If you’re too busy to think about Armageddon, as prophesied in the Bible, think again. It’s next Saturday.
At least that’s what followers of the California-based Family Radio ministry are saying. Since last October, Family Radio believers have fanned across the county in buses announcing that a tremendous earthquake will shatter the world on May 21. On that day, Jesus will reappear and take to heaven around 3 percent of humankind -- true Christians chosen long ago by God. Other humans will endure 153 days of death and horror until they are annihilated on Oct. 21, the end of the world.
Harold Camping, the 89-year-old leader of the Family Radio group, bases his apocalyptic prediction on numbers in the Bible, which he sees as absolutely trustworthy. According Camping’s Bible-based math, Noah received God’s message in 4990 B.C. (7,000 years ago) that the destruction of the world would come in 7 days -- or 7,000 years, per the statement in Peter 3:8 that one Bible day equals a thousand years. Another part of the equation is April 1, A.D. 33, the supposed date of the crucifixion of Christ. Camping uses a multiplication formula of 5 x 10 x 17 x 5 x 10 x 17, with each number having divine significance, that produces 722,500, the number of days between the crucifixion and the day of the divine Rapture.
Camping’s followers are so convinced of the accuracy of these predictions that they have given up their jobs, families and possessions to join the nationwide tour, known as the caravan ministry. Their buses, placards and clothing brandish the "Awesome News.” One 75-year-old Utah man left his wife of 53 years and his 10 children and their families to spread the message.
But is the math right? History says no. The end of the world has been predicted many times before. Nearly two decades ago, Camping himself warned that the world would end on Sept. 6, 1994. When that didn’t happen, he said he had misread the figures -- and now, with his revised calculations, his flock is in a frenzy of anticipation.
At least that’s what followers of the California-based Family Radio ministry are saying. Since last October, Family Radio believers have fanned across the county in buses announcing that a tremendous earthquake will shatter the world on May 21. On that day, Jesus will reappear and take to heaven around 3 percent of humankind -- true Christians chosen long ago by God. Other humans will endure 153 days of death and horror until they are annihilated on Oct. 21, the end of the world.
Harold Camping, the 89-year-old leader of the Family Radio group, bases his apocalyptic prediction on numbers in the Bible, which he sees as absolutely trustworthy. According Camping’s Bible-based math, Noah received God’s message in 4990 B.C. (7,000 years ago) that the destruction of the world would come in 7 days -- or 7,000 years, per the statement in Peter 3:8 that one Bible day equals a thousand years. Another part of the equation is April 1, A.D. 33, the supposed date of the crucifixion of Christ. Camping uses a multiplication formula of 5 x 10 x 17 x 5 x 10 x 17, with each number having divine significance, that produces 722,500, the number of days between the crucifixion and the day of the divine Rapture.
But is the math right? History says no. The end of the world has been predicted many times before. Nearly two decades ago, Camping himself warned that the world would end on Sept. 6, 1994. When that didn’t happen, he said he had misread the figures -- and now, with his revised calculations, his flock is in a frenzy of anticipation.
