Happy New Year!

You might think it strange to have such a sign welcoming in the New Year, but this is exactly what we find in the Gospel readings for the First Sunday in Advent - which marks the New Year, liturgically speaking.

Gospel - Matthew 24:37-44 (Ordinary Rite)

Jesus said to his disciples:  “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.  They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.  So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.

Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.

Therefore, stay awake!  For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.   Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.  So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Gospel - Luke 21. 25-33 (Extraordinary Rite)

Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke.
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves: men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved; and then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand." And He spoke to them a similitude: "See the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh; so you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Amen I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away."

In both the new and old lectionaries this week the Gospel message is for the End Times, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.   Advent is the season of expectation, anticipation of the Coming of the Lord.  As we prepare to celebrate the Season of Christmas (which begins with the Christ Mass), Advent is a time of preparation and penance.  Are YOU ready for the coming of the Lord?  The Church uses this Sunday to remind us not only of the First Coming, 2000 years ago, but also the Second Coming, for which no one knows the hour.

In all the hustle and bustle of the secular observation of Christmas - let us not lose sight of the fact that Christmas is not here yet.  Christmas begins with the Christ Mass, which we celebrate on Christmas Day, December 25.  Christmas then lasts at least until Epiphany, January 6th.  These days are known as "The Twelve Days of Christmas."  I say "at least" because traditionally, Christmastide lasts all the way through Candlemas - which is February 2nd (though often the celebration of Candlemas is moved to the nearest Sunday).  Candlemas is the celebration of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin - not that she needed purification, but she needed to comply with Jewish Law, which she did to avoid scandal and sin.  During this Mass the Preface for Christmas is read, and this is the last reference to Christmas and the Nativity for the rest of the liturgical year.  The bottom line is, Christmas does not END on Christmas Day, it just BEGINS!  Leave your lights up and on through Epiphany at least, if not all the way to Candlemas!

One final reminder...   Advent is NOT the Season of Christmas - it's ADVENT!  While "the world" is into Santa Claus (which in proper perspective, is not "bad" - more on that later), we Christians are to be in a period of PREPARATION.  It is a time of reflection and penance, preparing our souls for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ - the Second Coming, that is.  We "use" the anticipation of the Christ Mass as a reminder of the Second Coming, which is why the readings for this week are on the End Times.  Take time to pray and meditate upon the state of your soul - and prepare yourself for "that day" which you cannot know precisely the day or hour of.

End of the Year

It's the end of the liturgical year, the Last Sunday After Pentecost, or the Last Sunday in Ordinal Time.  (I don't use the term "ordinary" because though it comes from the same root word, it has quite a different connotation in common usage).  For the end of the year we teach upon the end of the world - reminding us all that the Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory.  It also speaks to the coming tribulations which will precede His Second Coming.  As lightning comes out of the east and is seen even in the west, so also shall be the coming of the Son of Man.

The Last Sunday After Pentecost
(Readings from the Traditional or Extraordinary lectionary).

INTROIT Jeremias 29: 11, 12, 14 The Lord saith: I think thoughts of peace, and not of affliction: you shall call upon Me, and I will hear you; and I will bring back your captivity from all places. -- (Ps. 84. 2). Lord, Thou hast blessd Thy land: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- The Lord saith: I think thoughts of peace . . .

COLLECT - Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy faithful people, that they more earnestly seeking the fruit of divine service, may receive more abundantly healing gifts from Thy tender mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

EPISTLE Colossians 1: 9-14 Brethren, We cease not to pray for you, and to beg that you may be filled with the knowledge of the will of God, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might according to the power of His glory, in all patience and long suffering with joy; giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through the His Blood, the remission of sins.

