Save the Date!

Because this Saturday, on May 21st 2011, the rapture will happen. At least according to Harold Camping, and the thousands who believe him. Of course, he also predicted that it would end in 1994, but he was wrong that time.

And as the world laughs at these people who are selling all their worldly possessions, buying up billboard space, and taking to the streets to advise people that the world will end, I have a less ridiculing reaction. I think about the unborn babies of the pregnant women who believe this shite, and I think of how messed up their lives are going to be, born homeless because their parents were so Christian that they quit their jobs, sold their house, and await the second coming.

Of course, my classmates had to talk about it. They got the facts wrong and laughed about the world ending, and they brushed me aside when I didn't join in their ridicule and instead tried to correct them. The rapture isn't the end of the world. It's the start of the end, when God calls those who believe back to heaven, and those on earth will have to deal with things like the Anti-Christ, global wars between heaven and hell, global natural disasters, plague, and everything between. It's a touchy subject for any Christian, and not something to be laughed at.

So, as they laughed and got the facts wrong, my heart went out to those now in the streets, praying and trying to persuade others to join Christ. But at the same time, I have to wonder, is this the right thing for them to do?

For one, isn't the Rapture supposed to be unpredictable? "He shall come like a thief in the night", isn't that what it says?

Also, is it really good for people to suddenly quit their jobs and sell their worldly possessions in preparation for their last days on earth?

In my opinion, it isn't a smart thing nor is it a very Christian thing to do. These people are putting all their faith into a prediction of a human, who can and has been wrong. And instead of selling their worldly possessions and giving them to the less fortunate, who will still be less fortunate if they are called to heaven, they set themselves up for ridicule by buying billboard space. Sure, it's for the good of the people, but a man cannot live on spiritual faith alone.

Another point to bring up is those with children. Just by thinking that the children will be brought up to heaven with them is, in my opinion, like giving up on the children. It's an immoral and unfaithful thing to do! You don't just suddenly stop caring about a person when you feel like their in a good state. And even so, what if their lives fall apart? Why are these parents setting up their children for failure?

And a last point is this. Instead of setting themselves up for ridicule and anger, why don't these people live out their last days on earth being good Christians? (Or for that matter, why didn't they start before?) Instead of protesting gay marriage or ordering the public to pray for forgiveness, why don't they live by example? Give money to those who need it. Invite the poor and the homeless into your homes (as opposed to outright selling the houses). Put love and time into volunteer work. These are just examples, but these are things that people could start doing. Instead, I imagine them sitting on the sides of roads with signs saying "Repent! Are you ready for the Second Coming?", living in a tent, and spending their days yelling at those who laugh back, and praying in vain for those who won't listen.

It's late and I'm not making much sense. In any rate, from a Christian's point of view, this is my thoughts on preparing for a rapture. Live a life as you would anyway. Prepare for tomorrows. Live for today. Care for humanity, don't preach at it.

-The Christian