Harold Camping’s error, and the error of those who followed his line of reasoning, is now self-refuted by the fact it did not happen. The Lord did not return on May 21, 2011, as Mr. Camping boldly declared. There was no doomsday earthquake. Mr. Camping was so certain of this happening he said in a recent interview, ““God has given sooo (sic) much information in the Bible about this, and so many proofs, and so many signs, that we know it is absolutely going to happen without any question at all.” Why did Mr. Camping predict this particular date, and why was he wrong, again, as he was in 1994?
I keep a copy of his book 1994? in the eschatology section of my library. Amazingly, all these numbers added up to September 6, 1994, then, and now they add up to May 21, 2011. The same errors he made in that first book are the same types of errors he made this time around. There are two fundamental errors in Harold Camping’s circular reasoning that made it impossible for him to correctly discern the date of the Lord’s return.
First of all, Harold Camping has his own chronological dating system for Old Testament events. There is no biblical evidence for the dates that he sets. He claims Abraham was circumcised in 2068 B.C., but how could he possibly know that? We agree that Abraham was circumcised, the Bible says so. To try and figure out the exact year this occurred is ludicrous and unnecessary. Without his erroneous and arbitrary dating of dozens and dozens of similar events, his entire system falls apart. The Bible gives us no warrant for these dates. When Harold Camping says, “The Bible tells us so…” he is lying, for the Bible says no such thing. God was not pleased to pinpoint the exact dates for most of the events it records. The events are true, but Mr. Camping’s “dates” are the mere speculation of men. When Harold Camping says Noah’s flood occurred exactly 7,000 years ago – we can be assured – he is wrong about that too.
Second of all, God would not have us try and decipher “codes” from the Bible as Harold Camping does. There are no “hidden codes” to discern. The Bible does not contain secret messages that only “the elect” can see. God wrote a Word that can be understood and is meant to be understood. The purpose of the Bible is to tell us who God is – who we are, needy sinners in need of salvation – and that Jesus Christ came into the world to save His people from their sins. Harold Camping’s random and idiotic use of Biblical numerology is an insult to the very Bible he claims to believe. He is an intelligent man and an engineer by trade. But his use of biblical numbers, and his random way of multiplying and squaring them according to his own pleasure, along with the arbitrary meanings he assigns to these numbers is closer to superstition and witchcraft than it is to proper Biblical exegesis.
Of course a third reason Harold Camping was wrong is simply because the Bible does not tell us the date of the Lord’s return. There is no way to ascertain that information because it is not in the Bible. The Bible tells us to be ready. One of the main purposes of eschatology is that we would live holy lives to the glory of the Lord. 2 Peter 3:11 – Therefore since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness… verse 14 – Therefore beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by him in peace, without spot and blameless. These verses are not only applicable to those living in 2011, but are applicable to the people of God in every age.
A FINAL APPEAL TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED THIS ERROR
Harold Camping’s greatest error is not his proclamation of May 21, 2011, as Judgment Day. His greatest error is saying the Holy Spirit left every church in 1988. This is another lie that he “discerned” from his erroneous interpretation of biblical numbers. Like a typical cult leader, Mr. Camping has attempted to cut you off from the very place where you can hear the truth proclaimed Sunday after Sunday. He set himself up as the true teacher.
Jesus loved the church, and gave himself for it. It is ludicrous to think that we have been living on this earth for the past 23 years with no true gospel church in existence. The Bible says no such thing. The gospel has been preached. Souls have been saved. Christ has been exalted. The church of Jesus Christ will still be on the earth when Christ returns. The question is – will you become part of a local church in obedience to God and His Word or will you remain in error?
Don’t let him or his followers deceive you again. He was wrong about judgment day and he is wrong about the church. We pray that he repents for leading so many people astray. But if he follows the same course he did last time, he will simply recalculate his numbers or offer some lame excuse. Harold Camping was wrong – again – the false prophet has been proven false – again. Find a gospel preaching church as soon as this Sunday, May 22. If you’re not sure where to find a good church – there are many resources available – and you can respond in the comment section of this blog and we would be glad to help you.