GRADUAL Psalms. 43: 8- 9 Thou hast delivered us, O Lord, from them that afflict us: and hast put them to shame that hate us. V.: In God we will glory all the day: and in Thy Name we will give praise for ever. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Psalm 129:1, 2). From the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my prayer. Alleluia. GOSPEL Matthew  24:15-35 At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: When you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place; (he that readeth, let him understand:) then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains; and he that is on the house-top, let him not come down to take anything out of his house; and he that is in the field, let him not go back to take his coat. And woe to them that are with child and that give suck, in those days. But pray that your flight be not in the winter, or on the Sabbath: for there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been found from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be: and unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved; but for the sake of the elect, those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say to you: Lo, here is Christ, or there; do not believe him; for there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold I have told it to you beforehand. If therefore they shall say to you: Behold His is in the desert, go ye not out; Behold He is in the closets, believe it not. For as lightning cometh out of the east, and appeareth even in the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be moved; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. And He shall send His angels with a trumpet and a loud voice, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. And from the fig tree learn a parable: when the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh at the doors. Amen I say to you that this generation shall not pass till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. OFFERTORY Psalms 129:1, 2 From the depths I have cried out to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my prayer: from the depths I have cried out to Thee, O Lord.   SECRET - Be gracious, O Lord, to our humble entreaties; and receiving the offerings and prayers of Thy people, turn the hearts of all of us to Thee: that freed from greed of earthly things, we may pass on to heavenly desires. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .   PREFACE (Preface of the Most Holy Trinity) - It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out, with one voice saying:   COMMUNION Mark 11: 24 Amen I say to you, whatsoever you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive and it shall be done to you.   POST COMMUNION - Grant unto us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that through these Sacraments which we have received, whatsoever in our minds is corrupt, may be cured by the gift of their healing power. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .

SSPX and the Final Jubilee Year

Confessions at SSPX chapels, worldwide, are not only valid but completely licit!  Well, for the Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis.  The Jubilee Year will begin on December 8, 2015 and last until November 20, 2016.

Interesting prophecies concerning this Jubilee Year!  Some are proclaiming this is "The Final Jubilee Year" and that it will usher in "the rapture" of Christian faithful.

This site predicts the Second Coming of Christ in 2016:
http://www.markbeast.com/70jubilees/jubileedates.htm

Likewise, this one claims that 6000 years of sin comes to an end in 2016:
http://www.7trumpets.org/

Now this one says the 70th Jubilee ends in 2024 or 2025 by adding in the "missing Sabbaths":
http://www.1260-1290-days-bible-prophecy.org/Jubilee-missing-Sabbaths.htm 
Of course, if you're adding in the alleged "missing Sabbaths" then 2015 would not mark the beginning of the 70th Jubilee year.

I find all these eschatology sites/ideas a bit interesting and I like to look at the math they use - but I am also reminded that "no man knows the day or hour" (Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32) so I don't put too much emphasis on these interpretations of numerology and prophecy, however it can be argued that they are not arguing for the "day or hour" but for the "year."  Hmmmm....   Interesting, however, we are to live each day as if it is our last day, ALWAYS being prepared for we do not know the "day or the hour."

Back to SSPX... for this allegedly "final Jubilee year" SSPX has been given faculties to hear confession and grant absolution, making the Sacrament of Penance completely valid and licit, even for those who have been skeptical in the past regarding "supplied jurisdiction."  So you might consider using this Jubilee Year to check out the SSPX in your area.  Remember, this could be your last chance! (grin)

In the Diocese of Phoenix, Our Lady of Sorrows has recently opened a brand new church in which to keep the sacred traditions of the Catholic Faith alive.  They have produced a five minute video talking about the new church and the parish facilities.  I have not been there yet, but it looks quite magnificent and very piously done.

Happy New Year!

Yes!  It is the "New Year" liturgically speaking!  Today is the First Sunday of Advent.  Like the Last Sunday After Pentecost (Traditional lectionary) last week, we are again drawn to think upon the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 

Our priest reminds us today that Advent is NOT the season of celebration - Christmas is!  During Advent we are to PREPARE for the coming of our Lord and Savior.  While the culmination of Advent is the Christ Mass - Advent is not a celebratory season, it is more a time of "cleaning house" that is, our heart.  Preparing the way for the Lord to be in our hearts, our minds and our soul.   Let our celebration begin and be properly done starting with the Christ Mass (first Mass of Christmas) and continue through at least Epiphany, if not all the way to Candlemas. 

Traditional Lectionary:
Epistle:  Romans 13:11-14
Gospel:  Luke 21:25-33

On this First Sunday of Advent the readings remind us first... "our salvation is near and that we are to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.  Let us walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurity, not in contention and envy, but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." (Epistle)  And then (in the Gospel) we are again reminded of His Second Coming - of the signs in the sun and the moon and the stars, and as when the fig tree is shooting forth its fruit, you know that summer is near - so also shall be the signs of His coming again in the clouds with great majesty.  When these things are happening - do not be dismayed, but lift up your head because your redemption is at hand! 

