Replies

Quix,

I am personally not too happy about this. There are 3 categories of people in regards to this.

1) Those that are already in a personal relationship with the Lord, to whom the day meant nothing (because whether it was today, yesterday or tomorrow they were ready).

2) The second group is those who got 'chased back' to their Bibles and knees. Yes, this group was probably praying fervently, but I fear that their fervor was analogous to that of the parable of the seeds that fell on shallow soil. Sure, they sprouted quickly and their growth was frenetic, but the parable states that the plants soon withered and died because the soil was not deep enough. Anyone who ran to their knees because they thought the end of the world was yesterday is probably not on their knees today. Their faith was based on apprehension and trepidation, not from sincerely seeking out the Lord.

3) Then there is the third group, which is the one that worries me. Camping spent a lot of money in nations all over the globe. I know there were adverts in Nigeria, and in Kenya all sorts of people have been discussing about it (most of the Christians know that no man knows fortunately). In Latin America, Asia, other parts of Africa - the banners and ads were all over. However, there are many who are seeking Christ, or who do not know him that well yet, who were swayed by the message. From people in the US who sold off everything, some even putting their pets to sleep, to people in other nations who were told this is irrefutable Biblical evidence. Their faith just got hit. It got hit hard. Sure, men and women of God who are strong in the Word are not going to be affected. I know it will not affect you, or many others on FR. We all had a laugh about it even most probably. But there are new Christians, and people who would want to become Christians, from the US, the UK, Israel, Nigeria, Kenya, Vietnam, Argentina, etc who just received a major body blow because of this man. Sure, some will recover, but there is a big chance that a good number of people will not take the path to salvation because of him. Also, there are probably some people who will kill themselves ...someone doesn't sell all his property, liquidating all accounts including the education accounts for his kids, and then proceeds to put his dogs and cats to sleep, only to wake up on the 22nd and everything is 'ok.' Things are hard enough as it is for many people, and the financial hit for some is huge. Add in the ridicule and shame and I would not be surprised if some people arranged their own 'exit tickets.'

This is why I am not happy about Camping's 'work.' He is a false prophet, and people should pray for God to reach out to those who would otherwise be significantly impacted by this. Right now there are a lot of people who are looking at significant financial hardship and globs of shame, as well as others who were kneeling yesterday but are hitting the bottle today. As for Camping, wherever he is he is probably laughing (if he was cognizant of his hoax), coming up with an excuse (if he is an unabated charlatan and wants to continue milking this), or in a deep dark dank depressions (if he is crazy and actually believed his tripe). Either way he doesn't care much ...he has been wrong before, and he has read his Bible and knows no man can tell. He does not care, and I will not be surprised ...if the man has not killed himself ...that he will come up with some other interesting calculation that is absolutely ridiculous. However, real people have been hit by his 'prophecy.' Hit hard.