“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2
“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 25:14
Harold Camping, Family Radio, has predicted and prophesied that the rapture will take place on May 21, 2011 and five months from then the world will end on October 21, 2011. Camping has convinced some people that they will be raptured by Jesus on May 21st and the rest will be left to face God’s judgment. This is not the first time someone has set a date for the rapture or the end of the world. However, my criticism is not concerning Camping’s prediction but what really should concern us is the foundation of people’s faith.
In 2000 I was very involved in the teaching and timing of the rapture. I remember how there were some of us who believed that the rapture would take place that year based on some events happening in the world and the timing of the earth. One of the dates came and went and we learned that someone in our group actually committed suicide because the rapture did not happen. We realized how dangerous it is to prophesy a specific date for the rapture or the end of the world.
As I have watched the news about this current prediction I remembered my own disappointment in 2000 and the craziness I was involved in. It did nothing to increase or benefit my faith, nor was I effective in leading others to Jesus. I believed what I wanted to believe even though it wasn’t based on truth or God’s word. My fascination with predicting the rapture almost became a detriment to my faith. Since then I have grown in my relationship with Jesus and have accepted that it really is not for me to know the dates and times that have been set by God. Instead I am learning how to live heaven on earth. Our prayer should be that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
After the resurrection Jesus instructed the disciples to preach the gospel to all the nations of the world. Jesus left but He did not take the Kingdom with Him, instead He told us to occupy while we wait for His return. Our message is to teach the world about the gospel and the Kingdom. We are to bring heaven to earth. Jesus said the world would know us because of the love we have for one another.
There are many that believe tomorrow the rapture will take place. Some have even emptied out their savings and have given stuff away, awaiting for tomorrow. If the rapture fails to take place what will they do? What will happen to their faith? What price have they paid listening to Camping? I pray that they will come to know Jesus in a more intimate way and just understand how much the Father loves them. The very things they desire they can have in Jesus today. They will remember that Jesus abides in us and we abide in Him.
Our hope and faith must be based on the foundation of Jesus, not on another person, event or some date. We know that one day Jesus will return and we all hope it will take place in our lifetime. However, let us not forget the bigger picture and that is that God desires that all will come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. God takes no pleasure in the destruction of people; neither should we.
John preached that the Kingdom of God was at hand and told the people to repent. Jesus came and preached the gospel and the kingdom of God; and we as believers must continue to take the gospel to the entire world.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 the signs of His coming. Many of the signs are just the beginning of the end. Jesus said the end would come when the gospel of the kingdom was preached to the whole earth. So each day Jesus tarries we must continue preaching the gospel of the kingdom – the hope that we have in Jesus. Most of all let us share the gospel in the spirit of love and compassion; and not with fear and judgment.
Tomorrow is never promised to us. So when May 21st does come let us rejoice and be glad in the day that the Lord has made. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
Reflections 
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