End Times and Harold Camping October 21 Rapture Prediction - Some Thoughts from a Pastor
Are we living in end times?
"I've never been one to cry wolf or play the doomsday card," says Dr. Roland Trujillo PhD who is a pastor and author of 11 books. "But some very obvious events and conditions, or should we say a confluence of obvious events and conditions, are definitely pointing in that direction."
"It is not for us to know the date or the time, but there is a place for prudent watchfulness. We are told to watch, and that is what I am doing.
When the recent May doomsday prediction of Mr. Camping was in the news, I remained calm and advised people to remain calm and to just go about their life and not be worried.
Again, for any other prediction, including October 21, I am still advising people to remain calm and go about their business.
But having said that, there are some things that should be taken note of--like the elephant in the living room--calling attention to themselves. We want to be calm but not complacent. We don't want to be worried, but we want to be watchful. We don't want to be distraught, but we should be discerning and diligent.
I am not given to prediction, and Christ Himself clearly said that "no one knows the date or the hour except "My Father in Heaven." I take Him at His word.
So live your life as best you can. Don't be overly concerned about various predictions. Just be a good mom or dad, a good son or daughter, and a good neighbor and employee. Be fair with people and don't resent them. Be patient with people.
Live the good life and you'll be ready for whatever comes when it comes.
People and predictions come and go, so pay attention not to others and what they say but pay attention to your own little corner of the world. Don't be a world watcher and world worrier. Be there for your loved ones and mind your p's and q's. Look for opportunities that God may send your way.
Who was it who said "Live each day as if it were your last, and live each day as if you will live to be a hundred." Good advice.
Now that I have reassured you, I must also caution that we must not be like what Christ described went on in the days of Noah: people were eating and drinking and making merry. People, in other words, were living for pleasure and personal goals--living recklessly, thoughtlessly and foolishly. They were complacent and nonchalant about the eternal verities and the important things in life.
Christ said that this is the way people would be living in the end times.
"Lord, teach us to number our days" said the Psalmist. He meant that we all need to be reminded that our days are numbered.
If you are young, enjoy life and rejoice in your youth. It is good and pleasing to God Who gave you your youth. Just don't resent your parents, and have a heart for others. Live within the bounds of propriety and be modest.
If you are older, then be grateful that God has given you more years. Be a good model and example to your kids and grand kids. Be sober minded.
I am not given to prediction, but it does appear that we may be living closer to rather than farther from the last days. If not near the end times, we are witnessing a coming time of lawlessness and reaping the fruits of that lawlessness. Paul talked about people who knew of God yet did not respect or honor Him. And so God gave them over to a reprobate mind. Does it not appear that many people today have a reprobate mind?
"It is impossible not to notice a rare earthquake on the East Coast, the massive flooding of the Midwest, the earthquake in Japan and the release of radiation, hurricanes, and potential food shortages. We have noted the flooding of New Orleans, the Tsunami in Indonesia, and the earthquake in Haiti.
Perhaps even more ominously: Some say the growing U.S. and worldwide depression will rival or exceed the Great Depression of the 1930's.
I can't help but notice the devastation of Africa through the AIDS epidemic.
Many writers and epidemiologists are now extending the term "epidemic" to include devastating and increasing conditions such as Autism, diabetes, disability due to mental health issues, Alzheimer's, and cancer.
I heard someone on the radio say that soon one in two Americans will be obese; one in three Americans will get cancer; and one in four Americans will get diabetes. These are figures of epidemic proportions.
The state of the economy and the state of our individual and collective health is in trouble, and getting worse with each new shock to the system.
With each new piece of bad news, the prior day's or week's, or year's headlines are pushed off the front page.
But just because AIDS is not on the front page does not mean that its devastation of Africa has gone away. The deaths, the orphans, the costs, the suffering and the ruined lives and economies keeps going on, even as I write.
Likewise, when an earthquake or tsunami somewhere no longer receives news coverage--the cholera, the disruption, and the suffering continue. Such is the tragic case in Haiti.
Pastor, does the Bible make mention of an increase in such such negative contingencies as we are witnessing on an increasingly massive scale today?"
"Yes, in many places. For example, in Matthew 24
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come
"Many of us who are Christians have read these verses or heard these verses many times over the years, but I have to admit that as I read them now, they definitely stand out as if I were reading them with fresh eyes.
Could it be that we are now witnessing the beginning of sorrows? Perhaps so."
"Pastor, you spoke of a confluence of conditions. What did you mean?"
"Two things. First of all, a nation or a people can handle one disaster, maybe two. But when one after another strike--floods, banking crisis, real estate crisis, economic collapse, earthquakes, fires, chronic disease, divorce, cut backs in security nets due to lack of funds, endless wars, returning vets with disabilities, rampant unemployment, massive debt--the resources and the resiliency of the system are taxed to the extreme. This is obvious.
