For those of you who have heard the word, but aren't sure what it means, "repent" means simply to turn around, do a 180, and/or change your mind about something.
I checked again this morning and Harold Camping is described as "Bewildered" and "Mystified" after his May 21 Rapture prediction came and went. That's a little like saying, "Oops!" after playing with matches next to a powder keg which blows up at the base of a dam, with the resulting deluge destroying the lives of thousands downstream. Camping intentionally ignored the simple words of Jesus, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (Matthew 24:36 NASB) Why do you think Jesus said this? Isn't it probable that His followers back then wanted to know what was coming and when it would happen? Jesus spoke graphically about the "what", but said clearly that even He didn't know when.
Early Christians thought of themselves as living in the "Last Days". The Scripture was given in such a way as to make every generation wonder if this is the time. For two thousand years, followers of Christ have wondered if His return would be in their lifetime. My friends who don't follow Christ struggle with this side of Christianity. We have become an age where many thinking people believe that we humans have complete control of our own destiny and that of our planet. To them it is absurd that a God beyond our imagination created us and loves us. The false prophecy of Harold Camping, coupled with the fierce loyalty of his flock, have only served to fortify the "no god is in control" position.
Harold Camping should publicly repent. He has damaged the faith of many who fell under his elderly spell. As someone who claims to preach the Gospel of Christ, he has damaged the name of the One who gave His life for us.
Luke 15:10 says that the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents.
I would rejoice with them.
