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May 18th, 2011
05:00 AM ET
Tick tock goes the doomsday clockBy Jessica Ravitz, CNN (CNN) - For months they’ve been spreading the word, answering the biblical call of Ezekiel 33 to sound the alarm and warn the people. Their message, which they say the Bible guarantees, is simple: The end of the world is near. And now, it’s suddenly really near - so near that if these folks are right, you should probably pass on buying green bananas. Perhaps you’ve already noticed, what with the billboards and signs dotting the landscape, the pamphlets blowing in the wind and the RVs plastered with Judgment Day warnings weaving through cities. Or maybe, as the birds chirped outside and you sipped your morning coffee, a full-page newspaper ad for the upcoming mass destruction caught your eye. May 21, 2011, according to loyal listeners of Family Radio, a Christian broadcasting network based in Oakland, California, will mark the Day of Rapture and the start of Judgment Day (which, they say, will last five months). Those who are saved will be taken up to heaven, and those who aren’t will endure unspeakable suffering. Dead bodies will be strewn about as earthquakes ravage the Earth, they say. And come October 21, they’ll tell you, the entire world will be kaput. It’s the kind of belief that riles up churchgoers who insist no one can know when Judgment Day will come, and the sort that many say does a disservice to Christianity. And it’s the kind of message that delights the types who are planning tongue-in-cheek End of the World parties and are responding to a Facebook invitation to attend a post-rapture looting. Rapture events, including one at a tiki bar in Fort Lauderdale, are being hosted by American Atheists. News outlets, comedians and even Doonesbury can’t seem to resist a good end-of-the-world prophecy. Billboard battle over Judgment Day Earlier this year, CNN traveled with a team of believers - all of whom had walked away from friends, families and jobs - as they set out to share this serious message aboard a caravan of Judgment Day RVs. These ambassadors or co-laborers in God’s work, as they see themselves, let us into their world. Along the way we met other supporters, as well as a sea of skeptics, many of them drunken pirates gathered for an annual festival in Florida. Read about that journey and the roots of this doomsday message With only days to go, we wanted to know how the ambassadors are feeling now. Are they making special plans and saying goodbyes? Have their convictions stayed strong, or have doubts crept in? Are they at peace, excited or maybe afraid? “We’ve been a little busy, as you can imagine,” said Fred Store, the team leader on our journey. Reached at a motor home park in Providence, Rhode Island, Store spoke of the surge of support he’s seen in recent months – the 60 like-minded people (including someone who works for Homeland Security, he boasted) who joined his small crew on the Mall in Washington, and the hundreds who gathered in Times Square in New York. But at the same time he said resistance from those who don’t believe has grown, too. The more people heard about the May 21 warning, the more they discussed it with their pastors and came prepared to argue. Learn about doomsdays throughout time And the media, while they’ve helped spread the message, will be turned away in the coming days. CNN hoped to be with Store and his team on doomsday, but the members said they needed that time to focus on their relationship with God. Perhaps that’s just as well, as an official at Family Radio headquarters pointed out: “What makes you think you’ll be able to get to them? The roads will be a mess," he said, referring to the expected earthquakes. Plus, Store said, even if we got there, there would be no time to edit and publish, so what's the point? Store’s faith remains unwavering. Come Saturday, he and his team will be in Boston, standing in a spot with heavy foot traffic, passing out their pamphlets – which they call tracts – and doing what they believe God called them to do until the very end. No longer with the team is Darryl Keitt, who ditched his caravan on May 6. He said his time on the RV was a “gift from God,” but he decided he needed to spend the last couple of weeks focusing on his non-believing family and friends in New Jersey. It was a decision he prayed about for several weeks. His Elizabeth, New Jersey, apartment is pretty sparse, seeing as he gave away most everything before hitting the road. “I was able to get my old place back,” he said. “But we only have four days to go, so I don’t need much.” He’s reaching out to old friends and hoping his family will come around and believe what he says he knows to be true. “I have not seen any signs that they are believing the message,” he said. “But I can’t read anybody’s heart; only God can. And I’m still praying for them. All I can do is continue to share my convictions.” Tisan Dawud may not share his older half-brother's beliefs, but he supports the positive nature of what Keitt's doing and is awestruck by his dedication. "He's trying to spread what he believes is the word of God, and I can't knock him for that," Dawud said Tuesday evening. "I became Muslim when I was very young, and he remained Christian. But I've always had respect for his beliefs, and he always had respect for my beliefs." And rather than criticize or ridicule his brother, who he said isn't hurting anyone, Dawud wishes people would focus on those who deserve examination and condemnation - those selling drugs, molesting children, raping women or embezzling money, for