Harold Camping
by JWing
On December 15th 2013, Harold Camping died at the age 92 as a result of complications from a fall at home two weeks earlier. He will be the most infamous for his two predictions of Jesus Christ return. One was September 6, 1994 and the most recent one being May 21,2011. Both were results of complex numbers pulled from a whole host of Bible verses. He was well known for his monotone voice and worn out King James Bible, he is seen holding up in this photo. He was also known for his extraordinary memory of Bible verses and much later for his extreme Calvinistic views on salvation. But many regard him as a very knowledgeable Bible teacher.
Unfortunately he is a perfect example of how a Bible teacher can sound completely Biblical and God fearing but actually be promoting a teaching completely contrary to the Bible. Out of the 7 points for being a false prophet and teacher, Harold Camping has met at least 2 of them if not the last 3.
5) They speaking of things God has proclaimed not to be known by anyone.
Jesus in His Olivet Discourse, clearly states that no one is to know the day nor hour of His return, referring to His 2nd coming. However equal language is also used by the Bible when referring to Jesus' coming for His rapture of the Church.
Unfortunately he is a perfect example of how a Bible teacher can sound completely Biblical and God fearing but actually be promoting a teaching completely contrary to the Bible. Out of the 7 points for being a false prophet and teacher, Harold Camping has met at least 2 of them if not the last 3.
5) They speaking of things God has proclaimed not to be known by anyone.
Jesus in His Olivet Discourse, clearly states that no one is to know the day nor hour of His return, referring to His 2nd coming. However equal language is also used by the Bible when referring to Jesus' coming for His rapture of the Church.
Matthew 24:36 (KJV)
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. |
It is amazing how many people, to date, try to predict the 2nd coming of Christ and every single one has been met with failure. Harold Camping made his two predictions based on complex mathematical formulas and numbers he found in the Bible. Simply put the Bible is clear no man knew the day nor the hour but that didn't phase Harold. He claimed that Daniel's predicted that those of the end time would know things that had before remained unknown. And when callers questioned his ability to set a date for Jesus return, they were promptly cut off or ignored by Harold's famous bass monotone voice.
6) They add to, alter, twist, take out of context, or even to replace the Bible.
Harold Camping grabbed numbers from various verses all over the Bible, many of which were completely unrelated to one another. But even disregarding that he took any verse he was talking about and used them to ascertain that God was finished dealing using the Church and local congregation due to the fact that they were not being faithful to the word of God. This impassioned his plea for people to come out of the Church and listen only to Family Radio. Ironically that would make his following congregation and according to him we are supposed to avoid congregating. His sole backing for this Matthew 24:16-21.
6) They add to, alter, twist, take out of context, or even to replace the Bible.
Harold Camping grabbed numbers from various verses all over the Bible, many of which were completely unrelated to one another. But even disregarding that he took any verse he was talking about and used them to ascertain that God was finished dealing using the Church and local congregation due to the fact that they were not being faithful to the word of God. This impassioned his plea for people to come out of the Church and listen only to Family Radio. Ironically that would make his following congregation and according to him we are supposed to avoid congregating. His sole backing for this Matthew 24:16-21.
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. |
However like most false prophets and teachers even today, Harold conviently disregarded the verse just before it and what it alludes to in Daniel.
Matthew 24:15 (KJV)
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Daniel 9:27 (KJV) 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. |
This shows the context of whom Jesus was addressing this to. Daniel's prophecy was to the Jews ONLY not the Church, show by the beginning of Gabriel's response to Daniel.
Daniel9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city,...
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe inthine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. |
Wrong idea of "the elect"
His call to salvation likewise was not Biblical, as the Bible says to 'believe in the Lord Jesus' to be saved. Instead he proposed that the person continually beg God that perhaps the person might be one of "the elect" and to have mercy. This teaching is consistent with Calvinism which Harold had once been part of. Little do Calvinist know that God's "elect" is stated in the Bible as Israel.
His call to salvation likewise was not Biblical, as the Bible says to 'believe in the Lord Jesus' to be saved. Instead he proposed that the person continually beg God that perhaps the person might be one of "the elect" and to have mercy. This teaching is consistent with Calvinism which Harold had once been part of. Little do Calvinist know that God's "elect" is stated in the Bible as Israel.
Isaiah 45:4
For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. Isaiah 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and myservants shall dwell there. |
The Bible is clear that once you believe in the Lord Jesus you will be changed by God from the inside out and can know you are saved. If you wish to really be saved, instead of Harold's unsure and unBiblical method, you can start by praying this prayer and inviting Jesus into your life.
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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