Fondly, our priest remembered a hymn sung in his native Australia during Advent, he does not recall hearing it since he has been in the United States.  I hope we can bring some joy to him by sharing this hymn next Sunday at Mass:

 O JESUS CHRIST, REMEMBER

1. O Jesus Christ, remember,
when thou shalt come again,
upon the clouds of heaven,
with all thy shining train;
when every eye shall see thee
in deity revealed,
who now upon this altar
in silence art concealed.

2. Remember then, O Saviour,
I supplicate of thee,
that here I bowed before thee
upon my bended knee;
that here I owned thy presence,
and did not thee deny,
and glorified thy greatness
though hid from human eye.

3. Accept, divine Redeemer,
the homage of my praise;
be thou the light and honour
and glory of my days.
Be thou my consolation
when death is drawing nigh:
be thou my only treasure
through all eternity.

Upon researching this hymn I found a couple things - 1) This hymn was written by Edward Caswell in 1878, a Catholic but 2) hearing the tune, I recalled it from my Lutheran upbringing - and always thought that "The Church's One Foundation" was a tune by Martin Luther - and it is not.  The tune, also known as "Aurelia," was written by Samuel Sebastian Wesley, an Anglican - and "The Church's One Foundation" is a hymn also written by an Anglican, Samuel John Stone.  It was commonplace to use the melody from another hymn and put your own words to it - and that is what Caswell did - and his hymn is truly wonderful.

Fr. Robinson also speculated in today's sermon... What if King Henry VIII, who was once named "Defender of the Faith" by the pope for his defense of the Catholic Church against the heresies of Martin Luther, had not allowed lust and dynasty distract him from the One, True Faith?  Imagine a world where the empire of Great Britain was all Catholic!  The United States, Canada, Australia, to name but a few of Britain's colonies - could all have been great Catholic states! 

And remember!

End of the Year As We Know It

It's the end of the year as we know it!  That's right, last Sunday was the Last Sunday After Pentecost - the final Sunday in the Liturgical Year.  This coming Sunday will be the First Sunday in Advent.  The traditional music for this day might include the Dies Irae, which comes from the Requium Mass.  From one of the first lines of the song we hear of how the testimonies of David and Sibyl ("Teste David cum Sibylla") come together in prophecying the "End Times" or "Parousia."  Now I have heard of the Old Testament prophecies (those "of David" - which does not literally mean David's prophecies, but from the line of David), but I had not heard of this testimony of Sibyl before last Sunday's sermon with Fr. Robinson.  Sibyl is in reference to the Greek/Roman oracles - which also fairly closely fit the prophecies of the Old Testament, and those from Christ in the New Testament regarding His Second Coming and the end of the world.  The end of the Liturgical Year is to remind us of the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ.  As an aside, from the last line of Dies Irae, Andrew Lloyd Weber wrote Pie Jesu.

Another interesting note is that the traditional readings for the Last Sunday of the year are very close to the First Sunday of the year - also reminding us of the Second Coming of Christ as we begin the season celebrating His First Coming - Advent.

It's time for my annual campaign too!  This is NOT the Christmas season!  Christmas begins with the First Mass of Christmas - the Midnight Mass - and lasts through Epiphany (more modern tradition) or through Candlemas (the more ancient tradition).  Either way, the Christmas season begins ON Christmas Day.  Advent, the season we enter this Sunday, is a time of penance and anticipation - and it is a similar season to Lent.

And remember....

A video/slideshow with the above information (and a year in quotes from Pope Francis)...

And a sermon from "Fisheaters:"
Today we've almost completed the liturgical cycle, which starts over again with Advent next Sunday. Our focus now is on the Second Coming of Christ (the "Parousia"), the Last Judgment, and the Heavenly Jerusalem. Today's Mass readings will include the frightening "Olivet Discourse" (Matthew 24:15-35).

