Harold Camping has recently given us his assurances that with the proper calculations we can be confident in our expectations to see the return of our LORD on May 21, 2011. Dispensationalists have the well earned reputation in providing us with date settings, and through the myriad of prophecy conferences where self-proclaimed experts are willing to share their updates in exchange for our time and money, I thought, as a Realized Millennialist, “how can I get in on this action” ?

So with heavy borrowing of the Dispensationalist’s ad hoc hermeneutics and with a dose of old fashioned interpretation of orthodox doctrines, I would like to take another recent phenomena event and apply a Dispensationalist interpretation template upon it and demonstrate how Camping may be correct in his late Spring prognostication.

As we all know, being that the United States has the greatest population density of Christians in the world, and because the United States is Israel’s best friend and ally, it is perfectly acceptable to read Old Testament Prophecies and insert contemporary leaders and events into the prophetic statements of Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. Within the borders of the United States, there is a denomination that has recently claimed to be Christian, insisting that we, the traditional visible Church, set aside our “minor” theological differences because saving America from the heathen Progressives is more important than quibbling over petty things like the Divinity of Jesus Christ and the nature of God.

In the past few years, a prominent radio and television personality, a professing Mormon, has organized a Faith Rally to be held in Washington D.C. on August 28th, 2010. This article will take the Scriptures, the Dispensational Hermeneutic, and Glenn Beck’s 8/28 Washington D.C. Rally and prove beyond doubt to the high standards of today’s Evangelical Prophecy Students Harold Camping’s bold prophetic announcement. In Mormon folklore, there is a not well substantiated claim that on or about May 6, 1843 in the presence of at least two Mormons, Edwin Rushton and Theodore Turley, the founder of the Latter Day Saints movement, Joseph Smith, stated in effect that “the time would come when the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread, and that the Latter-day Saints above all other people in the world would come to the rescue of that great and glorious palladium of our liberty” (Conference Report, October 1912, p.10)

This has since then been referred to as the “White Horse Prophecy” where the legend has evolved to a state where one man who “has ears to hear and eyes to see can discern by the Spirit and through the words of God’s mouthpiece that our liberties are being taken” (Conference Report, April 1963, p.113) will rise up and restore the Constitution and the liberties contained within. In certain evangelical circles, there is much speculation that Glenn Beck sees himself as that White Horse Rider who will stand in the gap, take the slings and arrows, and lay his life on the line to restore the Constitution.

Mormon teaching, among other things, provides pathways for mortal men to ascend to the level of a god, even to the level of achievement and divinity is the god-man Jesus Christ, who once was mortal like us. So it would not be any stretch of imagination, nor would it be violent to LDS teachings for Glenn Beck to see himself as earning his Godhood ranking through serving as the White Horse Prophet. Now in Biblical Eschatology, who rides the White Horse?

Harold Camping is predicting the Return of our LORD. I as one who does not subscribe to chiliasm, I believe the return of our LORD is the return in Judgment. In the first century, or the Present Age, Jesus Christ came in the flesh to conquer Hell and Death on the cross. On his next and last return, marking the full realization of the Age to Come, He will come to Judge. There are parallels in the Passion Week of Jesus Christ leading up to the most prophesized event on the Cross, and the short time between now and The Final Judgment.

The first event is when our LORD came to Jerusalem, from the town of Bethpage on the Mount of Olives, riding on a donkey. This has been mistakenly called the “Triumphant Entry”, the error is that He is riding a donkey, which is the cultural expression, not of a conqueror, but a peaceful King. The triumphant conquering King is riding a White Horse, which is what we read in Revelation 6:2. It should not be a surprise that the White Horse Prophecy of Revelation, marking the return of our LORD in Judgment coincides with the White Horse Prophecy of Joseph Smith embodied by Glenn Beck’s triumphal entry into Washington D.C.

