By GARANCE BURKE, Associated Press Garance Burke, Associated Press – Tue May 24, 3:56 am ET


OAKLAND, Calif. – A California preacher who foretold of the world's end only to see the appointed day pass with no extraordinarily cataclysmic event has revised his apocalyptic prophecy, saying he was off by five months and the Earth actually will be obliterated on Oct. 21.

Harold Camping, who predicted that 200 million Christians would be taken to heaven Saturday before catastrophe struck the planet, apologized Monday evening for not having the dates "worked out as accurately as I could have."

He spoke to the media at the Oakland headquarters of his Family Radio International, which spent millions of dollars_ some of it from donations made by followers — on more than 5,000 billboards and 20 RVs plastered with the Judgment Day message.

It was not the first time Camping was forced to explain when his prediction didn't come to pass. The 89-year-old retired civil engineer also prophesied the Apocalypse would come in 1994, but said later that didn't happen then because of a mathematical error.

Through chatting with a friend over what he acknowledged was a very difficult weekend, it dawned on him that instead of the biblical Rapture in which the faithful would be swept up to the heavens, May 21 had instead been a "spiritual" Judgment Day, which places the entire world under Christ's judgment, he said.

The globe will be completely destroyed in five months, he said, when the apocalypse comes. But because God's judgment and salvation were completed on Saturday, there's no point in continuing to warn people about it, so his network will now just play Christian music and programs until the final end on Oct. 21.

"We've always said May 21 was the day, but we didn't understand altogether the spiritual meaning," he said. "The fact is there is only one kind of people who will ascend into heaven ... if God has saved them they're going to be caught up."

Josh Ocasion, who works the teleprompter during Camping's live broadcasts in the group's threadbare studio sandwiched between an auto shop and a palm reader's business, said he enjoyed the production work but never fully believed the May 21 prophecy would come true.

"I thought he would show some more human decency in admitting he made a mistake," he said Monday. "We didn't really see that."

Follower Jeff Hopkins said he spent a good deal of his own retirement savings on gas money to power his car so people would see its ominous lighted sign showcasing Camping's May 21 warning. As the appointed day drew nearer, Hopkins started making the 100-mile round trip from Long Island to New York City twice a day, spending at least $15 on gas each trip.

"I've been mocked and scoffed and cursed at and I've been through a lot with this lighted sign on top of my car," said Hopkins, 52, a former television producer who lives in Great River, NY. "I was doing what I've been instructed to do through the Bible, but now I've been stymied. It's like getting slapped in the face."

Camping's hands shook slightly as he pinned his microphone to his lapel, and as he clutched a worn Bible he spoke in a quivery monotone about some listeners' earthly concerns after giving away possessions in expectation of the Rapture.

Family Radio would never tell anyone what they should do with their belongings, and those who had fewer would cope, Camping said.

"We're not in the business of financial advice," he said. "We're in the business of telling people there's someone who you can maybe talk to, maybe pray to, and that's God."

But he also said that he wouldn't give away all his possessions ahead of Oct 21.

"I still have to live in a house, I still have to drive a car," he said. "What would be the value of that? If it is Judgment Day why would I give it away?"

Apocalyptic thinking has always been part of American religious life and popular culture. Teachings about the end of the world vary dramatically — even within faith traditions — about how they will occur.

Still, the overwhelming majority of Christians reject the idea that the exact date or time of Jesus' return can be predicted.

Tim LaHaye, co-author of the best-selling "Left Behind" novels about the end times, recently called Camping's prediction "not only bizarre but 100 percent wrong!" He cited the Bible verse Matthew 24:36, "but about that day or hour no one knows" except God.

Camping offered no clues about Family Radio's finances Monday, saying he could not estimate how much had been spent advertising his prediction nor how much money the nonprofit had taken in as a result. In 2009, the nonprofit reported in IRS filings that it received $18.3 million in donations, and had assets of more than $104 million, including $34 million in stocks or other publicly traded securities.

quote Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: Still, the overwhelming majority of Christians reject the idea that the exact date or time of Jesus' return can be predicted.

He is not a Christian, he is a charlatan.

<<< Christian rejecting his ideas.

Jim

[This message has been edited by jimbolaya (edited 05-24-2011).]

ehh.. he's predicted wrong twice, I dont think he can get the world's panties in a bunch again. Really, I just see him as an attention whore.