What does the Church teach about the Parousia? That Jesus will come in glory and unexpectedly and that no man knows when this will be. That when He comes, the bodies of the dead -- who've already been judged in what is called the "particular judgment" that takes place just after death -- will be raised and united with their souls. That all who have ever lived will be judged in what is called the "Last Judgment" which will happen in such a manner that everyone will know Who Christ is and that His judgments are just.

This world will be destroyed, and a new world will take its place. Christ will reign forever and ever with His saints.

    Apocalypse 21:1-5, 22:1-5
    And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth was gone, and the sea is now no more. And I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and He will dwell with them. And they shall be His people; and God Himself with them shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. And he that sat on the throne, said: Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me: Write, for these words are most faithful and true...

    ...And He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street thereof, and on both sides of the river, was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruits every month, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no curse any more; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him. And they shall see His Face: and His Name shall be on their foreheads. And night shall be no more: and they shall not need the light of the lamp, nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall enlighten them, and they shall reign for ever and ever.

It is interesting that the readings from Matthew for today's Mass are almost duplicated in next week's Mass's readings from Luke 21:25-33. On the first Sunday of Advent, we hear again of the destruction of Jerusalem, but this time with an eye toward His Second Coming -- even as we ready ourselves to remember His First Coming at the Feast of the Nativity. The first and last Sundays of the year meet and together remind us to prepare.

First Week of Advent

Happy New Year!  It is the liturgical New Year for the Church! 

For Advent we begin the preparation of the season of the Incarnation.  During this season we are reminded that Christ not only came in history, but also comes in mystery - at every validly celebrated Mass - and will come again in majesty.  

We are reminded that the world will end, and Christ - in majesty - will come to judge the living and the dead.  No man knows the hour, or even the day, month or year of this coming - but we know He will come again as He promised.  While we do not know the exact timing of His coming, we were told to watch for the signs - and we may be seeing them.  We are not to be overly anxious for knowing the day, we should live each day as if it is today.  Be prepared, as the 5 wise virgins - and not ill-prepared as the 5 foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).  Keep in mind, the 5 foolish virgins were "believers" but were not ready for the time when the Bridegroom came.  While they were gone to get more oil, the Bridegroom came and they found themselves locked out of the Wedding Feast.

This week we look forward in HOPE of his coming.  The season is in anticipation of both His first and second comings.  I recently posted on Faith, Hope and Charity - and that Hope tends to be the weakest of the three, not getting exercised as much.  In this week of the liturgical year we are especially reminded to have HOPE and exercise that hope!

Eschatology and Catholicism

I am writing this article for one of my sons who has been attending some non-Catholic Bible studies and he has questions regarding the Catholic position on Eschatology, and wondering why Catholics don't seem to be so big on the idea, while it seems of utmost importance to many Protestants.  So, where do I begin?  Let's start with explaining exactly what "Eschatology" is - since many Catholics a likely unfamiliar with the term.

Echatology:  "That branch of systematic theology which deals with the doctrines of the last things (ta eschata)." (Catholic Encyclopedia). 

The "End Times" movement didn't really gain much of a following until the late 1960's and 1970's, and especially got a boost from Hal Lindsey's book: The Late Great Planet Earth, first published in 1970.  Now that doesn't mean it did not exist prior to that, in fact the CE article I quoted from above was written in 1909.  Catholic understanding of eschatology is not something which sprang from the mid to late 20th century.  Even most Protestant denominations did not put much emphasis upon the "End Times" prophecies which are allegedly the thrust of the Book of Revelation - until the late 20th century.  Yes, there have been, throughout history (even before there was a "Protestant") those who taught millenarianism - but each and every time it was condemned by the Church.

What does the Church today teach in this regard?  Let us look to the Catechism of 1993:

675 Before Christ's second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers.  The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the "mystery of iniquity" in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh. 
676 The Antichrist's deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism especially the "intrinsically perverse" political form of a secular messianism. 
677 The Church will enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, when she will follow her Lord in his death and Resurrection. The kingdom will be fulfilled, then, not by a historic triumph of the Church through a progressive ascendancy, but only by God's victory over the final unleashing of evil, which will cause his Bride to come down from heaven. God's triumph over the revolt of evil will take the form of the Last Judgment after the final cosmic upheaval of this passing world.