Steve Marquedant Sovereign Grace Reformed Baptist Church Ontario, California www.sgbc-ontario.us
Reformed Baptist Fellowship 
It is now 10:08 in Southern California. Two time zones in this world have already gone past Campings deadline of 6 pm May 21.
No inspired prophet of the old or new testament ever used anything remotely close to Camping’s methodology to understand, explain, or expound any other part of the Bible. That alone should alert us to the error of his method.
The bible should be interpreted and explained in the way the inspired writers did when they were quoting or alluding to other portions of scripture – and they never used numerology to do so.
Well put, I could understand it and as a layman(person) that is important. thanks.
There are reliable Biblical Chronologies that use Biblical references to calculate the first coming of Christ. Charles Martin Anstey wrote The Romance of Bible Chronology and then Philip Mauro wrote a follow up, The Wonders of Bible Chronolgy, based upon Anstey’s work with some corrections. Neither of these books prognosticated the second coming, but they did quite thoroughly debunk a lot of dispensational thinking. (BTW, Mauro wrote an excellent book further debunking dispensationalism entitled The Seventy Weeks and the Great Tribulation).
It is very true that Camping, the Watchtower, Seventh Day Adventists, Millerites, etc. are way off base in their predilections. The sad thing is the amount of damage that is being done on a worldwide scale to the credibility of true Christianity.
Steve,
You are apparently ignorant of the fact that God operates in Eastern Standard Time. 😉
HAROLD CAMPING FOLLOWERS — FOLLOW CHRIST — NOT HAROLD CAMPING
Camping is a cult leader that has cut you off from the local church and isolated you and now has left you alone. He has even taken down his website. Do not fear his baseless predictions — and follow Christ. BE IN CHURCH TOMORROW!!!
[…] Why Harold Camping was Wrong – Again – by Steve Marquedant […]
I live in springfield Missouri it is over an hour past the due date for may 21 2011 6:00 pm doomsday prediction. He had us all to believe his tale and look what he got over a million dollars for his radio station. While others spent thousands of dollars preparing and traveling. He has once been false again will he try again who knows but I lay money down it will prove to be false again
He/Camping has set in motion the fulfillment of more prophesy ! Let no man decieve you ;;;no one knows the time but there will be those who will say they do;;;;;[the world wasn’t at ease]in fact it was on edge;the ease is coming ;just give the earth a few days weeks ;;; Luke 21 v 34 35 LUKE 12 38to40 Luke ch 21 v20 to 34wow the fig tree or any tree summer is near ;;Matt ch 24 v 35 to 40 EVERYONE WOULD BE READY IF THEY KNEW ;no one knows ;so be ready all the time ;now that HE is the least expected ;the time will soon be ripe !He is coming back; soon !!!
I’m maybe not the most active christian there is – Lord knows I hardly know the Bible enough to call myself one – but anyway, I think it’s an insult to God to use the Holy Bible as a part of some sick Da-Vinci-Code-kind-of-psychologigal-game. It’s not our place to say whether or not the world will end today, or 2012 or maybe 3045. We won’t know. And if there would be someone – like Noah was in his era – who would know, I highly doubt that he’d be commanded to tell every soul in the planet.
In addition, I mostly doubted the way Camping claimed the apocalypse would happen. Seriously, earthquakes? I know that the Lord is indeed allmighty and therefore could make anything happen, but the way the world has been created doesn’t really allow that kind of massive earthquakes to happen in every part of the world. Case in point: Finland – there’s earthquakes every year, yes, but still they go unnoticed by the media. Why? Because the worst damage they do is break a thin glass if it happens to be touching something at the time of the earthquake. There’s lots of countries that are so far off the edge of the tectonic plates that it’s nearly impossible for an earthquake to cause apocalyptic damage.
But nice try Camping, and thanks for scaring many, many innocent children around the world. (Also thanks for the laughs, wonder what day you’ll pick next?)
Thank you!
Excellent article, on why Harold Camping was wrong again.
Harold Camping has once again proved himself to be a false prophet.
