Warning Regarding Harold Camping Radio “Ministry”
April 7, 2010 by Admin
Filed under From The Pastor
My wife, Judy, and I were driving back from my parents’ home in southern California last week. The weather was beautiful. We love to just drive and talk and watch the landscape change from the austere beauty of the California desert to the verdant beauty of Oregon and southwest Washington. Another real benefit of driving through the Los Angeles basin is the availability of many fine Christian radio stations, running the gamut of styles from soft rock to heavy metal to old fashioned gospel. We were both astounded when we approached the Bay Area (San Francisco) and tuned into some of the most heretical teaching that claims to be Christian we’ve ever heard.
I am talking about Harold Camping and his Family Radio network that is based out of Oakland, California. Mr. Camping, among other things, claims to know from “proper biblical interpretation” that the Rapture of the church of Jesus Christ will occur on May 21, 2011, with the end of the world five months later. He also claims that the entire visible church, all denominations without exception, is “apostate” and directly controlled by Satan. Therefore, Mr. Camping is telling his listeners to leave their local church and depend upon prayer, the study of the Bible and, of course, listening to him on the radio. This man is teaching in direct contradiction of Scripture, which is the the infallible Word of God.
Jesus Christ himself says this about his Second Coming: “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). He also says in Luke 12:40: “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Although I teach that, according to Matthew 24:32-33, the season of Christ’s return can be perceived, the precise time is a mystery yet to be revealed.
And about the church of Jesus Christ he says this to Peter and the disciples, when Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Against what Mr. Camping teaches about abandoning the local church, the writer to the Hebrews says this: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Here is a link to an article by J. Ligon Duncan and Mark R. Talbot as published by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. The response to the heretical teachings of Harold Camping are written not just with great candor, but as an appeal to this man to recant his teachings and turn back to the God of the Bible, not the idle idol of his vain imagination. You will need to copy and paste the link into your web browser search line.
http://sites.silaspartners.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID307086_CHID560462_CIID1526032,00.html
The apostle Paul, by the Holy Spirit, warns us of the godlessness that will certainly arise as the time of Christ’s return grows near: “For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:6-7). This is in keeping with what he later says regarding those who are so determined to remain in comfortable ignorance and not earnestly seek the truth of God’s Word: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Let us thank and praise our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ his Son that we have his Spirit and his Word to keep us in these days of error. Let us continue to cling tightly to his Word and never fail to meet one another regularly for encouragement, edification and admonition, if need be.
Soli Deo Gloria! (Glory to God Alone!)
I think that pastor Camping has enough bible information and I Believe Camping teaches about abandoning the local church, instead the Paul to the Hebrews says this: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).But no now… because thechurch local era ended. We must meeting in home with the family. Maybe you need to listen more programs to get best conclusion and request wisdom to open mind. We are studying the ord of God in home and asking for mercy. We are praying.. in the Jesus Christ Name.
Thanks
Thank you, Humbert, for your gracious response! Honestly, I have listened to more than enough of Mr. Camping’s teachings to know that although he really does appear to know the Bible, many of his fundamental teachings fly in the face of not only what the apostle Paul stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, but the direct teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24-25; Mark 13 and Luke 21. “No one knows the hour.” I admit that we will know the season according to 2 Thessalonians 2:1ff (the great “rebellion” and the revelation of the “man of lawlessness”), but as to the exact date (May 11, 2011, according to Mr. Camping?), I don’t think that is taught in the Bible. Is it that Mr. Camping believes that the “rebellion” has already occured and hence we are in the Tribulation? I would be hard pressed to believe that assertion because Jesus said that the Tribulation would be “such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be” (Matthew 24:21). Now maybe I have been lulled into a false sense of security and am believing “there is safety and security” like the people described in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, but things don’t seem too bad on a global level. Not that world-wide financial collapse couldn’t happen at any time and we be plunged into such chaos which gives rise to the ascension of Antichrist, but I don’t think that has happened just yet. Besides, “date-setters” have been around since the inception of the Church. Let’s do what the apostle says in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands…so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
Love your site man keep up the good work
Thank you! Please feel free to visit the messages portion of our site to listen to Don Ebel’s sermons. Any encouragement or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Blessings.
Thanks! Please visit the “messages” part of our website. We would appreciate any encouragement or constructive criticism. Blessings! We are sure you are aware that the Harold Camping delusion has hit the headlines recently.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
very nice submit, i actually love this web site, carry on it
Thank you, Francis. While I am not led to post your comments on the website, I appreciate you sharing your passion and conviction for what’s on your heart. You said you “listen everyday to Harold Camping on the radio”. May I ask why you do that if you believe he is a false teacher?
“And about the church of Jesus Christ he says this to Peter and the disciples, when Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Against what Mr. Camping teaches about abandoning the local church, the writer to the Hebrews says this: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).”
I agree that Camping is in error concerning his interpretation of prophecy, and that you are right to warn the people of your church, but I fail to understand your application of the texts in the above quote. The existence of Denominations and “Churches” all over the face of America does not necessarily indicate a fulfillment of Matt. 16:18, nor is attendance to these churches demanded by Hebrews 10:24-25. You know that initially, and throughout the Roman persecution, Christians met in homes and in special places set apart. You also know that during the halcyon days of Catholicism, true believers again met in homes, forests, weaver shops etc. During the Reformation the Anabaptists carried on this tradition, for they found no place in the organized religions of man. I am not saying that you and your congregation are not Christians, nor am I implying that yours is not a church. What I am saying is that the umbrella of those texts that you reference cover a lot of people who do not attend an established church or church building. There are those of us who would love to fellowship with a congregation of believers, but find in the compromise and decay evident in so many, indeed in too many of the churches in this country a hindrance to that fellowship. If they are not sucking their methods and policies off of the backside of the world, then they are teaching false doctrine and an effete faith. I am not accusing those who attend, that they are not Christians, or not saved. I have phoned several churches in our area seeking the house of my Master’s brethren, only to find that I would have to compromise too much of what I hold dear to attend there. Ask for their doctrine and the pastor will usually respond, “I teach from the Word of God!” But what does this tell me? A Jehovah’s Witness will make the same claim. Walk into the sanctuary and everyone is dressed like they are at a barn raising, drums and a bass guitar sit idly on the podium, refreshments are available to all and The Message or the NIV is the “bible” of choice. Many have formed house churches because there is no other option. We have done this, holding dear the promise that where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20); and in obedience to this text: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. (Hebrews 10:25)