Unless you somehow avoided the internet, television, and depending on where you lived, billboards, then you knew about how the world was suppose to end on May 21st. A pastor out in California claimed that he mathematically proved the Rapture would take place on this date. Of course as we can all say now that this did not occur and that life shall continue as it did beforehand. The one thing that I believe hasn't been brought to the attention of most Christians is that due to this man being as bold as he was with this and in doing so creating a following, it has now made the job of witnessing harder for the rest of us.
The popular argument people like to use against Christians is how we contradict ourselves with how we live our lives, but now thanks to this pastor, many of these people will most likely think we're insane as well. Thanks to this, there are most likely people that will now be shut off towards Christians that will come up to them. What I fear more though is the effect this ordeal could have on believers whose faith may have been shaken.
It does say in Matthew that many false prophets will arise that will sway people both that are lost and those who are now very grounded in their faith. I believe this pastor fits as a false prophet due to the following he obtained as May 21st got closer. Stories have been told of people who maxed out credit cards, spending their entire retirement funds, and quitting their jobs thinking this pastor was correct. These are the people I worry for since it makes me wonder how they're view on God has changed.
And to put icing on the cake, this pastor, instead of just admitted he was wrong and trying to salvage what he could, now says he was off by five months and it will now take place on October 21st. He blatantly ignores what people have told him where the Bible is very clear saying that nobody, including Jesus himself, knows when the end will come, but only the Father. My mentality with this knowledge has always been simple, if Jesus doesn't know, how on earth could we as human beings have any shot at knowing when the date?
Now it would seem from what I've already said that there has been nothing but bad consequences from this latest "end of the world" prediction, but there is one good thing that can be brought out from this. The world is looking for answers as made evident by the hundreds and thousands of followers of the May 21st theory. Sadly, many times they will end up trying to find answers from people that warp the Bible to fit what they want to say instead of listening to Christians trying to relate to them. If anything, this should be a great reminder that as Christians, we have to remember that people are watching us and seeing what we do and how we act. Our actions could easily determine whether or not that person will see a true reflection of Jesus Christ, or a warped version doing things like trying to predict the end of the world.
And remember, Don't Panic, and never forget your towel.
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