Crazy Christians say world will end (again) on May 21, 2011
Read Time:5 Minute, 15 Second
Well some stories never end, as is the case with another group of “End of Worlders” scattered throughout the country buying up billboards and bibles. Sadly for the faithful, there have been a number of “great disappointments,” dating back centuries, based on biblical interpretation and heavenly signs. In other words, the world has yet to end and Jesus has yet to descend on a red carpet and sweep up all the saved while condemning us Atheists to the fiery pits of eternal damnation, compassionate and forgiving God he is. Anyway, if interested in a fun read, and prepared to marvel at the continuing insanity of religion here is the full story from (gasp) of all places FOX NEWS:
If there had been time, Marie Exley would have liked to start a family. Instead, the 32-year-old Army veteran has less than six months left, which she’ll spend spreading a stark warning: Judgment Day is almost here.
Exley is part of a movement of Christians loosely organized by radio broadcasts and websites, independent of churches and convinced by their reading of the Bible that the end of the world will begin May 21, 2011.
To get the word out, they’re using billboards and bus stop benches, traveling caravans of RVs and volunteers passing out pamphlets on street corners. Cities from Bridgeport, Conn., to Little Rock, Ark., now have billboards with the ominous message, and mission groups are traveling through Latin America and Africa to spread the news outside the U.S.
“A lot of people might think, ‘The end’s coming, let’s go party,'” said Exley, a veteran of two deployments in Iraq. “But we’re commanded by God to warn people. I wish I could just be like everybody else, but it’s so much better to know that when the end comes, you’ll be safe.”
In August, Exley left her home in Colorado Springs, Colo., to work with Oakland, Calif.-based Family Radio Worldwide, the independent Christian ministry whose leader, Harold Camping, has calculated the May 21 date based on his reading of the Bible.
She is organizing traveling columns of RVs carrying the message from city to city, a logistics challenge that her military experience has helped solve. The vehicles are scheduled to be in five North Carolina cities between now and the second week of January, but Exley will shortly be gone: overseas, where she hopes to eventually make it back to Iraq.
“I don’t really have plans to come back,” she said. “Time is short.”
Not everyone who’s heard Camping’s message is taking such a dramatic step. They’re remaining in their day-to-day lives, but helping publicize the prophecy in other ways. Allison Warden, of Raleigh, has been helping organize a campaign using billboards, post cards and other media in cities across the U.S. through a website, We Can Know.
The 29-year-old payroll clerk laughs when asked about reactions to the message, which is plastered all over her car.
“It’s definitely against the grain, I know that,” she said. “We’re hoping people won’t take our word for it, or Harold Camping’s word for it. We’re hoping that people will search the scriptures for themselves.”
Camping, 89, believes the Bible essentially functions as a cosmic calendar explaining exactly when various prophecies will be fulfilled.
The retired civil engineer said all his calculations come from close readings of the Bible, but that external events like the foundation of the state of Israel in 1948 are signs confirming the date.
“Beyond the shadow of a doubt, May 21 will be the date of the Rapture and the day of judgment,” he said.
The doctrine known as the Rapture teaches that believers will be taken up to heaven, while everyone else will remain on earth for a period of torment, concluding with the end of time. Camping believes that will happen in October.
“If May 21 passes and I’m still here, that means I wasn’t saved. Does that mean God’s word is inaccurate or untrue? Not at all,” Warden said.
The belief that Christ will return to earth and bring an end to history has been a basic element of Christian belief since the first century. The Book of Revelation, which comes last in the New Testament, describes this conclusion in vivid language that has inspired Christians for centuries.
But few churches are willing to set a date for the end of the world, heeding Jesus’ words in the gospels of Mark and Matthew that no one can know the day or hour it will happen. Predictions like Camping’s, though, aren’t new. One of the most famous in history was by the Baptist leader William Miller, who predicted the end for Oct. 22, 1844, which came to be known as the Great Disappointment among his followers, some of whom subsequently founded the Seventh Day Adventist church.
“In the U.S., there is still a significant population, mostly Protestant, who look at the Bible as kind of a puzzle, and the puzzle is God’s word and it’s predicting when the end times will come,” said Catherine Wessinger, a professor at Loyola University in New Orleans who studies millennialism, the belief in pending apocalypse.
“A lot of times these prophecies gain traction when difficulties are happening in society,” she said. “Right now, there’s a lot of insecurity, and this is a promise that says it’s not all random, it’s part of God’s plan.”
Past predictions that failed to come true don’t have any bearing on the current calculation, believers maintain.