Although we ought not to be surprised. Read this Holy word of God……
2 Peter 2v1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
His teachings totally contradict the Holy Scriptures.
1 John 4 warns us…….
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Hebrews 10 verse 25 says Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people are in the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.
We all must test everything, and stay in fellowship with each other.
If you do not want to leave a public message on this blog, but would like some counsel, etc. regarding this issue, please send me an e-mail at smarquedant@msn.com
[…] Why Harold Camping was Wrong – Again Harold Camping’s error, and the error of those who followed his line of reasoning, is now self-refuted by the fact […] […]
Harold camping needs to get in a church himself and even read the very thing he says he goes by, The Holy Bible, and stop trying to decipher it
If he knew so much about his Bible then he would have read Matthew 24:32 where it says not men nor angles not Jesus but only the father knows the hour of his coming
As was pointed out in an audio recording on redeemerbroadcasting.org, in response to Harold Camping’s failed prophecy about May 21, there were two events that revealed Harold Campings character flaws. In 1988, he was teaching a Sunday School class at the Alameda Reformed Fellowship in Alameda, California, when he was confronted by the elders there for teaching false doctrines (not clear what these particular teachings were). Rather than allowing himself to be corrected, he chose to leave that church, and start his own. Once again, in 1993, he was confronted about his upcoming book about the 1994 date, and again, he rejected the counsel. So it should come as no surprise to anyone that his doctrines after that point became more and more bizarre and unorthodox.
Honestly, I blame all of you for the worlds Terror. Religion puts fear in millions of people’s minds. Thats why the U.S is over in the middle east fighting the war on terror which it should be called the “Holy war. The Muslims are fighting a Holy war and you all know it. Religion is the worst thing ever to be created by man. Imagine a world with no Religion………
Arnt we missing the point here? Why why why does the so called church ignore Christs message the the knigdom of God is “WITHIN ” The world continues to interprit the bible and reconcile it to happening or will happen on this earth and reality, this world of ceaser. Scripture was never about this world,its always been about the within world of the individual.The REAL world, the world of God.I know others will disagree with this, they will continue to ask God “where is the kingdom”….. Let them.God will always answer ” dont say look here or look there ” the knigdom is within you.The jewish nation missed this,the evangelical nation has missed this.Try to reconcile scripture to a physical end of the world if you want. Scriptures about you, the real you, not this world.
yes he was wrong, but is he not doing exactly what Ezekieal 33:3 tells us to do. He thought he found something and was warning people. I have never heard him say he is a “prophet”. All this media hype around whether he was right or wrong is completely taking away from the point. As christians we are to look to the scriptures to see if he(or anyone) is right about a fact. By calling him a false phophet you are only fueling the anti-christian view that is in the world. We are suppose to admonish each other not ridicule each other for something we think have learned. If anyone is blindly following Harold Camping or you or any man with out checking what you are saying in the holy word first they are failing in their mission as a christian. I admire his courage to boldly proclaim this. THAT MY FRIEND IS THE VERY ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANTY. Please take your focus off of Camping and put it back on christ where it belongs. God bless
Harold Camping should be ashamed of himself. He has led so many people astray from the truth and profited from it. His organizations are said to be non-profit, but according to public records and the IRS, it is his primary source of income. He makes all his money from scaring innocent people and spreading his lies. He is not the only one profiting from it. There are other companies out there who sell services such as pet care after the rapture.
The bible said that NO ONE knows the time of the rapture. Not even the Son knows, only God himself knows when it will happen. To be able to predict the time of the coming of Christ means you have proven God wrong and he lied. God does not lie, and he isn’t trying to trick anyone. God cannot be contradicted. Shame on Camping!!
Religion has got it wrong. It puts to much fear in people.
Its just not right to put fear out there for people. This is what is ruining and has been ruining the world for ever. God is very personal.
