Have Camping’s Followers Set a New 2012 Rapture Date?
January 17, 2012 by natalina
Filed under Extraordinary Intelligence.com, Spirituality, The Unexplained
Unless you were living underneath a very isolated rock in 2011, you heard about the rise and fall of Harold Camping. After hosting the Open Forum on Family Radio (Christian broadcasting station) for 50 years, Camping began to claim that he’d uncovered a numerical certainty within the Bible that prophesied the rapture on May 21, 2011. His followers clamored around the date and spread the gospel according to Harold all around the world. Billboards could be seen in nearly every city, and the devout wore t-shirts and waved signs proclaiming, “Save the Date! May 21, 2011: The Bible Guarantees It!”
Believers and scoffers anxiously awaited the appointed date, and it came and went without so much as a whimper. Camping addressed the media to explain that what had happened was merely a “silent judgement”, and that the real end was to occur on October 21, 2011. Many if not most of Camping’s followers had jumped ship by this point, and I think it is safe to say that not many were holding their breath. Meanwhile, Camping suffered from a stroke that impaired his ability to speak publicly, and soon he retired from the Open Forum, and of course, we’re all still here.
Because I’d reported extensively on the Camping Rapture Date as it was happening (see our coverage here, here, here, and here) I decided to check out their websites to see if there was any more rapture buzz. I expected to see a distinct lack of date setting, given the wave of bad press they’d received in 2011.
I first checked out the main Family Radio website, and it looks like they got a nice facelift, but nothing really worth noting was happening there. Then I headed over to eBible Fellowship. Now, eBible Fellowship claims to have no relation to Family Radio, but they are followers of Harold Camping, and share links with items on the Family Radio site, as well as providing a feed to Family Radio shows. In any case, here is what I found:
As you can see, a new date for the End Times is being hinted at right on the front page of the eBible Fellowship website. My instant thought was…. Really?!?!
Now, before you jump ahead and point out that eBible Fellowship is NOT the same as Family Radio and the Camping camp, hold your horses. Let’s examine this.
When the May 21 craze was lighting up billboards and bus stops from Indiana to India, most of them pointed to FamilyRadio.com as their source for more information. BUT, some of them also had the URL ebiblefellowship.com emblazoned across the bottom. We do know that eBible Fellowship is run by Chris McCann, and that eBible is often referred to as a “support site” for Family Radio. Chris McCann was a huge Camping apologist, and he was also affiliated Family Radio in a professional sense. McCann appeared on many talk shows leading up to the May 21 date, including his appearance on Coast to Coast Am, during which he proclaimed that he could not commit to a follow-up interview on May 22, because he’d already have been raptured.
Chris McCann (pictured above) was an outspoken advocate of the May 21 rapture.
McCann also runs a Yahoo Group that is concerned with “Time and Date Discernment”. He’s still completely obsessed with using Bible genealogy and “clues” or new revelations to figure out when the end will come. Family Radio in the main has clearly distanced themselves from McCann, but from his own words on Yahoo, McCann states:
“This group continues to support the teaching of the longtime faithful Bible ministry “Family Radio” and its president Mr. Harold Camping. Although EBiblefellowship’s “Discerning Time & Judgment” group has no affiliation with Family Radio we encourage everyone to visit: Familyradio.com or find your local Family Radio station to listen to.”
Thus, it is clear that while we cannot say with certainty that Harold Camping ascribes to this new date for the End of Days, we can in confidence say that some of the same people involved behind the scenes with Family Radio are involved with this new prediction.
Chris McCann and eBible Fellowship believe as Camping did that the Church Age has ended. He believes that May 21, 2011 WAS judgement day, but it was a silent judgement, thus no further salvation can occur between now and the actual really real end of the world. Family Radio has distanced themselves from this belief and maintain now that salvation is ongoing. Probably why their public affiliation with McCann is now on the down low.
McCann seems to now be hinting that the world will end on Purim (March 7-8, 2012). He relies on the Biblical timeline as interpreted by Camping as well as his further studies. His studies are presented in audio form and can be found on the eBible Fellowship website.
It seems that this Purim prediction is being gleaned from the Book of Esther in the Old Testament. As I scan his logic train, I’m baffled just as I was with Camping’s explanations, but at the heart of McCann’s theory, I find that the Book of Esther ends with the Feast of Purim, and that this feast in particular ties in with the End of the World.
The Book of Esther in the OT tells the story of an orphan named Esther who becomes the Queen of Persia. She is secretly Jewish and does not reveal this to the pagan king. When the lives of her people are threatened with massacre, Queen Esther risks her own life by revealing her Jewish heritage to the king and ultimately saves the Jewish people from slaughter.
