ARE YOU PREPARED?

Mr. Harold Camping, an American Christian radio host made a bold prediction about “The Rapture” and “Judgment Day”, also, known as the “End of Days.” He predicted that this event would occur on May 21, 2011 at 6:00 pm. How did he come about the date for this day? He claims the Bible and his formulas gave him the answer. So, if you are reading this, CONGRATULATIONS! You survived the “End of Days.” Well maybe you didn’t! Maybe all the good people have been taken up to heaven and you are left behind like me to fight it out with all the evil people. Oh don’t worry. We have a second chance. According to Mr. Camping, his calculations were off by 5 months. The NEW DATE for the “End of Days” is October 21, 2011. (Side note: Mr. Camping gave a first “Rapture” date prediction for September 1994. He was just as wrong about that date as he was of the May date.)

The “End of Days” is not about Mr. Camping and his predictions. In fact, if he truly studied what the Bible says about the date for the “End of Days” he would have discovered what Jesus says about this subject in Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Think about that scripture for a second. Only God knows the date of “End of Days”. God hasn’t told his Son Jesus of this date. If God hasn’t told Jesus why in the world would He tell Mr. Camping? No answer needed. It’s obvious! He didn’t tell him because scripture says so. I believe Jesus is a lot farther up “the need to know” chain with God then Mr. Camping.

The bigger story in all this for Christians is ARE YOU PREPARED? Are you prepared to meet God? The world “End of Days” or your own personal “End of Days” also, known as death may occur at any given moment and it will happen. In either case you need to be prepared.

So again, I ask ARE YOU PREPARED? Here are a few things to ponder as you reflect upon your own preparation for this guaranteed day. Have you lived your life according to God’s will? Is your life Christ-like?  Have you studied the scriptures, strengthen your faith, and drawn closer to God on your journey of life? Have you followed Jesus’s commandment? ….Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (Matthew 13:34). Have you humbled yourself? Are the Fruits of the Spirit in you? (Galatians 5:22-23 list the Fruits). Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God? (This one is really important). Do you rejoice in your life’s trials and tribulations? Do these trial and tribulations lead to perseverance….which leads to character…which leads to hope….and our hope is Jesus. (Romans 5:3-5).  Have you surrendered your life to God? Do you hate this life as Jesus states in John 12:25 anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Have you asked God for the forgiveness of your sins? Do you pray without ceasing? Do you help the poor, widows and the orphans? (Isaiah 1:17). Can someone look at your life and know that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior?

Only you know the answers to these questions. It’s easy to believe we are doing all these things based on the world’s standards. However, those standards don’t count. It is God’s standards that count. Remember His standards are righteous, fair and just. You can’t lie to God or hide from God. If you have answered “NO” to any of the questions, you need to be concerned. However, there is still hope. You can turn your answers into a “YES”. How? Open the Bible. God doesn’t hide the answer to life’s test. In fact He would prefer you take life’s test with an open Bible. You are allowed to cheat on this test! You can look at someone else’s test. You can go back and change your answers. You can change your life! But you need to start this minute. The “End of Days” is coming. You don’t know if that will happen tonight, tomorrow, next week or next year. Just know it is coming. Jesus will return. Once, the “End of Days” arrives whether to the world or you personally it will be too late to change. Your fate with God is sealed!

Mr. Camping only used scriptures and his own formula to support his prediction and fails to recognize the scripture (Matthew 24:36) that disputes it. Why? Only he knows for sure. I can guarantee his PRIDE is a part of the equation. His PRIDE has blinded him to the truth about his predictions and scripture.

Maybe we need to thank Mr. Camping even though his predictions are wrong. This includes the October 21, 2011 prediction which will prove to be false. Why thank him? For me and hopefully others all this talk of “End of Days” will help us to reflect and correct the things God does not approve of in our lives. All Christians and Non- Christians will receive God’s judgment. That is a prediction that is GUARANTEED by scripture to come true. I hope for me and everyone involved God’s judgment brings us eternal life.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Gary