Love and False Teaching

Perhaps you’ve seen the billboards. Backed by Harold Camping, president of Family Radio, the “Judgment Day 2011” movement claims that Christ will return tomorrow, May 21^st, and that God will destroy this world on October 21, 2011. Supporters of the movement emphasize that these dates have been derived from the Bible and are “100% accurate and beyond dispute” (http://www.wecanknow.com). I am deeply troubled by this movement . Not only do I believe that the core belief of “Judgment Day 2011” flies in the face of biblical truth, but I am concerned that setting up such an “ultimatum” may lead to a crisis of faith for many, and add to the scoffer’s conviction that Christianity is just a human construct.

While I believe that we are to live in such a way that we are always ready for Christ’s return, I am just as convinced of the fact that we cannot know when this will be. I know this because God’s word is clear:

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. (Matthew 24:36)

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2)

Scripture tells us that Christ will come “like a thief in the night,” suddenly and unexpected, and tells us that not even Christ HIMSELF knows the day or time. Can we presume to have access to knowledge inaccessible to Christ? 1 John 4 reminds us to beware of false teachers: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

What troubles me most about the “Judgment Day 2011” movement is the spirit of certainty that it imputes to that which God tells us we cannot know. In a sense, the movement claims to have figured out God’s plan in advance. The arrogance inherent here is breathtaking—and yet I must stop myself from judging when I realize that I so often live as though I too, have “figured God out” for myself, placing Him neatly within my Type-A box along with the other “pieces” of my life. How often do I come up with my own plans and mutter to Him as an afterthought: “You don’t mind, do you? You’ll come along for the ride, right?” How can I thus address the Maker of the Stars? I am humbled by how this movement echoes my own heart’s desire for control. So while I remember that we are to beware of false teachers, we must also be careful to prayerfully examine our own hearts.

Jesus may return tomorrow, or He may return as you read this. He may not return until another two thousand years have passed. It is not for us to know when. Instead, we are to concentrate on preparing our hearts for Him, and living patiently in faith, grateful for the time we have to shine His light where we are.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)