General Articles

Camping’s Rapture Ruse :: By Chris Mangan

Published on: by RR7

The following two scriptures alone debunk Harold Camping:

Matthew 24:35-36 (King James Version)

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

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and this Scripture below is even stronger:

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Mark 13:32 (King James Version)

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

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ARGUMENTS: No Man knows, not even the Angels, so WHO IS HAROLD CAMPING? He is definitely not an Angel, so that leaves him as a mere Man – a Man who has set a date that the Lord did not command!

In Mark 13:32, Jesus is saying that He doesn’t know the day or the hour either! Now that baffles even me because Christians know that God is a Trinity, so how can only the Father know and Jesus does not? That’s a mystery. But of course, Harold Camping comes to the “rescue” because HE KNOWS!  Talk about an ego problem; Camping thinks he’s greater than God!

The web link, “Refute Camping” has more arguments against Camping, which should be read by all Christians who take the Bible, Scripture and Jesus Christ’s words seriously. Camping, however, doesn’t; and as with most cults, he sets dates which the Bible forbids.

The only time that Mankind will ever know when God is dealing with them will be when the Rapture DOES HAPPEN!  It hasn’t happened yet and it will probably not happen on May 21 because Camping is a False Prophet! He brings dishonor to Jesus Christ and to Christians, and makes all of us Christians look like a laughing stock to be ridiculed.

I had heard a few days ago that WABC Channel 7 Eyewitness News in New York City will be doing a series on people who are taking what Harold Camping says seriously.

From what I have seen of Camping’s followers, some of them hang out at New York City Subway terminals such as Times Square, and 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. They hand out Camping’s tracts which push the May 21 2011 date and accept his words without any discernment done on their part. Indeed, one of them looked like the stereotype crazy prophet of doom with a sign he was carrying saying the world would end on May 21.

I had met one of these “believers”, who listened to Camping’s radio program and referred to him as “Brother Camping”.  I wouldn’t ever call Camping a “brother”, especially when I consider that some of his followers are selling their homes, their possessions, leaving their churches, buying advertising billboards and putting is message on them, and other such things based upon what Camping has said – and when this date does come and go – when nothing biblically relevant happens – then they will probably fall again for any new arguments he will think up explaining why nothing happened on that day.

These people are simple people; lacking discernment; and the following scriptures describes this situation:

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Romans 16:17-18 (King James Version)

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Ephesians 4:13-15 (King James Version)

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. 

Hebrews 13:9 (King James Version)

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

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Using the above Scriptures as a base for discerning truth, we can see that Camping does indeed deceive the hearts of the simple! He also causes divisions among believers – the wise and discerning versus the simple – and does this using “cunning craftiness”.

On his radio program, when someone with a sound mind has found some flaw in his thinking and has pointed it out, Camping goes into his phone exit tirade: “Yes, but thank you for calling and sharing; and may we have our next caller, please.”

This scripture below informs us what to do about some one such as Camping:

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1 Timothy 6:3-5 (King James Version)

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

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Camping isn’t in any way “wholesome”. Using terms such as “the end of the world” which, while this expression can be found in the King James Version of the Bible, is not backed up by the actual meaning of the word, “world”, which is translated from the Greek word, aion. Scofield, in his  Scofield Study Bible, the 2003 Edition, provides the following note where aion is used in Mark 10:30:

World. Thirty-six times in the N.T. the Greek noun aion is rendered “world,” twice “worlds.” It has various connotations: a period of time (e.g. the Mosaic age; the Church age) and in certain contexts eternity or forever. Where the KJV translates it “world,” the margin in this edition of the Bible has “age” or “ages.” “World” is normally the translation of the Greek kosmos (see Mt. 4:8 and Rev. 13:8, notes) or of the Greek oikoumene (see Lk. 2:1 note).

