What follows is the background to the current hype and, I believe, a reasonable response from the Scriptures. Thanks for reading!
1- Who is behind this date setting for the end of the world?
Harold Camping is the President of Family Radio. He is a self taught Bible teacher who has a history, and a bad track record, of predicting the end of the world. Previously, Mr. Camping predicted the world would end on September 4 1994.
Contrary to the clear and consistent teaching of the Bible, Mr. Camping has developed what he calls, “a foolproof mathematical system of prophetic interpretation.”
Through an elaborate and random series of calculations, Mr. Camping, and his followers are predicting the world, as we know it, will end on May 21st with a massive earthquake that will shake the world apart. Mr. Camping and the people from Family Radio say that those who
believe in Jesus will be carried into heaven, while the rest of humanity will endure 153 days of ‘death and horror’ before the world ends on October 21.
According to the Family Radio web site, there are two ‘proofs’ that May 21, 2011 is the judgment day. Mr. Camping believes he has figured out the exact date of Noah’s great flood. He also believes he has discovered the exact date of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Somehow, Mr. Camping has taken these two, alleged dates, and he has declared May 21, 2011 as the day of judgment.
I believe Mr. Camping’s conclusions are wrong. I believe he will wake up on May 22, with no regrets, embarrassment or shame, to begin working on his next end of world scenario!
2- What does the Bible say about the end of the world?
The Bible says at least two things about the end of the world. First, the Bible very clearly says the world, as we know it, will one day end. In 2 Peter 3, the Apostle Peter said, “the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 2Pet. 3:10
Second, the Bible very clearly says the day is unknown to man. In Mark 13, Jesus spoke in detail about the end of the age. But when asked for dates and times, he said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Mark 13:32
Later on Ascension Thursday, the disciples once again asked about future things. Jesus, once again, said “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Acts 1:7
So, we should be wary of false teachers who use elaborate number schemes or set a date to prove anything about the day or time of the end of the world.
3- How shall we respond to the talk about the end of the world on May 21st?
If anything good has come from the false teaching and sensational hype generated by Mr. Camping and the people from Family Radio, it is that people are talking and even planning how they will prepare for next Saturday, May 21st.
Some folks have said, “if the world is going to end, I am going to have a wild last week.” Others, have taken a more reserved approach saying, “just in case, I am going to reflect on my life and relationships.”
Tim Mc Graw was not the first to encourage people to live every day like it is our last. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman were not the first to encourage a “Bucket List.” In Mark 13:33 Jesus said, “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. Jesus went on to say in Mark 13:37, “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
We would all do well to ask the question, “Am I ready for the end of the world?” The message of the Bible does not include a hidden code, it includes an incredible love story and a plan for our lives. The love story involved the Father, Jesus and each of us. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God’s plan for us begins today. He promises us inner peace and freedom from guilt. He promises to free us from the penalty and power of sin. He promises to receive us into heaven when our end comes.
God’s plan includes a relationship with Him and a relationship with other members of God’s family in a local church that teaches what God has said about both time and eternity.
