What Christians Can Learn From Harold Camping's Mistake

A billboard on Fort St. in downtown Detroit put up by Family Radio. Source: NIRAJ  WARIKOO/DFP

Don't get it twisted, I am not writing this blog post from heaven (although that would be cool ;-]). I didn't get "caught up" in the Rapture and face Judgment Day on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 6 p.m. as Rev. Harold Camping and his followers predicted. No, it didn't happen at all (not that I believed it would).

So, what did happen?

As far as I'm concerned, a disaster did happen that day. Once again, Rev. Camping made a complete idiot out of himself by being over confident in his prediction, claiming that he won't be wrong this time because he has figured out the Bible and "the Bible guarantees it," as his billboards state. (In 1992, Camping predicted the Rapture would occur September 1994, but of course, he was wrong.)

What?!?! The Bible guarantees it !?!? Maybe I missed something, but can someone show me in the Bible where it says the Rapture will occur on May 21, 2011 followed by the destruction of the universe on Oct. 21-five months later?

I find it very unwise and arrogant of Camping to post billboards across the nation that reads, "The Bible Guarantees It...Judgment Day May 21...Cry mightily unto God". Not only is this so-called prophecy inaccurate, but has also deceived hundreds of people (including Camping's followers).

One of the primary purposes of prophetic teaching is not to satisfy our curiosity but to motivate us to change our lives. If this prediction urged people (non-believers) to surrender their lives to Christ, it would not be genuine; it would only be out of fear because they were told the world is going to end today.

Let me explain what MY Bible says. Yes, Jesus Christ will indeed return, but we do not know for certain the day or the hour. Christ says, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." (Matt. 24:36). Christ doesn't even know when He will return! But, he has given us warnings that indicate His coming is drawing near. (Matt.24:29-31; Mark 13:24; Luke 21:25-28)

It is very questionable why Harold Camping is so obsessed about being accurate on when the world will end or the Second Coming of Christ. What's the rush? I don't believe that God is in a hurry to send His son yet, but I do believe he has allowed more time so that others can have the opportunity to accept His gift: salvation. God does not want men (human race) to be lost, but wants all to come to repentance genuinely. (Acts 3:19; 2 Peter 3:8-9)

If there's anything we can learn from this false prediction, it is to grow in our actual, personal knowledge of Jesus Christ; such knowledge is the greatest protection against false teachings. We should (as Christians) be alert and prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. (Matt.24:42) This does not mean we should obsess about the afterlife, but to carry out the commands of Christ in our current life. ;-)