(Photo: The Christian Post / Hudson Tsuei)Harold Camping, president of Family Radio, speaks out for the first time since his failed prediction that the rapture and Judgment Day would happen on May 21. The address was broadcast live from the ministry's headquarters in Oakland, Calif., on May 23, 2011.
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Harold Camping has predicted that the rapture will take place on Oct. 21, following his May 21 prediction failed to come to pass. He explained this by saying May 21 was just the spiritual rapture, and the physical rapture would soon follow in October.
However, many Christians have expressed concern with the continued assertions by Camping concerning the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the world.
Retired pastor and author Glenn Lee Hill of Meadowbrook Christian Church in Rocky Mountain N.C. previously told The Christian Post, "That is an erroneous prophecy, I don't believe the world is about to end. Jesus has provided the choice for people to live forever."
It is clear that there are many who fervently disagree with Camping's notion of the end of time, Still there has been a change in Camping’s declarations in the past few months, especially as it relates to the destructive nature of the last days.
When describing the rapture prior to May 21, Camping spoke about a great earthquake "such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great."
He then said that those "who survive this terrible earthquake will exist in a world of horror and chaos beyond description. Each day people will die until Oct. 21, 2011, when God will completely destroy this earth and its surviving inhabitants."
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However, a more recent description published last month online, Camping said: "The end is going to come very, very quietly, probably within the next month. It will happen by Oct. 21."
He then went on to say that "there would be no pain suffered by anyone because of their rebellion against God."
This comforted people including himself, Camping said, as there were loved ones "that are dear to us, that we know are not saved, and yet we know that they will quietly die and that will be the end of the story.”
Some have highlighted the change in violent intensity of the Judgment Day description by Camping. So why has his perspective changed so much?
Some have suggested that Camping’s stroke, which he suffered in the aftermath of the May 21 rapture prediction, was the reason for his more toned-down description. Research carried out on near-death experiences find that those affected often have a new-found appreciation for life and loved ones.
Could this explain Camping's softer tone and his regard for loved ones? Or is this simply just another prophetic insight, on Camping's list of unfulfilled prophetic insights?
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