[This message has been edited by tbone42 (edited 05-24-2011).]

Jebus Christmas on a pogo stick, bouncing on a cracker. This guy is a farking nutter

Old fart needs to knock off already and stop throwing out

Some people think they have all the answers

I still say Christianity is bunk and a load of but that's my opinion.

[This message has been edited by Xerces_Blackthorne (edited 05-24-2011).]

quote Originally posted by tbone42: ehh.. he's predicted wrong twice, I dont think he can get the world's panties in a bunch again. Really, I just see him as an attention whore.

Maybe he just read the calendar wrong.....I've been told that cognitive skills are the first to go.

Seeing that this guy was a retired civil engineer, and now knowing that he has a history of getting his calculations wrong, maybe someone should go back and do a double-check on some of his work.

quote Originally posted by jimbolaya: He is not a Christian, he is a charlatan. <<< Christian rejecting his ideas. Jim

+1.

Just a false prophet, attention seeker, or whatever.

They could stop giving him press anytime.

+2 False prophet the Bible warns about.

After the Rapture - They're Still Here

Why do they keep equating rapture with the end of the world? Even if it were to happen, the rapture doesn't mean the world comes to an end on that day.

I've been studying the issue for the better part of a decade. I know the Rapture is sooner than later.

What I don't know, and will never know, is the timing in advance of the event.

Be aware that World War II, the years between 1939 and 1945 fulfilled what is called the 4th Seal in Revelations 6.

The next event, if you believe the Bible, is foretold pretty plainly.

The thing is, that God takes His own good time. He has a schedule that none of us is a party to.

I am ready to see it, but, I'm not wasting time either.

Arn

I for one am glad for the additional five months. Perhaps I'll make some progress on the Fiero before the end comes.

if at first you dont succeed...

and - if you've watched the "Left Behind" junk - hey - maybe it actually DID happen - and this guy is "Left Behind" just like the rest of us infidels.

+ is the easy answer

get right with the lord, you silly duckies!

quote Originally posted by jimbolaya: He is not a Christian, he is a charlatan. <<< Christian rejecting his ideas. Jim

Dozens, if not hundreds, of Christian sects started off with someone saying just this.

quote Originally posted by The false prophet: By GARANCE BURKE, Associated Press Garance Burke, Associated Press – Tue May 24, 3:56 am ET Harold Camping, who predicted that 200 million Christians would be taken to heaven Saturday before catastrophe struck the planet, apologized Monday evening for not having the dates "worked out as accurately as I could have." It was not the first time Camping was forced to explain when his prediction didn't come to pass. The 89-year-old retired civil engineer also prophesied the Apocalypse would come in 1994, but said later that didn't happen then because of a mathematical error.

Apology not excepted: The scriptures alone indicate that Harold Camping is a false prophet and is misleading. If Jesus Christ doesn't know the hour-how on earth would man? Also, what about the dozen of things mentioned in the Bible that must take place FIRST before the end shall come? The 89-year old civil engineer should go back to working on engineering.

As soon as I heard that the end was nigh, I prayed and prayed about this.
God told me that the preacher (Camping) pizzed him off, so he gave him bad information......
At least thats what I BELIEVE God said.
Then He told me that the REAL Rapture will occur on or about January 15, 2012.
God is kind of iffy about dates and times, because He doesn't wear a watch, and he's so busy deciding the outcome of football, baseball, and NASCAR games and such that he sometimes forgets dates.
After all, He's only human.
But thats what God told ME, so I believe it, and God said it, and you can go pound sand if you disagree.

quote Camping offered no clues about Family Radio's finances Monday, saying he could not estimate how much had been spent advertising his prediction nor how much money the nonprofit had taken in as a result. In 2009, the nonprofit reported in IRS filings that it received $18.3 million in donations, and had assets of more than $104 million, including $34 million in stocks or other publicly traded securities.

That's all we need to know. Did someone say "Charlatan?"

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: Dozens, if not hundreds, of Christian sects started off with someone saying just this.

So you're implying that I'm starting a sect? OK, everybody line up. I'm starting a sect based on religion and political threads. Jazzman, no need to worry cuz you stay out of those type threads. I don't even know where you coming from with a remark like that. I've intentionally stayed out of these rapture threads because I just didn't feel the need to get involved, but I felt it important as someone who professes Christianity to at least state that this Harold Camping guy is way off base, and I get that. Wow. Please tell me I misunderstand your intent.

