Failed Doomsday Pastor Has Change of Heart — Calls His Predictions ‘Sinful’
- Posted on March 7, 2012 at 10:49am by
Billy Hallowell
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Ninety-year-old Harold Camping created a stir last year when he proclaimed that the world would be coming to a disastrous end on May 21, 2011. Some people spent their life’s savings in preparation for the purported day of reckoning, while others simply laughed him off. When the event didn’t come to pass, Camping doubled down, saying that his estimates were off and that the end times would come, instead, on October 21. Again, he was wrong.
Following the insanity and false predictions, in November, The Blaze reported about a half-hearted apology that the leader offered. Now, Camping has come forward to fully admit his “sin” and to say that he will no longer be making Doomsday predictions. In essence, this was the first true apology offered, it seems, to those who believed his predictions would come to pass.
While apologies are presented, the letter opens with Camping and his staff looking at the bright side of the failed campaigns to warn the world that the earth was coming to an end.
“The May 21 campaign was an astounding event if you think about its impact upon this world. There is no question that millions, if not billions of people heard for the first time the Bible’s warning that Jesus Christ will return,” Camping and his staff wrote. “Huge portions of this world that had never read or seen a Bible heard the message the Christ Jesus is coming to rapture His people and destroy this natural world.”
The letter goes on to say that Camping and his company, Family Radio, have “no interest in even considering another date.” Additionally, the text claims that “God has humbled” the company through the events of May 21.
“We humbly recognize that God may not tell His people the date when Christ will return, any more than He tells anyone the date they will die physically,” the letter reads, continuing:
Even as God used sinful Balaam to accomplish His purposes, so He used our sin to accomplish His purpose of making the whole world acquainted with the Bible. However, even so, that does not excuse us. We tremble before God as we humbly ask Him for forgiveness for making that sinful statement. We are so thankful that God is so loving that He will forgive even this sin.
Oddly, the letter doesn’t mention the October 2011 date, at which point Camping said the world would be destroyed. And while it does look at the good that may have inadvertently come from the predictions, nowhere are the lives of those individuals who sold their possessions and bought into Camping’s ideology mentioned. Read the entire letter here.
(H/T: Christian Post)
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Comments (58)
Fitz Gerald
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:38pmSome of you will have the same wake up call about God’s judgement as most people will when they wake up to find their country has been stolen out from under them.
Report Post »fred299
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:33pmFor if we deliberately continue to sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but only the terrifying prospect of Judgment, of raging fire that will consume the enemies
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:04pmTook one word …harpazo…and created a whole concept from it. The same word is used in the parable of the seed thrown on rocky ground. Nobody speaks of Satan’s rapture.
I was one of those who laughed at him.
Report Post »Tx Spud Bar
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 3:06pmWe should all pray for him and hope the helping spirit re-enters him.There is no Satan’s rapture,only the wrath of Satan on God’s people called tribulation.We should love our neighbors and pray their carnal thoughts are replaced with the faith of Jesus and not the faith in Jesus.
Report Post »ConservativeChristianB1954
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:44pmThis man is a fulfillment of scripture:
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.: Matthew 24:23-25
Report Post »John 336
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:32pmWhat about his other “sins”? Preaching a false gosple … leading Christians to leave their churches because Satan controlled ALL churches … teaching that noboby could be saved between the 1988 and 1994. I could go on and on.
The test of a prophet as found in Deut. 18 tells us … “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.” And in verse 22 … “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.“ What ”billions” of people heard did not come from God but instead came from a false prophet who claimed he spoke for God. God’s prophets were never wrong … whereas Mr. Camping was wrong on multiple accounts.
I never worried one bit about May 21st or Oct. 21st because I knew Harold Camping was a false prophet (he said the same thing would happen in 1994 and was wrong then too). He has not …. nor is not … doing the work of Jesus … but instead is doing the work of Satan and until He gets saved, by putting his faith in Christ alone … there is no hope for him.
His apology is not owed to me … I’ve already put him to death in my mind by not listening to a word he say. I recommend that confess it Jesus and ask for Jesus’ forgiveness.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 8:29pmJOHN 336: From the letter written by Harold Camping: “We tremble before God as we humbly ask Him for forgiveness for making that sinful statement. We are so thankful that God is so loving that He will forgive even this sin”. He has admitted his sin & asked God for forgiveness. Judge not lest ye be judged.