“It would be like telling the Wright brothers that every other attempt to fly has failed, so you shouldn’t even try,” said Chris McCann, who works with eBible Fellowship, one of the groups spreading the message.
For believers like McCann, theirs is actually a message of hope and compassion: God’s compassion for people, and the hope that there’s still time to be saved.
That, ultimately, is what spurs on Exley, who said her beliefs have alienated her from most of her friends and family. Her hope is that not everyone who hears her message will mock it, and that even people who dismiss her now might still come to believe.
“If you still want to say we’re crazy, go ahead,” she said. “But it doesn’t hurt to look into it.”
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Sounds like a bunch of RETARDS! LOL they have a few weeks unitll that sign needs to be taken down..
Hi Traci and welcome.
Thanks Rosemary. I don’t read the bible but I enjoyed your contributions. I hope you come back and see us.
Yes, Rosemary, thanks. I read the Bible and I especially enjoy biblical contributions. However, you need to know that we are a den of heathens here.
Oh, lol ok. Well, I love everyone even if you are heathens 🙂 I was trying to figure out which “Christian sect” was going around putting this stuff up because I really think it’s funny. I remember a couple people in NY putting this message in pamphlet form near one of the subway stations and I couldn’t stop laughing. I told my husband, wow, guess they don’t read the bible because no one is supposed to know, we have to be prepared all the time and these people are wasting time! Can’t wait until after May 21st, guarantee they’ll say, “wait! we must have missed a number in the calculation!” or “God’s fooling us, it’ll be tomorrow!” ha! people sometimes 😛 🙂 Take Care everyone! 😀
Hooray for those heathens, pagans, and Christians without axes to grind. Maybe we could all get together and have some mutual holidays, bringing aspects of our various beliefs and origin stories together in joyful celebration….Oh, wait….
When I first saw the billboard in my town I couldn’t help myself but laugh like crazy at this. Clearly, they are crazy, fanatical Christians who have no idea about Christianity nor have they read the Bible word for word about the message Jesus brings forth and warns us about His coming. You cannot miss these passages if you ACTUALLY read the Bible!!! lol silly people, so sad.
Mark 13:30-37
“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Matthew 24:36-44 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
You see, here is the problem, Rosemary. Jesus also said this in His own Elizabethan tongue:
“But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.”
Now, everyone who originally heard His words, tasted some death later. Jesus could safely make the claim, because they would never survive to challenge it. It was beautiful.
Now, He tells us that we cannot calculate the hour of His return, and we are supposed to believe Him. It is beautiful. If He tells us when, which would be very useful information, we could prepare, but then when He fails to make the appointment, Jesus faith would stop. This way, even if our wait is infinite, He was never late. Beautiful!
no one knows the date or the hour.
god looks down on you in pity. how could you say something so idiotic.
Oh, like you know, Courtney!
Oh, and I notice you are an e.e. cummings, fan. :).
I would like to take exception to your title. Just because somene SAYS they are Christian, does not mean they are.
Jesus CLEARLY stated in Matthew 24 that no one would know the day or hour of His return (Matthew 24:36-37). That is as clear as the nose on my face. In spite of this, we have people who CLAIM to speak for God and believe they know the DAY He will return.
It really wrankles me when I see people who make such obvious mistakes. They should be held up to ridicule, however, please understand that even those of us who believe that Jesus will return are not insipid enough to believe that it can be figured out, especially given the fact that Jesus said no one would know the day or hour.
You can explain this to people like Harold Camping until you turn blue, and they do not get it. They view the Bible allegorically and because of that, it can say anything they want it to say.
While I appreciate the fact that you included the adjective “crazy” in front of the word “Christians,” the problem is that too many people consider all Christians crazy.
Look, whether you believe the world is going to come to an end or not by Jesus physically returning is beside the point for now. The issue here is whether anyone can ever KNOW it ahead of time, and Jesus was pretty clear on that score.
Regarding some of the other questions/statements here in the comments, it would be easy to answer those but the ultimate reality is whether or not my answers would be accepted by anyone.
For years, I’ve heard that claim that Mithraism was the precursor to Christianity. That is not true and it is actually the other way around. Can I prove it? Yes, I can. Would anyone who already believes that Mithraism or some other cult was the precursor to Christianity believe me? Probably not.
The reality is that anyone who wants to take the time to study for themselves the claims of the Bible is free to do that. Most do not take the time, preferring instead to go by what others (atheists and agnostics) have stated.
In this case, it is clear that Harold Camping is wrong. The Bible proves he is wrong, yet in spite of that, he continues. He got it wrong in 1994 and he will get it wrong this year.