Thank you Steve Marquedant – That was very well written.. God Bless! We are in the end-times and need to live as Jesus will arrive at anytime. Though Harold Camping was completely off base and his teachings are without a doubt false we need to realize the impact this had on everyone. This was greatly publicized in the media and it goes to show the world is looking for answers. I had non-christian friends and co-workers that were truly wondering if something was going to happen on May 21st. This opened the door for me to speak the truth and though I denounced Mr. Camping for his false teachings individuals were much more open to hear the truth.
I’m no expert. But didn’t Jesus say that NO ONE will know when the Judgement Day will come?
Harold Camping is just a man. While most people feel that he has led many astray, and caused a days worth of worry, we should not judge him. If we judge him, we too will be judged. So instead of holding hate over this man lets pray for him. He is a child of God as we all are. Do any of us want the world to hold over our heads all of our sins and wrong doings? He is worthy of our prayers. God will handle him in the way that he may see fit. Pray for him, pray for his followers. Let’s pray that they use their efforts and financial abilities to spread words of love and truth.
Though Harold Camping was completely off base and his teachings are without a doubt false we need to realize the impact this had on everyone. So called seasoned saints were concerned about 5/21,2011 it was a eye opener for saints to really know the word of GOD.In Matthew’s account it says in Matthew 24:36 (NASB95)
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. I was asked why Jesus didn’t know the time or the hour,i told them it speaks to his humanity at this time remember Philippians 2: 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Let’s not be deceived Saints of the Most High GOD,1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
GOD BLESS YOU MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE LORD
I had the fortitude of meeting one of Harold Camping’s disciple on Thursday, May 19, two days before the dire predictions of worldwide death and destruction.
During the 30 minute discussion we had, I came out amazed at how much their teaching is based upon the notion that God rejected Church. They disdain her. Why such hatred towards the church?
According to Camping and his disciples, the church is now ruled by Satan himself.
I pointed out to that disciple that the church is the body of Christ and the bride of Christ. Therefore, we need to have utmost respect for her. Since Jesus purifies His church daily with His Word, who are we to claim that God gave up on the church and instituted the devil as her leader.
That disciple could not give me a straight answer. She kept repeating how the church nowadays is bad. My reply to her was that there were always very serious situations within the church. Take the Corinthians, for instance. They operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, yet were very carnal. One of them took his father’s wife.
Furthermore, I explained that the book of Revelation relayed Jesus’s admonitions to the seven churches. Jesus was very critical with most of those churches’ leaders because they failed to carry out their divine duties. Please, read Revelation chapter 2.
So, the church always had major issues to deal with. That does not, however, change her nature from being the bride of Christ to “Satan’s throne”, as Camping alluded to.
For Jesus so loved the church that He shed his own blood for her in order to ready her for His imminent return. Jesus came for the sick, the hurting and the despondent. His plan is to pour out His grace upon them and care for them. Please, read Ephesians chapter 5, verses 25 through 30.
Furthermore, I mentioned that Jesus himself said that He would build His church and that the gates (plans, traps) of hell would not prevail against her. That disciple could not, then, show me when the gates of hell did finally overcome the church.
I, then, left her alone after noticing that a 30 minute conversation would not easily undo years of misinformation lodged in her mind.
It infuriates me that Harold Camping has been able to falsely lead so many people to personal ruin through his false prophesies! I am also angered at those who were led astray. I know that they all have bibles, but why won’t they read them?
The Bible is CLEAR. No man on this earth can/will know the hour of Christ’s return as is clearly stated in 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-2 saying,
“1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
Brothers and Sisters! Christ’s second coming is not a Batman cartoon, where the thieves give explicit details of their planned crimes and dare the caped crusader to stop them! He is coming as a thief in the night, meaning that you will have no warning. You will not know to expect it. You have no appointment. There will be no forewarning!
Furthermore, Jesus himself, while on this earth, DID NOT KNOW when He would be coming back. Mark 13:32 says,
“32But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”
The book of Matthew gives the same account. Matthew 24:36 says “36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (PLEASE, read these 2 bible chapters in their entirety.)
Chapter 13 of the Book of Mark begins with Jesus’ Apostles asking Him: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” Jesus gives his Apostles a long and thorough explanation that begins: “Take heed lest any man deceive you…”
Starting in verse 21 of the same chapter: “And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect (chosen ones).”
