The Sky Didn’t Fall Down, But I’m Ready When It Does
According to one group, Family Radio, last Saturday was supposed to be Judgment Day and the beginning of the Rapture. Actually, it was just one man since many of his employees didn’t actually believe him and schedule appointments for well after this date. Lots of people joked about this, others were concerned and worried because they weren’t sure, still others barely even noticed this prediction had been made.
This is not the first time someone has predicted the end of the world. It probably won’t be the last. So what is the Godly response to hearing a prediction like this? First, we need to look at the basis for the prediction. Has the person making the prediction based it on scripture? In the case of the prediction that last Saturday, May 21, 2011, was going to be Judgment Day, it was based on a complicated mathematical computations. You can see those calculations here. You will note that there is no mention of any specific scriptures in this post.
UPDATE: It was pointed out to me by a fellow blogger that the site I linked to is a hoax. I thought I had checked it out carefully, but had not read to the bottom of the “About” page where the web administrator admits it’s a hoax. But at any rate, I still think the points I make in this post, that we don’t know the day and hour, and when Jesus returns all will see Him, are valid. So I’m leaving this posted with this note.
Next, we need to look to scripture to see what God says and determine whether the “prediction” is consistent with God’s Word. About the Judgement Day, Jesus said:
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. . . . Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:36, 42-44.
So basically Jesus said we will not know, He will return when we do not expect Him to. Our response to the knowledge that He will return, but that we don’t know when, is to always be ready. To be ready, we must always trust in Him and we must live our lives loving others as He did.
When Jesus does come back, everyone will know. The web page for the group that claimed last Saturday was going to be the Judgment Day posted on Saturday that the Rapture had, in fact, happened. But again, let’s look at what scripture says. Jesus said:
“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:26-27 (NIV).
The fact that this group now claims Jesus came back, but it was not obvious to everyone, suggests to me that their predictions are not worth spending any more time focusing on. They claim that now October 21, 2011 will be the end of the world, following five months of tribulation. But I haven’t seen the Son of Man coming in the sky, and I’ve spent a fair amount of time outside today.
There is a great song by Third Day called “Sky Falls Down” about how we should react to end times predictions and Judgment Day. I found this great live video of it on YouTube.
I’m not afraid of Judgment Day. If Jesus had returned today, that would have been fine with me, because I’m ready. How about you?
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I often look to the sky and express the thought that He could come today . . . then dismiss the thought, because I know that “in such an hour as YOU THINK NOT the Son of Man comes”
I thoroughly enjoy my life here and have no desire for it to end, but I LOOK for the day of my Saviour’s return with desire. The only thing that diminishes my desire is the thought of loved ones who don’t know the Saviour.
Since I do not know the day or the hour, I continue to love and serve Him as He directs and “occupy till I come” [Luke 19:13] but still actively watch and wait.
I agree that the only thing that diminishes my desire for His return is the thought of loved ones who don’t know Him, too. I will also continue to watch and wait, doing my best to follow Him, until He returns. Peace, Linda
All I know is that we are supposed to “occupy until He comes.” There are many things I would still like to do for Him, but I am ready for Him to come. Watching and waiting! 🙂
Ben, I like that – “occupy until He comes.” I’m personally ready for Him to come back any time, but as I said in another comment I am thankful that He is patiently awaiting all who will come to Him to do so. I have friends and family who don’t know Him, and hope and pray they will find Him before He returns. Peace, Linda
Thanks, Linda
Praying we will cling to the truth in His word.
I can’t imagine how life will be for those who truly believed this would happen but I pray He would open their eyes before it’s too late. I remember when I walked away from Him. I thought I was happy but I wasn’t at all … I just didn’t know it.
I am really praying that truth would be revealed to them and that they would turn to Him and allow Him to lead them. When the enemy of our souls is directing our ships we’re bound to run into problems. When our Father takes control, our situation has to change.
He could come tonight, tomorrow or next year but you raised the all-important question … are we ready?
Blessings and thanks,
ann
Ann, Although I am ready for Jesus to return any time, part of me is glad He is patient and is waiting for those who don’t yet know Him to come to Him first. I echo your prayer. Peace, Linda
Thank you, Linda, for posting about this. I haven’t checked out this site or the story behind it all. I was so hoping that they would be humble and admit they made a mistake. I didn’t know until reading this that they are now reporting Jesus did come back. I’m so glad that we will know. He said we would. He told us what to look for . He won’t be just a little blip somewhere on the radar in a remote corner of the world.
God bless you for sharing Jesus and the truth of Him. 🙂
p.s. loved the song! Hadn’t heard it for awhile . . .
Deb, Heather pointed out that the site I linked to is actually a hoax, so I don’t really know what Family Radio and Harold Camping’s position is on the rapture not happening on Saturday is. I think I need to add a caveat to my post now. But it is still true that when He returns, everyone will know it is Him. Peace, Linda
Hi Linda,
Yes, I’m ready…. 🙂 …. I was dumbfounded to check this guy out the other day and discover that he owns millions in radio stations….. But, what is so troubling is the number of people who are taking the time and effort to listen to him every day — and then believe him, because they are not reading their Bibles….. They seem to have plenty of time to work for him and money to support him, but no time for the Lord — no time to read God’s real word…..
Those sorts of “leanings” are sad — to say the least…. Let us honestly turn to the Lord, by opening up His word and reading our Bibles, in a way that honors God.
Love, Margaret
Margaret, So true – If people would just dust off their Bibles and read them, they would not be so easily deceived. What’s really astounding about this group is that they are still selling T-Shirts on their website and claiming that Jesus actually did come back on Saturday and that it was Judgement Day. Thanks for your encouragement for us to stay in God’s Word in a way that honors Him. Peace, Linda
I think you said it well..”I’m ready; are you?” The important thing we need to do is live our life to the fullest and for the glory of God.
April, Yes, any day could be Judgment Day, either the final judgment or just my last day on this earth. My goal is to glorify Him and to continue to learn more about Jesus and grow in my faith. Peace, Linda