THERE are 22 shopping days left till Christmas … and 169 days left until Jesus’ second coming. Allegedly.
That’s the message on 40 billboards which have sprung up around Nashville, proclaiming May 21, 2011, as the date of the Rapture. Billboards are up in eight other US cities, too.
According to this report, fans of Family Radio Inc, a nationwide Christian network, paid for the billboards. The fruitcake founder of Family Radio, Harold Camping, 89, is the man who predicted the May date for the Rapture.
FR’s message is simple — “He Is Coming Again” — and its aim is to get unbelievers to turn around quickly. But critics say the billboards are a waste of time, one more failed attempt to predict the end of the world.
Said Allison Warden, 29, who orchestrated Nashville’s billboard campaign:
The Rapture is going to be a great day for God’s people but awful for everyone else.
She’s a volunteer with WeCanKnow.com, a website set up by followers of Family Radio. She and other fans designed the billboards, along with T-shirts, bumper stickers and postcards to get Camping’s predictions out.
Warden traveled from her home in Raleigh, N.C., to Nashville last week to check out the billboards, purchased through the end of the year. She wouldn’t say how much they cost or name who paid for them.
Harold Camping
Tom Evans, a Family Radio spokesman added:
This is the day, this is really the day, this is not a joke.
Evans said the date was carefully calculated from specific biblical dates, years and numbers referenced in the Bible.
He also said May 21, 2011 will mark the end of mankind.
It’s going to be a wonderful day for the believers and they will be caught up and raptured to be with Christ and those that remain here on earth will be subject to an earthquake that has never occurred in all of creation.
James Byrd, the Associate Dean of Divinity at Vanderbilt is unimpressed, saying this type of message is nothing new. Byrd has seen this prediction made before, dozens of times, even as recently as 2006.
What is interesting is what happens after the date comes and Jesus doesn’t return, you would think that’s the end of the movement but time and time again the tradition goes on.
Evans said they specifically targeted Nashville since a local Family Radio is not available here. They hope people will see their simple message and feel compelled to visit their web site, listen online and read the Bible. They also insist this is not for any type of publicity stunt or notoriety, but they simply want to tell people what they believe is the truth come May 21.
Family Radio Worldwide is available in 23 states. They would not release how much they paid for the 40 billboards in Nashville or how long they will be up.
Hat tip: Roger F
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:22 am
Shit… who’s going to feed the cats when I’m in hell?
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:27 am
Will he want a cigarette after his second coming?
Sorry thought I’d get that in first.
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 am
Why is it that so many of those who actually believe stories like this, rather than those who are making vast piles of cash from the gullible, seem old?
I’m 62; how many years before I become senile and start believing this sort of crap?
I want to laugh but feel it’s more tragedy than comedy.
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:33 am
“But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Mark 13:32.
If they are that ignorant about what The Bible teaches, who can take any of this bullshit seriously?
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:51 am
I’m busy that day, can we reschedule our appointment please god?
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:06 am
“The Rapture is going to be a great day for God’s people but awful for everyone else.”
There’s the smug moral superiority again that makes me laugh. We’re saved because we’re special, good xtians, better than you etc etc but you’re not hahaha.
I can imagine hell being quite a pleasant place if all these nutjobs are going to heaven.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:09 am
I would dearly love a list of the donors to this campaign, I wonder if they could be persuaded into a little bet….? Bloody idiots.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:09 am
If the guy only comes once every few thousand years it’s no wonder his followers are always so uptight.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:25 am
Roger Hart,
Judging by Camping, you’ve another 27 years to enjoy your sanity.
(or until May 21st)
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:39 am
Barrie: even if they did know scripture none of us would take them seriously.
I think if it doesn’t happen they should rapture themselves off the top of the tallest building in Nashville…..
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:41 am
Another set of posters would be welcome from 22nd May reading, “Where is he?”
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:10 pm
I vote we start a fund-raiser to get the billboards kept up indefinitely, with the date unchanged…
chrsbol: He probably wouldn’t be allowed to smoke in the airport. (See previous story)
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Sailor: I know that, but literally millions have thought, down the years, that some “prophet” knew when Jesus was returning, despite what the latter is supposed to have said on the subject, and Brother Camping certainly seems to have found the money to finance THIS campaign. (To ask if these people are gullible would be a purely rhetorical question I suppose!)
