attraction in County Wicklow, near Dublin.
Darby's "Brethren" movement quickly split up into many competing segments, such as the Plymouth Brethren.
Today the Exclusive Brethren are very wealthy and give illegal support to right wing political campaigns in the United States considering themselves above U.S. law, such as $2 million from New Zealand to reelection of George Bush.
.

There is a further problem to the prediction and the comments. If Jesus is to return at an "unexpected time," and few people believe Camping's prediction, what could be more unexpected than Jesus returning at the time Camping predicted? What would be more unexpected -- Jesus returning on May 21 or Jesus returning any time other than May 21?

I read all the anti-rapture posts with interest, because I used to believe as you do, and that's how I was raised. I have always clung to my childhood beliefs, and for almost all of them, I am in total agreement, and they are the essentials of the faith. Eschatology is not an essential of the faith, so people can agree to disagree.

But I found out that it did not start out with Darby at all, it was believed in much earlier times. In addition, if you read the Bible carefully, there are two different descriptions of Jesus returning, and they conflict, and so they must be worked out somehow, and it is, there are 2 times He comes. There are also many verses that are clear in a few books of the Bible. For instance, Rev 3:10 "Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." I would like to know what "hour of testing" has come upon the whole world up to now. Also, God has always protected those who were righteous, even when he wiped everyone else off the earth, such as Noah and his family of course. The events that happened in AD 70 in no way come close to what is described in Revelation. Someone said they don't believe in Jesus return? What is Matt 24 about then? When has the last "week" of Daniels 70 weeks occurred? What nation fits the description of iron mixed with clay?

When was the mark of the beast put on the right hand or the forehead?

There are many more verses other than Rev 3:10. It takes a lot of study, and also Revelation should not just be written off as metaphor or saying it happened in AD70, they don't even sound close. I believe that God takes prophecy seriously since approximately 1/3 of the Bible is prophecy. Jesus tells us to watch for signs in Matt 24 for a time when He will return, and if you read the number of catastrophies since even 1990, you see an exponential increase. You can sit there and deny it, or instead of just skipping the verses that aren't clear, study them. You may just come to another conclusion. My mind wasn't changed over night, it took a lot of study. I'm definitely not any better than anyone else because I say I have studied it again since my youth and have come to a different conclusion. I know there are scholars on both sides, and you should know that also. I am not a scholar of the Bible of course, but I have studied the Bible a lot, and this is the only thing that I have changed my mind on since my youth. If you truly love God, perhaps you'll restudy the chapters that describe His return, and see if they all sound alike, or could there possibly be two times that He comes, but doesn't necessarily stand on earth on the 2nd time, but we are "caught up" in the air with Him, along with the dead who were in Christ who rise and join Him in the air. I don't believe He will put His followers through the tribulation, just as He protected Noah and his family, and at another time, protected Lot and his wife (who disobeyed).

If you disagree, based on what you've always been taught, that's fine. But the rapture did not just start with Darby, it was believed by some early church fathers, and most importantly, is supported by Scripture. If you're interested, you might want to investigate it more. If we disagree, this is not a matter of salvation. Jesus and Paul clearly told what the requirements are for salvation, and having the correct eschatology is not one of them.

Barbara, on what evidence do you base your conclusion that the increase in the number of "catastrophes" since 1990 has increased exponentially? Most experts on hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, fires and the like seem to find the number within the normal range. Far from an exponential increase, if any. There may be an increase in news reports of such events.

So sorry that this Camping thing has taken on a life of it's own even here in Africa, what is it about the American that makes it possible for people to believe this, America has some of the great ministers yet produces some of the great charlatans and profits, could it be that there is no submission or maybe just old fashioned greed ??