The title of the Book of Revelation, or The Apocalypse, is merely taken from Jewish tradition of naming the book after the first word or words of the book.  The first words of this book are "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by his angel to his servant John" (Rev. 1:1, DRB).  In Greek, "revelation" is "apocalypse."  So it is not an indication of "end times" but rather of "things which must shortly come to pass."  So while being "prophetic" - it is not necessarily an "end times" prophecy.  The Book of Revelation is that which Jesus Christ was "revealing" to St. John. 

Bear in mind that in EVERY generation there is the spirit of antichrist.  There IS this great Beast which seeks to destroy your soul and the souls of as many as he can.  This is not something reserved for the Last Days, but has been happening in every age throughout history. 

What IS Important to Catholics Then?

The important factor for Catholics is the scriptural stance of ALWAYS being ready to stand before Christ.  We are not to be caught unprepared, as the five foolish virgins were in the parable told by Jesus in Matthew 25:1-13.  Note, all of the virgins are believers, but five of them do not come prepared and five of them do.  When the Bridegroom is delayed, the five foolish virgins realize they haven't enough oil.  When they are gone to get more oil (note, they are not unbelieving, they are just going to get more oil), the Bridegroom comes - and they are forbidden entry into the Wedding Feast.  So we, as Catholics, must ensure that we are always sacramentally prepared to face that End Time - when the Bridegroom comes.  If you are in need of confession - DON'T DELAY!  If you have not been to Mass recently, GET THERE!  Don't be all caught up in what some non-Catholics perceive as necessary belief when it comes to the End Times, just BE PREPARED at ALL TIMES and you will be OK.  I reiterate, it is not enough to just be a believer - the five foolish virgins were believers too, but were unprepared (the comparison could be that they ran off to go to Confession).  When Protestants teach that you don't have to DO anything - well, they are deceived and are attempting to bring you into that deception - as is the plan of "The Beast" to get control of as many souls as he can before people die, and/or prior to that "Last Day."  Jesus didn't provide us with the Sacraments so that we could just ignore them or get to them when convenient for us - but rather they are the means of grace by which we maintain our readiness for coming to Him either on OUR "last day" or THE "Last Day."   Which day will be YOUR "last day?"  Do you know?  Of course not!  What if tomorrow you were to be in an accident and lose your life in an instant, are you prepared to face the Bridegroom?

12-21-12 - The Mayan Armageddon?

Will the Word End on December 21, 2012?

With all the hype over the alleged "end" to the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012 we'll either continue to laugh at the above cartoon - or we won't be around to do so!

First off, some facts...

Does the Mayan calendar really "end" on December 21, 2012?  The answer is no!  As the NASA site points out, just as your current Gregorian based calendar "ends" on December 31, 2012 a "new" calendar begins on January 1, 2013.  For the Mayans, their calendars were based on a "long count" period and the current "long count" ends December 2012.  It is feasible that we could develop the next "long count," and perhaps someone has - but the Mayans did not put one out and they are not around to do so now. 

Now The TRUTH of the Matter...

As a Christian we automatically SHOULD be ignoring such doomsday predictions, especially ones which predict down to the date!  Matthew 24:36,39 tells us, quite clearly, that "no man knows the day or hour" of the Second Coming of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ - which will indeed mark the end of this age.  I would go so far as to say that anyone making a big deal about December 21, 2012 is not acting like a Christian.  If one is truly a follower of Jesus Christ, they accept and believe what He said.

Our Motto Should Be...

Live as though the world could end tomorrow, but plan that it will not be within our lifetime. 

OK, So Have a Little Fun...

Doomsday Passes - Again

Well, Harold Camping had predicted the world would end - again - on October 21, which was yesterday.  I guess since you're reading this today you can be assured he was wrong - again.  Not that I have taken any of his predictions seriously - I'm just pointing out an extreme example of sola scriptura gone too far. 

The Latest from Harold Camping

Well, it SHOULD be the latest from him anyway...

Five Month Reprieve!

OK,  you have FIVE MORE MONTHS!  
Harold Camping has announced in his "Open Forum" that the REAL date is October 21, 2011 - which is the "end date" he originally claimed (it's not a "new date" as some are saying - this time around he's been saying October 21st is the "end of the world" date - May 21st was the alleged "Judgment Day").  Do I believe him any more now than I did before?  No, not in the least - but let's at least fairly report on him and his false prophecies.