Report Post »Wayner
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:22amThe test of a true prophet according to the Bible is that if what they prophesy comes true…. Ok. Isaiah and Jeremiah, Daniel and Jesus all had their prophesies come true…. but anywhere from 70 years to 3000 years…. How are we to know if what a modern day prophet says that’s going to come to pass actually will? We won’t be around to see in 100 years.
Report Post »John 336
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:49pmWAYNER – that is why they call it faith. God and His prophets have not failed yet. Just because something hasn‘t happened in our lifetime doesn’t mean the prophecy will fail. Israel waited through 400 years of silence from God (no prophets) before John the Baptist … and then Jesus.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him … Heb. 11:6
Report Post »palerider54
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:15pmI am truly glad he has realized his sin. God will forgive all sin when asked. (I know all except blasphemy against God) Maybe God will use Mr. Camping now in a mighty way.
I know I did not deserve the forgiveness I received when I accepted Christ. Nor when I knowingly sinned because of my sin nature.
Report Post »Are any of the rest of you so perfect you never made a mistake and needed to seek forgiveness ?
Sol Invictus
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:04pm“Failed Doomsday Pastor Has Change of Heart — Calls His Predictions ‘Sinful’”
That’s OK Glenn, we forgive you.
Report Post »Jack of Hearts
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:13pm“Some people spent their life’s savings in preparation for the purported day of reckoning, while others simply laughed him off. ” Yes.. ..I see what you mean. The parallels are spooky.
Report Post »jeanr
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 8:51pmOh, thanks for reminding me. Must buy more gold coins while prices are at their highest ever….GB told me so.
Report Post »Tx Spud Bar
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 3:22pmGod says to not hoard food,money ,or anything.Did he not feed the tribe for 40 years with manna.5 days gather ,6th day gather for the Sabbath also .God will provide if you believe on him,and have the faith of Jesus.
Report Post »Pat Alexander
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 4:40pmI want to see him on Time Square with a big sandwich board that says:
“REPENT !!
THE END ISN’T NEAR !!!”
Report Post »am123
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 4:31pm“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
—MATTHEW 24:32-33
We are in the final generation and in the season of the Second Coming, but it is not imminent, much has to come first. Here is the truth of the matter:
There are 3 woes in the Book of Revelation (REV 8:13). In the 1st woe, which lasts 5 months, no one dies, though many will wish they could (see REV 9:6). But many, many will die in the 2nd and 3rd woes (Trumpets 6 and 7). The 2nd woe consists of the 1260 day (REV 11:3) ministry of the two who are one. Their 1260 days coincides with the 1260 days of the Antichrist (Mr. 666). Then at the conclusion of the 1260 days of the two witnesses, at the conclusion of the 2nd woe, the 3rd woe will come quickly thereafter (REV 11:14). The 3rd woe occurs simultaneously with, and in concert with, the Second Coming. It is at the conclusion of the 2nd woe that the 3rd woe/Second Coming will be truly imminent, right at the door (Matthew 24:33). Then at the advent of the 3rd woe, at the sounding of the 7th trumpet (REV 11:15), Christ will come riding on the clouds (REV 1:7) in a more than awesome burst of power and glory to set up the eternal kingdom of God at the glorious conclusion and climatic and cataclysmic exclamation point at the end of the age known as the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST!
Report Post »Tx Spud Bar
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 3:32pmI hope I’m not around for the 3 woes as I would have taken the mark of the beast.This is the beginning of the day of the Lord or (Gods wrath).This is the punishment on mankind for the mark,which is working on the Sabbath, and worshipping on another day and breaking the 4th commandment
Report Post »Watchyer6
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:56pmJust another religious nut, Him and Pat Robertson.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:40pmI’m glad to hear he repented. Repentence is the only way any of us are going to make it.
Report Post »MammalOne
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:36pmHow many failed predictions did it take for him to accept that he can’t predict the “end times”? Poor guy, he still doesn’t know armageddon is just a story in a book.
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:32pmFalse prophet has a change of heart?
Report Post »JAMACAMECRAZYMAN
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:14pmMy prediction is he will croak soon…………….
When this happens I will be famous and charge for my predictions……………..
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:33pmInteresting: Most of us have read the part in our bibles that says WE’LL not know the day or time.
Report Post »Some, even preachers, try to read more into it and skip the real message.
Tx Spud Bar
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 3:39pmBut it also says as the fig tree blooms, you will know the season if you watch.You know winter,it is cold, you know summer it is hot.Always be watchful and pray you are worthy to be speared the tribulation.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:13pmHmmm…predicting the end of the world, based entirely on lies meant to dupe the truly moronic, simply for some type of personal gain of money, power or influence. The guy sounds a lot like Al Gore.