In the forward to the book “Shock Wave 2000!” subtitled “The Harold Camping 1994 Debacle”, written in 1994 by Robert Sungenis, Scott Temple and David Allen Lewis, refuting Camping’s own book “1994?”, we have the words of a definite scholar on Biblical Eschatology: John F. Walvoord! I will retype Walvoord’s words, printed in the Forward section of “Shock Wave 2000!” in their entirety below:

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“The history of the Church has not been kind to people who have predicted dates of the Lord’s return. Countless attempts have been made, some of them fortified by extensive systems of proof, all to fail when the date predicted fails. In spite of that, this is another attempt at setting the date of the Lord’s return. A number of considerations make this, however, an unusual work.

1. Like many preceding predictions, there is a total lack of scholarly agreement with Mr. Camping. In fact, not a reputable scholar in the area can be quoted in favor of his position nor a single work supporting it outside of his own writings. If Camping is right, all other Bible students are wrong.

2. Camping’s dating system is very unusual because he is an amillenarian, that is, he does not believe that prophecy indicates a literal millennium of Christ’s reign on earth after the Second Coming. Ordinarily, amillenarians do not set dates and do not take Scriptures cited for this purpose literally.

3. A curiosity of this development is that some amillenarians are taking the lead in refuting Mr. Camping’s books supporting his position.

4. In keeping with his amillennialism, Camping does not interpret the Rapture literally or the events of the Great Tribulation, though he claims we are in the Great Tribulation right now. Obviously, no literal fulfillment of the Book of Revelation is taking place. No reigning world dictator claims to be God and has killed countless individuals who refuse to worship him (Rev. 7:9-14; 20:4-6). There has been no fulfillment of Revelation 6:8, where a fourth of the world is predicted to have been killed when the fourth seal is broken. The prediction of Revelation 9:14, that a third of the world remaining alive at that time will be killed, has not been fulfilled. The prediction of the seven bowls of the wrath of God in Revelation 16 has not been fulfilled, including a great earthquake which levels the cities of the world in Revelation 16:18-19. The city of Babylon has not been rebuilt and destroyed according to Revelation 18.

5. In a two-hour radio talk show interview with Mr. Camping, he affirmed with absolute certainty that the Lord would come on the date indicated, September 1994. When asked whether he had any substitute suggestion in case it did not happen, he declared he did not. It can be safely predicted that when the date comes and goes, he will come out with an alternate theory, as have most of his predecessors.

6. While many who do not agree with Camping would welcome the coming of the Lord on the date he indicated, the prediction will be subject to lack of fulfillment and disappoint for hundreds who have faithfully followed his teachings and read his books. Though it may turn some to consider their faith in Christ and their dedication to Him, the net result of such false interpretation is extremely detrimental to the study of prophecy which, correctly interpreted, gives the Christian a wonderful hope that the Lord is coming, and perhaps soon.
 — John F. Walvoord

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In the prologue of the above mentioned book, this portion written by Scott Temple, we learn that Camping has said that God plans to destroy the church, and he quotes Camping as saying in his book “Satan uses his final opportunity to win a decisive victory over Christ by defeating the external church.”

Sungenis mentions on Page 25 that Campiing “has also appeared in three debates, the first against Scott Temple on WMCA in New York in 1992; the second against John F. Walvoord, chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary on KFAX in San Francisco in January 1994; and finally in May 1994 against Dr. Tremper Longman III, professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary and Dr. Peter Lillback, a Presbyterian pastor. Camping was originally asked to debate R.C. Sproul and James Montgomery Boice, but he declined in favor of Longman and Lillback. I had also asked Camping for a debate in April 1993, but he declined in a letter to me saying, “I have neither the time nor the interest in a public debate.”

So, based on the above information, you can perceive where Camping is coming from. It is unfortunate that his followers can’t see the ruin that they are creating – for themselves and others.

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Chris Mangan

When Prophecy Is Fulfilled :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR10

Most of us know that Scripture is filled with prophecy. I’m not talking about the “fortune cookie” type of prophecy or the Nostradamus type of silliness, but real prophecy. When God gives prophecy, you can count on it being fulfilled when God knows the time is right. As I watch the news, it’s very evident that prophecy is being fulfilled quickly.

