On March 9th, I contacted Harold Camping’s ministry, Family Radio, about getting someone from their organization to come onto the Line of Fire with Dr. Michael Brown to discuss the May 21, 2011 apocalypse prophecy they were putting forth. I received a cordial phone call from Tom Evans, Family Radio’s PR Rep, and he said it would be great to have Mr. Camping himself on the program. Below is our correspondence from that point on. Note how they end the last email: “To speak specifically for Mr. Camping and Family Radio, it is our belief May 21st, 2011 ‘is no longer opinion, but a matter of fact. Each person must come to entrust their lives to what God has written in His Word the Bible and plead to him for mercy. Otherwise God will come upon them with unmerciful vengeance on May 21, 2011.'” It is May 21st, 12:24 PM ET at the time of this writing.
Also fascinating is their biblical interpretation methods. Evans states “the typical historical-grammatical method of interpretation used by theologians today is not Biblical. Rather, the only Biblical method of interpretation is ‘comparing spiritual with spiritual'” How does this ‘comparing spiritual to spiritual’ play out in their May 21st rapture prediction? Below is the cliffs-notes version of their prediction I put together based on literature from the Family Radio website:
Proof 1:
– Flood happened in 4990 BC
– God told Noah in 7 days the flood would begin, and 1 Day = 1,000 years according to peter, therefore “mankind has seven days or 7,000 years to escape destruction.”
– 4990 BC + 7,000 = 2011
– Therefore judgment day will happen in 2011
Proof 2 (aka “ANOTHER INFALLIBLE PROOF THAT GOD GIVES THAT ASSURES THE RAPTURE WILL OCCUR MAY 21, 2011”):
– “The number 5 signifies the atonement or redemption (that is, Christ died to pay for the sins of those who become saved). This is seen, for example, by the ½ (.5) shekel atonement money which pointed to the atonement in Exodus 30:15. It is seen by the 5 shekels being a picture of redemption, as demonstrated in Numbers 3:47-48”
– “The number 10 or 100 or 1,000 signifies completeness. For example, the Bible speaks of 10 coins or 100 sheep or 1,000 years. God speaks of Satan being bound 1,000 years in Revelation 20:2-3”
– “The number 17 frequently signifies “Heaven.” For example, in Jeremiah God describes the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the king of Babylon. This was typifying the end of the church age, at which time Satan, typified by the king of Babylon destroying Jerusalem and Judah, would rule in the churches”
– Jesus was crucified on April 1, 33 A.D.
– May 21, 2011 is 722,500.07 days from April 1, 33 A.D.
– 5 x 10 x 17 x 5 x 10 x 17 = 722,500
– So therefore “The atonement or redemption demonstrated by Christ’s suffering and death on April 1, 33 A.D. (the number 5) is 100% completed on May 21, 2011 (the number 10) when all the true believers are raptured into Heaven (the number 17). ”
– And regarding the two sets of numbers: “Remarkably this number sequence is doubled, to indicate it has been established by God and will shortly come to pass (Genesis 41:32)”
And these, of course, are the ‘infallible proofs’ that the May 21st prediction ‘is no longer opinion, but a matter of fact.’
Below is my correspondence with Family Radio, I think you’ll find it interesting, to say the least! We ended up doing a Line of Fire show without anyone from Family Radio represented, where the email thread, and prophecy, was discussed. Click here to listen to it: 3/22: Why Jesus Is Not Returning On May 21 (And Keys For Avoiding Deception).
———- Forwarded message ———-
From:
Tom Evans
Date: Fri, Mar 11, 2011 at 5:07 PM
Subject: Re: Outline of LOF
To: Marcus French <producer@lineoffireradio.com>
Marcus,
Not knowing Dr. Brown’s view of Scripture I could not say.
Mr. Camping, and I, believe each letter, word and sentence, in the original autographs, were dictated by God.
The persons God used to record Scripture simply wrote as God’s Spirit dictated to them.
No personal commentary was included in the original documents.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” II Timothy 3:16
Secondly, the typical historical-grammatical method of interpretation used by theologians today is not Biblical.
Rather, the only Biblical method of interpretation is “comparing spiritual with spiritual”
Meaning the Bible is the Bible’s commentary and the Holy Spirit the teacher who must illumine ones spiritual eyes to understand.
We must be given the “mind of Christ” in order to understand Christ’s Word, the Bible.
Jesus said: “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
See also I Corinthians 2: 1-16
Dr. Brown appears to aggressively defend his beliefs and feels it is his life’s mission is to defend the traditional Christian faith.
He appears to believe the visible Church is worth defending and it is the visible Church for whom God says the “gates of hell shall not prevail”
Mr. Camping believes, as do I, the actual Church of which Jesus was speaking is not a visible institution found in this world. It is rather all those for whom Christ died.
Jesus said “my kingdom is not of this world”
I think of the institutional church as merely an empty shell that once contained something alive, but that something was extinguished by God. The light in the institutional Churches which did exist was removed, just as the candlestick was removed by God from the Church of Ephesus.