Report Post »Batjak456
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:11pmWell…
All I can say is…
Woe unto those who say “God said…”…and God DIDN’T say.
It may not be biblical, but y’all know what I mean.
BATJAK456
ALL GAVE SOME
Report Post »SOME GAVE ALL
Wayner
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:36amBatjac…. Jeremiah said the same thing…. read it and find out.
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:53pmAlthough we are still rambling about this God has already forgot this mans sin if he has truly repented and we are to forgive him too. He admited he was wrong, he sinned, and he promised to never set a date again. Now those who lost their money were adults and freely gave it up–they should repent of their sin of believing the date and wanting some kind of gain from it…they should also forgive him and move on.
Report Post »The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25
PureDrumFury
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:43pmI believe he did way more harm than good. I believe the Devil used Camping to drive people away from God. This irresponsible moron made all Christians look like fools. He gave unprecedented ammo to the athiests in my life who may now never be convinced that there is a God. All he is doing now is trying to use the word of God to save face. It’s not for me to judge, but I think this entire thing is blasphemous and if it were up to me, he’d wind up in the Lake of Fire for his deception and irresponsibility with the fate of souls.
Report Post »horvath
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:35pmDefinately did more harm than good. What was he thinking. In no way can making false prophesy be a positive thing. I was suprised how much media attention it recieved though….
Report Post »Kitkarr
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 4:27pmPure – A man can no more send someone to Hell than he can send them to Heaven. Each person’s spiritual walk is between them and God. The Holy Spirit will convict those who God has chosen to give to His Son, no matter what this man has done. It is our job merely to be a witness of Christ. I don’t know if the apology and repentance is genuine or if its just to save face, but I know that it is a testament to God‘s Grace and Mercy if this man’s sin is truly forgiven.
We, including me, shouldn’t be so hard on people for being sinners. After all, but for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we all deserve Hell anyway. Always remember that God can use whatever means He wishes to open the eyes of His people, as long as that means involves The Gospel.
Also, the atheists in your life depend more on your witness than they do on this guy’s false prophesies.
Report Post »Cesium
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:38pm“We humbly recognize that God may not tell His people the date when Christ will return, any more than He tells anyone the date they will die physically,” ahahaha .. try this on for size… MAYBE THERE IS NO GOD!!!!!
Report Post »Biddle
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:35pmLOL. Good one! No God. Now that would be ludicrous indeed!
Report Post »Kitkarr
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 4:32pmThe scary part of “Maybe there is no God,“ is the ”maybe” part. Several old folkes say that “maybes are alot like mites (spelled that way on purpose), there only good for making a dog’s ears itch.” Or something like that. Who wants to mess around with “maybe this” or “maybe that,” when you can have assurance? Not me. I don’t need my ears tickled.
Report Post »THGIC
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 4:45pmPlease troll somewhere else.
Report Post »Tx Spud Bar
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 4:03pmWhen I look at the trees ,animals,my existence I know I was created .Darwin is the idiot that thinks my intellect came from an ameba that evolved. Look to the sky ,all the stars,God and the Word (Jesus ) created all we see ,feel,breath. If you think it all happened by???accident ,then why are we the only ,out of all the species with intelligent design.This only happens because God put a spirit in us to reason,and make decisions and not rely on instinct.
Report Post »roughneck.seay
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:35pmHe has repented. Pray for him. The devil likes to throw his weight around and God knows exactly how to use that against him. EVERYTHING happens for a reason.
Report Post »TriforcePlayer
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:14pmWhatever
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:14pmWe know not the day or hour, but we do know the season.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 6:30amBINGO! Everyone always seems to miss that point.
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:06pmIs this a case of too much Jesus? IF so, how do I know when I have just enough Jesus to get into heaven, but not too much Jesus so I go nuts like this guy. Seriously. What we need is a Jesus throttle. Substitute Jesus for any God you would like.
Report Post »ShyLow
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:15pmHold on loosely,but don’t let go…If you cling too tightly,you’re going to loose control
Report Post »JoeE71
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:30pmRFYCOM, please do not make the foolish mistake to think you can have too much Jesus or get too close to Him. It is obvious this Camping false Prophet is not close to Jesus or else he would not have done this. Only Satan would want us to think it is bad to be too close to Jesus. Do not be deceived!
Report Post »jzs
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:02pmHe’s the guy that warned us about the imminent caliphate too. I guess he came to his senses.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:00pmLol. Idiots.
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