Throughout McCann’s lengthy and ongoing examination of the Book of Esther, he repeatedly stops himself short of revealing too much. He says things like “We do not want to get too far ahead. If we get all of the answers out now, then you are going to be bored when we continue on. But we are going to find that the feast of Purim, as believers have thought for some time, actually relates to the end of the world. ”
Later in his teaching he says, “There is something else that really relates to Daniel 12; but like I said, that is a teaser and I do not want to get too much into this too quickly. But this is something that I think is going to help us to understand some things. There are still a few questions, but this is information that fits in with our Biblical calendar and this is information that we never had before. ”
I find this all so troubling. Clearly with the statement on the home page of eBible fellowship proclaiming the possibility of the March 2012 rapture date or end times date, McCann is using a provocative means to draw people into the study. He then uses tactics worthy of any good showman to reel his audience in, but keep them nipping at the bait, coming back for more in hopes of a true revelation, as promised by McCann.
I intend to keep an eye on McCann’s revelations as he presents them, and I’ll keep you updated. When McCann was on Coast to Coast Am in the weeks leading up to May 21, he explained Camping’s initial prediction of a 1994 rapture (as suggested in Camping’s book titled 1994?
“[W]hen a prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah has not spoken: the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you need not be afraid of him” (Dt. 18:22).
McCann and the rest of his ilk have mislead their flock time and time again. The Bible clearly tells us that men like this are false prophets, and we need not heed their words. Let us hope that those who still follow Chris McCann and Harold Camping can find that truth in their hearts.
There is a strong possibility that the world might end in March 2012.
Again? Haven’t they learnt not to publicise these theories too much? “Always deny the apocalypse, because you’ll usually be right, and when you’re wrong there will be no one around to say I told you so.” Immortal words from Charlie McDonnell.
By now, any credible teacher would be questioning the methodology that he trusted to arrive at his conclusions. But, not these guys. McCann still teaches that their comparing spiritual with spiritual, and harmonizing the whole Bible, and, rejecting all voices, dreams, visions, revelations, or words, are the way to go!! He insists that their methodology is the only methodology that God sanctions! How does he know that? Jesus better not dare speak to McCann the way he spoke to Ananias(Acts 9). He will immediately believe it is the Devil talking to him. After all, that’s what Harold taught him. Wow!
Yes, by God’s mercy there is a strong possibility that the world might end on Purim, which occurs early in March. We are in the 13,023rd year since Creation. And Noah’s flood, Judgment Day and Esther’s banquet occurred on the 17th Day of the 2nd Month. Esther’s calendar goes to the 13-15th days of the 12th Month (Adar/Purim) which is in early March. http://www.ebiblefellowship.com/ has more info.
A wise mans heart will know time and judgement. GOD will not do anything without telling his prophets. I wouldnt mock or scoff at the evidence presented because in the old testament there was a king who mocked GOD and an angel of the LORD slew 185,000 people in one night.
Hello,
Well, I am a Bible follower/Camping follower if that’s what you want t cal it. Yes, we did what we had to do and I have NO SHAME IN IT AT ALL!!! I would do the whole thing right from the beginning all over again if I had to. But the Lord is not leading us like minded believers to do so. Yes, I expect for the Lord to come in march the monthe of Purim. He use May 2011 for his own purpose. WAe didn’t waste any time at all. I look forward for his return. I’m starting to count the weeks down. May the good Lord give all the faithful teachers wisdown as they study the word and seek truth.
March 2012 is possible, with God all things are possible.
and God is not mocked but he knows your every thought and he will repay, he has the power.
TGBATG
Matthew 24:35-36
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
I’m really glad to see this discussion here, and I’d particularly like to welcome the eBible Fellowship/McCann followers to the site.
I do have a question. For those of you who are so convinced that a date will be revealed, how do you deal with the scripture that specifically deals with date setting?
Further, with the firm stance both Camping and McCann took with May 21… how do you reconcile the fact that in the Bible we are told that if a man makes a prediction or prophecy that turns out to be wrong, that we no longer should listen to them?
I know the running line in the group is that Camping wasn’t wrong about the date… but that the judgement was “silent”. With that said, I find that to be quite a side step. Camping AND McCann both proclaimed the RAPTURE for May 21… not just judgement day, not just a silent judgement, not the end of the church age… but THE RAPTURE. Remember? “The Bible Guarantees it!” McCann said without hesitation or pause that he would not be here on May 22.
So I ask you… what does this Bible verse mean?
[W]hen a prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah has not spoken: the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you need not be afraid of him” (Dt. 18:22).