But there is something else that has occurred that is a more subtle but just as devastating--the assaults upon our moral fiber.
For example, gambling--whether casinos, internet, sports gambling, and state sponsored lotteries--is just one evidence of societal deterioration. But more importantly, widespread acceptance of and promotion of gambling is palpable evidence of moral decay and evidence of a degradation of character, both of those who partake of the corruption and of those who sponsor, promote or market the vice.
Gangs, drugs, and promiscuity are also evidence of destruction of character. Simply put, the moral person whose character is intact will just not be interested or involved in drugs or gambling.
There has always been an under belly of corruption or back alley vice in society. Someone would be playing craps in an alley somewhere, a certain part of town might have drugs or prostitution, and a certain street might have risque peep shows.
Now the sewer pipe is mainstream, even entering the home through internet and television.
It used to be that the good guys were in charge. You could count on local and corporate businessmen to be God fearing basically decent people who had a line that they would not cross.
They would not put sugar water in the baby formula, questionable additives in the food, nor would they sell, market or use in advertising anything not 100 percent family friendly. Nor would they stand by and sheepishly smile and act like they don't know or care.
Today, you even see elders, once the white haired wise ones, now grown weak minded and characterless, wearing their baseball caps on backwards and sporting chunky jogging shoes, buying lottery tickets and getting on the casino buses. Is it any wonder that brazen and fatuous college students declare that there is no truth ? They are just younger versions of their totally corrupted vacuous leaders and mentors.
As one critic said: "There are consequences to our disregard for maturity." Diana West in her excellent book The Death of the Grown Up puts it this way: “Even as age has been eliminated from the aging process, they have a hunch that society has stamped out more than gray hair, smile lines, and cellulite. What has also disappeared is an appreciation for what goes along with maturity: forbearance and honor, patience and responsibility, perspective and wisdom, sobriety, decorum, and manners—and the wisdom to know what is ‘appropriate,’ and when.”
There is a passage in the Bible, where Paul describes the attitude of many people in the latter days:
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
I think that the lack of thankfulness, the arrogance, the immaturity, the selfishness, the indifference, the coldness, the shallowness, the rudeness, and the lack of humility have infected our whole society. No one is sorry anymore, no one wants to admit they are wrong, or to repent.
Like I said, I am not given to prediction, nor do I know what will come. But what I do know is that this nation needs a revival. We need to turn from our wrong way of living and repent.
Read Pastor Roland's thoughtful look at the implications of the aftermath of May 21
.
"I've never been one to cry wolf or play the doomsday card," says Dr. Roland Trujillo PhD who is a pastor and author of 11 books. "But some very obvious events and conditions, or should we say a confluence of obvious events and conditions, are definitely pointing in that direction.""It is not for us to know the date or the time, but there is a place for prudent watchfulness. We are told to watch, and that is what I am doing.
When the recent May doomsday prediction of Mr. Camping was in the news, I remained calm and advised people to remain calm and to just go about their life and not be worried.
Again, for any other prediction, including October 21, I am still advising people to remain calm and go about their business.
But having said that, there are some things that should be taken note of--like the elephant in the living room--calling attention to themselves. We want to be calm but not complacent. We don't want to be worried, but we want to be watchful. We don't want to be distraught, but we should be discerning and diligent.
I am not given to prediction, and Christ Himself clearly said that "no one knows the date or the hour except "My Father in Heaven." I take Him at His word.
So live your life as best you can. Don't be overly concerned about various predictions. Just be a good mom or dad, a good son or daughter, and a good neighbor and employee. Be fair with people and don't resent them. Be patient with people.
Live the good life and you'll be ready for whatever comes when it comes.
People and predictions come and go, so pay attention not to others and what they say but pay attention to your own little corner of the world. Don't be a world watcher and world worrier. Be there for your loved ones and mind your p's and q's. Look for opportunities that God may send your way.
Who was it who said "Live each day as if it were your last, and live each day as if you will live to be a hundred." Good advice.
Now that I have reassured you, I must also caution that we must not be like what Christ described went on in the days of Noah: people were eating and drinking and making merry. People, in other words, were living for pleasure and personal goals--living recklessly, thoughtlessly and foolishly. They were complacent and nonchalant about the eternal verities and the important things in life.
Christ said that this is the way people would be living in the end times.
"Lord, teach us to number our days" said the Psalmist. He meant that we all need to be reminded that our days are numbered.
If you are young, enjoy life and rejoice in your youth. It is good and pleasing to God Who gave you your youth. Just don't resent your parents, and have a heart for others. Live within the bounds of propriety and be modest.
If you are older, then be grateful that God has given you more years. Be a good model and example to your kids and grand kids. Be sober minded.
