May 21, 2011
The last day has come. I realize that it is almost over in some parts of the world, and although I’ve been downstairs looking around, I haven’t noticed any dead rising from the grave, and most of the neighborhood seems to be about the same. But my timing may be off because it’s supposed to happen at 6 p.m. but I’m not sure if that’s EST. I know that the whole standard time thing wasn’t much in use when the bible was written, so there may be some slight rounding errors.
Nevertheless – the call goes out for any photographs of today’s rapture (and paintings from the great renaissance painters not allowed). On a more serious note, the preacher who has been promoting this idea has a net worth of about $70 million. He predicted the same thing a few years ago. When it didn’t arrive (as it won’t this time) he said his calculations were off. But what’s really amazing is that he’s been able to propagate this idiotic idea with billboards all over the country and people handing out flyers on corners. That’s one part of it. Then of course I picked it up as something to write about as did the media – and voila. Publicity!
DOOMSDAY PHOTOS WANTED
According to resources that have proved to be unreliable in the past, May 21st, 2011 will be when the relatively small percentage of people who are “good” will be taken away in the rapture. I realize that this is unlikely, but in the event that anyone is actually sitting and waiting to be taken to a better world – please – I implore you – have your smartphone or digital camera with you because if you do disappear and the rest of us are left to contend with more floods than usual – it would be very cool if you could just post an image of the rapture (I think that’s what it’s called) while you are being brought up to heaven.
I realize that this is a big thing to ask for several reasons:
1) Will the doomsday event take place in the twinkling of an eye? Will it happen more slowly where suddenly a few neighbors disappear and you have time to see that you’re next?
2) Will it be a sort of Hollywood rapture with swirling winds and overcast skies and dramatic lightning, or will it be more like just a zap? One minute you’re here. Next you’re gone. That’s going to make it really hard to take a snap and post it no matter how fast your smartphone is.
3) Please don’t send me photoshopped images of the Rapture as these can easily lead to hoaxes and this is too serious a subject to treat lightly.
Of course – even if this turns out to be true – I can assure you that I will still be here to receive your emails and photos. I’m sure you can see that for yourself. But if you do take this trip – please try and leave us some photographic evidence. Who knows – maybe you can tweet from heaven.
Dave, I’m a regular reader of your blog, as you may know. If I may, I would like to correct a few impressions concerning the rapture.
1. The rapture is not for “good” people. There are no good people. On the relative human scale some may be considered better than others, but on God’s absolute scale we are all sinners and separated from God. (God does not grade on a curve.) By his sacrificial death, as foreshadowed in the passover, Jesus paid for the sins of all mankind, that God might be both righteous and merciful in saving those who place their faith in him as their sinbearer and savior. Their faith is the faith of Abraham, who “believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.”
2. As for the date of the rapture or of Christ’s return, Jesus himself said that no man knows the day nor the hour. Many have set a date for the return of Christ, and all have been wrong. Jesus will return to earth when God is ready for that to happen; no sooner, no later.
Kind regards,
Dave Jenkins
Dave – my quote about “the good people” is from the person who figured out that the rapture would be on the 21st. He says that “only 3 percent” of humanity will be taken to heaven on that day. I’m not talking about the things that are in the Bible – but what some people make of it.
Although I am an agnostic, and never get into religious subjects in the blog since it’s usually as pointless as discussing politics – this doomsday on the 21st was just so out there – and so close – I thought I would make fun of it.
Best,
Dave
This idea of photographing the rapture is very intriguing. I certainly hope that it doesn’t come around on the 21st of May since I am going away with my wife to Atlantic City on the 28th for a “second honeymoon.” I will keep my camera phone near our bed in case the rapture occurs during our little getaway.
My eldest brother’s anniversary of his birth is on May 21st, and told him, that according to a billboard near his work, proclaiming the joy of the end of the world arriving the very same day, that I wasn’t going to get him anything, because, what’s the point?
Hey that’s tomorrow, (its Friday already here in Australia). I was going to get my hair cut, wonder if I’ll have time, better get it done, eternity is a long time.
We were going on holiday next weekend as well. I bet we can’t get the deposit back!
Must keep my camera with me.
Nigel – Good luck and keep your batteries charged. DB
If you want to photograph the rapture you’re going to have to be even quicker than Henri Cartier-Bresson, because according to the Bible (First Corinthians 15), the rapture will take place “in the twinkling of an eye.”
Talk about a Decisive Moment!