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May
18
Written by:
wyman
5/18/2011 3:07 PM
May 18, 2011
To The Followers of Harold Camping,
I am not writing this letter to offer you more of the condemnation you no doubt are already receiving from many quarters. I am writing instead to plead with you to think clearly in what will soon be the aftermath of the failed prophecy that you have embraced. I do so not to rub salt in the wound, but because you will soon find yourselves at an interesting crossroads in life at which you will be faced with many options. I am writing to encourage you to reject the bad options and embrace the wise ones.
I believe that you are sincere people. I believe that many of you sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus and I believe that many of you sincerely trust in the scriptures. Unfortunately, in embracing the prophecies of Harold Camping, you have sincerely believed in a false prophecy and a false prophet.
On Sunday, May 22nd, many of you are going to face feelings of confusion, loneliness, isolation, and even shame. Many of you will likely become objects of derision and punchlines in jokes made at your expense. You will reach a point where you will begin to wonder how what you previously believed in with such certainty could have been so very untrue. In light of this fact, let me offer you some words of perspective and encouragement for the future:
- Please face honestly and courageously your error and repent sincerely. You will be tempted to claim, when this prophecy fails, that it really did not fail. You will be tempted to claim that the prophecy happened but perhaps in an "unseen" or "spiritual" or "invisible" kind of way. You know that is not the case. Your pride will tempt you to rule out the possibility that you were simply and clearly wrong. This will lead you to any number of ingenious ways of claiming you were, in fact, right. Please, I beg of you, do not go down that path. When your error is definitively confirmed, embrace it, acknowledge it, and admit that you made a mistake. Your pride will protest, but please argue down your pride.
- Some of you will be tempted to reject the truthfulness of the Bible in the aftermath of the failure of the teachings you have embraced. But let me encourage you to remember this: when Judgment Day does not occur on May 21, it does not mean the Bible is untrue, it simply means that the theories of Harold Camping have (once again) proven to be untrue. The Bible remains the Word of God even when those who claim to be preaching it faithfully are proven to be untrue.
- Many of you will be tempted to go back to the scriptures in search of new clues for a new date. Let me plead with you to consider instead the importance of solid, basic, principles of reading and interpreting the Bible and stop looking for hidden or secret "truths." In particular, let me encourage you always to be suspect of any major emphases in any person's teachings that are founded on allegorical teachings. In particular, be very careful around those who push numerological interpretations. Numerology has some basis in truth, but it is highly subjective and should be approached very humbly, very cautiously, and definitely with a "less-is-more" attitude. The Bible is not a puzzle to be unraveled or a set of hidden numerical clues. What God says He says openly. Live in the clear passages of the Bible and be very suspect of those who claim to have discovered major truths in some of the more obscure portions.
- Please use this occasion to question the other teachings of Harold Camping: particularly his teaching of the complete apostasy of the visible churches. In fact, what you most need at this point is (1) a return to the simple gospel of Christ and (2) the nurturing fellowship of a strong Bible-believing church. If Camping is wrong yet again on his date for the end, there are legitimate reasons to look at his other unorthodox opinions, namely concerning the churches today.
- Let me encourage you not to be utterly destroyed by the undoubtedly intense scrutiny, criticism, and derision that is about to come your way. Not everybody, including not everybody in the church, is going to treat you with grace. I fear that many of you are going to have some tough days ahead. But remember this: there are believers in Christ who sincerely grieve over the error into which you have fallen and will be willing to help you put the pieces back together again should you allow them. I trust that you will not be driven to despair.
- Learn lessons from this unfortunate incident that will change you from here on out. Be careful who you follow. There is a healthy sense of questioning without lapsing into outright cynicism. This healthy sense of questioning would likely serve you well. Ask appropriate questions of those who claim to be speaking for God and do not take at face value what your favorite "teacher" claims is true.
- Remember: sincere humility and repentance is your best and only path. Do not calcify in pride or seek to justify what was, in the last resort, a lie.
Many of us are praying for you, especially after May 21st. Just because you have embraced a lie does not mean there's no such thing as the truth. Come back to the Lord who loves you, who will forgive and restore you, and be better for having gone through this tragic experience.
Most Sincerely,
Wyman Richardson
Pastor, Central Baptist Church
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Tags:
28 comment(s) so far...
Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Amen. You have shown much wisdom and compassion. There will no doubt be much confusion among the followers of Harold Camping in the days to come. Love, Mom
By Mom on
5/18/2011 8:08 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thanks Mom. It is a sad thing. Love you! Wyman
By wyman on
5/18/2011 8:10 PM
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Truth in love
Truth in love-- Its a hard job that most of the church isn't able to give. I take it as a warning to myself that the only people Jesus did not treat with dignity were the entitled religious. Everyone else he met them at their need for compassion, healing, or show them where their thinking was flawed. But did the latter without humiliation and while heaping on the grace.