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I can see a great comedy film in this:
Carry On Coming Again
Brother Camping: Charles Hawtrey
Rev Wrecker: Kenneth Williams (“Ooh! Lift my luggage, please!”)
Prophet Creflo Dollar (no need for silly name): Sid James
The late Tammy Bakker: The late Hattie Jacques
Benny Hinn: Himself
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
These feckin’ lunatics are unbelievable! I mean, how many times have we heard all this before? But will they come out and say they were wrong when they and the rest of us wake up to absolutely no sign of Jesus whatsoever on May 22nd? Of course not. They’ll just move on to the next bogus date and pretend their last prediction never happened. It’s just yet another example of how religion rots your brain.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Marcus: I will make a prediction that is 100% accurate, without recourse to “supernatural” powers. Jesus will NOT return on said date (what a surprise!), and Camping will suddenly realize that he has made a SLIGHT error with his calculations, so the Second Coming will be at a later date than he had thought. Wait and see whether I am right!
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:49 pm
@ barriejohn I have no doubt whatsoever that unlike Camping (who looks for all the world like something off the Muppets), you will be spot on with your prediction.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Barriejohn:
Jesus: Bernard Bresslaw
December 3rd, 2010 at 1:00 pm
There was a great documentary on TV about three years ago about one of these end-of-the-world sects/cults. They were predicting a date for the end of the world. (I seem to recall the top man in the cult was unsurprisingly helping himself to most of the young women in his compound, including his son’s wife).
The film crew of course turned up at the compound just before the appointed time to “witness” the end of the world, just for shits and giggles.
*Can’t remember how the cult explained the non-appearance of the end of the world*
(edit) Here it is! http://www.channel4.com/progra.....d-cult/4od
December 3rd, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Let’s see if I have this correct: a bloke who probably didn’t exist and would now be a couple of thousands years dead is going to reappear and take all his gullible followers off to a place that doesn’t exist. I wish he would, just think what a better place planet earth would be without these morons.
What are the chances of finding a bookie who would take a large bet that this rapture nonsense won’t happen?
December 3rd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I’d like to be a fly on their wall. I’ll bet they’re already concocting excuses to publish on May 22nd. (“Oh, we forgot to carry the two. It’ll be one year from yesterday.” Or, “It did happen, just in a spiritual sense. You wouldn’t have noticed.”)
December 3rd, 2010 at 2:03 pm
If ‘He’ was my guest I wouldn’t even let him through the door.
2,011 years to return an RSVP?
That’s just taking the piss.
December 3rd, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Shouldn’t there be a permanent list on this site of all known predictions, with details like the names of the prophets, the date on which we were supposed to go to Hell and the number of followers they had? There seems to be a niche-market for these people and, of course, there’s always a lot of media attention. It would be nice to kept up to date of all the raptures we missed.
December 3rd, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Some of them are listed here, Har Davids:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S…..redictions
*Round of rapturous applause*
And here:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/end_wrl2.htm
December 3rd, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Marcus: He looks like the secret love-child of Dr Rhodes Boyson and Norman St John-Stevas to me!
December 3rd, 2010 at 3:13 pm
@ Roger Hart
They always use old people with these predictions, so when these so called predictions are proved to be bullshit (which they always are) the old bastards are already dead, thus avoiding criticism for making false predictions, the church can simply say he was a senile old nut-job, out of his mind on morphine sulphate. Is this clown likely to see this May 2011.He should be in a care home (being cared for). You see all is easily explained (this is how the religious treat their old people).
December 3rd, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Looking at the photo, I think May 21st 2011 might be Harold Camping´s last day.
Anyway, they have it wrong because the Mayans have told us the world ends in 2012 when they ran out of space on their calender stone.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:12 pm
What with all bible bashers spouting all this pish about the rapture and and new agers spouting all this shite about the mayans and 2012 I feel like I’m being bombarded with stupidity, couldn’t we go found our own country and ban these fuckwits from entering??
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Come on Hunter, I think the world needs all types to make it colourful and entertaining and these lot are hilarious aren’t they? There was a post about the poor persecuted Christians on the ‘Counting Cats’ blog that attracted a Christian who was a complete fruitcake and a vicar who wasn’t. I know that religion does a lot of harm but it does offset that a little by keeping us entertained. the fact that this one seems to be gaining quite a high profile is going to make May 22nd so much fun.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:43 pm
My mistake, it wasn’t ‘Counting Cats’ it was ‘Heresy Corner’
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I just want them to GO AWAY on May 22nd. Raptured or otherwise. Just GO AWAY.
