End of the World Musings

Back last night from Toronto, where this weekend I spoke and provided evangelism training for the college church in Oshawa. It was a pleasure to work with Pastor Edgar Nunes and other pastors whose churches are part of the NET 11 process.

Last Sabbath, as I'm sure you know, was supposed to be the rapture and the start of the Great Tribulation. Well, it sure didn't happen in Toronto, and apparently neither did anywhere else. Seventh-day Adventists knew this (and most of the world suspected it), but the whole affair leaves us thinking about how this may actually impact NET 11 plans for this fall.

You see, Harold Camping, head of Family Radio and the originator of the Judgment Day May 21 debacle, as of today, has changed his tune--slightly. What he shared through radio was picked up by the secular media, and here is the new scenario: the whole thing was "spiritual." The rapture and the series of earthquakes were spiritual, not physical happenings. October 21 is still the end of the world. And that will be the real thing. (He had always maintained that the desolations of the world would culminate on October 21).

Camping begins with typical Dispensationalist/futurist thinking: the rapture, the tribulation that follows, disasters everywhere ushering Christ's return. But he goes beyond most by extrapolating dates, basically out of the air, to calculate the dates for these events. Whatever little credibility he had before anyone other than his closest followers is now gone altogether, after the May 21 non-event. However, this makes our work harder. Or does it?

Let me explain.

On the one hand, this May 21 non-happening, with all the billboards and the surprisingly large secular media coverage it received, has created a lot more skeptics out of those who already had second thoughts about religionists who focus on end-time issues. Secondly, it has turned secular people into plain, open mockers of the whole thing. Talk shows on radio and TV have derided the non-event and poked serious fun, not only at Camping and his followers, but, by extension, at religious people in general. There are pro-Bible people who will now make sure they don't say much about the Bible, to avoid any more trouble. Tragically, the May 21 fiasco has brought discredit on the Bible itself, as many see it.

This is a serious challenge to our mission. We firmly believe that Jesus is coming soon, but now more people will be bound to laugh the whole thing off since they have fresh evidence nothing did happen when it was predicted. I guess it shouldn't be surprising that Camping's new interpretation of the non-event was made to be "spiritual." That is exactly how a number of Millerites explained the fact Jesus did not return physically on October 22, 1844. Those people made the life and ministry of young Ellen White very grievous.

What we face is the possibility that, as the prophecy series approach, the media will also begin to focus on October 21, fully convinced it will also be a non-event, poised to mock again all who might think it is. Camping promised no one will be passing out tracks or using billboards this time. However, the use of billboards is something we're considering just as I write these lines!! Will we be grouped with these false prophets for drawing attention to the end times?

What gets to me more than anything else, is the real possibility that we may pull back advertising plans because Camping and co. has brought disrepute to the whole issue. What shall we do?!

But here is an alternative thought. What if God, somehow uses this mess for His glory? The weeks leading to May 21 clearly showed that a lot of people are interested in end-time scenarios, otherwise the secular media wouldn't have gotten so deep in it. Would the nearness of October 21 be a catalyst for people to come out to our meetings? Or would they stay away fearing association with extreme people devoid of common sense?

If there is a time to think about this it is right now. We're making important advertising decisions RIGHT NOW, and we need the guidance of the Spirit of God about them. Only God knows what will happen this coming September and October. Only He knows what the mood of the world will be at that time.

"O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before his great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."

2 Chronicles 20:12

Survival of the Unfitted

The Creation-Evolution mini-series is over (I've been so busy, I couldn't write for this blog!), and a certain chagrin hangs over my soul. I supposed we worked so hard on the series--mistakes and imperfections not withstanding--that it's a bit like losing a loved one you've known for a long time.

But let's review. Working with Tim Standish, GRI biologist and co-presenter, has been a real pleasure, as well as with Matt Lucio, my graphic designer, who can work under pressure. Russell Burrill, my right-hand man and NET 11 coordinator, has also been a blessing. And Lisa, my wife, continues to be long-suffering with her busy husband. God has blessed our efforts, though I'm fully (and somewhat painfully) aware of the things that should have been better. This is a first in the Adventist Church, and we can draw a few conclusions:

• There is a lot of interest out there on this subject, and meetings like these reach a demographic not reached before by the church: smart, thinking, mostly well educated people. I spent each night talking with some of them--beautiful people.
• At least in Nashville, three fourths of the non-SDA guests that came had a Christian background, along with a science background. One fourth were secular people with little or no Bible background.
• In general, the guests were thrilled about what they heard, and many members were also quite excited.
• We probably should hold back before live audiences the fact this is on TV or Internet; it's too easy to stay home the next night.
• Outreach continues to be hard to do, perhaps increasingly so, in Adventist churches. Most members simply do not reach out to others. In general, we are a seriously Laodicean church exempted only by a very small minority of faithful members whose lives belie Jesus is first in their lives.
• When it comes to outreach, process is important. Little by little, more members are tuning in to what we're doing, and more guests are finding out about Adventist offerings to the community.

Since last November, this NET 11 journey has been the survival of the unfitted. First, putting budget and planning team together and getting appropriate administration approval. Second, developing equipping and promotional calendars plus materials for the churches' Early Bird packages. Third, writing and getting published Adventism's Greatest Need. Fourth, planning and broadcasting Jesus in Your Church. Fifth, fundraising over $135,000 for NET 11. Sixth, writing the NET 11 Manual plus conceiving a number of other equipping pieces. Seventh, preparing and broadcasting In the Beginning. All this in addition to full-time teaching responsibilities at the Seminary. 

I look at this and wonder, not at my ability to accomplish it all, but at God's willingness to work with such a frail vessel and trust him with so much. At every juncture we've made mistakes, and yet, they seem rather inconsequential compared to the gains for the sake of the gospel.

So, here we are, only four and a half months from Prophecies Decoded's opening night, and here is a new list of prayer requests--seven, for good measure:

1. For the 575 churches so far engaged in NET 11 to not lose track of new friends made over this past weekend, and for them to maximize every opportunity for outreach this summer;
2. For pastors to carefully read the NET 11 Manual so they can be better prepared for what's coming;
3. For my research and writing of the book on prophecy, the gift book churches are to use for opening night. Unlike the previous book, I'll need to do more research for it, and only have a few weeks to do it;
4. For God to bless my summer travel--camp meetings, training events--and even open a door for what I consider a needed trip to Rome on behalf of the upcoming meetings;
5. For more donors to have a burden to give to NET 11--we need financial help;
6. For the Holy Spirit to use Adventism's Greatest Need to awaken dormant churches and people; and
7. For my health (I know many have had this burden--thank you), especially my spiritual health.

I don't know if I'll ever have the privilege to meet most or all the NET 11 prayer warriors, but that would be an enormous treat for me. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your dedication to this cause. I am absolutely sure we could be nowhere where we are today without the faithful and faith-filled prayers that each of you offer. To God be the glory!

God bless you more than you can imagine.

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now."

Philippians 1:3-5