When the people came out to see our LORD, though many thought that He would come with the recently raised from the dead Lazarus, they treated Him as a visiting King, coming out of the city to meet him descending from the Mount of Olives, stripping off their clothes and laying that and palm branches along His path to the political city of Jerusalem. Many, who had traveled far to be a part of the Passover Feast, saw Him as the promised King of David who through the power of God, would restore the Kingdom of Israel and Judah to its former glory, a gesture which would make necessary casting off the oppressive Roman Empire.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 we read the famous “rapture” passage claimed by Dispensationalists as the silent rapture of the Church. In reality, what we read is a similar greeting by the surviving Church where we leave “the city” to meet Him in the air and accompany Him to Jerusalem where He will fulfill His role as conqueror and judge.

Glenn Beck will be descending from the heavens into Washington D.C., the political capital of the United States, probably in a white jet, where he will be greeted by a large multitude of people who like both appearances of our LORD to the political capital will be greeted by many people who have traveled far away to be in the city for a special spiritual event. Because the event is in Washington DC in August, it will likely be warm and sunny so that people will be removing layers of clothes to keep cool and will place coverings on the ground.

When our LORD entered into Jerusalem, he was confronted by many people who wanted Him dead because He was leading the people away from their teachings, their power over the people were directly threatened, yet they did not kill Him because of His popularity with the people. When our LORD returns again in Judgment, He will again be confronted with many people who hate Him and His judgment will result in them losing their power (for all eternity).

Likewise, Glenn Beck will be entering a city normally full of political leaders who hate him and wish him dead, his message is designed to draw people away from the Progressive leadership, yet his accusers will do nothing because of their fear of the multitudes who love him and his teachings.

During the week where Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he cursed the Scribes and Pharisees for their elitism, and their hypocrisy, legislating and “binding heavy burdens, hard to bear, and laying them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Mat 23:4) What is the point of the Tea Parties? It is a crowd of people who are weary of the heavy legislative burdens laid upon their shoulders, laws that are oppressive, yet are not born by the men who made these laws. What is a major theme in Glenn Beck’s ministry? To curse the legislators who oppress the people of Faith. Glenn Beck identifies himself and the Tea Party with Moses and the Hebrews. What was Moses’ complaint? That the burdens were too great upon his people, and that the tyrannical forces should “let my people go”.

In one scene our LORD witnesses a poor person giving up the last of her coins to donate to the Temple., and our LORD commented on the fact that she gave the last she had. Glenn Beck has also received eight pennies (mites?) from someone who gave to the 8/28 project - the last that they had.

What else was taught that week? Why the Pharisees confronted our LORD regarding the paying of Taxes (Matt 22:16-22). He condemned the lawyers and politicians for their abuse on the retired and those in need, denying them real justice and trying to take the last of their possessions for their own benefit and glory. (Matt 23:14) Our LORD turned over the tables of the money changers in the Temple rebuking them for their defiling the Temple. What will Glenn Beck be against? The corrupt bureaucracy of the political class that extorts, cheats and defiles their offices and trusts given to them. Both Jesus Christ and Glenn Beck talk about gold, blindness and swearing an oath (Matt 23:16-17). The event will be held in front of the Lincoln Memorial which looks very much like a Temple. Jesus taught the people from the Temple. Glenn Beck will be teaching from a place that looks like and is given the same sanctity of a Temple. His denomination even calls their house of worship a Temple. His denomination is a particularly troublesome matter for they deny the Deity of Jesus Christ and consider Him a created being. Denying the Deity of Jesus Christ and mischaracterizing the relationship of Jesus Christ and the Father is of the spirit of AntiChrist. (1 John 2:22) So here we will have Glenn Beck, one who sees himself as the rider on the White Horse, who is a deceiver about Christ standing in a Temple-like structure, and if he is consistent with his Mormon theology, will be speaking blasphemies just as predicted by our LORD. (Matthew 24:15) I’m not going to be so bold to connect those dots and say that Glenn Beck is the Anti Christ, that exercise is for the reader.