Fred,
You said: “For years, I’ve heard that claim that Mithraism was the precursor to Christianity.”
I would be very happy to hear and corroborate your evidence in this matter. I will not base my opinion on faith or former words. If you are correct, and I acknowledge you well may be, not only will I champion your cause (indirectly perhaps) in future posts, but I will never make such an assertion again.
Give me the data. You do not have to give the proof, just the starting point and I will take it from there.
I am not challenging you, sir. I am genuinely intrigued.
The world is in such a mess our only hope is God’s return. You who don’t want him to return, ask yourself: Who is going to help the world. The world is truly beyond any human help. No jobs, no money, no future. Greed and violence and vice has already destroyed our world. Now our only salvation is the Lord’s intervention.
Churches never mention these verses that state the believers will know more than the unbeliervers like when christ will return, ask your minister what these verses mean! I am sure that he will not have an answer.
1 Thessalonians 5:
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
2 Peter, Chapter 3
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Take that, ya wacky heathens!
in his book 1994? with a question mark Harold Camping stated that it could also be 2011 because 1994 may not be complete that is why he had the question mark. Also consider the state of the world today compared with 1994.
Remember Camping is not selling anything on the radio to make money.
Camping is the only radio preacher not interested in your money, yet you hate him?? I guess you would rather have skirt chasing, business man marketing preacher…That you may understand!
Family radio was always free to the listerners.
What has he to gain by sticking his neck out like this???
If the end comes, he is off and if the end does not come he is off. He is doing this because he truly believes God is using him for this message. What does he have to gain? I don;t have the kind of courage he has. Just think what he is putting out there.
I remember the professors in Seminary telling us that the Genelogies in the Bible are only important to trace the line of the prophets. They discounted the actually life spans. Think of it, It would take an engineer to learn the significance of the numbers so God could give us a warning of the actually end.
Whether he is right of wrong we will know it in less than 4 months.
But, you have to ask yourself, look at the state of the world. That is more scary than judgment day. What the heck is going to happen to us if May 21, 2011 does not happen.
QUESTIONS..
*Will Christians be the only to die?
*What happens to all the other people who believe in other things?
*What if the Bible ends up like one of those movies where whatever we write comes to life?
*WHO came before GOD, Christians?
*Isn’t Christianity as bogus as Greek Mythology?? No offense but, they’re incredibly similiar, despite the numerous Gods.
*Why would/does God want to destroy us all if he loves ALL us(Christians)?
Answers for your questions
Answer 1 the true believers will be raptures to be with god for ever in the most spectacular and exciting and glorious place it’s so wonderful that eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath entered into the heart of man the things which god hate prepared for them that love him and by loving god you keep his commandments thats showing love toward god
Answer 2 the people who are not true believers will suffer hell for 5 MONTHS and then will die and never live again if u read the bible carefully Hell is NOT forever.
Answer 3 the bible in it self is not magical gods words are powerful and sharper than any 2 edge sword perching to the divided asunder one side cuts to damnation the other side is everlasting life this is not literal but spiritual
Answer 4 god has always been from eternity past to eternity future god is outside of time its hard for us to understand because we are so finite and we live in a world of time.there are either the elect the ones god has decided to save and the none elect who want nothing to do with god so the best thing to do is to cry out to god begging him for mercy as the publican who would not lift up so much to heaven but beat upon his breast saying “god be merciful to me and sinner” I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the Pharisee for who ever uplifted him self shalll be abased and he who is humble so be uplifted.
Answer 5 stories like Greek mythology originated for the bible like most other religions thats why they are similar there is only one god but he is also one God in three.A trinity!
Answer 6 most Christians say that god loves everyone which is not true god only loves them that keeps his commandments but god has no pleasure in the death of the wicked he doesn’t rejoice when a non believers dies he says I would have gathered you like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings.god must execute judgement but he still is a god of great mercy and compassion first off hell is not forever and im sure you can think of many other blessings you have anything bad that happens to humans it is because our sin the true believers will not be destroyed but reign with God in heaven in the highest glory.
Answer did you mean test instead of dest? God sets up test for his own glory and his own will but he gave Adam and eve a choice to sin or not to sin and god knew the outcome but never the less he let what happen happen for his only glory and we think the we deserve the glory but we don’t we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Every human being is sinful by nature it’s only when God saves a person then our sins are paid for but the important thing is to cry out to god as the ninvited did and beg and plead for mercy and if god decides to save you like he did to all the ninevites all 120,000 nineties in one day then we will be in the highest joy and happiness reigning with Christ forever more
Glory: You are one fucked up human being. See you on May 22nd. Wait! You won’t come back here then.
