The Date of Christ’s Return?

End-time Messianic alerts are multiplying these days.

Chief among the morose and likely false predictions is the absolutely non-negotiable forecast of maverick religious broadcaster Harold Camping of Family Radio. He has set the date of May 21, 2011 as the day of Christ’s return and the beginning of the end heading toward Judgment Day. Using a self-invention of numbers, dates and mystical meanings, Camping is announcing his date on radio, on his website and through bus caravans. According to Camping, May 21 is absolutely, positively the day Christ returns and begins the somber judgment upon all the world.

I might be inclined to carefully examine Camping’s calculations were it not for the fact that he has gone through this back in 1992 when he also predicted the return of Christ and the end of the world. Only then, his book, 1994?, had an appropriate question mark in the title, and his follow-up volume, Are You Ready?, published in 1993 was subtitled, Much More Evidence that 1994 Could Be the End of the World (emphasis mine). His present doomsday has no allowance of a question mark.

If Harold Camping is not in Heaven or dead on May 21, his entire reputation and radio empire comes crashing down in despicable shambles leaving gullible souls to fumble along in the morass of false prophecy. The last time around, a North Jersey follower of Camping committed suicide when Jesus didn’t return as Camping had Him scheduled.

Mr. Camping is not alone in these strange ravings. In 1988, Edgar Whisenant published a book entitled, 88 Reasons Why Christ Will Come in 1988, and had it down to Sept. 11, 12, or 13 of that year. He also said that there would never be another two-term president and that Jimmy Carter was the last one in America. Reading these mathematically cluttered texts is enough to make an engineer’s head spin.

Not to be outdone, some Koreans published a small book asking, Are You Ready for the Rapture? October 28, 1992. This conviction came through “…visions, dreams, prophecies and voices a few years back.” That is the worst way to do it.

Camping’s absurd forecasts sound more like pagan Jewish Kabbalistic mysticism than any brand of careful biblical analysis. Indeed, the same Jewish folks who trumpeted the strange Bible Codes a few years ago show that they have four layers of interpretation with three below the normal, obvious meanings in the text. Camping is down about three of these as he rummages around somewhere below the textual surface.

I am not saying Christ could not come on May 21 or any other day. I hope Camping is wrong and Jesus comes today. But date-setting has a wretched history of error.

The misguided Adventists of New England in the 1800s and Jehovah’s witnesses of the early 1900s were constantly revising their dates and eating humble pie. A few years ago, some misguided folks waded out into Long Island Sound to meet Jesus and then had to slosh back out to face the reporters. Yet this spiritual sickness persists.

Think about it. The calendar is so messed up with variations and revisions that no one really knows what year it is. The slightest variation or miscalculation crumples these predictions like the proverbial house of cards. Also, the benchmarks many use all seem potentially flawed as to exact dates.

And another point: Which day east or west of the International Dateline is to be used? As I write this, another day has dawned on the other side of the globe. Jesus said, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matt 24:44 – KJV). That would leave any date but May 21 according to Harold’s calculations if we all bought his reasoning.

In quoting the verse, I’ve used the old King James Version because “ye” means plural “you.” I suggest that Jesus was including all the disciples, and He was saying, “You’ll never have an accurate agreement.” Maybe that’s good so that we would always be on the watch which is the only proper way of waiting. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matt 25:13).

How can Camping know the day when this verse says you can’t? Prov. 27:1 says that we can’t know what another day may bring forth. That applies to May 21 as well as any other day.

What is the sensible approach? Christ can come anytime, and that is the meaning of the term “immanent.” Certain things are being accomplished which, when complete, will mean the return of Christ in the Rapture. Christ said He was going away to prepare heavenly dwelling places for His own. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)

In this Church Age, God is calling out a people for His Name (Acts 14:15), and when the last person of the New Testament church is saved, the heavenly mansions will match the number of the redeemed occupants. This time is known only to God. Since believers are to be engaged in sharing the Gospel, which when believed, places one in the Church, we should be more interested in the task rather than the time. We should be ready always.