example. Keitt spends his days in prayer, reaching out to people on Facebook, listening to Family Radio and walking around his neighborhood in his Judgment Day cap and T-shirt. He ran out of tracts some time ago, and at this point it’s too late to order any more, he said. As for where he’ll be on Saturday: “It’s a good question," and one he's still considering. He doesn’t like goodbyes, he said, and only told two people in his caravan team of 10 that he was leaving. He gave those two men, one of them Store, a quick hug and that was it. “Preferably we’ll meet each other again,” Keitt said, “in heaven.” Dennis Morrell was driving through Jacksonville, Florida, pulling his Judgment Day billboard trailer, when we reached him on his cell phone. He wasn’t part of the caravan of RVs but was among the Floridians who joined in to help Store’s team when they were in the city. Morell and his wife quit their jobs to focus on warning others, a move that’s left their four kids – ages 17 to 24 – thinking “Mom and Dad are crazy,” he said. He still hopes God will “open their spiritual eyes,” he said. “But they’re at an age where they love their lives. They don’t want this world to come to an end.” His faith, though, is as firm as ever, and he wishes others would open their minds and hearts to this possibility. “Why would you wait to see if this is actually going to happen? You have that option to cry out for mercy,” he said. “I don’t want to die and go to hell. Do you?” He plans to spend the last days praying, up until the early hours of Saturday - when he’ll both pray and wait for 16 hours. Why 16 hours? Morrell explained that the massive doomsday earthquake will start at the International Date Line before moving west. New Zealand, he said, will get hit first – at 6 p.m. local time. And then that wave of destruction will roll around the world, wreaking havoc at 6 p.m. in each time zone. While Morrell expects he’ll reserve Saturday for private time, Benjamin Ramrajie of Ocala, Florida, doesn’t have any special plans. We met Ramrajie in Tampa after his 7-year-old daughter issued a doomsday warning about how the sun would “turn red like blood.” He stood by and nodded his approval as she spoke about dead bodies and her fears of dying. “Most of my family doesn’t agree 100 percent, and I don’t blame them because it is far-fetched,” he said. “I strongly believe it’s going to happen. But I just figure I’ll relax, maybe watch TV. If that’s the day we get raptured, great. If not, we’ll move on.” soundoff (6,292 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 Next » |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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hey first thing is people flee from old holy city then bomb jerusalem suddenly we ll have a rapture while Jesus Christ ll come second
Drivel.
Religion is very similiar to a virus. Once it gets inside you, it damages your body (particularly the brain), and is very hard to completely purge from your body. There is a vaccine, however; Education. The more you read and learn about history, the more obvious it will become that religion is a man-made concept to control people. Best of luck to all those with the virus.
Stupid-itis? Crazy-litus? Idonotwanttothinkformyself-boliosis
Sunday May 22 2011 E-bay ad -- one slightly used, double sided sign appx 3X5 ft Sign has white back round with Black lettering in bold print "The world will end on May 21" bidding starts at .01 cents
WHY IS IT ALWAYS US WHO ARE THE DUMB ONS OF THIS PLANET? IF THESE FRUITCAKES ARE SO CERTAIN THEN WHY WAIT? JUMP OF A BRIDGE TODAY – HALLELUJAH...!!!
5/21/11 will come and go and all of these people will look like the fools they are.
Religion (all of it) is a virus of the mind. These people are living proof. Lets start to think rationally people and not take directions from primitive books of myth written by goat herders from the bronze age.
Amen!
If you read Revelation 12, it mentions that Satan knows he has a short period of time, but even he does not know the actual day, what he desires is for people to grow weary of the false proclamations so as to ignore the real signs that the creator is about to restore the earth to its original purpose, paradise.
In short, he wants God to HAVE to kill as many people as possible, taking as many down with him as he can.
The warnings to stay awake have been preached now for over 100 years, not by the God stores, they are in it for the money, you know who is doing it.
Monte, you realize that there have been hundreds of religions on this earth, and many had their own holy book and made predictions about various events (including the end of the world)? Are you concerned at all about Ragnarok, the end of times event in the Norse religion? No? That's how average intelligent people view the rapture.
Wow, 95% of the people in the bible belt will be gone, cool!
NEED HAARP MACHINE TURN ON....
So American can stop freaking DEBT CLOCK AND Federal But Cuts.... There's soo many unemployment rates and government can't handle them.
I think it's ridiculous that people actually believe that someone knows the actual date of judgement. It would make perfect sense for it to happen on Saturday, but it would make just as much sense to happen next year or even hundreds or thousands of years from now. The date is not known. I'm actually really curious to how he "calculated" May 21, 2011 using the Bible. Hey what if he's right? At least I'll be in heaven. If you have faith in Jesus the day of Judgement isn't a day to be frightened of but a day of rejoicing. We will once more be reunited with our Father in heaven.