This is spiritual rape. Once upon a time, Hal Lindsey was my antichrist and I grew up honestly believing that Jesus would come get me before I even graduated school. Now I have heart problems and am fortunate (or so they say) to be alive. It's not going well for me, and I have *NO* sense of mortality. It never occurred to me that I could die. This is nothing less than spiritual rape, and once again as it was when I was a child, I am unable to care for myself and there is not much I can do about it except take it and it makes me feel so ashamed of my own sins and of myself and of my Christian walk which has not been perfect but I tried to believe and right now I'm ready to just give up. Spiritual rape.

P.S. Mr. Lindsey, I want my money back, and my faith, and my childhood.

If Mr. Camping was a man of color, I seriously doubt if he would have gotten much notice. But, because he's old, white and a man, and society ideal of what GOD suppose to look like , weak minded people will listen and follow him. Because, they need a visual image of GOD and the written words of GOD is too complicated for them to either understand or just lazy and want someone to tell them what to do. I use to be a Christian, but have seen too much negativism in people and so call true believers. That I can't hold hardly trust the words of any docutrine that speak in name of a religion deity. Because it was really all true how come there is no peace in the world. Why all the sub-division in various religions, If there is one God, one Jesue, there should be only one way to teach your reglion and one way to believe it. Thats way a Mr. Camping or anyone like him can control so many, because you Christians don't have your act together. He see your weakness in your devision of worship, he sees the weakness of man and those like him will take avantage of weak minded people who is needing help like Mr. Bruce here. And yes it is spritual rape.

Mr. Camping needs to define what the meaning of the Second Coming of Christ and the Rapture. The terms are not sunominous.The Second Coming efers to Christ physically coming back and stepping on the Mt. of Olives and spliting it into two. The Rapture a theological term refes to Jesus coming back to the atmosphere of the earth raising the dead in Christ and the rest of the true believers going up after them. Everyone will receive a new body and will go back to Heaven. The rapture will occu first then at the end of the Tribulation Period, Christ will physically come back to earth and end the Campaign of Armageddon. According to the Bible no one will know when the Rapture will occur. Buit we can know the season. I believe we are in the last days before the Rapture occurs. Making predeiction of dates make all Christians look like FOOLS, when it does not happen.

And what are you Chiristians going to do about this.....nothing I guess, just complain as always of how wrong he is. He is attacking your belief system. Now is not the time to be passive. Are you all going to just turn the other cheek? That's why I and many people don't go back to Church because of the inconsistency to take action in your reglion, is he just able to get away with this? How sad...too bad...your believe system is just a joke for the non-believers and crooks.

I remember hearing this dispensationalist hogwash already when I was a kid at camp over 40 years ago. Our own pastor said that Jesus would return in not more than 5 years and that the third temple was already being rebuilt--what a bunch of crap. People need to realize that all this rapture "theology" was invented in the 19th century and has no place within historic, orthodox Christianity and that con artists basically use the apocalypse as a money raising technique. (Note that Family Radio was still pleading for money--at least as of last week.) How much money did Tim HaHaye raise off of the apocalypse?

Perhaps we should revive the death penalty for false prophets, as found in Deuteronomy 13. That would make people a little more careful about their predictions.

True Christians should not complain considering the fact that God owes mercy to no one. I'm looking forward to the dying down of this upheaval over May 21st, 2011 being the beginning of the days of judgment.

The only thing anyone should feel sorrow over is sin. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and no one should think he is in a position to judge others to point the finger at them as if they're better than the one whom they're finding fault with.

There will always be people around to make jokes and mock what is sacred. True faith can't exist in people who fear what others will think of them more than fearing what God thinks of them. Only Christ was perfect. That's why we need His righteousness.

God tells us that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Fools are people who don't love God more than anything else and don't love others with the same love as what they have for themselves.

Laughing belongs to festivities like weddings, while somber mediations are more likely to occur at funerals. It is more humbling to contemplate eternity than it is to make light of or criticize those who hold God's word as stated in the Bible close to their heart.

Isn't it wiser to make use of what time we have here on earth to look for the good in one another instead of focusing on what we can find to attack?

