Counting Down the End with Harold Camping: What About 1994?

For as long as most of us can remember, we have always been taught that no one can know when the world will end. God has crafted the Bible very carefully to hide information concerning the timing of the end. We have to remember that the Bible tells us that certain information in the Bible has been concealed so that mankind could not understand it until right near the end of the world:

“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:8-9)-Can We Know When?

Briefly discussed is Camping's book 1994? in which he predicted that year as the possible end. Camping states that the question mark of the title of that book indicated his uncertainty at the time, and that even back then he believed 2011 was also a possibility. He now says that 2011 is "guaranteed".



I have a chance to listen to Harold Camping's very boring Bible questions radio talk show, the "Open Forum", on my way home from work. I wouldn't ordinarily bother to tune in, but since this is Camping's doomsday week, I've been listening. Last night someone asked him why doesn't he donate all his money to charity since the end is coming anyway. Camping said (I'm paraphrasing) "What's the point? The world will be in chaos, destroyed, etc."

But what better way would there have been to show people you really believe what you're saying, and have no doubts, than to put your money where your prediction is.



Open letter to Harold Camping






Dr. Meyers comments on Harold Camping and his view about the end of the world.




Camping has declared again and again emphatically that there is no doubt that the world will face "Judgment Day" on May 21, 2011, but is he already planning an out?






Here's something interesting in a CNN piece:

How do you suggest people prepare for Judgment Day?

[Camping]The same way that the people of Nineveh prepared when Jonah came there. Jonah came there and said that in 40 days, God will destroy you. They did three things: Number one, they sat in sack cloth and ashes—they humbled themselves before God. Secondly, they pleaded with God, they begged him that this might not happen. Thirdly, they recognized they were wicked and tried to turn from their sins– they realized God’s wrath was on them because of their sins-Harold Camping prepares for Judgment Day, May 21, 2011

But God changed his mind in the Bible and did not destroy Nineveh. Will Camping say on May 22 that God has changed his mind and had mercy? That seems the most likely excuse he'll come up with. He could say he miscalculated, but he has been so adamant on 2011, that it seems doubtful he'll take that approach. He could also renounce Christianity and the Bible, but he's been in that game publicly for over 50 years, so that won't happen either. No, I think the Nineveh story will win the day, but the more I watch Camping and his deluded followers, the sadder I see this whole stupid thing. I even feel a little sorry for old Harold himself.