October 21st, 2011 could be the end of the world. This is the prediction of Christian radio host and author, Harold Camping. Perhaps you have seen one of the many billboards, bus ads, signs, etc. that his group Family Radio is responsible for.
This however is not Camping’s first prediction. Back in 1993/1994, while I was attending West Chester University right outside Philadelphia, I became friends with a fundamentalist Christian who strongly believed that Harold Camping accurately predicted the End Times. At the time, Camping predicted the End Times in September of 1994.
Back then, I would often hang out in my friend Greg Cooper’s dorm room and listen to Harold Camping with him. Now that Camping’s latest prediction is upon us, I thought it was a good time to catch up and interview my old friend, Greg.
Q1. Thank you for taking part in this interview, Greg. To start with can you tell me how you first heard about Harold Camping and his prediction that the world would end? How old were you? What were the circumstances? What were your beliefs previously?
A1. Thank you for this opportunity, Staks. I first heard of Harold Camping when I was 16 years old. My mother used to have Family Radio on in the house. I was a young Christian at the time. The Lord saved me in the summer of 1991, between my sophomore and junior years in high school. Being newly saved, my beliefs were fairly new. The only thing I was completely sure of was that Jesus Christ was my personal Lord and Savior.
Q2. I want to try to understand what some of Harold Camping’s current supporters are thinking. With that in mind, can you tell me what you found most compelling and convincing about Harold Camping’s prediction?
A2. The thing that appeared so compelling and convincing at the time was Harold Camping’s emphasis that the Bible is the Word of God, and that He was getting his information regarding September 1994 out of the Bible. I DO believe that the Bible is the Word of God, but I did not know, at the time, the prohibitions that the Bible placed on setting dates for Christ’s return, and so his prediction seemed convincing.
Q3. I recall that you were handing out pamphlet on campus for Harold Camping’s ministry. How active were you in promoting his prediction?
A3. I was very active in promoting Mr. Camping’s prediction. I handed out literature, and told people that there was a strong likelihood that the world would end in September of 1994.
Q4. After his September, 1994 prediction did not come to pass, how did you feel? Were you happy, disappointed, angry, etc.?
A4. I was disappointed and also angry. I was disappointed because like every Christian, I greatly desire to see my Lord and Savior return. However, I was angry because I realized due to my ignorance of the Bible, I had been misled by Mr. Camping.
Q5. Did you still trust Harold Camping after that? If so, how long did you hang on to that trust before you lost confidence in his ministry?
A5. I learned from the Bible that Jesus was very clear concerning the timing of his return. He says, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36), and again He says, “Take heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33). This helped me to realize that it was not the Bible that misled me, but rather Mr. Camping that had misled me. The Bible was clear that we cannot know the day and hour of Christ’s return, but that we are always to be ready. As my knowledge of the Bible increased, my faith in Christ increased, and I began to put distance between myself and the teachings of Mr. Camping. Mr. Camping has proven himself to be a false teacher and a deceiver. He is by no means a fair representation of Christianity.
Q6. Despite your experience with Harold Camping’s ministry, you remain an outspoken evangelical Christian. What are your current views about the “End Times?” What do you think will happen when “Judgment Day” approaches? When do you expect it to happen? Do you think you will live to see that day?
A6. I DO believe that Jesus Christ will return one day. All true Christians believe this. The Bible clearly teaches this. I DO NOT know the time of His return, as the Bible is also clear on that. When Christ returns, He come to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). He will come in “flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel…” and “He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe…” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). It is possible that I will live to see that day, but I do not know for sure.
Q7. What do you currently think will happen to people who are not saved?
A7. Unsaved people, when they die, go to a place of torment (Luke 16:19-31, Hebrews 9:27). On Judgment Day, when Christ returns, they will stand for an official trial and arraignment before God Himself, and be cast into the Lake of Fire where they will dwell forever (Revelation 20:11-15). If an unsaved person trusts in Jesus Christ before they die, they will not go to Hell, but rather go to be with Christ in Heaven (Luke 23:39-43).
Q8. Considering that you once believed that the world was coming to an end in September of 1994, do you think it is possible that you might be mistaken again?
A8. If I were saying that I knew the exact date that the world was coming to an end, then yes, I not only “could” be mistaken again, but I definitely WOULD be mistaken. However, I am not saying that. I do not know the day or the hour, and no man does, not even Harold Camping. That being said, the Bible DOES teach that Jesus is coming again. This, I can say that I CANNOT be mistaken about. Christ’s return is absolutely going to happen.
Q9. If you could say something to some of Harold Camping’s current supporters, what would it be?
A9. I would say do not believe what Mr. Camping is teaching you. He has proven himself to be a false teacher. He falsely predicted Christ’s return once before for September 1994. It didn’t happen. In the Bible, God’s prophets did not make mistakes. When they said “Thus saith the LORD,” it came to pass. Mr. Camping is now predicting the Lord’s return on May 21, 2011. Do not believe him. He is wrong. Heed the words of the Bible that warn against date setting (Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:33). In addition to setting another date, Mr. Camping is teaching a whole host of other doctrines that are contrary to The Bible. These include: the church being given over to Satan, and no eternal punishment for the wicked (annihilation). These topics are beyond the scope of this interview, but are nonetheless part of Mr. Camping’s package of deception and people need to stay away from listening to him.
Q10. Thank you again, Greg, for taking the time to relive your experiences with me and my readers. Where can people find out more about your current beliefs? Is there a website you would recommend? Is there anything else you would like to plug?
A10. Staks, thank you very much for this interview and the opportunity to share with your readers. I hope this will be of benefit to them. There is an .mp3 online entitled “Testimonies of Former Followers of Harold Camping’s Doctrine.” This .mp3 can be downloaded for free. In this .mp3 people will hear the testimonies of those who were once misled by Mr. Camping, but by the grace of God came to Truth through the Bible. To date, it has been downloaded over 700 times and has only been online a few short weeks. You can listen to it here: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=215112254317. I would also recommend folks go to http://www.yesthereisaGod.info for some good, thought-provoking information.
Please check out the Atheism 101 series for frequently asked topics.
If you enjoy this article, please share the link on facebook, twitter, reddit, and others. Be notified by e-mail about the latest articles by the Philly Atheist Examiner using the "Subscribe” button at the top of the page. Also consider hitting the "like" buttons at the top of the page.
Comments