This can be a bit unnerving, but there are facts that we need to hold fast to. God gave us prophecy in order to give us a heads-up. We can relax and know that God foresaw it all, and He has given us clues to look for. We also have to be clear that there are two big events coming. The first, and the one that concerns Christians, is the Rapture. Many Christians have been deceived into thinking the Rapture is a modern idea not found in Scripture. In fact, it’s a very old truth that dates back prior to the Flood of Noah.

“And Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24).

This is reiterated in Hebrews. “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).

Enoch was blessed to be taken prior to God’s judgment. The second event is the Great Tribulation, which Christians won’t be on Earth to experience…thank God. Like Enoch, Christians won’t face God’s judgment.

A misunderstanding of the truth of the Rapture will lead you to misunderstand much of prophecy. Enoch was the first to be taken to Heaven before God’s judgment. Why was Enoch taken Home? Not because of his own perfection, but it was the belief he had in God. He honored God and obeyed Him. The wickedness in the world was great, but Enoch didn’t participate in it.

When Adam sinned, he and Eve were banned from the Garden of Eden; sin separated humans from God. After the fall, wickedness grew strong. The other problem was that fallen angels decided to have sexual relations with human women, which violated God’s plan.

“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Genesis 6:1-2).

This means literal angels (sons of God) and literal human women (daughters of men). This is strictly forbidden, and the result was the corruption of the human genome. Because Enoch chose to walk with God, he was protected. He was rewarded by God for his obedience by being raptured prior to the judgment of the flood. Unfortunately, the trouble that the fallen angels caused corrupted all of creation. Humans were no longer fully human. The offspring of humans and angels were known as Nephilim.

“And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:12).

God sent His judgment. This is an Old Testament “picture” of a New Testament truth. Noah and his family weren’t part of the corruption. They weren’t perfect, but they were fully human. They are a picture of the Jewish people who will be saved through the judgment. Enoch is a picture of Christians who will be taken Home prior to the judgment of the Great Tribulation. The Flood is a picture of the Great Tribulation. The issue here isn’t if you believe the truth of the Rapture or not. The issue is whether or not you have accepted Christ for salvation. Chuck Missler used to say, “It’s OK if you don’t believe in the Rapture. We’ll explain it to you on the way up.”. Faith in Jesus is the key.

When we don’t take Scripture seriously, we can’t find peace. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

If you only watch the mainstream news, you’ll have no peace, but Scripture brings comfort. The Old Testament is filled with hints and pictures of the New Testament, and we need to learn from those verses.

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus talked to His disciples about the Tribulation period, not about the Rapture. He told of the things to look for. The Tribulation is about Israel and the necessity of them acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah.

“I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early” (Hosea 5:15).

Jesus has returned to His place in Heaven until the nation of Israel acknowledges their rejection of Him. The Olivet Discourse gives signs to look for, and we are seeing those signs today. His first warning was against deception.

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4).

There’s much deception today, and many false teachers are in the world. There will be wars, civil unrest, famines, pestilence, and earthquakes. I’m sure you’ve noticed all these things happening more often. It’s everywhere, but Jesus said, “All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8).

It will continue to get worse. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12).

Iniquity is a condition without law. It seems that God’s laws have been forgotten, and sin and wickedness reign. Jesus also likened the end times to the days of Lot. “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they  planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:28-30).

Lot is another “picture” of the Rapture. Sodom was filled with homosexuality and wickedness, but judgment couldn’t come until Lot was taken out. In looking at all the clues God has given to us, the Rapture is drawing near. What a blessed hope we have; a true blessing from God!

When we read Scripture, it seems as if the events move very quickly, but we forget that many years may have passed between events. For instance, we know that it took God six literal days to create the world and all that’s in it, but we don’t know how much time passed between creation and the fall. The next major event was the Flood. We know that many generations passed and how long each patriarch lived, so we can come close to knowing the time lapse between the Fall and the Flood. By adding the life spans of people named, we see that 1,656 years passed between the fall and Noah’s Flood.

The point is, a few chapters in Scripture may cover many years. It’s important to remember that no matter how long it takes, we can always trust that when God says something will happen, it will happen. God exists outside of time and knows the future.