And I won’t tolerate being accused of mocking God. I’d never think to do such a thing. I take Him at his Word, which is something that I think eBible Fellowship should consider doing instead of trying to find hidden codes and special mathematical formulas.
“Date Setting”… is just so___yesterday.
Do you think they still wear the t-shirts with the may date on them or did they give them to charity like the losing teams shirts from the world series and superbowl?
on a side note, This guy has followers still? Suckers.
When it comes to prophecy, you only get to be wrong ONCE. After that, you’re a false prophet under God’s judgement.
When it comes to prophecy, you don’t get a 2nd chance to GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
When it comes to prophecy, you are saying the Lord has spoken and guaranteed fulfillment to the detail. You don’t get to fudge the details after the fact. You don’t get to tweak them. You don’t get to say the Lord has said, and then if you’re wrong, pretend you knew what the Lord really meant but that He wanted to “blind” the non-elect.
See, you get one chance to be completely correct. ONE CHANCE.
After you’ve blown that chance, you officially, by the Word of God, become a LIAR, and no one is to listen to anything you have to say about ANYTHING.
This is plain to most people. Only the really stupid ones are still in the Camping fold pretending they have some kind of bead on wisdom, even after God has blatantly called you fools and frauds.
It’s really as simple as that. Really.
MJ says:
January 24, 2012 (2 days ago) at 6:37 pm
Hello,
Well, I am a Bible follower/Camping follower if that’s what you want t cal it. Yes, we did what we had to do and I have NO SHAME IN IT AT ALL!!! I would do the whole thing right from the beginning all over again if I had to. But the Lord is not leading us like minded believers to do so. Yes, I expect for the Lord to come in march the monthe of Purim. He use May 2011 for his own purpose. WAe didn’t waste any time at all. I look forward for his return. I’m starting to count the weeks down. May the good Lord give all the faithful teachers wisdown as they study the word and seek truth. END OF QUOTE
So you are not ashamed of proclaiming a lie? You are saying you did what you had to do? Since when does God ask his children to lie? or since when did can sanctify false prophesying? Either Harold Camping and his followers are false prophets or the Bible is false [W]hen a prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah has not spoken: the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you need not be afraid of him” (Dt. 18:22). You can’t have 2 opposites being right – White is never Black – Light is never Dark – Wrong is never Right – Something that did not come to pass never came to pass. God did not speak it or it would have happened. And don’t use Jonah to prove me wrong, because if you do then you are saying that the world repented that is why God didn’t destroy it. No comparison.
OH IT WILL HAPPEN THIS TIME.My hope is that God has chosen me to salvation.God reveals truth only through His word.It really would be satan speaking to you through visions and dreams.Chris Mcann is only teaching what God has revealed through His word….Scoffers be warned!!
We are still in the 7000th year from the flood until after April 2012. So, although it may appear that the unsaved are safe and sound to mock, 5/21/11 was Judgment day when all of the elect were saved and God’s salvation plan ended, among other things.
The flood of Noah’s day and the Judgment Day it pointed to on 5/21/11 were both on the 17th day of the 2nd month. In Esther 7:10, Haman (the type or figure of Satan) is hung on the 17th day of the 2nd month. The calendar in Esther continues until the 13th, 14th and 15th days of the 12th month when the Jews (believers) are victorious and their enemies are destroyed (end of the world)
With all due respect, why is it that whenever someone from eBible Fellowship meets with disagreement, they refer to it as “mocking”? Further, if May 21 was judgement day, and those of us who didn’t believe Harold Camping are “unsaved”… then wouldn’t it be just fine for us to point that out, considering we’re doomed anyway? This is an honest question because I see some contradictions taking place. There seems to be an effort to convince people that you’re right, when really it shouldn’t matter to you, as we’ve already been judged, right?
Thanks for this article, Natalina!
Its interesting to see that a few of Camping’s followers have set a new date already (and guarantee it again, none the less). From what I’m seeing with all this, it looks like a sort of “extreme” version of Camping-ism.
Family Radio seems to have distanced themselves from this sort of thing now, and seem some-what repentive. You ask a good question and make a good point in the above reply box. I think I can answer the “why” with one word- ego. Since the latest failed dates, their response (the extremists) has been- “See, we were right! YOU can’t see it because YOUR spiritual eyes havent been opened, like mine have!” Of course, this is not an exact quote from one individual, but you get my point.
Just months ago, these same folks laughed and “mocked” people who disagreed with them about the world ending in 2011. Some people would suggest to these folks that the world might end in 2012, and they would say- NO WAY! 2011! 2011!! Now, THEY say the world’s gonna end in 2012, but THEY were still right all along! It sounds like childish school playground logic to me.