(Revelation 2:&5)
Christ’s true people, the “wheat” see that God ‘s spirit has left the “midst” of the temple, the visible Church institution, so they “flee”.
Satan was hired by God to silently infiltrate the visible Church and seduce its members, the “tares” who remain.(Daniel 8: 23&24)
Now all that is left in the visible Church are those who presume they are one of Christ’s sheep.
Jesus, sadly will say to them who say “…Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name?…”
“…I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Jesus said: “If ye love me keep my commandments”
To remain in a institutional church of any kind is disobedience to Christ’s command to “come out of her my people” See Daniel 8:23-25, Matthew 24: 15&16 and Revelation 18: 2-7
God often refers to Jerusalem as Babylon and Babylon as Jerusalem interchangeably . See Jeremiah chapter 9 verse 11 and chapter 51: 37
To speak specifically for Mr. Camping and Family Radio, it is our belief May 21st, 2011 “is no longer opinion, but a matter of fact”
“Each person must come to entrust their lives to what God has written in His Word the Bible and plead to him for mercy. Otherwise God will come upon them with unmerciful vengeance on May 21, 2011”
May God have mercy on each of us,
Regards,
Tom Evans
Board Member
Family Stations, Inc.
To: Tom Evans
Sent: Thu, March 10, 2011 1:28:40 PM
Subject: Re: Outline of LOF
Tom,
Got it. We’ve had participants in the program that have denied even the most basic elements of orthodox faith (see for instance Dr. Brown’s interview with “Jesus was a liberal” author Scotty McLennan here: http://lineoffireradio.askdrbrown.org/2011/02/16/was-jesus-a-liberal/ ), so I don’t think having different viewpoints is a negative, but if that’s what your ministry wants, we will certainly go forth with a program explaining our view of Mr. Camping’s approach without someone from your ministry to represent his position. Out of curiosity, how does Dr. Brown’s view of Scripture as God’s authoritative, infallible Word differ from Mr. Camping’s (as mentioned in your email)?
Thanks,
Marcus French
—– Original Message —–
From: “Tom Evans”
To: “Marcus French” <producer@lineoffireradio.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 4:14:29 PM
Subject: Re: Outline of LOF
Hello Marcus,
I presented your interview invitation to Mr. Camping and he has declined to be a guest on Dr. Brown’s program.
His past experience with this kind of interview led him to conclude it would be of no value.
Dr. Brown has his position and Mr. Camping has his.
Undoubtedly, this kind of interview would eventually lead to argument, and that would not fruitful for anyone, including your listeners.
It would be one thing if both parties were in agreement, but it is obvious they are not, even upon the most basic beliefs of Scripture and Eschatology.
Please tell Dr. Brown thank you for his invitation.
Regards,
Tom Evans
From: Marcus French <producer@lineoffireradio.com>
To: Tom Evans
Sent: Wed, March 9, 2011 4:57:09 PM
Subject: Re: Outline of LOF
Just talked to Dr. Brown, he’d love to have Harold on. Will 2-3pm Eastern 3/22, 3/23, or 3/24 work for yourself and Mr. Camping?
Thanks!
Marcus French
—– Original Message —–
From: “Marcus French” < producer@lineoffireradio.com >
To: Tom Evans
Sent: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 7:26:44 PM
Subject: Outline of LOF
See attached.
— Marcus
Marcus French is Editor of Voice of Revolution, and also helps produce the daily radio show, The Line of Fire. Contact him at editor@voiceofrevolution.com.
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I just have question: “How?” How can someone even think for a moment that this guy is telling the Truth???
Daniel,
What I’ve noticed in a little bit of listening to his radio program ‘open forum’, is that many of his supporters have been listening to him since they were children, or since they became Christians, and they find it comforting to listen to his voice each night. I think there are probably some very natural reasons for believing him and his teachings, that have little to do with logic.
— Marcus
Marcus – great to see the work you’re doing for Dr. Brown! Having had some experience working in the mental health field, I am very concerned for Harold Camping’s followers. I pray that they all have sound-minded loved ones who are watching them carefully and will get them emergency help if needed. I would be very concerned about self-harm/suicide risk tonight and tomorrow.
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Hi, Dr. Brown it is May 21st at 9:16 est. I believe that Jesus can come at any time for the first ressurrection. the sign in the sky, when the Angel said to the desciples this same Jesus as you see going up to Heaven is going to come back again. I don’t know what HE looks like? But it is a time when the whole earth morns. Why do they morn??? Because they are left behind to face Satan’s horrible deception and worldly government for approx. 6 years? Just my opinion.
There is another couple of senerios also. Sorry for any misspellings. As I read through the Bible, I see where Christ comes back twice and the LAST DAY in confused. I think it is the last day of the first ressurrection, before the Darkness comes here on earth under Satan’s rule. Many things happen during that time that I explain on my wesite.
