Group Predicts World Will End Saturday

The message is hard to miss. The large blue and white sign near the corner of Braselton Highway and Spout Springs Road appeared recently with no explanation --  just three simple words: "Jesus is Coming!"

While Hollywood and popular literature have touted December 21, 2012 as the end of the world as foretold by the Mayans, a Christian based Internet ministry predicts the end is just two days away.

Harold Camping of Family Radio made the prediction and explains the rationale on his website, FamilyRadio.com.

“Holy God is showing us by the words of 2 Peter 3:8 that He wants us to know that exactly 7,000 years after He destroyed the world with water in Noah’s day, He plans to destroy the entire world forever,” Camping wrote. “Because the year 2011 A.D. is exactly 7,000 years after 4990 B.C. when the flood began, the Bible has given us absolute proof that the year 2011 is the end of the world during the Day of Judgment, which will come on the last day of the Day of Judgment.”

Camping arrived at the May 21 date by comparing the Biblical date of the flood to today’s calendar. According to Camping, the flood occurred on the 17th day of the second month in the 600th year of Noah’s life.  By Camping’s calculations, the 17th day of the second month of the Biblical calendar for this year is May 21.

pastor and Dacula Patch columnist Steve Doyle disagrees with Camping's prediction.

"Jesus Himself said that even He wouldn't know the day or hour of His return (Mark 13:32)," Doyle wrote in an emailed response. "These type of false prophecies from false teachers have come and gone for 2,000 years. This is just the latest incarnation of it."

Doyle pointed out that Camping predicted the world would end in 1994 as well.

"His false prophecy then should have disqualified him from ever being considered a sound Bible teacher again, but alas, in the church culture of America many people lack discernment are easily fooled," Doyle added.

The verse cited by Doyle, Mark 13:32-33, states: “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come."  

Camping claims proof that May 21, 2011 is the date of God's return is available in his book, “We Are Almost There!” which is available for free download on his website, www.FamilyRadio.com.

In the preface of his book, Camping warns every unsaved person will experience the full wrath of God.

“If Christ has not paid the penalty for your sins, you will experience the full wrath of God,” Camping wrote. “The true believers in Christ have no option. They must warn the world of impending judgment.”

Not everyone is overly worried about impending judgment. A Facebook event titled “Post Rapture Looting” currently has over 181,000 confirmed attendees. Over 14,000 people have indicated they may be attending and just under 20,000 have said they do not plan to attend the event.

The event is scheduled for May 21 from noon to 3 p.m. According to event organizers, “When everyone is gone and god's not looking, we need to pick up some sweet stereo equipment and maybe some new furniture for the mansion we're going to squat in.”