I guess believing in the rapture means there is no need to believe in punctuation or correct spelling. If you are still with us on May 22nd, maybe as penance you can learn proper grammer(The penance would be for presuming you can speak for God.)
LOL!
I really don’t understand why you people think religion especially Christianity is a man made myth that humans created for money and power. You guys always say that in order to believe you need tangible proof to be convinced that God really exist and when ever you get proof you people refuse to believe the evidence that stands before you and continue to be ignorant and a non believer. No other religion in the world has better tangible evidence that science cannot explain that Christ was indeed God’s son-and that God really exists and is alive even today, than Christianity. We have real proof that Christianity was not a made up religion and was taken from historical accounts and eye witnesses from apostles and their relative about 2011 years ago. Some of the evidence is the tomb where Jesus laid, the crucifixion, journals of whiteness, a piece of the cross, and the shroud that is said to have blood stains in the linen fibers in the cloth in the shape of Jesus’s body. God really intervened with man kind and there is no denying that. You people only believe what you want to believe and see only what you want to because you are blinded by the devil. God gave you free will because he does not want robots to worship him. I would only hope you see through the devils lies and find the truth and trust in God. Read this and decide for yourself what you want to believe in. You can believe what you want to because God allows you to through free will. Please read this and comment.
You are completely clueless as are most of the christian fanatics. There is NO proof of a God whatsoever. As to Jesus there is proof that he walked the earth like millions of other people about 2000 years ago. There is proof he was married, wealthy, and may have had kids of his own. He ran afoul of the Temple Jews and was executed for his trouble. The whole thing about Pilate washing the hands, and the other Biblical nonsense, is just nonsense. Jesus was declared “divine” by Constantine so as to avoid a war with this brand new religion: Christianity.
So, I dare you to come back here on May 22d and admit you were wrong. You won’t though. You’ll just say it was God’s will. All silliness!
And that is the answer I knew I was going to get from an ignorant person such as yourself who is not open minded to anything whatsoever. I gave you proof and like I said before you would refuse to believe it. Let me ask you this then: How did the big bang happen if there was nothing to create it and how did matter form in space if there was nothing to create it? It could not have just appeared by itself with out a creator to create it. What are the odds that an intelligent design such as the universe would be created out of pure chance? Scientist who do not believe in God know that it is impossible for the universe to have been created by pure chance. I want you to come up with the answer for those questions and prove me wrong. I also want you to tell me why the things I said to you are considered complete bull shit. If you still are not convinced than you must have a terrible life to think of such things and hate life. Also I do not believe that the end of the world is going to happen on May 21. I am not that crazy. See you on May 22!
Wow! I have been waiting for you to reply. Whats the problem. I have been waiting for two weeks. Are you afraid that I am right about what I have said and you are wrong? Well it’s past May 21 and we are still here. I did not believe that garbage about the world ending. I’m pretty sure you won’t answer me because you know I am right about the things I said. Your the one who is silly for believing in nonsense and not me. It makes sense that God created the universe. It does not make sense that the universe was created out of nothing. That is a ridiculous theory. I think you know deep down that there maybe a God that created the universe but for whatever reason you are afraid to believe it. I really want you to reply this time.
If we file an IRS extension from the normal April 15th to the May 21st end of the world time, do we have to pay any interest penalty?
If so, who would we send that to?
no one..im sure in 2012 it’s going to be utter craziness for no apparent reason, especially if we all live to see the day after May 21st.
May 21st? Sweet,the cruise I have been waiting months for starts Saturday so I’m good to go.
The number one argument nut-cases use is “check it out for yourself, before you object.” Since thousands of nuts make their opinions known daily, any specific nut believes that his case should either be reviewed or accepted without review.
The funny thing is, generally, the same nuts will not even arm themselves with a basic well-rounded education. If you take about higher probability, more rational theories, where the need for the burden of prove is not screaming as loudly as it is for their soapbox, they recoil in horror. Whether the specific topic is religion or something else, the truth of the matter is the same. They have already rejected all scientific or philosophically sound possibilities in favor of their faith in whatever goofy theory impressed them this time.
Looks like we’ll miss Memorial Day.
LOL LOL LOL!!!
I have learned that living overseas has its advantages from time to time. There is little of this nonsense in Europe, although they have their own nonsense, and virtually none in Japan. They have a live let live attitude and do not try to force their beliefs on others. I intend to show this article to some of my local friends just to get their take on it.
I agree with you LT. I have also lived in several foreign countries and have never seen such religious nuttiness. Of course the Middle East (never lived there) is another story.