The story of the spiritual and waiting mother has always moved me. Each evening as she tucked her children in bed, she would go to the window and quietly breathe, “Perhaps tonight.” In the morning on waking them, she would again go to the window and quietly say, “Perhaps today.”

Date setting is absurd. Daily watching is the norm. Perhaps today?

Dave Virkler

Monster Mega-Millions Jackpot Won

Interest had been steadily growing until the largest mega-millions jackpot in four years was finally won for the staggering amount of $390 million. The winning numbers were 22-24-31-52-54, with Megaball number 4. The final jackpot is the sixth-highest in the game's history.

But despite the staggering sum, the reward will not be as large as it seems since it will have to be split 7 ways. A group of Information Technology professionals at New York's Housing and Community Renewal in Albany, N.Y. will share the winnings. Hopefully dividing the total up will still allow each winner enough to survive on since, after taxes, they will be forced to subside on just $29 million each. How will they ever make ends meet?

That prized ticket was purchased at Coulson's News Center, a mainstay downtown news and convenience store in Albany, New York. The owner of the market stated about the ticket from his store, “It makes me feel warm inside." If that is true, I wonder what the inner temperature of the 7 winners is today? Perhaps theirs is somewhere in the vicinity of the surface of the sun! But as far as hitting the mega-millions, one lottery official said, “Given your life span, you might have better odds of getting struck by lightning more than 5,000 times before winning such a big prize.” In other words, you have almost as good a chance of winning even if you do not play as if you do!

Many Americans apparently dream of becoming instantly rich as evidenced by the intense interest in large lotteries and even gambling in general and especially on sports. From a biblical standpoint, there is nothing inherently wrong with having wealth. But Scripture cautions strongly and repeatedly of the dangers of having great wealth or anything material if it becomes life’s priority and driving force.

Several passages that are well known on the subject come instantly to mind. First and foremost could well be I Timothy 6:8-10. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

There is also in Mark 10 - the so-called story of the "Rich Young Ruler." He came running to Jesus seeking eternal life but rejected the Savior’s offer because of his inability to free himself of his great earthly possessions. Verses 21-22 conclude the eternally tragic encounter. “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me. But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Then there comes from the Old Testament the reality offered in Proverbs 23:5: “Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.”

But no familiar passage is more haunting than Jesus’ successive questions in Mark 8:36-37: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Hopefully those who together split this latest super-jackpot will not be utterly consumed by their newfound worldly wealth and have their lives literally ruined as has been the case with so many in their shoes. Hopefully they will take the opportunity to do much good – things they could not have dreamed of even a week earlier. (Galatians 6:10)

Hopefully these new millionaires already know Christ as Savior and fully comprehend what literal and lasting riches really are according to the words of 2 Corinthians 8:9. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” And hopefully those who do not know Him now will not have their hearts so deeply buried under their millions that they are unable to come to Christ who loved them and voluntarily gave up the riches of heaven itself to die as a pauper on a cross in their place.

Perhaps the entire subject is summed up best in I Timothy 6:17-19 as both a strong challenge for Christians, and as a stern warning for those who do not know Christ as Savior:

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.“

Bill Breckenridge

Apple’s iPhone In The Hot Seat?

Few in the modern industrialized world would disagree that today’s technology is almost beyond comprehension and changing almost as fast as the speed that most devices today operate at.

For example, today’s smart phone market has far exceeded what most thought could ever exist and the units have become almost as common as the TV in the average home. But with the advent and advancements of the ‘smart phone’, that is really just a super small computer, comes some controversial issues concerning the various applications they carry or offer.