John : ". But the rapture did not just start with Darby, it was believed by some early church fathers"

Can you tell who? As far as I know none of the father taught a rapture in this modern sense. They taught that there will be the day of The Lord when He returns visibly.

Maybe if Church leaders stop passing the collection plate around so often and focus on helping their followers understand the Bible better, you won't have the likes of Harold Camping brainwashing them so easily and scamming them out of their money and making them leave the church. Instead of you christians quoting passage from the bible trying to prove how wrong he is (like he cares what you thing)you need to get out in the feild and make an example of him and his crooked mis-quote lies. And maybe, just maybe, me and some others might come back to church. You so call Christians need to be more of apostle defend Chistianity, because if you truly believe, you know God see you everyday and not just on Sundays when you pay your tithe.

I am not Herold Campings follower but let us forgive him and pray for him instead of critism.And also pray for those peoples of the world not to be affected negatively because of the false prophecy.But in the other hand the gospel has been preached in every home in the world about Jesus return and the judgement day.

Camping , like other groups such as the JWs have made these kinds of statements to draw attention to their movements. Those who understand the biblical teaching about the Lord's return should clearly avoid joining these groups , and even oppose them if you have to.

Okay! No earthquake and no rapture. I hear there is chaos all over the globe. Really! In the months leading up to May 21, I did not meet on person who believed it. I've listened to Harold Camping off and on for over 30 years. It was his study in the book of Galatians that turned my walk with Jesus completely around. Pure grace,the total righteousness of Christ on my account. It changed my life!
My husband who struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, was also ministered and later came to faith through Harold Campings open forum.

I don't understand why people are so angry. They say that HC put a bad mark on Christianity and drugged God's name through the mud. That is laughable! Is he not God the Almighty! King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Our awesome and wonderful Creator! God is not mocked. I am not ashamed of the gospel and could care less what people think.

We should pray for this man. Family Radio has been a cherished and remarkable source of comfort, hope, and faithful to the gospel all over the world for decades. Harold Camping has blessed thousands with his open forum, often being ridiculed and badgered, night after night.

We will just have to wait and see how this all plays out. Meanwhile, let's pray for this man who is hopefully being stripped of every ounce of pride he has. It's the best place for him to be at the moment.

In the OT, God would have ordered Camping stoned to death for his false prophecies (1994 and now, and who knows how many). However of course, we are no longer under a Theocracy, and not under those same rules and punishments. However, he definitely should not be teaching or leading any believers. Even though God's punishment has changed, God's feelings don't change. Ezekial 13:9 says "So My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations They will have no place in the council of My people, nor will they be written down in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel, that you may know that I am the Lord GOD."
He definitely needs to be removed from his position of power and told to repent. As we've seen, it has affected people throughout the world and has made Christians a subject of mockery. The false prophets were to be separated and taken away from the people at the very least.

Matt 24:24 says "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."

Thankfully, the elect have not been misled, because it's impossible. So, if you count yourself among the misled, I would seek a biblical pastor and get back on the right track so that you can tell the truth from the lies of false preachers and teacher. If your attachment to one man is greater than your love and obedience to God, then you are in a serious state. It's actually clear if you're a believer.

1John 4:1 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." I know that non-believers and demons hate the Word of God, but it's posted to show that it is predicted, we have been warned about it, it's nothing new, and we are to avoid them, and they should no longer hold their positions, they should be separated and in repentence. It doesn't matter whether or not you think he has led many to Christ, for as far as you know, he has led many to satan. You can't be a deceiver and lead people to Christ, it's an oxymoron.

If this gets non-believers to open their Bibles, that's great. If we have a lot of people defending him, despite God's warnings and the severity of the warnings, there is serious concern about those people and they need our prayers. Follow Christ and Him only.

Why do *I* care about Camping?

Because he has once again made Christianity look foolish; very foolish. [This has gotten enough attention in the secular media to make it one of the biggest religion stories so far this year. We need this like we need additional holes in our heads!]
Because he has harmed the faith and growth of a large number of Christians.
Because he has made witnessing to non-believers more difficult.
Because at one point he was a reasonably sound Bible teacher with a quality ministry; he has gone further and further off course for years now, and ruined the credibility of his radio ministry.