December 3rd, 2010 at 6:01 pm
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36).
So their position is refuted by their own holy book…..
December 3rd, 2010 at 6:42 pm
I suppose when he comes that will be to Nashville? Not Manchester, Delhi, Sydney, Aberdeen, Berlin etc. Then he arrives and the dialogue begins:
Jesus: Hi guys, well here I am at last and that was a long trip. Almost missed the connection at Chicago and the coffee on that last train was crap. Luckily, I was able to turn it into wine.
Camping: Great to see you at last, Jesus. This is Pastor Dumbfuck and he will be putting you up in his house for a couple of nights. Any idea when the Rapture will begin?
Jesus. Super. I just need a few days for my team to get it all organised. We call ourselves Team Jesus and this is my lead organiser.
Camping and Pastor Dumbfuck look around in surprise.
Jesus. Sorry guys. Should have explained. My lead organiser is the Holy Ghost and he is invisible but he gets the show on the road. Very effective. How long you been doing this work HG?
Holy Ghost: Almost 2000 years now, Jesus. And I have loved every century.
Pastor Dumfuck (Looking round maniacally hoping to look towards the HG.) A very responsible job. Quite technical, I suppose?
Holy Ghost. Mustn’t complain. The pay is good, lots to eat and drink – mainly loaves, fishes and wine – and no shortage of nubile angel virgins although you can get too much of a good thing.
And so on………………………..
December 3rd, 2010 at 7:26 pm
This twat, as far as I was aware, had made vague noises in the past about the rapture. After double checking on the internet, it appears he made claims about 1994 being a possible year for this to happen.
Nothing like keeping his options open.
And the best bit? When it obviously fails to happen he can now jump on the bandwagon, along with the muslims and rc church, and blame us horrid atheists for scaring him away.
December 3rd, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Tony: If I remember rightly he said that he got his calculations wrong last time, so that’s sure to be the excuse next year. The thing that REALLY gets me about this sort of thing is that they can waste literally millions of dollars on “Christian” billboards while people die of starvation, lack of drinkable water, or preventable diseases. Like the “caring” Catholics, the message seems to be “Jesus will help you to bear your suffering with courage and fortitude – and cheer up, there’s a better land ahead!”. Fucking morons!!
December 3rd, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Barrie: yeah I know you know that – didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t. Sorry for my poor use of language. I was just intrigued that they come up with this nonsense that is against their own scripture. At least catholics have the excuse that they don’t read scripture – they just have it explained to them in long, boring sermons….
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I think that one reason that the Rapture keeps on failing to happen is that God got bored and took his eye off the ball and technology happened while he wasn’t looking. Giant scorpions aren’t quite so scary when you have insecticide. We also have those really ugly planes that have a cannon that sounds like a rassberry that can take out a whole armoured column in about half a second and helicopter gun-ships. God has been left behind in the arms race and is stuck with angels on horseback carrying flaming swords.
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:02 pm
May 21 is my mum’s birthday. She would be tickled pink, expect for that fact that she died about 10 years ago.
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Yeah, it was really the day last time. Nobheads.
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Actually, barriejohn, I think you’ll find the fucker looks just like this:
http://maverick.uniquespeciali.....889%29.gif
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:51 pm
I wonder who’ll get the interview with JC? … Fox, CNN, or MSNBC. Anyway, it probably won’t be Barbara Walters… I think she’s Jewish.
December 3rd, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Marcus: That link doesn’t work, but I’m assumimg you mean the evil Mr Burns!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com.....z.jpg?zz=1
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Now is the time to cash in on ideas like this…
http://www.postrapturepetcare.com/
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Some handy advice.
Actually I half hope they all do hurry up and get raptured away. Okay, I might have to rethink some stuff, but at least we’d be free of all the god-botherers. And wouldn’t it be amusing if he turned up and announced ‘Sorry, Jews only…’
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:22 pm
@ barriejohn Darn! I spent ages finding that particular image of, as you have so rightly guessed, the devilish Mr Burns. But how come the link works when I click on it? Technology, huh!
@ JohnJay Thank you. That really has to be the funniest thing I have seen in ages!
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:30 pm
JohnJay et al: On other blogs people have been asking these “god botherers” why, if they will soon be leaving us, they aren’t prepared to sign over their property and possessions to us atheists who will be left behind, but there appears to be no answer forthcoming!