Harold Camping is one such FALSE PROPHET that Jesus so thoroughly warned us about. But Harold Camping is only ONE false prophet in a long line that have come in the past and will come in the future. If you want to be ready for Christ’s return, believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, confess your sins, repent from evil, be baptized and live a life holy and acceptable unto Christ…every day. Because you may very well die before the rapture occurs on this earth and upon your death your judgement will be sealed.
I have to agree with Brian one of the posts above. He is not a False prophet, he is a God fearing christian, and I’m sure loves the Lord, and what he did was not for his own gain. I think he will need to answer to Christ for his actions. We are just fueling the fire (literally), by bashing him or what has occured. Keep your eyes focused on God, not any one man, or CHURCH! I have not been to church for years, but my heart remains with
Christ. I have experienced so many negative feelig from christians at church, gossip, clicky, you name it. And no one is going to tell me its because I have not found the right church. Christ knows my heart.
Perfectly said. This guy received 80 milliion in donations, correct? And now the donors have no money and he is rich.
Amen.
Sadly Harold Camping is self opinionated, HIS understanding and interpretation is seriously flawed but more importantly, HIS opinion and reasoning MAY BE SATANIC in origin, on that basis, as true believers, we must pray that he is released from SATAN’s control and what ever time Our Lord has granted for Mr Camping on earth, he spends it in SILENT prayer for true understanding of the Word of God and it’s relevance for us as Believers. May the Saviour of those who have truly repented of their sins, pray for Mr Campings true Conversion.
Harold Camping, another reason for the nonbeliever to lump Christians together and call us kooks! The media in it’s majority left leaning mentality loves guys like this so it can stick another pin into the Christian Faith. Does the media ever report on all the great missionary work or the tons of money that Christian ministries spend helping people? Do they report on all the volunteers that spend countless hours visiting rest homes or children’s hospitals, etc..?
NO! However, if something that makes Christians look bad should come about they’re all over it.
Most everyone knew Camping was wrong so why give him the time of day? Why bother? Because the media has an agenda which is to make Christians look bad and implant that view into every person it can.
As we all know, if you are not for God then you are against Him.
The fact that Harold Camping refuses to repent and says that May 21 was a “spiritual” judgment day and October 21 is the end of the world causes me to doubt his salvation.
Only God knows the state of Camping’s soul. But he is a false teacher who has gotten worse and worse as the years have gone by. He has redefined the gospel into something it is not. In the 70’s Harold Camping was “odd” but by and large good. However, with each passing year — he has strayed further and further from the truth. Hopefully Camping does know the Lord and it is just his advancing age — along with a proud heart (no one can correct him — as he refuses ALL correction) that causes him to proclaim so much error.
NOW he will no longer talk about faith and repentance because it is too late — judgment day has come??? It’s getting hard to feel sorry for people who are following this false teacher.
I agree wholeheartedly with Pastor Marquedant.
Jim
As Christians our main focus should be what Paul wrote to the Corinthians–1 Corinthians 13.
Given that alone, for me, it is so hard to be a Christian. But I work at it every day–while at work,
with my wife and children, family, friends, neighbors, and people I don’t know that I encounter. And I repent when I know that I have derailed from what Paul wrote. When Christ comes, he comes.
In the meantime we need to work on being good stewards towards each other and all of God’s
creation. I don’t think God wants us to be obsessed with the rapture. All that money that has been
put to advertisement about “May 21st Judgement Day” could have been used in Japan, recent
tornado victims in our country, Haiti, etc. To be obsessed with “judgement day” is very self absorbed. Jesus wants us to work towards being selfless as he demonstrated that for us. Every first
Sunday of the month we take the bread and wine in remembrance of Christ and what he has done
for us. But there’s also a sacrament that we always leave out, and that’s washing of each other’s
feet. Christ demonstrated this for us so that we would understand that you can’t get to heaven
unless you’re last.
