<p>Larry Norman has some great songs fitting this theme, such as “Six Sixty Six” and “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.” Larry died in 2008.</p>
<p>A preacher who wrote a number of hair-raising books about the end of the world, Salem Kirban, died in 2010. Hal Lindsey, author of “The Late Great Planet Earth,” a key manifestation of interest in this topic in the 1970s, is apparently still alive, after having expected the end in the 1980s and again before 2000.</p>
<p>Of course, eventually one of these guys may be right, like the hypochondriac’s tombstone that said, “See? I told you I was sick.”</p>
<p>“It also says that we won’t know the time or day.”</p>
<p>Well, 41% of Americans, and a majority of American Christians, say they do - sort of. Sometime before 2050. (Of course, Jesus thought it was coming in his day.)</p>
<p>At least Camping had the courage of his convictions. The majority of American Christians simply hide behind an approximation.</p>
<p>Eddie–not going to get into a theological battle here, but just because someone chose to tack on John of Patmos’ musings on dealing with the Roman Empire, written in code, doesn’t mean anything is self-evident.</p>
<p>“One of the things I find so fascinating about Christianity is all the apostles believed that the world would come to an end during their lifetime.”</p>
<p>It’s clear that Jesus expected it in his lifetime, and told folks to forsake their parents and spouses and follow him instead. He seemed to have very little to say about family life, because he didn’t believe there would be a family life. The author of Matthew is simply expressing his disappointment when he says that no one will know the date and time. </p>
<p>Personally, I think it is a mental delusion, one that satisfied folks who were/are in despair about the world as they know it, unable to come to terms with their own infirmities, and needing a place (even if date, time, and place uncertain) that they could feel superior. It’s up there with the Islamic vision of 70 virgins, or “Logan’s Run”. Others will feel differently of course, and that’s fine with me.</p>
<p>The world can be a very good place, but only if we decide to make it so, and forsake escapism.</p>
<p>Perhaps one of the good things that will come out of all of this Rapture talk that has been going around the world in recent days is that people will be curious and start to read the Bible. That would be so wonderful!</p>
<p>“Mini - Jesus certainly believed in family life - his father, God, was the creator of family.”</p>
<p>Which is why he told folks to forsake them, and follow him (like the Pied Piper). (He may also have been gay, which would explain a lot.)</p>
<p>I was “saved” at birth - now that that is taken care of, I can concentrate on what I need to do now, right here, on this big, bright, beautiful earth.</p>
<p>Not really. Now the Heaven’s Gate people - THEY were people with the courage of their convictions. We just don’t get cults like that any more. </p>
<p>But the Camping crowd didn’t have that much to lose. Suffer a little temporary embarrassment perhaps then back to the hard work of soliciting donations. Some of them have already begun rationalize their embarrassment away: “Yay! We were so righteous that we convinced God to delay the rapture…”</p>
One guy in a news article had quit his job and spent all his savings (to the tune of over $130,000) on billboards. He seemed very confused to find himself still here. I wonder how many other poor souls were duped by Camping into doing similar things. Sad.</p>