Why May 21st Came... And Judgement Day Didn't

Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past week or so, you probably know about Harold Camping's prediction that Judgment Day would come on Saturday, May 21, 2011. He said that would be the day when God would take his "elect" up in to Heaven. I'm sitting here on Sunday (the 22nd), and, well... we're all still here.

Depending on whom you ask Camping is either a prophet, a wacko, or a con artist. Whatever he is, thousands of people believed what he said was true. People quit their jobs in celebration, and some tried to kill themselves in fear of what was to come. All for nothing. If he had enough of an argument to incite such an immense response, how could he have been so wrong?

First, Camping's predictions were based on a specific timeline. He places the end of the church age in 1988 (beginning the tribulation), with the rapture taking place in 2011. The problem with that is, the Bible tells us that the rapture will take place before the tribulation! There are many verses on this, and here are a few great ones: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:11, Luke 21:36, Revelation 3:10, Revelation 11:2, Revelation 13:5, and Daniel 9:24.

 Secondly, even if Camping was correct about the beginning of the tribulation, then he was wrong about his salvation message. The saved of the tribulation do not get in to Heaven the same way as those who were saved during the church age. We know this, because in Revelation 14 an angel from Heaven preaches the everlasting gospel- and it's not the gospel of grace by which we are saved: Revelation 14:6-7. This angel is not accursed, so he cannot be in this dispensation. We also know that the saved of the tribulation are not the same as today’s redeemed, because Revelation 7 divides them into two groups: Jew and Gentile. This would not be possible during the church age, because Paul told us that we are all one in the body of Christ in Romans 10:11-13.

Thirdly, is the issue of who can be saved. I admit that this has little to do with whether or not the rapture would take place on May 21st, but it is still an important point. Camping claims that only those elected to be saved will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air. We already saw the verses in Romans 10, but here are a few more that show us that Christ died for all men: 2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 10:29-32, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 1 John 2:2, John 3:14-17. It is those who reject His free gift of salvation who will be left behind.

Finally, the fact that Camping was wrong about when the rapture would take place really all comes down to one simple thing: no one can predict the day when Christ will come back for us. If someone sets a date, you can bet your hat that it won't be then! Matthew 24:35-37.

Billboard on April 22, 2011

It didn't happen on May 21st, 2011, but it could happen any minute! Those of us who are saved should make the most of our time left here on this earth. If you are reading this and you have yet to accept Jesus' payment for your sins- what are you waiting for?? When predicted events come and go without anything coming of them, it can seem like the world will continue on forever. The truth is, we are not promised tomorrow, and even if the rapture doesn't take place for a hundred more years, you could die tonight. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (King James Version)

¹We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

 ²(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)