Apocalypse not now: The Rapture fails to materialise

The Guardian ^ | 05/21/2011 | David Batty

[SeekAndFind]

Christian doomsday prophet Harold Camping looks likely to be less than rapturous after his prediction that the world would end on Saturday failed to materialise.

The 89-year-old Californian preacher had prophesied that the Rapture would begin at 6pm in each of the world's time zones, with those "saved" by Jesus ascending to heaven and the non-believers being wiped out by an earthquake rolling from city to city across the planet.

But as the deadline for the Apocalpyse passed in the Pacific islands, New Zealand and Australia, it became apparent that Camping's prediction of the end of the world was to end not with a bang but with a whimper.

Only on Twitter did the supposed armageddon sweep the world, with users expressing their mock disappointment at the lack of dead people rising from their graves.

New Zealander Daniel Boerman tweeted: "I'm from New Zealand, it is 6:06PM, the world has NOT ended. No earthquakes here, all waiting for the rapture can relax for now. #Rapture"

In Australia, Jon Gall of Melbourne was unimpressed by the lack of fire and brimstone. He tweeted: "#Rapture time here in Melbourne. A rather quiet sort of rapture if you ask me.

"Well we have had the #Rapture going for 50 minutes now. So far it hasn't interrupted my fish & chips and glass of stout."

In Brisbane, KillaJeules, was similarly disappointed by the lack of a Hollywood blockbuster ending: "So it's 6:37pm here in Brisbane, Australia. No earthquakes. No beaming up of Christians. No zombie apocalypse. No surprises haha."

Camping, a retired civil engineer, has built a multimillion-dollar, non-profit ministry based on his apocalyptic predictions. He previously predicted that the world would end in 1994.

[chickenlips]

I wasn’t aware of this prediction, but that would certainly be a pretty obvious missed prophecy that his followers would have a hard time dismissing.

[lonevoice]

Here's his earthquake prediction in one interview. In this one, he just predicts one HUGE earthquake:

'We know without any shadow of a doubt it is going to happen,' said Camping. 'There’s going to be a huge earthquake that’s going to make the big earthquake in Japan seem like a Sunday School picnic...I'll probably try to be very near a TV or a radio or something,' he said. 'I'll be interested in what's happening on the other side of the world as this begins.' dailymail.co.uk

There was another televised interview with him I saw last week where he described it in more detail, saying there would be rolling earthquakes all across the world.

I'm really curious to see how he will explain this one away and hold onto his followers. Last time, he said it was a mathematical error, for which he apologized. I don't think he can use that one twice.

[surfer]

http://gochristfellowship.com/about-us/sermon-archives/#action=watch&series=49&sermon=170

Pastor Tom Mullins on end of the world...great sermon.

[Revolting cat!]

Tomorrow's headlines today:

Rapture Gone Camping!

[Guenevere]

I didn't say he was right.....

I said the Lord could have decided to return today.....or tomorrow....or next week....

We don't know the hour....

...the Bible states that clearly....

...I would say Camping is a false prophet....but if he is a simpleton, or misguided man....I feel some sympathy ....

..yes, Christians might be the brunt of jokes because of this man....

..but Christians are brunt of jokes whether this man is around or not---have you watched any TV or movies lately?.....

.. no one will be joking on the real Judgement Day

[gogogodzilla]

It’s true, the Rapture did happen! I’m posting from heaven right now...

Gotta say, it’s great here. And there are 72 virgins (holding beer steins in each hand) for every guy. That said, I haven’t seen a Muslim yet...

(heh heh heh)

[sr4402]

8:34PM Here in Georgia. Nobody raptured that I know. Camping failed again - Surprise, Surprise.

[commonguymd]

The believer that spent his life savings in preparation for the end will be nothing but broke.

[screaminsunshine]

Did anybody Rupture?

[SeekAndFind]

RE:That would be a clue that this guy is no prophet. I wonder what excuse he will make this time?

His previous excuse was that he miscalculated. He can always use the same excuse again. There will still be fools who will believe him regardless.

[EvasiveManuever]

Which Paul?

Ron Paul??

I was talking about Huckabee the Huckster.

[sr4402]

I’ll find out at Church today ;)

[jetson]

Maybe the Rapture occurred and he is one of the damned?

Maybe God felt he could not compete with the great Barry...THE LIVING MESSIAH!

[tjd1454]

..I would say Camping is a false prophet....but if he is a simpleton, or misguided man....I feel some sympathy ....

I know little about the man beyond occasionally listening to his radio program. However, the man has a long history of setting himself in opposition to other Christians, churches and denominations.

In addition, I remember back in the early 1990's when he was hawking his book about the supposed end of the world in 1994. If the man had any genuine humility, and if he was willing to accept correction, he would have sincerely repented at that time, instead of making excuses, which was what he actually did.

Thus I doubt he can be defended as simply "misguided"; rather, he has ceaselessly promoted his unorthodox ideas all these years and convinced more than a few people to bankroll him.