Preaching May 15: “The end is now’ (May 21), “very near,” and the Good Shepherd: Harold Camping, Joel C. Rosenberg, and that whole crowd[1]

1.   The New Testament in five independent places states the end will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2; Matthew 24:43; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; 16:15) and in addition that we do not know the time of the end (Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:32). Why do those who claim to take the Bible seriously not take these passages seriously?

2.   Rosenberg, Camping, — and all those with the same general approach — insist on the Rapture. When it is pointed out that no one in church history dreamed of such an idea between the time of the New Testament and about two hundred years ago (in spite of Hal Lindsey’s claims), those with this point of view lose their tempers. The evidence is simply not there for their reading of this “Rapture” idea into the Bible. They are not taking the Bible seriously, but reading into it what they wish.

3.   Rosenberg claims to have a basis for his predictions because he forecast the fall of the Twin Towers. But a non-religious novelist had done this years before Rosenberg.[2] And it is a common idea.

4.   Why is there such a market for this kind of thinking? That I have an “in” with God?  That I can manage the future? The key point: Anything that takes our focus away from the truth of the gospel, Christ and him crucified, is immediately suspect (Galatians 1:6-9; 2:5, 14; 1 Corinthians 2:2). Anything that takes away this focus is of the Evil One (2 Cor 11:14).

5.   Millennialism is widespread, in general history as well as in other religions.

6.   Millennial thinking is always beyond criticism because it is an appeal to the future. To which the answers are:

a.   See Deuteronomy 18:21. Biblical prophecy is an ancient question, and the “proof” is in what actually happens. That Deuteronomy 18:20 then says those who are incorrect are to be put to death seems to be overlooked.

b.   We shall see what happens on May 21. It does not seem to bother this gentleman that he was wrong before. Nor does Hal Lindsey’s error seem to bother him and his followers. Church history is full of such claims, and their errors, down through the centuries. Let the buyer beware! Why should this be any different? The proof of the pudding is in the eating. In the meantime, we keep our focus on Christ and his cross and resurrection.

Lutherans are a-millennialists — that is, if there is one, we’re for it. Until then, keep the focus, the Gospel.

7. For Rosenberg proof the end is “very near” is Gog and Magog, i. e., Ezekiel 38-39 (Russia). All that is stated in these chapters is that this from the “North.” The best studies suggest that this is the ancient empire of Lydia in Asia Minor (known to scholars of ancient history) but how the empire of Lydia is related to Tubal, Meshech, Gomer, and Togarma is difficult to sort out. At the time of Ezekiel, Gog seems to have become more of a cipher for a general foe from the North. Other places in the Bible referring to Gog are at different times and in different contexts—great sport for scholars, but until one learns the ancient languages, like Akkadian and Ugaritic, as well as Hebrew, of course, one cannot really take part in this sport. Amateurs do not show up very well playing this game.

8.    The Good Shepherd says: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29).



[1] Harold Camping has predicted the end will come May 21, 2011. Joel C. Rosenberg has stated that the end is very near. Millennialists are always present, but they are more vocal at the moment.

[2] Dale Brown, Storming Heaven (New York: Berkeley Books,1994).