Tuesday, May 24, 2011

And I feel fine

Dear Mr. Camping,
So the world didn't end, and we didn't get raptured. I wonder what you thought when time ticked by and you were still here. Maybe you'll return to your bible and try to recalculate, and insist that it's nothing to be embarrassed about, like you did the last time your prediction didn't come true.

The truth is that you are talked about in the bible.
At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ~ Matt 24:23-27


You have succeeded in making a mockery of Christianity. When people like you get on your soapbox, you damage the credibility of the Gospel. Many people will be so turned off by this date-setting nonsense, that they will completely discredit Christianity. Shame on you. It makes me sad to hear people making jokes about the Rapture. Sure, it's funny today because you're a big joke to them. But how can we get them to listen to us about the REAL Rapture, the one that will come one day? You've certainly made it more complicated. I pray for good opportunities to come out of this mess you have made, that somehow we can use it to spread the Gospel in spite of you.

I'm pleased to read about a church in California that is moving forward with compassion.
Pastor Jacob Denys of Milpitas-based Calvary Bible Church plans to wait outside the nonprofit's headquarters on Saturday afternoon, hoping to counsel believers who may be disillusioned if the Rapture does not occur.
"The cold, hard reality is going to hit them that they did this, and it was false and they basically emptied out everything to follow a false teacher," he said. "We're not all about doom and gloom. Our message is a message of salvation and of hope."

Jesus was clear that no one, not even Him, would know the time of His return. Only the Father knows. You're a charlatan. And not only that, your version of the Gospel doesn't even make sense. If you don't believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven, then why do you care when He returns?

After all the jokes are done and the hysteria dies down, we're left with the same reality we had before. Jesus loves you and wants you to know Him. It's not about rules. It's not about being god enough. It's about His gift and your acceptance of it.


NOTE: Since writing this, Mr. Camping has stated that he miscalculated again, but that the end is definitely coming this October. *facepalm*

2 comments:

Carla said...

My thoughts exactly

Carla said...

p.s I love following the Luke series too!