Today Camping claims four crucial dates:

1. May 21, 1988 - God brought down His judgment on all His churches.  God left Satan in charge of the churches as punishment. 
2. September 7, 1994 - Camping had also predicted that date as "Judgment Day" in his book 1994?, but in that book he also stated that the more likely date of the Judgment would be 2011. Judgment continued upon the churches.  This Judgment "was lifted" on May 7, 1994 - it was still an opportunity to become saved.  (Hey, wait a minute!  Just prior to this statement of May 7, 1994-May 21, 2011 - he said it was September 7th of 1994 that was the "crucial day."  Which is it Mr. Camping?  September or May?).  This is the "Feast of the Memorial of the Jubilee."
3. May 21, 2011 - Judgment came upon the churches.  The whole world is under Judgment Day until October 21, 2011...
4. October 21, 2011 - The world will be destroyed.

So these are "the dates" Mr. Camping claims are the crucial dates... "no more billboard signs - in fact they're all coming down."  "We're not changing our dates at all."  He continues, "the Bible clearly teaches that then the world is going to be destroyed, altogether.   And it will be real quick, it won't be a five month period of trials... May 21st was a spiritual coming, but October 21st will be a physical coming."

If you would like to hear Harold Camping's broadcast from 5/23/2011, click here (right-click to download).  What I've included is Camping's monologue of his explanation of why we didn't perceive something happening on May 21st. 

Clearly Camping is changing his story as dates roll past and nothing happens.  As we've already stated, NO MAN KNOWS THE HOUR - so when Camping start giving us exact dates - even exact hours of when Judgment Day and/or the "End of the World" will be - KNOW THAT HE'S A FALSE PROPHET!  Still there's enough people who will accept him and believe him - and even send him money to keep him broadcasting his falsehoods.  Pray for THEIR deliverance from this FALSE PROPHET! 

TODAY is JUDGMENT DAY

Here it is!  Judgment Day!  Well, according to false prophet Harold Camping it is today anyway.  Since "no man knows the hour" (Mark 13:32) there is NO WAY that Harold Camping knows!   And he claims to know, with certainty, that it will be TODAY at 3pm.  3pm WHERE?  As of the writing of this article it's already 8:27pm in Jerusalem - so if he was basing the time on the hour of Jesus' death - that hour has already passed.  So here we are Mr. Camping, Saturday, May 21, 2011 - and we're waiting.  Actually, those of us who KNOW their Scriptures KNOW Camping is wrong today just as he was wrong in September of 1994 when he predicted with 99.9% certainty that the same thing would happen back then.  I have just as much certainty that today he is just as wrong,  I'll reserve that .1% for the possibility that it IS today - afterall, I cannot have 100% certainty that Camping accidentally got this one right!  (grin)  

I hope you didn't quit your job or sell your assets, come Sunday - in whatever timezone - you might find you need these things!  

Addendum at 2:11 - Judgment Day:
From Harold Camping's site:

Didn't Harold Camping say that the world would end in 1994?

In 1992 Mr. Camping wrote a book entitled 1994? In that book Mr. Camping highlighted the abundant evidence pointing to 1994 as a probable year of Christ's return. Given the abundance of information pointing 1994 and the urgency of time, the book 1994? was written. Mr. Camping felt as a teacher, he must share the Biblical information he had found and warn the world.

Important subsequent biblical information was not yet known, so this book was incomplete. Mr. Camping warned there may be something he overlooked therefore the question mark was prominently placed on the title.

Mr. Camping wrote on pages 494 and 495 of the book 1994? he believed 2011 was the most probable year of Christ's second coming. Given the fact 2011 is the 7000 year anniversary of the flood, but he misunderstood Jesus' teaching in Matthew 24 verse 22 "except those days should be shortened"

At the time Mr. Camping concluded the period of "great tribulation" would be shortened from twenty three years, as the Bible teaches, to 2300 evening mornings or six and one third years. .

Mr. Camping wrote in 1994?:

"God appears to be declaring that this final tribulation period should be a certain length of time. If it were that length of time, it seems it would fit perfectly with God's plan of 7000 years. Judgment Day would be 2011 A.D.