By bert on
5/18/2011 9:15 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thank you Bert. I appreciate your thoughts. We do indeed need to show grace!
By wyman on
5/18/2011 9:16 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
WOW!!! Your letter is spoken in love with compassion and not condemnation for those who can be so easily deceived by false teachings. We love and thank God for you, our sweet spirited Pastor and Teacher.
By Ann Russell on
5/19/2011 7:25 AM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thank you Ann. Just trying to offer more light and less heat.
By wyman on
5/19/2011 7:27 AM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
After you read this in service last night the last paragraph really stayed with me as I left. (Great service last night by the way) Thanks for the call to prayer for these followers of this, sometimes it's much easier for us to become the entitled religious as Bert noted, and kick it to the curb, laugh it off, even aggravated by whatever it may be and move on without another thought.
Alot to be learned here...for me anyway.
Love the letter and the thought, and thought of prayer for it. Then a Psalms.
Thanks
By Jimmy G on
5/19/2011 9:11 AM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thank you Jimmy!
By wyman on
5/19/2011 9:12 AM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thanks for this. A good reminder to believers everywhere to act in grace.
By Karen Reyburn on
5/19/2011 1:23 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Bless you Karen. Thank you for the comment.
By wyman on
5/19/2011 1:30 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Great response Wyman to people who need compassion and guidance to the truth. It is sad that false prophets have lead so many astray, but God will forgive them just like he did us if they will confess and repent.
I will be in prayer that God will send messages to all who have followed Harold Camping and show them the truth. Continue to be salt and light in a world of darkness.
By Robert on
5/19/2011 3:29 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
It is sad, isn't it Robert? I remarked to Roni last night that it is odd to observe in our day the exact phenomenon that the New Testament writers had to address in their day. I do pray that not too much damage is done by this whole troubling episode, though damage WILL be done.It is a comforting thought, though, to remember that the gospel cannot be overcome, even by false teachers.
By wyman on
5/19/2011 5:28 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Well said. I launched off an Email about this topic tonight before I saw this blog and all the media is buzzing with the topic. It is sad that in some ways it makes for a general sense in society of those "nuts" in the church are at it again. They find the whole idea incredulous and so it is esepcially sad for those "caught up" in the teaching and the ideas that mislead so many. Your letter is considerate and direct which may serve to help some get beyond the disappointment and the certain disallusionment that comes with this sort of thing. I do hope and pray that the visible church will be Christlike in recovering those looking for truth in the backlash of so much confusion about the topic. Well said and it is good to see you stepped up to hold forth a kind hand to them.
By Johnboy on
5/20/2011 7:21 AM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Hey there, wild one, great letter. I do pray for those who have been duped by the leader(s) of this false prophecy. At this time, I am ready for His return, but, I know many of my family and friends are not. I pray the Lord will delay only for those who have not made the choice. The time of His coming is closer today than it was yesterday!
By the way, Jimmy's note above reminds me to inquire about your Wednesday Night service being recorded for those of us in other service during that time.
Regards,
Herb
By Herb on
5/20/2011 3:46 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thanks Pastor Wyman. As pastor of the church Camping left in 1988 I can tell you that he has already left one disastrous wake of deluded followers. I am concerned that this time will be worse. Pray that the Spirit will intervene powerfully to keep these families from any further emotional or physical harm. Pray that our church may be ready to counsel and welcome back those who have "departed out". Grace & Peace.
By Dave Nederhood on
5/21/2011 10:29 AM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
As it was in the days of Noah...in the days of Noah God removed the unrighteous, the righteous were left behind!!
Prov 10:30 The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. NKJV
Ps 37:9-11
For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.(NKJ)
Ps 37:20
But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the LORD, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.(NKJ)
Ps 37:29
The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever.(NKJ)
It is clear, the wicked shall perish and the righteous shall inherit the earth.
Matt 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.(NKJ)
THE WICKED ARE REMOVED – THE RIGHTEOUS REMAIN:
Prov 2:21-22
For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it;
But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.(NKJ)
Isa 13:9
Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it.(NKJ)
Matt 24:39
39"and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.(NKJ)
GOD WILL NOT DESTROY HIS OWN CREATION. THE RAPTURE IS A CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLE. HAROLD CAMPING WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO JESUS WHY HE DECEIVED SO MANY AND PREVENTED THEM FROM THEIR DOMINION MANDATE ON THE EARTH.
By Pastor Gerda Pillay on
5/21/2011 10:09 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thank you John and Mr. Herb.
Pastor Nederhood, thank you for commenting. Very interesting. I would suppose you have a unique perspective on these events. I would love to speak with a bit on email, if you can. If so, shoot me a note at wyman@cbcnlr.org (If you don't have time, no problem at all.)