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Barriejohn: Well as devout Christians they’ve obviously long-since renounced all their possessions as per Luke 14:33, so they have nothing to leave.
December 4th, 2010 at 12:03 am
Daz: I never thought of that. Funnily enough, neither did they!
December 4th, 2010 at 12:33 am
I think the best response to the billboard would be for someone to drape a towel over it.
December 4th, 2010 at 12:48 am
libhomo: You’re four days out. Towel Day is May 25th
By the way: “Everyone is godless. I belong to the minority that has figured this out.” Great line!
December 4th, 2010 at 3:52 am
BJohn quoted:
“But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.†Mark 13:32.
Another translation:
Mark 13:32 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
The idea that some theologeon, even Isaac Newton can use some bible formula to predict the end of times is blasphemy. I happen to like blasphemy, but these pinheads are religious zealots that apparently think that some treasure map was hidden in the scriptures for the truely faithful to discover insights that even their own scriptures say are unavailable, even to the son of god. Isn’t that hilarious?
NeoWolfe
December 4th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Gotta laugh: “Family Radio Worldwide is available in 23 states”. What about the other states, i mean it is “world Wide”…there’s Europe…errr…China…and all the rest. Like the rest of their nonsense, the organisations name is a blatant fib.
December 4th, 2010 at 7:23 am
On reflection, another thought has occurred to me (they do, at rare intervals). Even if this lunatic were correct, what difference would it make to sincere and devout Christians to know just when Jesus was returning? Shouldn’t they be living their selfless, holy lives in anticipation of this event in any case? And why waste time and money advertising the fact? Most unbelievers aren’t going to be in the least persuaded; and what is one to make of the person who says to himself: “Oh, dear. Jesus is coming back next year – I’d better start believing in him before it’s too late.”? How sincere is that then? And what sort of a gullible idiot does that make their God, if he is so easily duped into thinking that someone loves him and really believes in him? It reminds me of that wonderful Peanuts cartoon where Lucy turns over a new leaf just before Christmas, and Charlie Brown tells her that Santa will see right through her act. “No he won’t,” she replies. “He’s an old man, and he’s easily fooled.”!!
December 4th, 2010 at 9:53 am
This article has had one of the biggest responses that I have seen on this site for a long time. I’m glad he has made this forthcoming rapture into such a public statement. It will allow American atheists, who, from what I can see, have religion pushed down their throats 24/7 to have a hearty and very public giggle at the evangelical movement.
If I lived near this man I would get a t-shirt made with the slogan MAY 22 – CAMPING WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE?
December 4th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Rapture?
Yes! Please, just go.
December 4th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Via con deious!
December 4th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I have to say I really like that picture of Camping (who I had never heard of before). The pose, with forefinger raised, bible in other hand, and apparently spouting a warning or admonishment of some kind … it’s a perfect cliche.
Admonishments are all we get from these guys. Never “well done, have some time off.”
December 4th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
dannyj,
Since unbelievers will be left behind after the rapture, some enterprising atheists offer a service.For a regular fee(in advance of course)they will undertake to look after the fundies’ pets after the rapture,I think some of the loonies have already signed up.
December 5th, 2010 at 1:07 am
Well here we go again with the EXACT date that will solve everything, according to some apparently. With all this money given to get this meesage out and most likely given on sundays, and it does not happen, what then. Looks like the investors got the shaft. What exactly are they trying to prove. Do they think they might be the chosen ones for this ridiculous rapture because they gave money. That goes for any other time people give money. More the money one pays does not make what you have done go away, well maybe for the time that your sitting in service. Last I heard there was only a certain amount of room anyway. I would not do any good because I ask to many question & to sarcastic for the trip. So I will just stay around til its my time to go. I have enough to worry about here. Here is the best line to me in the whole article “They hope people will see their simple message and feel compelled to visit their web site, listen online and read the Bible”. Is that not alittle backwards.
December 5th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Rusty: I have stated before that many evangelical Christians, like the Muslims, believe that the words of their “holy book” have a sort of magical power which is able to convince readers, however sceptical, of their veracity. This applies whatever ancient source they are taken from, and whatever translation is used, though many do adhere to the view that the King James translators were guided by “God” in their deliberations, so that that version carries the Divine Imprimatur!
