It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
Published on May 16, 2011 by Eric · 25 Comments
By Jacob Sprecher
Seen any apocalyptic billboards of late? Happen to notice that the end is near? Yeah, me too. But for those unaware, Saturday, May 21st is the official beginning of The Rapture, as in the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it, which ultimately culminates with the destruction of the universe five months later on the 21st of October.
That’s the belief of Family Radio and its followers, at least.
Family Radio is Bay Area-based, non-denominational Christian broadcasting. It’s headed by 89-year-old Harold Camping, a Christian author and Biblical soothsayer of some notoriety. 17 years ago, Camping penned the book 1994, which, in accordance with the teachings of Leviticus, prophesized The Rapture for September of that same Jubilee year. As it turned out, 1994 was instead the year of “Latter Rain, a picture of salvation, the beginning of a great multitude being saved.” Which brings us to May of 2011, the revamped and certifiable End.
In anticipation of Doomsday, Synthesis hooked up with Family Radio spokesman Tom Evans for the straight scoop.
How can you explain The Rapture beginning on May 21st?
Probably the best, most visible sign that we were nearing the end of time was when the nation of Israel was reestablished in 1948. That very important sign—in fact it’s indisputable—sort of alerted believers that we were in the season of the end.
Summertime for farmers is the season right before harvest. And Jesus said when you see the fig tree leaves, know that “summer is nigh,” and that He or It is at the door. So 1948 was like summertime before the harvest, [and] the harvest is what God described in the Bible as the time when he will separate the wheat from the chaff, the true believers from those who are not… Now, we’re in the season, 1948 comes, and Jesus talks about several signs which would precede his return. He says in Peter 4:11, “judgment begins in the House of God.” Wherever that’s found on Earth, that’s where God begins his judgment process. So the judgment begins with the nation of Israel, because at one point Israel was the House of God.
Then Jesus warned [of a sign] called the “abomination of desolation,” [which] we believe occurred in 1988. Basically, it is judgment occurring on the church. It’s a very subtle, silent kind of thing. It’s not going to happen with any fanfare, and it’s not going to be visible in nature. It’s going to be invisible.
Does this tie in with the concept of spiritual decay?
Yes. The churches themselves should be caretakers of the Bible, and yet rather than doing their job of bringing the gospel, the churches have adopted a gospel that has nothing to do with [what] God presented in the Bible. And one of the signs, Jesus said in Matthew 24:24, is “false Christs and false prophets shall arrive.” Today, no one can dispute the fact that there are hundreds if not thousands of Christian denominations. And why is that? If there’s one truth and one Bible, why do Lutherans have a different take on the Bible than Catholics; why do Catholics have a different take than Baptists?
They all have their own Jesus, and what we’re contending is that they have a false Christ; the Christ they have is not true. And Jesus said this would precede his return.
Is it true that gay pride is also one of the foremost signs of the apocalypse?
Well, what was the problem with Sodom and Gomorrah? It was homosexuality. In fact, if you read that account in Genesis, you find that God himself went there in the form of two men, and these two men went and visited Lot’s house; and the men of Sodom and Gomorrah went and surrounded Lot’s house and told him, “Bring these men out to us so that we may know them,” [which] means to have sex with them. They started pulling on Lot’s gate, and finally God himself pulled Lot inside and blinded all the men. And the same day Lot went out of Sodom and Gomorrah, it rained fire and brimstone and destroyed them all.
So the worldwide rise of gay pride is a signal of Sodom and Gomorrah presenting itself once more?
We’re not saying homosexuality is any worse than any other sin, but it’s interesting to watch how it’s become culturally acceptable, whereas in the ‘50s and ‘60s and before people had to hide the fact they were homosexual. But now it’s almost welcomed, and become very fashionable. That change, that cultural change, is a signal… And Jesus said the end of the world would be very much like the flood [Noah’s Ark], and very much like Sodom and Gomorrah.
So if the rapture is indeed beginning on May 21st, what can people physically expect to take place? Do you have any idea what it will be like?
Yeah, we do. If you go to Revelations 16:18, God gives a very dismal, very scary warning. We suspect strongly that an earthquake will occur and work its way around the globe…there will be no question.
Could it be bizarre? Like dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria? Or will it just be fire and brimstone?
Well, the fire and brimstone won’t come until October 21st, but the interim is just going to be a time of torment. People are going to be living in a world of devastation. And people who aren’t killed by the earthquake are going to live in a world where no one can be buried, no organized government…nuclear reactors will be spewing out waste…people are going to know intuitively that this is Judgment Day.
The true believers will be caught up. When that earthquake occurs all the believers will be caught up and meet Christ in the air. The non-believers who are left here will not see Jesus; they’ll see the sign of his coming, but they won’t see him. Yet they will see the effect of the believers being caught up.
