The End of the World is ... May 21?

In case you hadn't heard yet, a small sect of Christianity believes that the Rapture/end of the world will occur around 6 p.m. this Saturday, May 21.

So warns one Harold Egbert Camping, 89-year-old founder of Family Radio, a Christian broadcasting network heard in 61 languages around the globe.

Camping—whose network is reported to be worth $100 million—has been preaching that Jesus will make his Second Coming to Earth on May 21 for at least two years now, and he’s attracted quite a following. People have even left their jobs and their families because they truly believe Camping’s message that the end times are nigh. Even Stephen Colbert agrees!

Though many Christians believe Jesus will indeed return someday, the consensus is that, quoting scripture, no one knows the hour or the time. It’s all a prelude to Oct. 21, 2011, when Camping says God will destroy the Earth.

“Holy God is showing us by the words of 2 Peter 3:8 that He wants us to know that exactly 7,000 years after He destroyed the world with water in Noah’s day, He plans to destroy the entire world forever,” Camping wrote. “Because the year 2011 A.D. is exactly 7,000 years after 4990 B.C. when the flood began, the Bible has given us absolute proof that the year 2011 is the end of the world during the Day of Judgment, which will come on the last day of the Day of Judgment.”

Camping arrived at the May 21 date by comparing the Biblical date of the flood to today’s calendar. According to Camping, the flood occurred on the 17th day of the second month in the 600th year of Noah’s life.  By Camping’s calculations, the 17th day of the second month of the Biblical calendar for this year is May 21.

Many dissenters—pretty much every other mainstream Christian in America, as well as followers of other world religions—aren’t so sure about Camping's prediction.

"As believers in Christ we look forward to the return of Jesus according to the scriptures," said Pastor Don Braswell of Metro Church here in Marlborough. "While we have no desire to disparage other's opinions, every believer must be bound to biblical text concerning the end of the age. In the twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew Jesus' disciples asked Him when this time would be, the text reads as follows: Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying,'Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?'  'But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.' (Matthew 24:3 and 36) 

"Beyond this text, scripture also contains a number of yet to be fulfilled prophecies whose fulfillment must precede Christ's return," he continued. "What we do know is that we are closer to his return than ever before. Our responsibility is not to know the time, but to be prepared for it through the forgiveness and love God has provided to us through Jesus Christ."

Whatever their opinion on the matter, people around the country are responding in variety of ways. There is even a Facebook event titled “Post Rapture Looting” currently has over 181,000 confirmed attendees. Over 14,000 people have indicated they may be attending and just under 20,000 have said they do not plan to attend the event.

The event is scheduled for May 21 from noon to 3 p.m. According to event organizers, “When everyone is gone and god's not looking, we need to pick up some sweet stereo equipment and maybe some new furniture for the mansion we're going to squat in.”

With all these opinions in mind, what would you do with your last day on earth? And, what do you think of this apocalyptic prediction?

Sound off in the comments field!

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