Yet its not fair to assign all of these things to Glenn Beck, for he is one of many, perhaps millions who share and will express the same sentiments. We are told that this is not a political rally, that there will not be politicians speaking, that this will be a spiritual awakening. There are many parallels between Jesus Christ and Glenn Beck. It would be unreasonable to paint Glenn Beck as a Messiah figure since he will be one of many, rather, the Tea Party in its spiritual role, will embody many of these remarkable parallels. And why not? For many within the Tea Party identify themselves as Christians, or “little Christs” therefore, would it not be appropriate for little Christs to conduct themselves in the manner of their namesake? Those in attendance at the rally have sworn to be peaceful, to not bring signs, to not speak out against the accusers – this is not intended to be a political rally. Is this not exactly how our LORD handled himself before His accusers in court when he was being attacked by His enemies? He did not repel the blows; He did not speak out against His accusers; He was silent and raised no political challenges – especially when He was accused of a political agenda to overthrow the authorities.

Long after the event, the Tea Party and those who attended 8/28 are expected to continue to be model citizens, to not return violence for violence, so that no one will have an excuse for their false accusations. What else have we learned? Glenn Beck teaches us to prepare, to have adequate food and supplies to make it through the hard times. Many others who see the troubles we are soon to engage encourage gathering of clothing and weapons. During this Passion Week in Luke 22:35-38 our LORD asks His disciples if they ever had to worry about money, food or clothes, and they said “No”. This is like the United States before the current regime brought about hard times, we had plenty and were in want of nothing. Then Jesus told them to now get a money bag, to fill an emergency pack with food, to gather up additional garments, and to arm themselves in preparation for possible violence.

On the first Tuesday of November of 2010, the American people will have a chance to drive the money-changers out of the Temple. In Scriptures we read that the political class was given a chance to let the holy and righteous one, the Man without sin or fault go with only a chastisement, yet they chose to pardon a notorious terrorist. I predict, in the spirit of the remarkable parallels in our LORD’s last week of ministry to the last “week” before the End that the political leadership will make deals to release terrorists from the consequences of their action. Could this be the White House giving a green light to nuclear Iran to prosecute a war against Israel? Remember, their leader is desirous to bring about the Apocalypse. Harold Camping is predicting the Last Day in May, how much time does Ahmadijinhad have to hold up his end of this Islamic prophecy?

In Luke 22:24-28 we read that there was a dispute among the Disciples regarding which of them should be considered the greatest. I predict that in the coming months we will see a visible and animated dispute among those in the Tea Party movement as to who is the greatest. There will be political deals made at this time.

There is a strong contrast in the mob’s reaction to Jesus Christ at the beginning of the Passion Week, and the moment before he was condemned to crucifixion. In the beginning, they were treating Him as King with great expectations, in the end the same people were screaming and demanding His blood, crying out “May His blood be on us and on our children”. There is really only one way to explain this otherwise unbelievable change in heart. In Revelation 20 we read that Satan has been bound for a thousand years. Traditional teachings of the End Times tell us that in order for the robber to plunder the strong man’s home, he must first be bound. This illustration is made to show the necessity of binding Satan so that the Gospel message can go throughout the world so that the Devil’s home can be plundered of his people to be taken by our LORD. In v 3, we read “but after these things, he must be released for a while”. I submit that the reaction of the crowd came under the direct influence of Satan who had not been bound yet (but would be as the Apostles went out with the power to bind). In like manner, as we read in Revelation 20, Satan, who since the days of the Apostles, has been bound, will suddenly be released to once again “deceive the nations”. In the days preceeding the Camping Expectation, lawlessness will increase because the lame duck Progressives will implement as a demonic parting shot at destroying the Republic, all sorts of evil: VAT tax, Cap and Tax, Amnesty, and other horrors too obscene to mention here.

