Question: I have been listening to Family Radio lately and have heard alot about the "end of the church age" from Harold Camping. Is there any truth in this and if so how widely is it accepted in todays Christianity? Thank you for your time. J.A.

Answer: Thank you for your inquiry and also for your patience brother. We are only two plus the Lord's company at Cephas and the work can be at times, very overwhelming but we make a dilligent attempt to address all letters and inquiries. We are not slow as some count slowness but are under the Spirit's direction to produce and respond faithfully and to always be ready in season and out to give a good testimony of the faith that is in us. Now, on to the response...

Mr. Camping's performance is noteworthy on the Open Forum program that he hosts, in teaching on the doctrines of grace, divorce, remarriage, and other important Bible doctrines. The problem I have with his published material is that he is taking his argument out of context and believes that somehow Satan is locked up now and is still loosed at the same time to corrupt the Church. How can Satan be in two places at the same time? Also, If Satan is locked up, where is Jesus who is said to be ruling and reigning with His Saints for the "thousand" years? Harold's argument is contradictory. He teaches on several other topics as if he has the same depth of knowledge, when scripture proves that he does not. "To whom much is given much is required," Many people are being deceived by what Mr. Camping teaches and they are buying into his positions on scripture without carefully considering how the Word of God judges these issues. Also, Mr. Camping does not usually allow dissenters a fair hearing on his program to present opposing views. This should be a warning sign to believers.

Quoting from his book,

"The beast and the false prophets are pictures of Satan as he ruled in the churches during the Great Tribulation.

"Thus, while on the one hand, Satan remains in hell (that is, remains under the eternal wrath of God), in another sense, he is temporarily loosed from hell because God still has some work for him before the world comes to an end. That work is to rule in the churches during the Great Tribulation. He is allowed to rule there as a judgment of God upon these churches."

When we see these kind of contradictions and errors we should be very cautious indeed!
He is a charismatic leader who controls lots of money and other resources.
He also is a leader who filters out negative feedback (as Mr. Camping does on the Open Forum)
His organization is one where there are basically no checks and balances with respect to the top dog. Instead of drawing Christians unto our Lord's Word, he is promoting himself as an authority and drawing thousands unto himself when there is clear evidence that he has some doctrinal problems.
Any organization that says it is more faithful than the rest of Christendom without acknowledging the faithful individuals scattered throughout Christiandom including the deceived churches that hold to erring beliefs are not much different than the organizations he (they) are reproving.
Now here is the sticky part of my analysis; Harold is in part correct about there being a problem with the churches of man or what I commonly refer to as the "many divided houses of God." For anyone to deny that there is a problem and it is being revealed today, is asleep or just apathetic and is more interested in selfish glory and prideful things than knowing the truth and learning to walk by it. The problems within todays glorified churches are the result of God's judgement because the Word of God thus foretold that "judgement begins with the household of God." This FACT we cannot escape or deny. It is also true as Harold claims that Satan is ruling these churches just as scripture points out. Jesus referred to them as the synagogues of Satan and in Revelations, we learn that Satan not only seated himself upon a throne exalting himself as god but that he went off to make war with all God's children.

That is in my boldest assesment where we are at today and I also have declared thus the same in my unpopular book, "Apostasy Revealed." There is alot of controversy surrounding Harold Camping today and that is due to two things. One: He put himself out there in the public limelight and is being scruitinized by the very public he is addressing. Two: Too many Christians today want to ignore and cover up what our Lord told us regarding these end times. The Bible is very clear about this that in latter times the Churches will apostasize and the only ones who will be saved are those whose faith (trust) is purely grounded and centered on Christ crucified. One only needs to review the summary of expectation and rebuke given us in the letters to the seven Churches outlined for us in Revelations. These "Seven Churches" as I have described in my book are representative of the seven fundamental systems of faith which have over the centuries spread out and multiplied into what we see as "Many divided houses of God."

Therefore, I conclude that though Harold is on the right track, he is not allowing for loving reproof by other brethren who can bring to him stability and sharpen his ability to discern the reality of what is stirring all around us. I have found this to be true with many other public notables and they most often want to just cover me up and pretend that I don't exist or that I am not credible or clamp my mouth shut all together. When this is the result of my trying to interact with them then I discern the one's whom I am addressing are vain and all puffed up. If I reprove or rebuke in the context of an unwavering committment to the Biblical Jesus and am ignored by them who are popular then there is not much more that I can do. All too often I see the Christian masses flocking to the places where their ears can be tickled instead of bearing sound judgement and reproof. To each, his own and the Lord is He who measures all things and I hope that I and my faithful brethren can stay the course during this chaotic and turbulant time we are entering. We know where the masses are following and we know where the few are trodding. This is so that the Word of God may be fulfilled and bring additional glory to Him who sits on High. May God have mercy on the innocent souls that are being mislead and miss-directed by the sons of men.

Stealing a worthy quote from another man who reproves Harold Camping...

"If we spend more time reading and studying our Bibles than listening to religious celebrities, we are less likely to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine."

With all sincerity and love for the truth,

Nicholas A. Stivers, a humbled man, scribe and messenger.

Author: “Apostasy Revealed” ISBN: 1-928602-92-4

http://nicholasscrolls.cephasministry.com

http://abide-in-truth-events.cephasministry.com/