“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

God knows the future, and we can trust Him to be completely correct. Even if His timing doesn’t fit our timing, don’t get discouraged. Prophecy will be fulfilled, just as God says. Never forget that Israel is at the heart of prophecy, and they have never been replaced in God’s heart. The ekklesia (Christians) will be Raptured prior to the Tribulation, which will cause Israel to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. As Christians, we already acknowledge that fact and won’t face His wrath.

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Jesus took our sins upon Himself, and our punishment, so He is our Righteousness.

Those of us who study prophecy can see that time is getting short. On October 7, 2023, Israel was viciously attacked by Hamas. Nearly 2,000 men, women, and children were murdered, and many hostages were taken. Yet, the world condemns Israel.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about; when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:2.

The world always blames Israel. Israel launched Operation Rising Lion and targeted the leaders of Iran and their nuclear facilities. Civilians aren’t targeted by Israel, and in fact, they are warned to leave prior to a bombing. The leaders of evil hide in hospitals and schools and blame Israel for attacking these facilities, but prior to attacks, Israel warns the civilians to leave. Civilians aren’t the target, just the evil leaders.

President Trump stepped up and sent some well-trained pilots to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities. Thank God! This won’t stop the attacks against Israel. Prophecy will be fulfilled.

The return of Israel as a nation is a miracle but also fulfillment of prophecy. Ezekiel was shown a valley full of bones. “And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord, GOD, thou knowest” (Ezekiel 37:3).

It’s always wise to defer to God’s greater knowledge when you don’t have an answer. The dry bones represented Israel having been dispersed, seemingly dead, and no longer a nation. Things aren’t always what they seem. The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy upon the bones “…and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD” (Ezekiel 37:4b).

The dry bones of Israel did begin to come to life when the Jewish people from around the world returned to their God-given land. “Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts” (Ezekiel 37:11).

The Jewish people had just seen the Satanic evil of the Holocaust. Those who survived were weary and had little hope. Just as God said, these wonderful people began to return to their homeland.

When prophecy is fulfilled, miracles happen. It is a miracle that Israel is once again a nation. They have the hope of rebuilding their temple, and I’ve seen reports that there are many who are turning to God and also coming to faith in Jesus. What a blessing for them and for the world! Anybody who is blind to the fact that God still loves His chosen people hasn’t read Scripture.

“Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore” (Ezekiel 37:26-28).

There are many tough times ahead for the entire world. Prophecy is clear about wars that are looming, and when prophecy is fulfilled, we can take comfort that God knew what would happen and is there for us. Isaiah 17 tells us that Damascus will be totally destroyed.

“The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1).

When Isaiah spoke these words, nobody could understand how that could happen. How could soldiers riding on horseback using swords and spears totally destroy Damascus? Today, it’s easy to understand. God is never wrong. There’s a war spoken of in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, and it’s on the minds of all prophecy buffs. The nations mentioned are all coming together and forming alliances.

“Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal and prophesy against him” (Ezekiel 38:2).

The nations named are called by their ancient names, so it can be confusing. Suffice it to say that Russia, Turkey, and Iran are among those named as the invaders. The hatred against Israel will grow, but as Christians, we must pray for Israel.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee, Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good” (Psalm 122:6-9).

God has promised that Israel will be brought back into their God-given land a second time and will not be uprooted.

We cannot overlook the spiritual battle we all face in this world. The battle isn’t with flesh and blood but with demonic entities full of hatred and evil. We need spiritual weapons for this battle. The Apostle Paul urges us to “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

Only spiritual armor will prevail in a spiritual battle. Learn to use each piece of the armor and don’t take it off. Study Scripture, including prophecy. In that way, fear won’t weaken you in battle. Hold tight to God’s promises; He will win the final battle. Christians will see many evils happening in the world, but we have the blessed hope that God has not appointed us to wrath, and we will be taken Home prior to Daniel’s 70th week.

Prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly, and we need to use it to witness to those who are living in fear. When prophecy is fulfilled, Jesus is the only answer.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).