This final display of evil and wickedness will bring about the rebellion and violence that has overtaken the world. Like the people who once praised our LORD and then demanded His death, the American people, who now largely agree with the Tea Party will turn upon Patriots and lovers of the Republic with a demon inspired lethal and violent intent.

When extrapolating the days to week ratio between the Passion Week and the time span between 8/28 and the November elections, its easy to see how May 21, 2011 is well within the appointed time to adequately fit the accomplished work of Christ on the Cross. May 21, 2011 corresponds well to the Final Judgment of Christ on the rebellious nations.

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 24:36 & 37 (NIV)

So, in case this was not a tongue in cheek endeavor, you are saying that Glenn Beck is fulfilling Harold Camping’s prediction that the Lord will return in May of 2011? Given the fact that the archetype of the suffering servant can be applied to many martyrs, I am not sure how this refers exclusively to Beck. I still think you are kidding.

Harold Camping predicts the day the Lord will return every few years, and of course he is wrong every time. The Bible clearly says that this will happen when no one, not even Camping, expects it.

Jesus was crucified, died, and resurrected during Passover Week. The Last Supper was a Passover supper.

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” - John the Baptist.

So the celebration of Easter at Passover time is not at all coincidence, but coincides with the Jewish calendar passover. A date that is not the subject of controversy.

Only a false prophet would name a date certain. Put this one on ignore because he hasn’t tested all things again the Word of God. And, remember - if a “prophet” isn’t getting his messages from God, he’s getting them from Satan.

You are not reading the verse properly. If read in context it actually says, that if you don’t ‘watch’ the day will come upon you unaware’. The opposite is also true. If you do watch, you will know the season, day and hour etc, It’s not a verse that should ever be lazily quoted alone. It’s obvious that we will know the day hour etc,

When is Passover 2011

When is Passover in 2011?

Passover in 2011 will start on Tuesday, the 19th of April and will continue for 7 days until Monday, the 25th of April.

That "Easter" is even close in 2011 is purely a coincidence.

It's not "coincidence" at all. The 14th day of Nisan is the 14th day after the new moon, so it's at or very close to a full moon. Easter is the Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox, March 22. It's basically the same dating system, adjusted (a) to fall on a Sunday; and (b) adjusted to be computable from the Greco-Roman solar calendar instead of from the Hebrew lunar calendar.

And, BTW, if Easter and Passover are unrelated, why is Easter called "Passover" in Greek, Latin, and every language derived from Latin?

Oh dear God...

Harold Camping is NOT a recognized nor reputable “Dispensationalist.”

In addition, date setting for the Return of Christ is FORBIDDEN by Christ Himself — doing so is a SIN. And BELIEVING someone who sets such a date is FOOLISH.

Finally, as Children of God, we are to be AWAKE and ALWAYS PREPARED for the RETURN of the Lord as though it could happen at ANY MOMENT — because it COULD (Matthew 25). At the SAME TIME, we are to continue with our WORK HERE in building HIS KINGDOM until He comes, because He instructs us to “Occupy till I come.”

The time of His Return is in the Hands of the Sovereign in heaven. It is a FOOL’S game to guess that day for any man on earth, and a FOOL’S folly to to follow such a man! Mark him and avoid him!

Just Trust Christ, be READY! And when Jesus GETS HERE, BELIEVE ME, you will KNOW IT!

Please explain why the Nicean canons intentionally forbid the biblical Passover when deriving the date for the pagan holiday of Easter. Please explain why there was even such a thing as the Quartodecimian Controversy in the 2nd Century. The fact is, considerable church history was spent trying to stamp out the celebration of the biblical Passover, and disconnecting from Passover on the common calendar was mandated in the Nicean decrees. It is not as simple as your “it’s the full moon” excuse.

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Harmonizing Harold Camping, Glenn Beck, 8/28 and the Passion Week as a Type

When is Passover in 2011?