At the head of the class in many ways has been Apple’s iPhone with the competition constantly trying to catch up or bypass the amazingly sophisticated unit. The technology giant has been on the cutting edge and sought to police itself and eliminate some of the questionable content that could otherwise be offered on their devices. But now, the company is in the hot seat, so to speak, concerning some of their currently offered applications that relate specifically to moral truth, religious concerns, and biblical views.

Today the question of ‘religious’ applications are front and center - being applauded by some and enraging others who feel either left out or even attacked by a particular phone program’s content. Such is the case with an application sponsored by ‘Exodus International’, a biblically-based group now being accused of ‘helping’ gay individuals change their ways using the Bible's teachings.

Apple is a company that has been known for avoiding and weeding out sexually explicit content, offensive speech, hateful images and more. But they are now being pressured to rule on and rule out the Exodus International application through a nation-wide campaign by pro-gay groups who demand the removal the program even though it is not a standard feature on the phone and must be purchased separately by an owner. They are offended by the program’s very existence and demand its elimination even from the available list of downloadable options.

Jeff Buchanan, senior director of Exodus International, said the app is far less controversial than some may believe. He stated to Fox News, "It's being touted as a 'gay cure' app, and nothing could be further from the truth. We present a redemptive, biblical worldview on sexuality. It's a message of love and acceptance of those that are struggling with same-sex attraction. There are other applications by other world religions currently on the Apple platform and they will need to determine if they will ban all religious applications that promote ideals or beliefs that are deemed offensive to others. This issue is more than just an app. It represents a conflicting point of view on many things - issues that grip all Americans. It extends beyond Exodus International, beyond the app store, and beyond the iPhone."

How many would have ever dreamed that there would come arguments, battles, and perhaps even legal fight concerning the very existence of religious applications and views on a smart phone? But any so-called ‘smart phone’ can be only as smart as those who design it and those who invent the applications that run on it. In the case of Exodus International, it appears that their ‘smarts’ stem from biblical wisdom and truth. And if that is the case, then regardless of whether Apple yanks them or not, their Scriptural data plan remains readily available elsewhere. If their phone program derives its contents, views and suggestions from the Scriptures, it does not matter who opposes it and for what reason. Any who really want the truth of God’s advice on important life subjects, including salvation, has the means in an advanced culture to find them – with or without an iPhone!

In John chapter seventeen 17 Jesus was praying for his disciples and, by extension, all who would follow in their footsteps. He declared the absolute veracity of Scripture beginning in verse 16. “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” The writer of Hebrews adds, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12). Then Paul weighed in on the subject in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 writing, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Only time will tell if Apple will cave in and eventually give in to the demands to ban the Exodus International app and, along with it, other religious oriented applications in general. But for those who really desire to know and learn the wisdom that matters most in life, and the solid foundational truth that never fluctuates with public opinion or pressure, the only application required is called the Bible. It is God’s word alone that proves to be fully stable, truthful, incorruptible, and also eternal as Peter clearly declared in his first epistle.

“Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever." (1 Peter 1:23-25)

Bill Breckenridge

Unexpected Miracles Still Happen

For the sake of privacy, I’ll give just her first name. It is Maureen. Until last Thursday night, I had never laid my eyes on her or knew she existed. But God did!

Maureen was a former friend of a lady who has has attended our church for many years. The two had not seen each other for 20 years until ‘accidentally’ bumping into each other at the local library. During their brief time, while no doubt rehashing the old days, our church member decided to take a chance and invite Maureen to a ladies meeting at the church on Tuesday night. It is a monthly event and just ‘happened’ to coincide with their meeting. She said yes and she came.

Then after the Tuesday meeting, Maureen was also invited to the church, this time to a special prophecy series on Thursday evenings with Dave Virkler as the guest speaker at Chapel On The Hill. This too just ‘happened’ to be starting that same week. Again, Maureen said yes, and again showed up – an amazing thing considering she likely knew little about Christianity in general much less the sometimes complex subject of Bible prophecy.