I think Harold Camping misses the whole point. He is so self absorbed and self righteous. It doesn’t
matter if you can quote scripture and know “secret codes” from the Bible. What matters most
to God is if you know Jesus’ love and how to pass it on to the one next to you. And if not, you’re
nothing but a noisy gong or clanging bell.
Joey Moralobo,
I feel for you as apparently you do not possess a true understanding of the nature and preciousness of the church. While we will never be perfect on this side of eternity a God-fearing person does not contradict a explicit teaching of the Bible. God-fearing people differ on secondary issues like the timing of the Rapture or other issues but a God-fearing believer would never openly and clearly contradict the teaching of its Master.
How much clearer could Christ have been along with the Apostles?
As for your comments regarding not being in church for “years” that says a lot. A person can not objectively state they have Christ in their heart yet remain detached from the church. Support that contention from the Holy Writ. I would love to hear the support for such a carnal sentiment.
Truth is not subjective; instead it is objective and we are commanded, not suggested, to not forsake the assembly of ourselves together (Hebrew 10:25). Thus, to forsake the assembly of ourselves is to willfully sin against the clear teaching of Christ.
Can’t do much about the church consisting of hyprocrites and the like. Always has and always will but how does that justify violating the command of God. The wheat and tares will continue to grow together. Geniune believers do not have the option of bailing out of the church because there are “tares” in their midst.
A false prophet is one who claims to speak for God and is wrong justone time. He has to bat 100%, he can’t be right 99.9% of the time.
If Camping is not a false prophet then we have never had one. I pray and will continue to pray that Camping repents because that is the kind of God we serve.
I pray you will repent for your rejection of Christ’s body, the Church. Christ is returning for His church, without spot or wrinkle
I agree. What my question is where did he get these dates from? I mean anyone can say a date and say that the world was going to end. Harold Camping is a false prophet, and the bible tells us to beware of false prophets. Now he says its 10/21/11. My Lord. Can he just stop.
The reason Harold Camping is in such error is — he is not part of a local church. He has NO accountablity. I maintain it is impossible to serve the Lord in truth — unless you are connected to a local body of Christ. There may be circumstances where that is impossible — so God can meet the needs — but those who willfully cut themselves off from the local church are hypocrites when they pray and ask God’s blessing on their life of disobedience. If you can’t find a great church — find the best church you can!
I really liked what you said in this article, it was on point. When I heard about this guy, and about his error in 94′, I was thinking of course he’s wrong! No man knows!
Matthew 24:36-44
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, [2] but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
just read a 14 year old girl killed herself in Russia on 5-21 because she was so scared. Camping needs to be CONVICTED of his sin! He takes no responsibility for his ridiculous numerology based conclusion about the end of the world and also – the so called end of the church age!
Yes, I agree – if you can’t find a great church – find the best one you can.
I agree and disagree with a lot of you. Joey I have not been to an actual Church in awhile, not bc I don’t want to, but I am a single mother and I must work. That being said I do fellowship with believers and I do talk with my Father everyday. I must say the chruch has done me wrong in the past, but God has never done me wrong. The way the church does people wrong is two main thing Jesus taught they fail to remember, a. Forgivness and b. do not judge. When I find a church that can truely do those two things then I will join the church again.
Heather,
Each of us could possibly recount stories of unpleasant events in relationship to the church. You are falling into a subjective reaction to an issue that must be decided objectively. We are commanded to not forsake the assembly of ourselves together. Again, that is a command, not a suggestion or not for the select few.
Are there geniune issues in the church, you betcha. It will always be that way until Christ returns. Yet, that does not allow us to use the excuse of sentiments like “God knows my heart” or “I worship my heavenly Father every day in private.”
All believers are expected to commune with their heavenly Father every day but that in no way eliminates the command to join ourselves to a local Bible believing and preaching church.
I am amazed at the lack of understanding of this vital necessity. The church is the only institution promised by our Savior that will prevail against the wiles of the enemy.
I encourage all on this blog to affirm the preciousness of the geniune, authenic Church. The Church which our Sovereign Potentate gave His life for and promises to return one day real soon.