He should be ashamed, but I think he is too arrogant for that!

I was baptized when I was 4, so not worried about 'the end'. "Died" once when I was 5 - no bright light, no angels, just many very worried doctors saying "exsanguinated", "hypovolemic", "no pulse", after I bled out during the night when tonsillectomy stitches came loose. Only one pint of my blood type in the hospital (I had been at home in bed when I hemorrhaged.)
54 years later, still not worried. Have no expectations - then if nothing happens, you have no disappointment, and if it does, then you can be surprised! :) As for timing - if there is a God, all of eternity is "now" to Him. You expect a specific date?? Regardless, the 'world' ended for roughly 70,000 people yesterday - and 70,000 more the day before. Think of them instead of yourselves. Greedy people looking for "better place" when they COULD be happy right where they are! Shame! As for Harold - I harbor no feelings either way for him. Anyone who's made a "multi-million dollar non-profit organization" (I nearly choked when I read that all in one sentence), doesn't need my sympathy. At age 89, it's likely all his predictions will end before the world does, though I hope he lives as long as he wants to, and wants to as long as he lives - as may you all. :)

At the best he has dementia; at the worst he is a soothsayer. Either way I'd feel sorry for him, except that he's done this before. I don't feel so sorry for his followers. Just a read of scripture would set them straight - instead they believed a man. The whole setting the date thing reminds me of the little boy who cried wolf. Yes, the Lord will return. He says He will. That's all I need to know.

Mr Camping is guilty of not only being a False Prophet, but also calling his followers to leave the church, since the Holy Spirit has departed from the church, and follow him at Family Radio. We all know that the Holy Spirit indwells believers, and is in our midst when we gather together. I have seen the product of the confusion and alienation in the lives of some who followed him and left the supportive community of the church.
Also, regarding where we are in the scheme of things-we are in the time between Jesus ascension into heaven and the rapture of believers, followed by the 7 year Tribulation period. We live in a dynamic tension between the yet and the not yet. Try to think about it that way, and live every day as though it is your last. Peace, Brothers and sisters.-Mike

We have entered the end of days. We humans have only ourselves to blame. What happens next can be determined from simple observation.

For me, noone can predict the end of the world, even though some guy "felt" that he could. It is impossible for the finite human mind to dictate the exact timing of God's actions. By the way, God never allowed people to predict His actions especially His coming, because many people will get the notion that "God can be programmable by us".

i want an answer....why should i believe? how many people are now bankrupt,in jail,without education or dead over this moron and his followers who are even worse?
i heard some woman killed her children over this!

how on earth can you continue believing knowing that people like this do things like this "in the name of god"
that man is still living and free after becoming a millionaire due to his sheep,so are rapists and murderers who walk the streets freely . wheres your lovley god then? i dont think a child deserves to die,but thats just my opinion.

The latest news report on Camping reads that he says that his math was off. He has now made a new prediction for October 21st of this year. If memory serves me right this was the same excuse Edgar Whisenant made back in 1988.

"Micksnip" raises a fair point - the thing about Camping is his beliefs in more recent yrs are deeper in scope and further radical than just his (second) false doom prophecy. The man instead of acting out of humility and saying "I was wrong" - instead pulled a typical JW trick and redefined his position to argue it was a 'secret judgement'; now we can call it heresy, not mere error.
But Micksnip is right - Camping is a cult leader; he believes his radio station is the only true lighthouse as it were. All churches are apostate. Is there heresy, apostasy and bad things in world wide Christendom - absoloutly - but his views are so extreme. God's grace in manifested by and large in most community fellowships; and there are genuine Christians in the worst chruches. But telling people to leave their church is tragic. I admit Camping isn't a fraud in it for money - but he is a heretic.

Harold Camping is a CON! Who wasted money on the October date? Fools!