Harold Camping says he’s read the Bible, done his math, and knows for sure that Jesus Christ is returning to Earth on Saturday, May 21, 2011.
He’s done his math before, and he was wrong. I’ll let Bob Thiel explain:
The world will end May 21, 2011. This is not the first time Camping has made a bold prediction about Judgment Day.
On Sept. 6, 1994, dozens of Camping’s believers gathered inside Alameda’s Veterans Memorial Building to await the return of Christ, an event Camping had promised for two years. Followers dressed children in their Sunday best and held Bibles open-faced toward heaven.
But the world did not end. Camping allowed that he may have made a mathematical error. (Berton J. Biblical scholar’s date for rapture: May 21, 2011. January 1, 2010.
Of course, if he actually would have relied on the Bible, and not his own imaginations, Harold Camping would not have made the prediction about 1994 or 2011. And while he admits to perhaps making one mathematical error, he has made many more.
… notice what else the article from the San Francisco Chronicle stated about Harold Camping’s logic for his “rapture” date:
Meaning in numbers…
The number 5, Camping concluded, equals “atonement.” Ten is “completeness.” Seventeen means “heaven.” Camping patiently explained how he reached his conclusion for May 21, 2011.
“Christ hung on the cross April 1, 33 A.D.,” he began. “Now go to April 1 of 2011 A.D., and that’s 1,978 years.”
Camping then multiplied 1,978 by 365.2422 days – the number of days in each solar year, not to be confused with a calendar year.
Next, Camping noted that April 1 to May 21 encompasses 51 days. Add 51 to the sum of previous multiplication total, and it equals 722,500.
Camping realized that (5 x 10 x 17) x (5 x 10 x 17) = 722,500…
Now the above is utter nonsense. That rapture date is based upon many faulty biblical assumptions and is also historically inaccurate. Christians need to realize that there is nothing in the Bible about the idea that the timing of Jesus’ return has to do with a numerical calculation based upon Atonement x Completeness x Heaven, squared.
That’s about all I can take. You can read the rest if you want to. You can also go watch this video if you want to learn more about how and when you are either going to Heaven or Hell.
I do have a few questions for you though. What will you be wearing at your end-of-the world party tomorrow night? Will you be wearing nothing but your birthday suit and present yourself to the Lord as He/his Father/the Holy Spirit created you, or will go formal? If you live in Seattle, you’re probably going casual.
What will you be drinking? Jesus preferred wine, so that might be a good choice. Maybe champagne if you are dressed up. Whisky if you are feeling pretty down about your future prospects. I’ll be drinking whisky.
What music will you be listening to? “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” by R.E.M.? ”The End” by The Doors? ”Waiting for the End of the World” by Elvis Costello? ”Gloria” by Patti Smith? Tell me!
If you want some more ideas you can read through the comments on NPR’s “Final Encore” post.
I know what I’ll be listening to, but that’s the subject of my next post.