December 5th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
How many Second Coming/ End of Days dates can one religion have? When May 2011 comes and goes and nothing remotely rapturous has happened, Camping, Evans and co will burble some phlegm-rattle about how they didn’t mean that Jesus would ACTUALLY appear, but he did come down and speak to them – they really felt it, testify!! – and is rearranging his diary.
December 5th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
@dannyj
Don’t worry about the cats
http://eternal-earthbound-pets.com/
December 5th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
You people are so ignorant, and so ready to swallow all the demon-inspired lies of wicked unbelievers! Animals are the innocent, undefiled creation of our Father God, and as such will not only join us in Heaven, but will obviously be caught up with the saved, and taken from this wicked scene, at the appearance of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/w/w_lasalle/
December 5th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
My dear old dad often said “That blessed cat!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i03tPU8Xj7M
December 5th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Is there a rapture equivalent to “duck and cover?”
December 6th, 2010 at 2:13 am
I just wrote the website this note…
Concerning your billboards,
I wish to place a monetary wager with anyone of your fruitcakes that possesses the gonads to put their money where their faith is.
A 250,000 dollars that your 21 May 2011 is rapture-less. I wager that it will NOT happen, and that next 21 May will be very lucrative for an atheist, ME.
Lets make this a public relations plus for your organization.
My lawyer is waiting to draw up the paperwork.
This is not a joke. My email address is real and my wager is too.
I await your response.
Tamryn
-An Atheist
December 6th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Fuck and bother!
December 6th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Come May 22 it’ll be a case of “well these aren’t an exact science.”
I think I might send them an e-mail on that date. “Hello. Still here then!”
December 6th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
That’s the whole point of this prediction.
December 7th, 2010 at 3:36 am
Awww, and I just got out of the last one back in -06. Welp, His call, I guess.
Honestly, stories like these about whackjobs like them are always on the funny-side. and a bit sad too.
December 7th, 2010 at 7:06 am
Now if they were to put up a billboard saying
“He is coming again – and he will deal with the islamic threat while he is here”, I might be more impressed.
But since they seem to be mainly cowards (afraid of living and/or accepting responsibility for their own fates) looking forward to dying, this would appear to be unlikely.
p.s. Tamryn: And how do they collect if they win?
December 7th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Shh, gsw! Don’t tip Tamryn’s hand. I doubt Camping will figure it out if we don’t give it away.
December 7th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
i think its been taken a bit to far armagedon is a inner war that shows itself in the outer world but is mostly our own inner fights.. we battle are own demons, our own lies and negitive beliefs about ourselves and life.. im not a religious maniac but i do beleieve that we are all divine, everyone ov us and if god was to ask us to do just one thing, it would be to be kinder to ourselves, listen to ourselves thats the nature ov god talking within us…and the other voices we hear are the voices ov age old fears and anger produced by and thro repression.. repeating themselves inside us…until the day we laugh at thm they will remain… u can be who u want to be…thats the nature ov creation.. I forgave all and thro that was able to thn forgive myself….im normal and happy but driven in love but not the type of love that has conditions my love knows non ov these things its free for all…and the place i found this love was in myself…its always been there i just forgot…we all forgot… things are gonna change but a loving heart wont fight it only a angry heart will… much love to everyone who reads this xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
December 7th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hJQ18S6aag
Says it all, really.
Michelle, what unutterable, new-age bollocks. Get a grip. And learn to use a spellchecker, FFS.
December 7th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
the world is going to end! oh no! not not again!
really the amount of times the world was supposed to end…you’d think they’d learn! O well, see you on the 22nd of May in the pub everyone! xxx
December 7th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Tim: Lovely to see the inimitable Ken Campbell again in that clip – what a legend!
BTW When I was a Christian we were often visited by a particularly soppy evangelist who used to stand on the platform and reiterate, in a rather silly voice: “You know, I think that we should all love each other more, don’t you?”. He used to give me the willies, but many of the brothers and sisters thought that he was the bee’s knees!
December 7th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
PS His name was Phil Widdison, and his forte was “Child Evangelism”, so other readers of this blog might possibly remember him, though I rather get the impression that I’m talking to myself on this site a lot of the time now!
December 7th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Do we need more proof that many people have the mental capacity of a doorknob and the gullibility of a dog chasing a ball?
