We are now on the other side of Harold Camping's second failed judgment day prediction. The first one was in 1994, the second one May 21. And now suddenly he is fixing on October 21. I've been thinking alot about the recent end times hoopla. Here are some of my thoughts.
1. Jesus is coming. One thing Harold Camping has right is that Jesus will return. I Thessalonians 4:13-18.
2. Only the Father knows when Jesus is coming. Look out for anyone who sets a date or even those who say we are close. People have been saying that since the resurrection of Christ.
3. I like the fact that this past weekend the world was worked up about it. At least people were contemplating the truth of Christ's return. Most of the time we live like it will never happen.
4. We need to live a bit more with the second coming on our minds. We tend not to think about the fact that our eternity is way more special than this short life on earth. I was reminded in Rwanda, Africa how short life is. The average male in Rwanda lives to be about 49-51 years old. I am 49. Enough said.
5. False prophets were predicted in the Bible and Harold Camping proves they still exist! Measure every thought, word, deed, dream, vision and ministry through the lens of the Bible.
6. Humility is a wonderful but rare trait. If Harold would have humbly confessed his sin, repented and changed, I would be one of the first to encourage him but instead he becomes a coward and says, "It was an invisible, spiritual rapture." What a fool. We all need to be aware that humility works!
7. This was serious business, but it's okay to laugh. I enjoyed the banter. I enjoyed the TV comics having fun with it. I do believe we have to stay within boundaries.
8. It teaches me that people will follow fools. Harold Camping is not under any biblical authority. He has declared the church to be evil. He does not submit to the elders, wise counsel and Church leaders. It is always good to be under someone's authority, because people can get goofy and consider their own thoughts, feelings and experiences as authority, rather than the Word of God as authority.
9. Let's get ready. Regardless of where you are on the end times - premillennial, postmillennial or amillennial, one thing is for certain: Christ is returning and the Bible calls us to get ready!
Any learnings that you would add to my list?
Well said!!!
Here is a link about Harold Camping.
http://www.equip.org/articles/harold-camping
This article shows how dangerously crazy someone like Harold Camping can be.
Posted by: Joelcalderone | May 25, 2011 at 05:29 PM
Bob: Even Gary Trudeau had it right in Doonsbury. How sad is that? Great piece, very true. I'm just afraid that, after listening to this crackpot, the world will take any serious discussion of the rapture, or Christ's return, as "just another goofy Christian theory". I hope not. I especially like #9: Be ready at all times. Then you won't have anything to worry about.
Jim Sieferman
Posted by: Jcs79 | May 26, 2011 at 07:26 AM