But there’s more. Just before the Thursday night message began, there was a brief announcement made about an opportunity for any who might be interested to work with Samaritan’s Purse, a church supported ministry headed by Franklin Graham. It was to help some of New Jersey’s flood victims and would occur two days later on Saturday. When the meeting ended, guess who approached me for details on the work? You guessed it. Surely this was just informational or curiosity? But lo and behold, on a rather brisk morning at 7:30 a.m., there stood Maureen at the prescribed site where the orientation for the day’s activities would begin. She showed up and would become part of a team made up primarily of our church people and one other outsider.

She came ready to roll up her sleeves and help some total stranger who a week earlier had her property flooded for the 4th time in the last 5 years. So this dear woman had come to three church functions in a period of five days, including one that would require her to perform manual labor. That is not only highly interesting, it is closing in on the miraculous in a day when getting many ‘regular’ church people to consistently attend their own churches on Sunday morning alone can be a difficult task. And for the record, Maureen was there again on Sunday morning too! So make that final tally coming to four church functions over six days! To some, this might be considered as unusual if not down right mind-boggling!

To get to the point of the story, our particular relief team including Maureen helped a widow clean up her property after the flood. We learned she was trying to sell her home on the river and move closer to her grandchildren. So helping to clean up and spruce up her property would help her in some small way with that goal and desire. Also, she was a committed Christian lady with a huge sign in her front window stating, “Jesus is Lord” – the primary reason the Samaritans Purse representative stopped by and asked her if she needed help. I could not help but think of Paul’s words in Galatians 6:10. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” So our effort there was not only helpful and kind. It was also biblically based.

When the work was completed on the property, a Bible was presented to the stunned homeowner with the signatures of the entire crew. Maureen signed it, too. We then gathered in a circle and held hands. I was asked to close in prayer, which I did. So we did our thing and were done there – or so we thought.

It was at that precise moment when two of Samaritan Purses’ chaplains, who always make contact with the homeowners, said that they had one last comment before we parted for home or another assignment. While we were still gathered in the circle they announced, “We just wanted you all to know that we just led our team member Maureen to Jesus Christ even as the work was proceeding.” I’m not exactly sure of the details or how that came about, but it was a surreal moment! You could hear a collective gasp around the circle accompanied by tears, applause and hugs. The Christian homeowner immediately embraced Maureen and said, “Welcome to my new Christian sister.” It was an experience I will never forget. It was likewise a humbling reminder that God’s Holy Spirit is often working through and behind the scenes in ways that we can’t even imagine.

Later that night, an e-mail arrived from Maureen. It said simply, “I came to help others and, instead, I found Christ.” The words were few but the impact stunning!

It was also a stark reminder that God uses His people to reach precious lost souls when they simply dare to take the opportunities set before them to speak a word of testimony or even invite someone to hear the Gospel message presented and demonstrated. The result can be the total spiritual re-birth and transformation of a heart and life - even in the midst of the most unexpected or unlikely of circumstances.

As Mike, the foreman from Samaritan’s Purse, told me before departing, “This all was no accident. This did not just ‘happen to happen’. It was the hand of God using several of His people from an unlikely start to a glorious finish.”

Mike was right! The one who began the process with her simple invitation, the local church, the work team, the relief organization, the homeowner, and the finally the chaplains, all shared in the blessing. Each, in their own way, were part of the result that can arise when Christians take seriously the command in 1 Peter and chapter three to help prepare the soil for the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:8-9)

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Welcome to your new forever family Maureen!

Bill Breckenridge

Earthquakes, Tsunamis and the Future

Japan is terribly maimed by the twin disasters of earthquake and tsunami, the one causing the other. Loss of life apparently numbers in the thousands. The Japanese economy is crippled and its stock market has taken a blow. Further trouble lurks in unstable nuclear power plants causing massive evacuations, wafting radioactivity windward and spooking off shore aid vessels, which detected radiation above acceptable norms.