By Wyman on
5/21/2011 11:00 AM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
A godly letter. Thanks for posting it. Hopefully and prayerfully, Camping's followers will be led to it and gather encouragment, knowing that God is God regardless of men like Harold Camping. Christians must keep in mind those who have left family, gave away everything that they had, euthanized pets, etc. to follow the ramblings of a false prophet. It is through our good works that we can demonstrate the true Christ and prove our salvation. There will be hard times, but God remains good and their help in time of need, if they sincerely repent and follow Christ. So, as Christians, let's not sit in the backseat but seek out those who have been deceived and lead them toward the true Hope.
By Ray on
5/21/2011 3:36 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thank you Pastor for a Godly response filled with the Holy Spirit. With permission, I am going to place this on my facebook page for all of my fans to read.
Yours in Christ,
Phil Fischer
www.philfischer.com
By Phil Fischer on
5/21/2011 3:36 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thank you Ray and by all means Phil. God bless.
By wyman on
5/21/2011 3:37 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
pastor richardson, you are indeed a man of great wisdom and compassion for your fellow christians, and in this case, confused sheep. I am not a christian, how ever i am a man of faith, a different faith, and a preacher of my word and i hope you have the same open mindedness to this as you have with the topic, i am just commending you on your reaching out to the individuals that follow that......man. He had led these people astray and its sad that so many people would blindly follow this insane individual, but the fact that you are willing to not only not openly mock them but to give them assistance is an amazing thing. You are a good man with a good heart and you do your god, and your church, and your religion justice. If there were more men like you i think the world would be a better place.
blessed be,
eric mattingly
By eric mattingly on
5/21/2011 6:50 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thank you, Pastor Wyman, for truth spoken in love. Several people have spoken to me of their concern that the whole church, world-wide, would reap the consequences of a failed prophecy. Of course that is true. The critics will blame everyone. However, you have outline beautifully our attitude that we must take. Ours is not to criticize and ridicule or take to task, but we must act like Christ, point to Christ the forgive and healer, and encourage the continued persuing of the Will of the Father. Thank you for helping many of us take this stand. I am going to repost your FB notice so that all my friends can see and read your wonderful leadership in this area. God bless you in your new ministry and keep on keeping on, Brother!
Charles
By Charles Jones on
5/21/2011 6:50 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Charles,
Hey brother! Great to hear from you. I appreciate the thoughts and the comment. Tell everybody hello for me!
Eric,
I'm grateful for your very kind comment and words. I do try to live my life with both eyes wide open and to view every situation with this question in mind: "Is this true?" For many, many reasons, mainly biblical, Camping's predictions have never borne the mark of truth. I do grieve over the damage that has been done through this. On the other hand, I find the person, work, teachings, and life of Jesus to bear the overwhelming stamp of "true", thus my embrace of the gospel of Christ.
I thank you for the kind and even-handed way that you have approached this. There are those within Christianity and outside of Christianity that will not be so kind.
Wyman
By Wyman Richardson on
5/21/2011 10:08 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Pastor Gerda,
I have decided to let your comment through, though I think it comes close to steering the discussion into the issue of the rapture itself (which this post is not about) and though I think the strenuous nature of your terminology is not necessarily conducive to reasoned theological discourse on the issue of the rapture or other theological issues.
I do agree with you that Camping will answer for the extreme speculations that he foisted on those who would listen.
I wish you well.
By wyman on
5/21/2011 10:12 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
As a Christ follower, I found your letter quite refreshing. So many people in the world today are looking for meaning, purpose, hope, and unconditional love. We as the church should be shining examples that reflect Jesus' love today, not apocalyptic predictors for a tomorrow that we aren't even guaranteed. In Matthew, Jesus says not to be anxious for tomorrow that tomorrow will take care of itself, today has it's own troubles. We should be focusing on how to love like Jesus today so that when the rapture does take place that more people will be added to the kingdom of God, not because they are fearful but because they are loved by the Most High God and Beautiful Savior. Thank you for your honest and compelling letter. Thank you for loving like Jesus and being a true example of what Christianity is all about. Much love from a fellow Christ Follower in Florida.
By Mary on
5/22/2011 9:59 AM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thank you for the very kind and encouraging comments, Mary. God bless you.
By the way, my brother, David, is a pastor in Sebring, Florida.
By wyman on
5/22/2011 10:00 AM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Your letter reminds me of how Christ dealt with both the woman at the well and Peter, in both cases he was very gentle allowing them to review where they were in there walk and change what they were doing. My prayer is these people will turn from this fasle teacher, and return to Christ. We at Central are very proud you are our Pastor.
By Joe E, Brown on
5/23/2011 1:04 PM
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Re: An Open Letter to the Followers of Harold Camping
Thanks Joe. I appreciate you brother!
By wyman on
5/23/2011 1:05 PM
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