Then Christ returns with the LIGHT and with eyes of fire and so on and throws the beast and false phrophet alive into the lake of fire and sets up HIS Godly Kingdom and fufills all the propheies for the Jewish people that He promised to Abraham, and then the Jewish people will know their true Messiah. Because Christ told them that one will come in his name and him you will believe. A false Messiah.
There are so many different opinions on who Mystery Babylon is???? And now I am even confused. But it doesn’t matter. Because if I am wrong about the Pre Rapture, I will be here and understand perfectly and will be one of the slaughterd of the LORD from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth as it says, in the book of DANIEL. God Bless you greatly and keep up the good work you are doing for God and HIS people. I was really hoping Camping was right, but we are to occupy till HE comes. Believe it or not all this has brought me closer to the LORD.
I know you are a busy man but if you read something on my site that is not revelent to Gods Word, please point it out to me as I want to be in HIS truth. In Christ, Ann Patterson
What Andy said. We can argue about the religion later. Save lives first. Well I would say that, as I’m a secular humanist, but I think it’s also the Christian thing to do as well.
I was 21 when I heard that Jesus came. I converted to him during the Christmas of 1978. One of those nights, I saw an airplane passing by through the sky, with a sign in its tail indicating that Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords and King of Kings had arrived. My heart began pounding hard. I felt that if that was truth I was left behind. I spent that night praying. The next day, I read early in the newspaper that a guy had come from Israel to my city town, and that he was Jesus The Christ, He was establishing his church in my city town, That was when I realized he was a false prophet. Since then I believe in the second coming of Jjesus, and it is my hope that that day won’t take me by surprise, because we are not in darkness but in light, . We are son of the light and the scriptures clearly states :
1Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for [that day will not come] until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessnessa is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
5Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
Stand Firm
13But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose youb to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachingsc we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
the quote is from: 2 Thessalonians chapter 2
Um. This guy is talking apocalypse that is not Biblical. How can he say the rapture is the end of the world. According to scripture, the old earth will pass away after the battle of Armageddon. I assume this is the traditional “end of the world” that most people erroneously believe that the Bible speaks of. But Jesus reigns ON EARTH for a thousand years after the devil is thrown into the pit. So the world never really blows up, has a violent storm to end all life or any other Apocalyptic scene. Nowhere does it call the rapture day the judgment day that I know of.
Thank you Jberrios for discerning the truth about announcements of Him here or there being suspect. I wonder now that proponents of a Gospel relative to ministry revelation–as upheld by some here as being knowledge of equal value to the Message of Jesus come at the appointed time almost 2000 years ago–might also be false conveyance of the truth about a relationship with Jesus Christ?
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It’s puzzling that the plain statements in scripture (e.g., Mark 13:32 “But of that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father”) appear to be overlooked when folks discover new prophecy. Maybe I misunderstand what the 21May2011 prophecy was about, but it sure seems strange. Maybe this wasn’t “the day or hour”, but some other event?
Puzzledly sad for fellow believers,
Excuse me, but in dealing with my ETERNAL SOUL, I would entrust it to NO man who crosses the Scripture.
I guess I am as stupid as they are if I ever disobeyed God.
I listened to Camping tonight 5/23/11 around 8:30 est. He spoke to many reporters who brought up obvious questions we all would like to know, but he stood by his prophesy for October 21, 2011 and explained away the Rapture for the 21st of May. Christ said there are 4 watches and to watch because you don’t know which watch HE will come. But Paul explicitly says that time will not come until the wicked one is revealed first. The one who puts flesh on Satan and his false prophet both appear on this current earth.
But who might that be? I believe as true Christians God will let us know without a doubt. But we could be Raptured right after that or go through the tribulation. I always believed in the later until I understood that Christ said He is coming back with HIS Saints to dethrone Satan, then the Kingdom would be given to Gods people, so anything that happens in between, during or after that time is in Scripture and can be interpreted differently to the reader.
But this one thing I know, that God has our backs and our souls and I believe HE designed it that way so we would not be distracted from doing our work for HIM. Camping does not have any of it right, because it does not line up with Scripture……..Trust no man only Gods Word read it. Without knowing the Word you can be swayed into false doctrine. But God did make good come out of all this. It got the worlds attention and that is good. And CNN had a clip that out done any Pastor in the past 100 years to get the world talking and fearful about HELL. It was called; (The Rapture, lets party). It had the sounds of people in HELL on 3 clips, it was horrorfying. Check it out if they still have it? It was on the 21st. That clip may have done more for people that never gave a thought about God.
I believe the clip was on CBS News instead of CNN even though they had clips from other TV Stations to scare you but true. I hope some people turned to Christ and then to understand and know HIM and Love HIM.
In the end, scoffers will come saying, “where is the promise of His coming?” Unfortunately, this man’s message increases the inclination for scoffers, even in the body of Christ, to confess disbelief in his second coming. Like the boy who cried “wolf” I think this man’s declaration contributed to enemy’s ploy to keep people from taking this subject seriously.