But for the sake of the elect those day will be shortened."

So, apparently even in his book 1994? - he pointed to 2011.  Well, it's now after 2pm, MST, that leaves us with less than an hour before Camping's predicted Judgment Day.  As I said before, I am quite confident this day will continue as a "regular day"

Also from Camping's site:

What if May 21 ends and nothing occurs?

The Biblical evidence is too overwhelming and specific to be wrong. Christ's people can look with great confidence to this date because God promises His "beloved" He will not come upon them as a thief in the night.

God in His mercy has revealed the vital information needed to know the day. Judgment Day on May 21, 2011 will occur because the bible declares it. Anyone whom God has not saved will arrive at that day with no hope for salvation. God warns simply the "door will be shut."

But Scripture says He WILL come as a thief in the night!  1 Thessalonians 5:2 specifically states: "For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night."  It goes on to say that we should not be sleeping - but be awake so on that night we are not caught unprepared - but the Lord's coming most definitely will be "as a thief in the night."  Camping is just plain wrong again.

I think I'll take the dog for a walk...

One Day from Judgment Day!

OK,  well "Judgment Day" is only ONE DAY AWAY!  OK, that's according to the already proven false prophet, Harold Camping. 

Again, as I said previously, be ready - but don't be surprised when the huge earthquake which Camping predicts does not materialize tomorrow.  Live as if the world IS ending tomorrow - but plan as though it won't end within your lifetime.

Scott<<<

Two Days Till Judgment Day!

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!  So goes the children's fable, and so goes the "prophecy" of one Harold Camping.   Camping predicts the Judgment will happen on May 21st, of this year - that's TWO DAYS FROM NOW!  I am quite confident that he is just plain WRONG, just as he was 17 years ago.  But how does he come up with this date? 

An "infallible, absolute proof" of Camping's assertion rests on a head-spinning numerological argument about the number of days that have elapsed since Jesus was crucified. The date of the crucifixion is itself somewhat uncertain, but Camping takes it to be April 1 in 33 AD. Come May 21, 2011, Camping says, 722,500 days will have elapsed since that occurrence. And 722,500 is (5 x 10 x 17) x (5 x 10 x 17). Those numbers are important, according to Camping, because 5 symbolizes atonement, 10 represents completeness, and 17 is for heaven. (Quoted from Scientific American Blog).  The same article reminds us that Harold Camping predicted the same thing, with 99% certainty, that "The End" was to be in September of 1994.

So are you ready for the Judgment?   Well, since Scripture CLEARLY tells us that NO MAN knows the hour, (Mark 13:32) we must reject such outlandish predictions of already proven false prophets!  However, YOU SHOULD STILL BE PREPARED!  You do not want to be caught without enough oil, as the five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), or not wearing the proper wedding garment (Matthew 22:1-14).  So, even though "the end" likely is not happening this weekend - ALWAYS BE READY! 

I, personally, have always had an interest in the "End Times Prophecies" or "eschatology" (the study of the End Times), so I read and listen to folks like Camping with some curiosity, but never losing sight of the FACT that he could not POSSIBLY know, with ANY certainty that any given day or hour is THAT HOUR of our Lord's glorious return.   So have some fun playing with the "facts" and numbers - but don't go quitting your job or selling your house, etc.  Live as if Judgment Day is TODAY, but plan as if it will not be within your lifetime.

Back to Camping, he claims:

On May 21, 2011 two events will occur. These events could not be more opposite in nature, the one more wonderful than can be imagined; the other more horrific than can be imagined.

A great earthquake will occur the Bible describes it as "such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great." This earthquake will be so powerful it will throw open all graves. The remains of the all the believers who have ever lived will be instantly transformed into glorified spiritual bodies to be forever with God.

On the other hand the bodies of all unsaved people will be thrown out upon the ground to be shamed.

The inhabitants who survive this terrible earthquake will exist in a world of horror and chaos beyond description. Each day people will die until October 21, 2011 when God will completely destroy this earth and its surviving inhabitants. (Source).

So, the world does not come to an end on May 21, 2011 - but, according to Camping, it will on October 21, 2011.  Are your affairs in order?  Again - don't go by what this false prophet says - but BE READY!