Harold Camping and Family Radio International took the world and the Internet for a ride this weekend with the prediction that the Rapture would occur on Saturday, May 21 at 6:00 p.m. Unless you were hiding under a rock, you picked up on the prediction.
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ~ Matthew 24:35-37
Consider Keith Bauer as reported by the Los Angeles Times: If it was his last week on Earth, he wanted to see parts of it he’d always heard about but missed, such as the Grand Canyon. With maxed-out credit cards and a growing mountain of bills, he said, the rapture would have been a relief.
Bauer, along with thousands of others maxed out their credit, spent their life savings and even paid people in advance to care for their pets. They were taken in by a charlatan, a pretender.
Sad really, that they couldn’t read the Scripture for themselves and realize that Camping was wrong.
For followers of Christ, it’s simple really. Jesus said “no one knows but the Father.”
Harold Camping is not the Father.
So leading up to yesterday and all day long, the Internet was abuzz with anticipation, but mostly with mocking. Some like those in our link above, gave rational explanations about why Camping’s “interpretation” of the Scriptures were wrong.
Most just wrote him off as a loon and a fraud. In the end, he merely provided entertainment.
I’ll admit to playing along. Some of the stories and the jokes were just too good to pass up.
But, what’s the fallout from all of this?
In a world where Christians are routinely mocked, particularly Evangelicals, this didn’t help.
The reality is that one day, Jesus Christ will indeed return.
The reality is that every man and woman must choose whether to believe or deny.
When a serious subject such as the end of time and eternal damnation, both of which are most certainly real, get caught up in hysteria such as that generated by Harold Camping and company, it dilutes the real message of the cross.
And that’s a shame.
Millions of people now will roll their eyes and sigh “those wacky Christians are at it again.”
I’ve never gotten caught up in the teaching of the end times anyway. I grew up in a tradition that was amillennial, meaning that there’s no belief in the “Rapture.” Rather, when Christ returns that’s when the world ends. There’s no one left behind. These days, I’m in a church where the tradition is premillennial.
But I look at it this way.
For centuries scholars much smarter than I have been trying to figure this out. It’s been debated. It’s been written about. I’m not going to be the one to figure it out. Those debates will continue until Christ actually returns.
I think there’s a different bottom line. In my view, it really doesn’t matter how it happens. What matters is that I’m ready for it to happen.
For the believer, no scenario is frightening. It’s all exciting. It’s the day we anticipate. The day we long for.
So, rather than try to figure it all out, I need to spend time making sure my heart is right. That my relationships are right.
Millions who mocked, laughed or just didn’t believe, missed that point yesterday. And Harold Camping helped them do it.
I hope that Camping’s followers can find some resolution and some peace with what has happened. It’s not easy to give away all of your life savings and then find out… “ooops.” And I hope Camping finds justice. He will one day. I just don’t know when that day will be.
You know, in some ways, that Camping was wrong was a disappointment. Followers of Jesus know that this place, while we may know and love it, is not our home.
The day is coming. Maybe sooner than we think.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul. ~ Horatio G. Spafford
The Armed Forces of the United States of America embody the highest ideals of our Nation. Serving at home and in posts around the world, our service members represent America as ambassadors of our principles. They display the honor, duty, and discipline of the finest fighting force the world has ever known. These brave men and women are willing to sacrifice their lives for the security of our Nation and the freedoms of their fellow citizens. We are humbled by their continued resolve to respond to the call of duty and defend America and its people.
From our earliest days as a fledgling republic, the United States has relied on the unwavering courage and patriotism of our men and women in uniform to sustain us through wars, emergencies, and challenges at home and abroad. While conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other areas demand an ever-changing set of capabilities and competencies, our service members continue to protect our Nation with professionalism and distinction.
As a grateful Nation, we are indebted to the members of our Armed Forces for their service, and we support them in each mission they are tasked to accomplish. I have no greater privilege as President of the United States than serving as Commander in Chief, and my Administration is dedicated to providing the men and women of our Armed Forces with the resources and support they require and deserve. We are also committed to providing the same superior support to our veterans when they return home. This is the sacred trust our Nation must hold with her warriors.
It is not just our troops who are called to serve and sacrifice, but also their families, who give our service members the love and support they need to carry on the fight. We will continue to improve and enhance our support for the families and survivors our troops leave behind. These heroes are dedicated to defending the country we love, and we must stand firmly beside them and help care for their spouses and children.
On Armed Forces Day, let us salute the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who perform their duties with impeccable courage, commitment, and character, and recognize our moral obligation to serve them and their families as well as they have served us.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, continuing the precedent of my predecessors in office, do hereby proclaim the third Saturday of May as Armed Forces Day.
I direct the Secretary of Defense on behalf of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, and the Secretary of Homeland Security on behalf of the Coast Guard, to plan for appropriate observances, with the Secretary of Defense responsible for encouraging the participation and cooperation of civil authorities and private citizens.
I invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, to provide for the observance of Armed Forces Day in an appropriate manner to increase public understanding and appreciation of our Armed Forces. I also invite veterans, civic leaders, and other organizations to join in the observance of Armed Forces Day.
Finally, I call upon all Americans to display the flag of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces Day, and I urge citizens to learn more about military service by attending and participating in the local observances of the day. I also encourage Americans to volunteer at organizations that provide support to our troops.
Proclamation 8522 of May 14, 2010, is hereby superseded.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
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