For the Bible student, especially those prophetically alert few, this tragedy focuses on end-time disasters with extreme clarity. Christ and the prophets forecast a uniquely troublous time of Tribulation following the return of Christ for His church. We are likely in the lead-up time now. Consider these several prophetic texts:

“And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:11 – emphasis mine)

In the last year, terrible earthquakes have hit Haiti, Chile, New Zealand and now Japan.

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea (the sea or oceans) and the waves (crests or swells) roaring (a loud or confused noise)…” (Luke 21:25)

The sound of the tsunami as it carried houses, vehicles and all matter of debris inland would have been something no one there had heard before.

“So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.” (Rev. 16:2)

The word “sore” may be interpreted as a kind of ulcerous affliction. Radiation sickness may be implied. Radiation from damaged nuclear plants could fall in snow, rain or in the open air.

“‘For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’” (Rev. 18:17)

This verse is speaking specifically of rebuilt Babylon, but it indicates that a major economy can collapse in a very brief period of time. If multiple natural catastrophes occurred in our day, the global economy could collapse “in an hour.”

“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” (Romans 8:22)

“Groan” is to moan in pain as a woman would in childbirth. The imperfection of the earth is clearly seen in the crushing deadly influences of plate action and erupting volcanoes. Weather disasters such as hurricanes, heat waves and flooding are also results of an imperfect global condition.

A cross reference truth here is that Genesis 7:11, 12 recounts a subterranean collapse, perhaps a lowering of the land mass, in Noah’s day. “…the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.” It has been noted that under normal circumstances, rain will not fall for 40 straight days. Evidently these underground water reservoirs and perhaps volcanic action pumped huge amounts of moisture into the atmosphere to cause this long rain.

“Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.” (Rev. 6:14) “Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” (Rev 16:20)

Interestingly, Japan is an island, and the earthquake moved the land mass eight feet to the east. If the mountains fell and floods converged, we would have a precise fulfillment of these verses.

“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.” (Revelation 7:1)

Violent winds will need to be restrained. The intensity of the earthquake altered the earth’s axis by four inches. While not overly dangerous, several similar episodes could alter the earth’s behavior enough to change wind speed and climate.

“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matt 24:38- 39)

Looking forward to the surprise of the Second Coming for unbelievers, this word of Christ recounts the incredible surprise that came to the unsaved population in Noah’s day. The Japanese tsunami swept people away without warning in minutes, a caution to anyone to be ready for death at any time by previously trusting Christ as Savior.

Recent news articles report the possibility of a huge tsunami destroying a presumed “Atlantis” civilization in southern Spain 2,600 years ago. Not only that, but huge solar flares are reported on the sun’s surface that could disrupt global communications systems. North Korea is working on an electromagnetic pulse bomb which, if exploded 25 miles above the US, could instantly wipe out most of our communications.

We are also being warned of approaching asteroids that could destroy huge areas if they impacted earth. Mark 13:25 says, “And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.” Rev. 6:13 adds, “And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Every New Testament usage of the word translated as “star” is the Greek word “aster,” from which we get the word asteroid.

When these prophecies were given, there was little or no common scientific thought or evidence of their fulfillment. Writing from exile, John, an ordinary fisherman turned believer, forecast astonishing events beyond his ability to imagine or even understand. Yet, faithful to God’s divine inspiration, he wrote it all down. In the case of Christ, He made all creation (John 1:3, Col. 1:17 and Heb. 1:3), and He could forecast whatever would happen to the material creation.

All the strange predictions of end-time earth catastrophes can now be effected either by accelerating natural disasters or the abuse of modern technology. If multiples of these combined, ultimate terror would ensue. They likely all will coincide in the Great Tribulation, which will follow the removal of the Church when Christ comes for His redeemed people.

In a time when "men’s heart [will fail] them for the thing coming upon the earth” as Christ predicted (Luke 21:26), believers in Christ may have “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” and which “will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

Dave Virkler