Thanks again for the article. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes next.
JNS.
HEY EBIBLEFELLOWSIHP:
You have to get it right the first time!! You blew it!! You guaranteed by God and the Bible very specific events on specific dates!! Too late to change your story! According to the Bible and God, now it is guaranteed that you are liars and false prophets!!
That’s the facts, Mr McCann’t. Get over yourself. You’re a spiritual loser and everyone knows it.
Yes, we mock, we laugh, just like Elijah mocked the false prophets. YOUR CALENDAR IS FALSE. IT WILL NEVER BE RIGHT!
I stand corrected. Someone that is mocking now, could have been saved before May 21 and not be aware of it (as long as they weren’t associated with a church). Afterall, it was 100% God’s work if they were saved and 0% their work. We are still sinners after we are saved, because we haven’t received our new bodies yet.
The only people who were for sure judged on 5/21/11 were those in the churches. There is no hope for over 2 billion people.
God saved all of His elect before 5/21/11 outside of the churches, which made up a pool of nearly 5 billion people.
The message of March 2012 is meant for the elect all over the world that were saved before 5/21/11, just as the message of Purim in Esther’s day was for the Jews in the 127 provinces to bring them joy and gladness.
@Cara… I beg to differ. The God in my Bible will never reveal a something to anyone that CONTRADICTS what He has already written in His Word.
repent. the end is near.
if Lord will be back Marz 2012 it is ok?
Personaly I dream of this and each moment or day,when our Lord decide and take me back to his eternal home of infinte life?
each time I pray for this moment, transformation and leave this wrecked body- my earthly body still is not to old,
but I do,nt need this earth to live and be happy
maybe MARZ 2012 IS END-OH HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS DAY WOULD BE?
GOD BLESS ALL TRUE BELIEVERS
I think that “date setting” is something both God and Satan does. For those who look on the physical, they are looking for a “sign” to see fruition of a prophesy or “date set” based on patterns in the old testament. If I cannot see it, that means it isn’t true mentality runs in our mind as we see the infallible accuracy as faithful men of old declared the truth of God! i believe this is the case to reinforce the absolute accuracy of God himself and his Word. However, Satan can use the bible in this case as to his advantage for people who want to see instant Holy power moving through someone like Elijah, for example. If prophecy today does not have an Elijah-style effect (instant fire coming down) we will certainly not believe; Although in the new testament, prophesy fulfillment transitioned to more abstract and non-direct fullfillment even almost as an after-effect experience- such as Jesus saying, “i thirst” to fulfil Psalm 69:21. Who on earth knew at the time Christ was fulfilling bible prophecy at that time? The people of that day don’t see it, and therfore they turned away beating their chests although He gave countless miracles beforehand. So not only do we have a skeptical audience, Jesus had an unbelieving audience. many did that to Jesus when they asked Him to come down from the cross RIGHT NOW and they would therefore believe. I cannot stress enough that we are followers of Christ and HE is teaching us! how many times did the people of God (after the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost have to be updated about God’s current and past plan? All careful study of end possibilities from Holy Writ should be always taken as a watchman or guard as the goodman of an house, as we read in Matthew 24:36-45…
IF he knew when the thief would come, he would have watched! So, just watch! We are all lousy watchmen who have little faith. I cannot guarantee if March will be the end, BUT I KNOW THIS; Jesus said, what I say unto YOU, I say unti ALL, WATCH!!!
“If the religious could be reasoned with there wouldn’t be any religion.”
Well if we’ve already been judged then lets party on down. If judgement was passed last year then who’s for a drug fuelled orgy?
I must bookmark this discussion, come back and see what excuses you’re coming up with in May.
See you then
Harold Camping and his associates have been claiming that dates and events took place, that they have not YET proven to be true. In fact, even the events(like the Rapture)and the dates that they said would be LITERALLY proven, WERE NOT LITERALLY PROVEN! So,now they are reduced to excusing THEIR INCORRECTIONS!! As of Feb 6 2012, Chris McCann told his audience that HE WOULD DISBAND EBIBLE FELLOWSHIP AND WOULD HAVE NO MORE DESIRE TO TEACH THE BIBLE, AND THAT HE WOULD HAVE A CONFIDENCE PROBLEM, “IF” MARCH 7, 8 AND 9 OF 2012 DID NOT PRODUCE THE FINAL JUDGMENT DAY!! Chris and Family Radio, etc., have broken so many of their promises, that this promise of No Longer Teaching, will only be believed, when it happens!