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The World to Come. The Restored Church of God presents David C. Pack.
The leader of a small California religious sect has proclaimed that the world will face
"Judgment Day" on May 21, 2011. Billboards announce, "The Bible Guarantees
It"---vans declaring "Christ Returns as Judge" travel highways---followers hold placards
reading, "The Trumpet is Sounding"---a radio voice proclaims, "Judgment Day is coming."
Millions of advertising dollars have been spent. Gradually, a large audience has taken
notice. The author of this idea has convinced thousands
of followers that a worldwide earthquake will occur this day, and begin a hellish period
that culminates with God destroying the planet 5 months later. The man claims these ideas
are all in the Bible. The group's website declares: "On May 21, 2011 two events will
occur. These events could not be more opposite in nature, the one more wonderful than can
be imagined; the other more horrific than can be imagined. A great earthquake will occur…This
earthquake will be so powerful it will throw open all graves. The remains of all the believers...will
be...glorified...[And] the bodies of all unsaved people will be thrown out upon the ground
to be shamed...The inhabitants who survive this terrible earthquake will exist in a world
of horror and chaos beyond description. Each day people will die until October 21, 2011
when God will completely destroy this earth and its surviving inhabitants." Incredibly,
the group still plans to sell its promotional merchandise beyond May 21.
Does the Bible validate his ideas? No! In a few minutes, you will know with absolute
certainty "the end of the world" will not arrive this year!
Most who write about the Bible do not realize this Book interprets itself. The Author of
this greatest of books would not leave the most crucial questions, those involving all
humanity, subject to human interpretation. He would provide clues---necessary vital keys!---to
understanding the large portions of His Word devoted to future events.
The Bible commands: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." This certainly applies
to prophecy. You need not accept the opinions of ill-informed, self-appointed "experts."
Tragically, most who read the Bible remain in near total ignorance of its meaning. They
are completely unable to recognize the speed, sequence and timing of its prophecies. And
this is on top of not truly comprehending what any of them means! So many just cannot
untangle the maze of what happens when, as well as where and to whom---and WHY!
The idea of the end of the world has been a subject of speculation, ridicule, general
discussion, fascination and fancy for 2,000 years---ever since Jesus Christ announced
He would return. With opinions everywhere, there has been an explosion of material presenting
popular scenarios, ideas, theories, suppositions and interpretations of what will occur just
before Jesus' Return. For Christians, the Judgment Day question
begins with what Jesus said about His Return: "Watch therefore, for you know neither the
day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes." If people were reading even such basic verses,
they would never worry about May 21, 2011, because no one knows the day of Christ's Return:
"Of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither
the Son, but the Father." These verses preclude anyone setting a date for Christ's Return
being an authority---even one who claims to be "a tireless student" and who has supposedly
spent "tens of thousands of hours…analyzing the Bible." I have spent more hours than this,
and for 45 years---but by itself this does not qualify anyone as an expert.
What a tragic commentary on the state of followers professing to be Christians---but who cannot
logically compute such rudimentary understanding. But then, most who profess to follow Christ
study little or nothing of what He actually said.
Get this! Just Mark 13:32, and similar passages, rule out this date---or any specific date---for
Christ's Return, or any supposed "Judgment Day."
Notice this: "The disciples came to [Jesus] privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these
things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world [or age]?"
Jesus' detailed answer begins with: "Take heed that no man deceive you."
Jesus goes straight to the biggest problem that would exist at the end. There are an
unending and growing number of deceivers at work today. Are their followers "taking heed"?
How many are doing their homework? The California man is only one. There are others. Another
man, having proclaimed himself and his wife to be the 2 Witnesses, says May 27, 2012 is
the date Christ will return. Others will appear. The California man believes civilization is
now at the end of what the Bible calls the Great Tribulation---the worst period of human
history ever, which Jesus says includes Jerusalem being overrun—"trodden down"—from the
outset. Now let's examine whether it is even possible---prophetically---for
2011 to be the end. We have to establish the timing of certain events. Follow carefully.
Many know the terms "Tribulation" and "Great Tribulation." The Bible speaks of this period
as one of terrible trouble and indescribable horror. Jesus described this time as unparalleled
in history: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the
world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." He added, "There shall be great distress in
the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword,
and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down…"
The Bible reveals that a certain very specific amount of time must elapse between the start
of the Tribulation and the Return of Christ. So understand. If it can be proven there are
not enough years in God's plainly revealed timeline for 2011 to be the end, then all
the hysteria is for nothing! Numerous passages explain that the Tribulation
lasts 2 1/2 years, followed by the year-long Day of the Lord, fulfilling 1,260 days before
Christ's Return---or 3 1/2 years. Understand the implications! If the Tribulation
were to begin today there is not enough time for May 21 to be the "beginning of the end."