Is it too late, then, for non-believers to be saved before May 21st?
No. And that’s one of the reasons God tells the true believers beforehand, so they can warn the world. Right at the last hour before the judgment starts, people can become saved.
Will you feel a sense of vindication in proving non-believers wrong by their suffering the wrath of God?
No, not necessarily like that. Because I don’t believe I’m any better than anybody else. The only difference is that I’ve observed God’s mercy upon me. And we [believers] all feel the same way. It’s a very humbling thing. And from someone observing this from the outside, they would look at us and say, “You guys are crazy. You’re just doing this to exploit people, or scare people, or benefit financially.” No. Two things motivate me: One is my desire to be obedient to God’s commands; second is my compassion for my fellow human being no matter who they are.
How do you personally see yourself residing in the Kingdom of Heaven?
I have no idea. I don’t think it’ll be anything like this world. But I can’t wait. Certainly my imagination can run wild, but based upon what I read in Revelation 21, bring it on. I’ve been waiting for this for the last 25 years.
But what if you’re wrong again?
I believe with all my heart it’s gonna happen. I trust the Bible. God is not a liar. The Bible will vindicate me. There isn’t going to be a May 22nd.
Some people might think that if the rapture were not to take place, that this group of believers might take the route of Heaven’s Gate and commit mass suicide.
No, it’s not going to be that way. The believers that I know, their reaction [to being wrong in 1994] was to trust God no matter what. He protects us, even from ourselves. So the idea of fear amongst people who observe this, [if they think] there’s going to be a lot of people drinking Kool-Aid and committing mass suicide, they don’t understand what’s working inside the true believers.
How will you spend the rapture? On high ground? At church? Peacefully alone?
I have two small children. My wife and I will be with them, pray with them, hold them; and we have some dear friends [that] have six children, and they have invited us to come hang out. We don’t know what will happen that day. We’ll just be praying, reading the Bible, and quietly preparing.
The only real question is this: What are you doing Friday night? All of it, bubba!
It's The End Of The World As We Know It,
Tags: Apocalypse, Family Radio, Harold Camping, judgment day, Rapture
Readers Comments (25)
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Why do religious people just sit around and pray? Why don’t they do something more useful than just keep reading the same book over and over and cast judgment on everyone. These people don’t have the capacity to live without God or the Bible. Pretty scary when you aren’t allowed to think outside the box.
Although I know it’s complete BS. Religion is good for people who would be screwing up otherwise, so they need the fear of God to stop them from committing crime and violent acts, theft, etc.
They are so convinced that they will be “saved” or go to “heaven.” They don’t realize that they are psychologically trapped in something that just explains the unexplainable to them. They cannot grasp the idea that when you die, you just die, and everyone got away with everything.
Religion is just to make you feel comfortable about dying and all the injustices that happen to you so you think that “justice will be served” so you can be a good little boy and go back to work paying taxes.
The world is waking up, these old farts just have nothing else to base their existence/purpose/identity on.
You live once, so who cares if you are going to die? who cares if you’re not rich, because when we die, the rich and poor alive won’t remember that they lived at all.
Love you for such a comment.
Hi Jacob,
Well let’s see if Mr Camping is right.NZ will the first one to see May 21st. Hope he is not going to make a fool of yourself for the second time.
I guess if he is right then we wont be reading any further articles from Mr Camping past May 21st?
Chris
Hi Jacob,
Well let’s see if Mr Camping is right.NZ will the first one to see May 21st. Hope he is not going to make a fool of himself for the second time.
I guess if he is right then we wont be reading any further articles from Mr Camping past May 21st?
Chris
lol Dogs and Cats living together, mass hysteria
Way to drop the ghostbusters in the topic
Harold Camping is NOT A CHRISTIAN!
No True Christian would follow this man. He is an arrogant Old fool who believes his own Bible translations.
His followers are the worst, they trust “HAROLD CAMPING INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE…NOT THE BIBLE!
Harold Camping is a horrible Bible teacher
SEE THE REAL REASON HE HATES THE CHURCHES HERE http://haroldcamping-21.blogspot.com/2011/05/harold-campings-real-reason-for-hating.htm
I am a Christian, but Camping and his followers are WAY out of their league here. We are told that NO ONE knows when the Lord will return. To proclaim and assume otherwise is… well, the acme of pride.
When Christ returns, it will be exactly as it was foretold in scripture. At the same time, it will be unlike ANYTHING that even the very greatest of theologians could have ever imagined. The first coming of Jesus did not fit expectations… so why should His second?
Ok, before I start I just want to say that maybe people should think before uhhhh…they F***ing open their mouth…this guy is an idiot..one of thee biggest idiots to probably ever walk on this earth..I tried to like people I really did but then I heard of this guy who is Clown Shoes…Youll be safe if you pray and go to church (total Bull****) because if you just stand there as the WORLD BLOWS UP then YOU DIE YOU F’N RETARD!!!! OMG!