December 8th, 2010 at 5:48 am
Are these people mentally challenged? How can anyone get any of this christian crap straight? So, a god who is supposedly all-powerful had to rip a part of himself off, send him to earth, leave him alone for 30 years then kill himself ..oh then come back , then die again.And now, he is on his way back again? Make up your mind – either god is or isn’t. There isn’t four/five parts of it. In order for any of this bunk to make sense in any way possible you have to be 1- insane 2- addicted to the idea of eternal bullshit or 3 suffering from a mental disorder which, I and many psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists the world over agree, can only be cured by facing the facts.
Fact One. This universe is old.
Fact Two . Humans have only been around for a dust mote of time.
Fact Three, If the universe is infinite and ancient , a singular god would have infinite other civilizations to visit/care/for/add mental disorders to.
Wake up.
December 8th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
For argument’s sake, if he did come again, would any of the religious leaders give up their money and power to follow him or will they consign him to the loonie bin?
December 9th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Hippster: How do you KNOW that the universe is old? You weren’t there when it was created. God may well have created it with the APPEARANCE of great age, in which case we can just carry on making our calculations employing the data that we have collected (fingers crossed behind our backs), but knowing that that doesn’t really mean that those data can tell us what actually happened in the past. We need The Bible for that. Comprehend?
December 10th, 2010 at 6:45 am
The Rapture Index (Mad Theology)
by Dave MacPherson
The “Index” (as in Todd Strandberg’s “Rapture Index”) lists 45 “precursors” which are earthly events reportedly acting as signposts pointing to the rapture and showing how close it is.
Here’s the mad theology: the Rapture Index’s pre-rapture “precursors” include even “The Antichrist” and “The Mark of the Beast” which, in Todd’s view, occur AFTER the rapture! What’s more, all of his “precursors” are on earth AFTER the point in time for a “pretribulation” rapture, are actually fulfilled DURING Todd’s seven-year tribulation period, and in fact point to ONLY the (posttribulation) Second Coming to earth and not to any sort of “pretribulation” coming of Christ – a concept that NO organized church and NO official theology ever taught before 1830!
Todd even believes in pretribulationism’s “signless” rapture – which adjective is believable if Tricky Todd can convince us that “precursors” can never be “signs”!
See Google and type in “Deceiving and Being Deceived” (one of my earliest internet articles) to see why the claims for Pseudo-Ephraem and Morgan Edwards (as “pre-1830 pretrib teachers”) are totally groundless.
Also Google “Open Letter to Todd Strandberg,” “Famous Rapture Watchers,” “Thomas Ice (Bloopers),” “Walvoord Melts Ice,” “Edward Irving is Unnerving,” “Pretrib Rapture Diehards,” “Wily Jeffrey,” “Pretrib Rapture – Hidden Facts,” “Pretrib Rapture Secrecy,” “Pretrib Hypocrisy,” “Appendix F: Thou Shalt Not Steal,” “Thieves’ Marketing,” “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty” and “Scholars Weigh My Research.”
Be sure to obtain my bestselling nonfiction book “The Rapture Plot” (available at Armageddon Books online) if you would like to see 300 pages of the most detailed and most accurate history of the 180-year-old pretrib rapture view.
(To see a great blog by Gen. James Green, Google “Battle Cry Sounding to Christians: Pretrib Hypocrisy.”)
[Observed the preceding while netting. BTW, the Google engine has a great riposte titled "The Newest Pretrib Calendar." Ashleigh]
December 12th, 2010 at 1:41 am
The Christian fundamentalist is like a lonely woman sitting at a dinner table, waiting for her long-overdue date to arrive.
Forget it, lady. He stood you up. He ain’t coming.
December 12th, 2010 at 1:45 am
barriejohn wrote:
Hey barriejohn, if we employ this bizarre argument of yours, then how do you KNOW that the universe is older than 1 day?
You can’t be sure you were here yesterday. God might well have created you this morning with a full of set memories, simulating your life history up to now. In fact, you can’t even be sure you were here 1 hour ago. How do you know God didn’t create you 30 seconds ago with a full set of fake memories up to that point?
Of course, we COULD use Occam’s Razor to point out that this entire ridiculous line of reasoning is pointless and unnecessary …
December 12th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
On May 12. 2011 can we put all this nonsense to rest for good and get on with the business of living life to the fullest?
December 13th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
I vote we all buy the t-shirts and wear them on May 22.
December 17th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Hey believers, let’s bet our houses on what will happen May 11. If nothing happens I get your house. If the world ends you have nothing to lose. Let’s see how much you really believe. Ready to bet?… Yeah, just what I thought.