Rapture is made up. No where does the bible actually talk about the Rapture. It is made up by Christians to feel good, after all it is hard to take that God would punish everyone in Revelation even good Christians. Fear not though for it is all a myth so even though the rapture will not happen so to will none of the other bible prophecy happen.
Boy! Are they in for embarassment. When May 21, 2011 has come and gone and we are still here, they will look stupid. Love their compassion but the God made it purty clear that no one knows the day or hour when he will come, not even the his son Jesus knows. If Jesus doesnt know what makes you think anyone else will??
The Mormon faith, through its official church publication, The Watchtower, predicted the end of the world for 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975, and 1989... and, yet, they are taken seriously. I'm just saying...
The Watchtower is a Jehovah's Witness publication and has nothing to do with mormons, nor do those dates for the end of the world.
You mean the Jehovah's Witnesses, not the Mormons. Google "Watchtower" or read the Wikipedia article about the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Um, I think you are refering to the Jehovah Witnesses. They produce the Watchtower magazine. The Mormons have never predicted the end of the world, but they do produce a great magazine called the Ensign. I encourage you to read it. They come out with one every month. And believe me, next month's issue will be coming out as well.
These people who say the world is going to end May 21st use the Bible as their source. Now whether or not you believe the Bible, they are misquoting their source: Mark 13:32-37 NIV: No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, .., but only the father..You do not know when that time will come..(read the rest, but no where does their source indicate they have the inside scoop that God's coming back Saturday. I still have to clean house on Sat.)
I believe in Jesus, and I believe that He is coming back someday, but we don't get to tell God when to do anything. What these people are doing is religion and it's ugly. Religion is man trying to control God. Say this prayers, don't eat this don't eat that, light a candle and God will do something for you. Doesn't work that way. It is a relationship with Him and He is in control. Thank Him He loves us and wants to have a relationship with us not scare the crap out of us. It's your choice to decide.
amen!!
May 21, 2011 – End of the World!
(subject to rescheduling)
One of the only smart comments here. Thanks for the humor...just like the article. There are some serious fruitloops out there.
Hopefully they'll get a head start on the Rapture line and do themselves in a little early.....
I can't wait for the day when JESUS comes this will be a glorus day. no one should be affaid if they know and trust in him. I can't tell you when that day will come but you should be ready in your heart at all times not just because you think it is this week.
I am a Christian myself & these guys are an embarrassment to the faith! They are making us the laughing stock to the world. If they only spend more time reading the bible, they will know there is NO WAY May 21st 2011 is the last day. In fact, May 21st will pass just like any other day.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
This is not the only reason christians are a laughing stock...
Well, the world was supposed to end Saturday, but I prayed my hardest to the Flying Spaghetti Monster to stop it. The FSM engaged this "god" fellow in ImMortal Kombat. In the end, it was a Noodily Appendage Fatality, and the rapture has been defeated.
You're all welcome. If you want to show your thanks for my efforts, I do take donations.
Our pasta, who art in a colander, draining be your noodles. Thy noodle come, Thy sauce be yum, on top some grated Parmesan. Give us this day our garlic bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trample on our lawns. And lead us not into vegetarianism, but deliver us some pizza, for thine is the meatball, the noodle, and the sauce, forever and ever. RAmen.
One thing is for certain, God and God alone is the only one who knows when judgement day will be. I take great comfort and solace that it is he who will call down to all of us and judge us one by one. In 1999 the world was supposedly coming to an end and we are still here standing. We are all going to die at some point. There is no good in stirring up chaos amongst the people claiming the end is near. It's simple, make peace with your maker, pray for others and go about your day as if it is your last.
Again, many people here are taking the scriptures too literal. THE END OF THEWORLD IS WHEN YOU DIE AS AN INDIVIDUAL. THE WORLD AS A WHOLE WILL NEVER END. GOD IS ETERNAL,AND THEREFORE ANYTHING THAT HE HAS SPOKEN IS ALSO ETERNAL-AS IN CREATION, AND HUMANS-(SPIRITS DONT DIE)- ALL SPIRITS ARE FROM GOD......SPIRITS ARE ETERNAL, WHICH IS WHY THEY NEED A FINAL PLACE IN ETERNITY(OUTSIDE OF TIME) ,,,,,PEOPLE NEED TO STOP BEING IGNORANT AND PICK UP A BIBLE AND READ IT FOR THEMSELVES TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH. JUST SAYING YOU BELIEVE WILL NOT SAVE YOU- JESUS SAID "REPENT REPENT REPENT",,,,,,,YOU MUST BE SAVED TO ENTER INTO GODS KINGDOM- BEING SAVED MEANS RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST- READ THE BOOK OF ACTS IT TELLS YOU ALL ABOUT IT–DO NOT BELIEVE THE MEDIA AND THE GARBAGE FROM FALSE PREACHERS-YOU MUST SEEK GOD BY YOURSELF!!!!! GOD BLESS