Natural disasters and man-made catastrophes, ongoing wars and a troubled economy — for many people, notably certain Christians, these are signs the end of the world is at hand. One apocalyptic preacher has set the exact date of Christ’s return at May 21, 2011. Others scoff, but such beliefs persist even when prophecies fail.
Evangelical Christians and biblical literalists are most likely to see in contemporary events the signs of the times pointing to the end times, a biblically predicted period of tribulation preceding Jesus’ return and the end of the world. Others are expecting the Rapture–the elevation of the saved to heaven in an instant before the final doom.
Consider These Developments:
• A March 2011 poll by the Public Religion Research Institute shows 44 percent of Americans believe recent natural disasters are signs of the end times. The number rises to 67 percent among white evangelicals.
• A recent poll by the National Association of Evangelicals showed that a majority of its board of directors believe in one of various end-times scenarios.
• One well-known preacher, Harold Camping of Family Radio, has predicted Jesus will gather the righteous believers to heaven on May 21, 2011, and that event will be followed by five months of fire, brimstone and plagues.
• The “Rapture Index“–a measurement of the nearness of the biblically promised end of the world–at RaptureReady.com in April hit a record high of 184.
• Sixteen years after it published the first of the Left Behind series of apocalyptic thrillers by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, Tyndale Publishers in April released an updated version aimed at appealing to a new generation, as well as a repackaged version of a companion title by the same authors, Are We Living in the End Times?
What is behind such predictions and preoccupations? Do they pose any threat or boon for Christianity in the U.S. and abroad, where many of these predictions spark great interest? What happens when end times predictions prove wrong? Is there anything quintessentially American in making such predictions?
Why It Matters:
Apocalyptic thinking is a characteristic of the American religious imagination and has been a staple of popular culture and belief throughout history. Such ideas can illuminate important aspects of the national culture and societal trends, in terms of short-term versus long-term thinking, for example. However, apocalyptic thinking is also of critical importance when it comes to understanding cults such as the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas; Aum Shinrikyo in Japan; and the Heaven’s Gate sect of San Diego, California. Scholars say it is crucial to understand the apocalyptic and millennial underpinnings of different groups and their agendas, from religious terrorists to those who welcome signs of an apocalypse.
Articles
• Read “FAQ: Apocalypse 2012 Explained,” an April 6, 2011, story at CNBC.com on the current wave of apocalypticism.
• Read a March 23, 2011, story from Religion News Service (published in USA Today) about Harold Camping and his prediction that the world as we know it will end on May 21.
• Read a March 23, 2011, column at Crosswalk.com, “Is the World About to End? What Should I Do Now?” by Roger Barrier, senior teaching pastor at Casas Church in Tucson, Arizona.
• Read a March 9, 2011, article from The Christian Post about a poll among evangelical leaders about end times beliefs.
Apocalypse Online
• ApocalypseSoon.com is a website devoted to signs of the end. It’s written and compiled by Pietro Arnese, a Christian layperson.
• EndOfTheWorld.org is a humorous site focused on the year 2012. It suggests readers “seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding the evaluation of any specific information, opinion, advice or other content on this site.”
• Midnight Call is an online magazine of Christian prophecy that watches world events with an eye toward the Second Coming of Jesus.
• ProphecyNewsWatch.com compiles news its editors feel is relevant to the Christian apocalypse.
• RaptureReady.com offers a “Rapture Index” that measures physical signs and events that indicate the Rapture may be near.
DOOMSAYERS
• Pietro Arnese is editor of the website Apocalypse Soon. He lives in Italy. Contact admin@apocalypsesoon.org.
• Irvin Baxter is founder and president of Endtime Ministries. Contact via Dave Robbins, drobbins@endtime.com.
• Harold Camping is president of Family Radio and its attendant ministries. He has predicted the Second Coming of Jesus on May 21, 2011, followed by the end of the world on Oct. 21, 2011. Camping famously predicted the end of the world in 1994. He lives in Alameda, California. Contact via Tom Evans, director of communication, taiwantomfamilyradio@yahoo.com.
DOOM NAYSAYERS
• Gary DeMar is on the staff of American Vision, a group that seeks “to restore America to its biblical foundation.” While he is a biblical literalist, he takes issue with those who predict a specific date for the Second Coming of Jesus and the end of the world. He will lead American Vision’s National Prophecy Conference June 1-4, 2011, in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. Contact via Liz Darnell, American Vision’s director of operations, liz@americanvision.org.
