So Much For Rapture Day

     Because my birthday was the same day as "Rapture Day," I feel compelled to comment on it. Harold Camping, the preacher who predicted rapture day, is in seclusion. Ya think?! I would imagine some of his benefactors are going to want some of that $7 million back.
     How can a Christian man, who supposedly lives by the gospel, believe he can predict the end of the world? It clearly says in the bible that no one will know when the end comes. So what compels a man to such arrogance? And what compels people to believe him?
     Revelations, interpreted as a prediction of our future, is a relatively new idea, conceptualized by two Catholic writers in the 18th century. Their interpretation was rejected by the Vatican but gained a cult following. This cult views Earth changes as divine and "signs" of the second coming of Christ. I have grown up listening to different religious groups attempting to predict the end of the world on dates that have come and gone with nary a whimper. You would think someone would have gotten a clue, but they still continue to predict the end.
     My long-time neighbor of 47 years died on my birthday/rapture day. Brother Young was a Baptist preacher. He performed marriages for some members of my family and buried all of them, even though no one in my family was Baptist. He was still a friend and knew everyone in my family.
     Back in the 70s he was diagnosed with cancer. I had a dream that he was cured and when I saw him I told him about it. He laughed and said, "God willing." Sure enough, Brother Young's cancer went into remission for the next 35+ years. His cancer returned at the age of 95 and ultimately claimed his life. I guess you could say he was raptured away.
     I wish this futurists "end of the world" cult would focus as much energy on the living, breathing ball we exist on instead of putting all of their energy into waiting for the end. So much more could be accomplished on this planet if people weren't "waiting" for the end. Seriously. How much do you get accomplished when you're waiting on something? So to the "end" cult I say, stop waiting! You're wasting your life away. We all die eventually so make sure you are spiritually prepped and live each day like it was your last.