The Lord May ReturnTomorrow

By now everyone knows Mr. Camping was mistaken. The Rapture did not occur on May21st. What has occurred, however, is a lot of mockery—about Harold Camping, but also about the whole notion of the Rapture. And not only on the View or Late Night shows, as we might expect, but from mainline media.

You and I knew that the rapture could have happened on the 21st, but not because of Mr. Camping’s calculations, but because we know the rapture can happen any day. May 21st was just one possibility. Personally, I am a little disappointed it didn’t happen when he said it would. Weren't you? Hasn’t He planted a desire for eternity in our hearts? (Ecc. 3:11)

While the Lord said that no one would know the day or hour, He also said we should be able to recognize the signs of the times. (Matt. 16:2-3) Likewise, Paul said that the coming of the Lord should not take us by surprise (1 Thess. 5:4). So don’t let one man’s misguided interpretation of the “day” and “hour” numb you into ambivalence. We are to be watching and waiting, not ignoring the signs of His coming. Read the following words of Jesus, in light of recent catastrophic events.

“Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes… be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded" (1 Thess. 5:2-6NLT).