Jesus is Coming... May 21, 2011???

If you've traveled through any large metropolis in the past year, you've probably seen the billboard "Jesus is coming on May 21, 2011". Where did this date come from? and.. really.. says who??? I first observed this "prediction of sorts" at the Gasparilla parade in Tampa as I passed a large RV with the message "Have you heard the awesome news? The end of the world is almost here!" plastered in bold letters on both sides.

I immediately dismissed the message as I had just read in the Bible in Matthew 24:36 that "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This verse referring, of course, to the "second coming" of when Jesus is coming back to earth. It is also referred to as the "Judgement Day" or the "Rapture".

Believe it or not, it gives us pause. And... as I want to be "in the know", I figured I'd research both sides of the story. Turns out this RV belongs to "Project Caravan" of Family Radio based out of Oakland California. This group, launching a national ad campaign, claims to be latter day prophets that believe the Judgement Day will begin on May 21, 2011 and the world will end on October 21, 2011. Where did the date come from? Harold Camping, an 89 year old Christian radio broadcaster and president of Family Radio.

Camping teaches that a hidden Biblical calendar exists detailing the end of the world.. and though his book "1994?" also claimed that the end of the world would come on September 6, 1994.. and didn't.. A large group of followers and about 150 radio stations still give credence to his new and up-coming prediction...

What did happen on September 6, 1994? Not much is provided in my short bit of research except that Aerosmith and Michael Jackson won the MTV awards.. anyways..

Where did Camping get this date? He used the Hebrew calendar, our modern calendar, and a touch of math with a recipe of an exact date (May 21, 2011). Camping believes that within the past 35 years, this date has been revealed to the "wise" and discerning man. His website, www.familyradio.com, provides passages of Scripture and written script affirming his position, but the question remains... If you were wrong once? Why are you credible now?

In a letter posted on Project Caravan's website, one of the missionaries wrote that it was "sad to see a city like Tampa so fixated on a celebration of piracy" but that thousands of tracts warning of the upcoming Judgement Day were distributed.

Several media outlets have written stories about "Project Caravan" to include the Florida Times Union in Jacksonville, Fl on January 2, 2011. In this article, Harold Camping was referred to by a Baptist preacher as a "crackpot". It was also stated that these movements or predictions are common in times of war and economic hardship.

At the end of the day, whether you believe Harold Camping's predicted date, or whether you do not... the main concern is do you know where you are going when you die? Have you gave any thought to the idea that one day, the possibility exists, that you will have to stand before God and answer for your actions.

What is easy to do is dismiss the whole idea... How does one decide? whose right? whose wrong? For those who struggle with decision-making, this controversy could throw a wrench in your faith. Don't let people or "ad campaigns" take your eyes off the "game". Only the final score matters... Make sure your prepared...not just for what comes tomorrow... but for eternity.. One thing is for certain.. Jesus is with us on February 22, 2011... just as He will be on May 21, 2011...

You decide!!

Sources:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-01-22/story/end-times-caravan-brings-may-21-message-jacksonville
http://www.familyradio.com/graphical/literature/nomanknows/nomanknows.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Camping
http://www.familyradio.com/caravan/index.html#tampa1