If you are not engaged in such a church today, repent and then ask the Lord to direct you to a local group of believers who will partner with you to turn your community upside down for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you live in the Manassas Virginia area and are looking for such a church contact me at rickykyles@comcast.net and you can plug in with our church, Surrender Baptist Church. We are a new church plant and would love to minister to you.
No church is perfect, Heather, and I am sorry you have been hurt by church members but Christ never promised you would not be hurt by even church members but He does promise He will build His church and it will prevail.
Praise Jesus for His glorious Church and I am eternally grateful to be one of its members.
Ricky V. Kyles
Pastor, Surrender Baptist Church
Heather,
I’m a little confused here. You started out by saying you don’t belong to a church, not because you don’t want to, but because you can’t. But then you said that once you found a church that forgives and doesn’t judge others, you would join. Which is it? If you found a church that suits your liking, you’d go to it, so apparently you’ve found out a way you could participate after all, at least that’s what it sounds like!
My other question is about your statement that “the way the church does people wrong is two main thing Jesus taught they fail to remember, a. Forgivness and b. do not judge.”
I ask this question as one who’s been on the receiving end of this question. Guilty as charged! But by the grace of God, I am learning, and the blood of Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness! Have you spent time praying about and meditating on whether or not you yourself are living in light of the two truths you stated? Are you spending just as much time, if not more, forgiving and thinking the best of others than you are thinking about how others have wronged you?
As my pastor has often said, there is a perfect church, but you have to die to go there. Real brethren have sins and other problems to work out, but real brethren forgive and ask for forgiveness and bear with one another and above all love each other.
It’s ironic how many people say that “the problem with the church is that the people are so judgmental” which is, in itself, judging the people in church! Obviously they haven’t been in *every* church, yet they are judging *every* church.
Perhaps these folks have been in a church that was judgmental and legalistic. However, to interpret that bad experience as a valid reason to ignore a Biblical command (to be under the authority of Biblical elders and to never forsake meeting together as the pattern of your life) is to place one’s own subjective reasoning over the objective truth of God’s Word!
Mr Harold Camping’s Radio Station has taken this quote to right all wrongs that they have been associated with over their misguided and errant prognostication re May 12th … “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” … please pray that this self declared Christian Radio Station receives the Holy Spirit now.
2 recent items:
Driving from Tucson to Phoenix — there was STILL the billboard declaring “May 21 — Judgment Day” — and then next to that false declaration it stated “The Bible Guarantees It”. A testament to Camping’s folly that he STILL refuses to repent for.
AND — in the news — a woman who was a family radio listener and a May 21 believer died before the assigned date. She had no children. She left $25,000 each to two neices and then left $300,000 to Family Radio. Lawyers say they have no basis to contest the will.
How many times has Harold Camping been the recipient of such large gifts from well-meaning but deceived individuals to build his radio empire — which he has used to attack the church and broadcast his insane rantings???
I am finding it very difficult to believe that Harold Camping knows the Lord Jesus Christ in saving faith. Instead he fits the description of FALSE TEACHER and EXTRAORDINARY DECIEVER!
I’m surprised at all the Christian followers who believed him. As a Christian we all know that yes there will be a day as Mr. Camping described but none of us will ever know the day or the hour as stated in Matthew 24:36-44. He should have known better to give false information like that and allowed the folks who followed him to spend their life earnings and savings on a lie. He wanted popularity and he got it, wheter good or bad. The only information the Bible gives about the end times are the signs that will give each and every one of us the heads up on when my Lord and savior is coming back to rapture His Church (meaning believers in Christ). As of today the signs of the times are being fullfilled but we will never know the actual day nor the hour of Jesus Christ return.
If you haven’t heard, Harold Camping suffered what has been called a minor stroke on Thursday. He is reportedly doing better today (Monday). He has minor weakness in his left side and slightly slurred speech. There seems to be no immediate danger to his health. A spokesman said that the stress of the May 21 ordeal may have contributed to the stroke. He will not be doing live TV or radio for awhile. Hopefully, his October 21 prediction will not be the circus his May 21 prediction was.