Jim

quote If Jesus Christ doesn't know the hour-how on earth would man?

Exactly.

No, rapture does not equal the end--just the beginning of another era--tribulation.

quote Originally posted by css9450: I for one am glad for the additional five months. Perhaps I'll make some progress on the Fiero before the end comes.

If its only 5 months, maybe to buy a completed car would be better?

quote Originally posted by 2.5: If its only 5 months, maybe to buy a completed car would be better?

I'll get a brand new 88 with zero miles when I get to heaven--I'm pretty sure it's in there somewhere.

quote Originally posted by jimbolaya: So you're implying that I'm starting a sect? OK, everybody line up. I'm starting a sect based on religion and political threads. Jazzman, no need to worry cuz you stay out of those type threads. I don't even know where you coming from with a remark like that. I've intentionally stayed out of these rapture threads because I just didn't feel the need to get involved, but I felt it important as someone who professes Christianity to at least state that this Harold Camping guy is way off base, and I get that. Wow. Please tell me I misunderstand your intent. Jim

I didn't read it that way. (But then I am a bit naive at times.)

I just got that there are all sorts of different flavors of Christianity, formed because people didn't believe that the people in charge (or in this case getting all the press) were doing it right.

Me? I think the guy (Camping) is a moron at best, but more likely a charlatan. I think his 15 minutes are about up.
But then, at least he isn't trying to get us to drink Kool Aid.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: I'll get a brand new 88 with zero miles when I get to heaven--I'm pretty sure it's in there somewhere.

Think again. I've always been taught that Heaven is pretty much a Communist system: no private property, and no need for it. Heaven transcends physical possessions.

quote Originally posted by Raydar: I didn't read it that way. (But then I am a bit naive at times.) I just got that there are all sorts of different flavors of Christianity, formed because people didn't believe that the people in charge (or in this case getting all the press) were doing it right. Me? I think the guy (Camping) is a moron at best, but more likely a charlatan. I think his 15 minutes are about up. But then, at least he isn't trying to get us to drink Kool Aid.

If I took it wrong, I apologize.

Jim

quote Originally posted by madcurl:

I guess he missed that part in the bible or maybe he has his own version?

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: Think again. I've always been taught that Heaven is pretty much a Communist system: no private property, and no need for it. Heaven transcends physical possessions.

Alot of sarcasm going on most of it funny. You knew we were joking right?

I was going to ask him if it would be a Formula or a GT!

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: I've always been taught that Heaven is pretty much a Communist system: no private property, and no need for it. Heaven transcends physical possessions.

Heaven is actually a dictatorship.

The best form of government for all is a benevolent dictatorship. The problem is finding a benevolent dictator on earth.


Regarding the topic, there is no mulligan with dates. You nail it or you are out. He is out.

Edit to say he never SHOULD have been "in", because he should have known not to even set a date.

[This message has been edited by frontal lobe (edited 05-24-2011).]

Several of his followers sent him their entire live savings over the last date. Did he refund their money?

quote Originally posted by Nurb432: Since you are being *forced* to share by the dude in charge, it would be more socialist than communist. No private possessions? Ill pass on going. I like my stuff. And its MINE.

It won't be yours anymore when you're burning in Hell.

quote Originally posted by 1985FieroGT: It won't be yours anymore when you're burning in Hell.

Nah, ill pass on that outcome too. Neither are appealing to me

Listen....I live in California about 20 minutes from Cokeland where this guy resides and this guy is nothing but an old hippie bastard with a mind that got lost in his uppers and downers in the 60's. Much like that moron and his followers during the Hail-bop comet fiasco years ago. Besides, my birthday is on October 21st so nothing bad can happen on that day

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 05-24-2011).]

Yeh, well yet ANOTHER doomsday prediction been and gone. I NEVER get what I want for my b-day

quote Camping offered no clues about Family Radio's finances Monday, saying he could not estimate how much had been spent advertising his prediction nor how much money the nonprofit had taken in as a result. In 2009, the nonprofit reported in IRS filings that it received $18.3 million in donations, and had assets of more than $104 million, including $34 million in stocks or other publicly traded securities.

This just pisses me off. What a crock.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: Besides, my birthday is on October 21st so nothing bad can happen on that day

Or 2 days before that, as it's mine.

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 05-24-2011).]