“I believe with all my heart it’s gonna happen.”
So do many little children that Santa Clause will bring them presents, doesn’t by itself make that true either.
We should believe in things because they are true, they do not become true because we believe in them (W.E. Vines)
“I trust the Bible.”
Better to trust in the Bible’s information revealing Who Jesus is (its main purpose) than to blandly turn the bible in to a formula backup book for other people’s ideas.
“God is not a liar.”
Absolutely true, but what has that to do with this man’s assertions and biblical guess work?
“The Bible will vindicate me. There isn’t going to be a May 22nd.”
The bible itself has nothing at all to say about May 21st or May22nd – beauty or ugliness is in the eye of the beholder.
The Lord Jesus said no man knows the hour of His return – just the general signs He gave us, which do now surround us.
Someone is going to feel like a real turnip on the 22nd of May.
I think God loves people who show love, and hates everything and anyone who enslaves us; killing that love.
I think you’re sincere, but sincerely wrong.
There are many ‘sins’ (addictions, obsessions, confusions) that take all people away from showing the most love.
I just hope that the good outweighs the bad. God is of course the judge of that.
Anyway I hope this situation clears the fog out of peoples hearts and minds.
from what i read in the BIBLE i recall 2 things: 1. you will not know when the rapture is coming 2. even if it was coming on friday it says earth will be RESTORED BACK TO EDEN! SO READ AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The bible says that no-one knows when the Rapture/End/Apocalypse will happen. Not even Jesus himself. Of all the dates in all the world, the one I’m most sure of not being the last day is now May 21st
Didn’t Jesus say that no man will no the time or the hour and that he will come like a thief in the night? How is it that we make predictions of the end and not factor in this verse from the bible?
Will Jesus really come back on May 21, or is that all a bunch of made up nonsense?
Poll: http://www.wepolls.com/r/408397
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen,(Return of Christ) not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
Mark 13:32
Matthew 24:36, as well!
when he turns out to be wrong, we get to stone him.
That is in the bible too!
first of all your not god. you dont know when this is gonna happen. if ur saying all this then ur saying that the bible is false. then nothing that the bible said its gonna happen. so im confused. can you please explain yourself?…instead of doing all this crap u should go out a preach the word of god not be talking about the end. you think u got a ticket to heaven but do you really? you get a ticket to heaven by doing things for others with love without even thinking that gods gonna be watching you. you just do it/ i think u should stop wasting your time and shut up seriously. i am catholic. i only have one true god and christ and virgin mary and i respect all the sayings for they are holy. and by doing good things with love im good. i dont need to be waiting for the end to come. i might just be ready. i think you should do the same and stop wasting your time. like i said your not god so stop saying things about may 21. and if u r then send me to hell, peace nikka
oh and if ur saying all this stuff then ur a false prophet urself! see i figured you out dawgie! cant fool me bro im too good! no one knows when judment day is except god himself. dont tell me that god told you that this sat hes coming. if he told you then he told me that no one knows wwhens hes coming! oh what now, yeah. see so stop scarying my peeps and stop saying nonsense. you dont wanna anyone callin you false prophet now do you? just saying, think about it. peace
The Millerites, Jehovah’s Witnesses, 7th day Adventists, ad infinitum seem to have missed the part where Jesus said, “Even I don’t know when I will return.” Oh, and just for reference, there is no very strong biblical basis for the Rapture, so we may all have to go through the tribulation! Jesus charged us to watch and prepare…I say, live each day so that if Jesus comes, or doesn’t come, he will find you doing your job: Ministering to the poor, healing the sick, visiting those in prison..putting your faith into action. Then, it won’t matter, because He will recognize you.
My mechanic told me that I needed to have my bearings replaced in our car – about $500 in repairs! But I told him I’m not worried, because the Rapture is coming on Saturday. Phew. Saved myself some $$$. Nice interview Jake!
Woot! It’s the 22nd in some places! Waste of time, eh?
End of world may come ‘at any time’–Jesus will come any day and any time. This is good news for Christians but also there is still the Good News for the unsaved who can get saved before the end. Take a look at this:
http://end-of-the-world.mobi/jesus-saves/end-of-the-world-who-can-rescue-you/
It is sad in this end times, that all of this knowledge of truth should be more popular then Jerry Springer, but Satan’s deception is strong. I am thankful for you and your knowledge from God. Wow, I am very pleased to have found this site. You seem very connected and blessed by God. I pray for you and our mission to bring Truth to the people. Please feel free to check out my site, it is http://www.endtimesbooks.com. I try to offer themost accurate and informative end times books and media at the cheapest prices possible. God bless you. Let me know of any great selections and I will research and try to get a good wholesale price and let you know.