Despite "Judgment Day" false prophecy, we're still having church on Sunday!

Founder of Family Radio and false prophet Harold Camping has gotten a lot of publicity lately predicting that Judgment Day would happen tonight, between 6-8 p.m. This has generated a lot of amusement from Christians and non-Christians alike. It has also sparked interest in the idea of of the End Times, giving hope to some that God would just hand us a quick fix to all our problems by answering our prayer of "just take me now!" Others have expressed anxiety and fear of impending doom, interpreting the message as "just wait 'til your father gets home!"

Rather than discredit Camping, who rebounded from a similar failed pronouncement that the Rapture would take place in 1994, I encourage you to look through your own Bible, particularly Matthew, chapters 24 and 25,  (or Mark 13 for the shorter version), and Acts 1:7, then consider the following:

1. Yes, there WILL be a Judgment Day. Jesus has a LOT to say about it.
2. There will be signs and portents
3. But we are NOT to be troubled or deceived about it
3. No one knows the date or time, not even the angels in heaven
4. It's going to come as a surprise to some and a shock to others
5. Christians should live each day, each moment, in a state of readiness
6. When it comes, it will be too late for those who thought there was plenty of time to get right with God
7. Jesus, the living Lord and Son of God is the only one who can save us from having a really bad forever.
8. He's already done everything necessary on his side to save us, and offers it freely.
9. Now it's up to people to receive that salvation, grow in relationship with him, and share the good news with others, until he comes back

In the meantime, especially tonight, I encourage you to pray:
1. For the people who think that all Christians are crackpots or morons because of blind guides like Camping and his misguided followers, and are gleefully waiting for yet more ammunition to take pot shots at the very lifeboat that seeks to save them.
2. For the formerly faithful who have been troubled or deceived by false prophets, wolves in sheep's clothing, who mislead and do injury to the flock. (You have NO IDEA how many people have rejected God because of bad experiences with pastors or congregations. We all have a huge responsibility to offer healing and reconciliation to these wounded brothers and sisters.)
3. That people (especially and specifically people YOU KNOW) will turn to the Lord and be saved.

You have an opportunity to provide a helpful, sensible, biblical and compassionate response to this tempest in a teapot that has been stirred up. Let's make the most of it.

Then, I hope to see you at church on Sunday! (We're still celebrating Easter!)

Blessings and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Fr. Patrick