But it is also critical to realize that certain biblically described pre-conditions, which
must precede the Tribulation---however close these now are---are not yet here.
It is therefore absolutely impossible---IMPOSSIBLE!---for May 21 to introduce the end! No one should
fear this fictional doomsday! It is possible, however, that something of
significance could happen on or around this date because the demon world has a general
idea of prophecy, and these fallen spirits do everything in their power to thwart God's
Master Purpose for mankind. They could pull some trick or stunt to confuse the gullible.
A variety of prophecy writers speak of the "end of the world"---that the earth itself
will supposedly be destroyed. This could not be further from the truth. This idea often
stems from a misunderstanding of Christ's disciples asking for a sign of the end of
the world. The Greek word "aion" translated world means "age." The disciples were asking
when the period of man's rule would end, and the kingdom of God would be established. They
well understood the many OT prophecies that speak of the Messiah setting up the kingdom
of God on Earth. God's servants understand the basic framework
of His overall prophetic timetable and plan. They are not confused about "what happens
next" when certain prophecies take place. Many prophecies involve a tremendous amount
of understanding that God makes available, and with all necessary details. They understand
exactly what lies ahead for all mankind, and for themselves---IF they are faithful.
Make no mistake: All the May 21, 2011 predictions come from a false prophet. Every Scripture
this man cites---without exception---is twisted, mangled and butchered. The Bible warns of
such "evil men and seducers" specifically in our time, but like all of its other warnings,
most do not heed. False prophets prey on the natural fascination
people have with the future. The apostle John warned of them: "Believe not every spirit,
but try [test] the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone
out into the world." Jesus warned, "Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many,"
and "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they
are ravening wolves." It is not always easy to detect these deceivers.
None of them wear signs exposing who they are. They are smooth operators, but their
teachings tear people's understanding as wolves rip prey.
Millions are aware this man falsely predicted that "Judgment Day" would be in 1994. This
could not occur with a prophet of God. Notice: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy..."
God's prophecies are sure. They never miss. Not one!
Here is God's command about prophets: "If you [ask] in your heart, How shall we know
the word which the Lord has NOT spoken?" God's answer? "When a prophet speaks in the name
of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the
Lord has not spoken, but the prophet has spoken it presumptuously: you shall not be afraid
of him." Think of the confusion and fear this man's
presumptuous prophecies have engendered. God declares, "You shall not be afraid of him."
While he may be sincere, he is deceived and utterly false!
Recognize that today's deceivers are merely the front edge of a coming wave of false prophets
who will "wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." They will soon become much
more cunning, persuasive and charismatic. Such men will eventually perform false miracles
thru the power of the devil who guides them. (Read Matt 24:24 and II Thes 2:9.) But first
this early wave of deceivers will cause millions to become jaded to the truth of Bible prophecy.
Let's look ahead to May 22. There will have been no rapture. No great earthquake. No graves
opened. No Judgment Day. The man who uttered these predictions will have only two options:
(1) admit he is a false prophet---highly unlikely---or (2) spin events by claiming his prophecy was
fulfilled in some mysterious fashion. Perhaps he will attempt to portray the hundreds of
minor earthquakes that occur around the world every day as a fulfillment of his worldwide
earthquake. But he will have a very difficult time explaining how other elements of his
phony prophecy were fulfilled. Prepare NOW for the spin!--
World trends and conditions are worsening. This has caused many to look to the Bible
for answers. They want clarity and authority. This opens the door to religious entrepreneurs,
who can take advantage of the situation, and seize the opportunity to spew prophetic nonsense.
Preying upon people's biblical ignorance, these can easily gain a following---and a
cash reward besides. But wrong motives and their own ignorance
do not negate the very real prophecies that you can know and understand! In fact, incredibly,
you have already learned more of the truth about Bible prophecy than most will ever know.
To learn much more of the truth of Bible prophecy---history written in advance---read The Bible's Greatest
Prophecies Unlocked! -- A Voice Cries Out. This is the most comprehensive book ever written
on prophecy. Those who are serious about understanding what lies ahead will read it.
And to know what the future holds for the world's greatest nations, read another book---America
and Britain in Prophecy. Before May 21 arrives, you can know that day
is NOT Judgment Day! Until next time, this is David C. Pack saying,
"Goodbye, friends."
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