I am not given to prediction, but it does appear that we may be living closer to rather than farther from the last days. If not near the end times, we are witnessing a coming time of lawlessness and reaping the fruits of that lawlessness. Paul talked about people who knew of God yet did not respect or honor Him. And so God gave them over to a reprobate mind. Does it not appear that many people today have a reprobate mind?
"It is impossible not to notice a rare earthquake on the East Coast, the massive flooding of the Midwest, the earthquake in Japan and the release of radiation, hurricanes, and potential food shortages. We have noted the flooding of New Orleans, the Tsunami in Indonesia, and the earthquake in Haiti.
Perhaps even more ominously: Some say the growing U.S. and worldwide depression will rival or exceed the Great Depression of the 1930's.
I can't help but notice the devastation of Africa through the AIDS epidemic.
Many writers and epidemiologists are now extending the term "epidemic" to include devastating and increasing conditions such as Autism, diabetes, disability due to mental health issues, Alzheimer's, and cancer.
I heard someone on the radio say that soon one in two Americans will be obese; one in three Americans will get cancer; and one in four Americans will get diabetes. These are figures of epidemic proportions.
The state of the economy and the state of our individual and collective health is in trouble, and getting worse with each new shock to the system.
With each new piece of bad news, the prior day's or week's, or year's headlines are pushed off the front page.
But just because AIDS is not on the front page does not mean that its devastation of Africa has gone away. The deaths, the orphans, the costs, the suffering and the ruined lives and economies keeps going on, even as I write.
Likewise, when an earthquake or tsunami somewhere no longer receives news coverage--the cholera, the disruption, and the suffering continue. Such is the tragic case in Haiti.
Pastor, does the Bible make mention of an increase in such such negative contingencies as we are witnessing on an increasingly massive scale today?"
"Yes, in many places. For example, in Matthew 24
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come
"Many of us who are Christians have read these verses or heard these verses many times over the years, but I have to admit that as I read them now, they definitely stand out as if I were reading them with fresh eyes.
Could it be that we are now witnessing the beginning of sorrows? Perhaps so."
"Pastor, you spoke of a confluence of conditions. What did you mean?"
"Two things. First of all, a nation or a people can handle one disaster, maybe two. But when one after another strike--floods, banking crisis, real estate crisis, economic collapse, earthquakes, fires, chronic disease, divorce, cut backs in security nets due to lack of funds, endless wars, returning vets with disabilities, rampant unemployment, massive debt--the resources and the resiliency of the system are taxed to the extreme. This is obvious.
But there is something else that has occurred that is a more subtle but just as devastating--the assaults upon our moral fiber.
For example, gambling--whether casinos, internet, sports gambling, and state sponsored lotteries--is just one evidence of societal deterioration. But more importantly, widespread acceptance of and promotion of gambling is palpable evidence of moral decay and evidence of a degradation of character, both of those who partake of the corruption and of those who sponsor, promote or market the vice.
Gangs, drugs, and promiscuity are also evidence of destruction of character. Simply put, the moral person whose character is intact will just not be interested or involved in drugs or gambling.
There has always been an under belly of corruption or back alley vice in society. Someone would be playing craps in an alley somewhere, a certain part of town might have drugs or prostitution, and a certain street might have risque peep shows.
Now the sewer pipe is mainstream, even entering the home through internet and television.
It used to be that the good guys were in charge. You could count on local and corporate businessmen to be God fearing basically decent people who had a line that they would not cross.
They would not put sugar water in the baby formula, questionable additives in the food, nor would they sell, market or use in advertising anything not 100 percent family friendly. Nor would they stand by and sheepishly smile and act like they don't know or care.
Today, you even see elders, once the white haired wise ones, now grown weak minded and characterless, wearing their baseball caps on backwards and sporting chunky jogging shoes, buying lottery tickets and getting on the casino buses. Is it any wonder that brazen and fatuous college students declare that there is no truth ? They are just younger versions of their totally corrupted vacuous leaders and mentors.
As one critic said: "There are consequences to our disregard for maturity." Diana West in her excellent book The Death of the Grown Up puts it this way: “Even as age has been eliminated from the aging process, they have a hunch that society has stamped out more than gray hair, smile lines, and cellulite. What has also disappeared is an appreciation for what goes along with maturity: forbearance and honor, patience and responsibility, perspective and wisdom, sobriety, decorum, and manners—and the wisdom to know what is ‘appropriate,’ and when.”
There is a passage in the Bible, where Paul describes the attitude of many people in the latter days:
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
I think that the lack of thankfulness, the arrogance, the immaturity, the selfishness, the indifference, the coldness, the shallowness, the rudeness, and the lack of humility have infected our whole society. No one is sorry anymore, no one wants to admit they are wrong, or to repent.
Like I said, I am not given to prediction, nor do I know what will come. But what I do know is that this nation needs a revival. We need to turn from our wrong way of living and repent.
Read Pastor Roland's thoughtful look at the implications of the aftermath of May 21
.
