Is the rapture of the Church to take place on May 21, 2011? There are a lot of landlords and mortgage companies that may be disappointed to find late or no payments this month, as those following Harold Camping on Family Radio prepare to meet our Lord in the sky in just a couple of weeks. This isn’t the first time that large numbers of Americans have fallen victim to false end times teaching and the wolves in sheep’s clothing who perpetrate these lies.
This is hardly the first time. On October 22, 1844 followers of American Baptist preacher William Miller, founder of the Millerite movement, considered it the Great Disappointment when the second coming of Jesus, which he had predicted, did not occur on the date that he set. Countless Americans climbed to the tops of barns, hills, and houses awaiting the return of Jesus, only to be greatly disappointed.
In Matthew 24:36 (and Mark 13:32) Jesus says, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (NIV) If someone picks a date then you can be absolutely certain that the date they picked is wrong. It’s that simple. If it’s that simple then why do people fall for the lies of a Harold Camping? I’m convinced that the primary reason is that people are incredibly dissatisfied with the ugly condition of this world and the rampant apostasy in the Church.
Watered down versions of the Gospel abound. Shallow Christian faith is nearly the norm. The other day I tasted – and nearly spit out of my mouth – a concoction of green tea, water, and root beer that my five year old had “created” at the soda fountain. In Revelation 3:16 we are told that the Lord expressed similar sentiments, saying that He will “spew” us out of His mouth because we are lukewarm.
Many believers, dissatisfied by the all too common lack of fervor and zeal for Christ and His Kingdom have fled from the local church into the false teaching of Harold Camping. I “get” their motivation but they have gone from an imperfect family into what will soon be a very greatly disappointed movement.
Friend, the imminent return of Christ is a great doctrine and beautiful reality of the Church. It compels me to be busy spreading the Gospel because I don’t know when He shall return. I long that He finds me faithful! It fills me with hope that this broken world will one day be healed and compels me to be busy about the work of bringing reconciliation and healing now!
In Matthew 24:44, Jesus says, “So you also must be ready,because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (NIV)
Don’t just be ready on May 21st. Be ready today and be ready on May 22nd. Be ready to spread the Gospel. Be ready to zealously follow Christ. Be ready to offer support to any you know who be so disappointed on May 22nd.
Pilgrim Pastor… swinging a shepherd’s crook at the sneaky wolves masked in sheep’s clothing, nipping at the sheep…
