Will The World End in 2011?
By Abdul Mageed Dyton
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” Mark 13:32 (New International Version)
“They ask you, (O Muhammad) about the Hour: when is its arrival? Say: ‘Its knowledge is only with my Lord.” Holy Quran 7:187
But a grouping of Christians from Anambra State Nigeria calling themselves Family Radio says the Scriptures could not be telling the truth:
“THE END OF THE WORLD IS ALMOST HERE!
HOLY GOD WILL BRING JUDGMENT DAY ON
MAY 21, 2011” – Family Radio
In fact, they are spending millions of dollars through radio broadcasts, books, billboards, etc, in announcing throughout the world that the end of times is just in a few months time. To be precise, on 21 May 2011.
According to the information sourced on their website familyradio.com, these people feel that they are so wise and true believers in Jesus such that they are able to discern the time of the Hour.
Interestingly they quote the Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:5 to proclaim that they have the power to unlock the hidden knowledge.
“Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment” Ecclesiastes 8:5
MAN’S ENDLESS ATTEMPTS TO CONQUER THE POWER OF THE UNSEEN
It is not strange that man has through the years attempted to acquire knowledge that is beyond his realm. Man has done this through various research projects and inventions including prophesying about the end of the world.
A quick example of failed prophesies is about Charles T. Russell, the founder of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society – an organisation that is now widely known as the Jehova’s Witnesses.
At the beginning of the 19th Century, Mr. Russell predicted that the world would come to an end in October 1914. And when that prediction failed, the organisation was forced to swallow its pride and so they stated that:
“Even if the time of our change should not come within ten years, what more should we ask?………If anyone of you ever find anything better, we hope you will tell us? (Watchtower, Dec 15, 1914, P 376)
More on Jehova’s Witnesses false predictions can be read here.
Stories of dooms day cults are not strange, and events that happens after the prophesied date come to pass uneventfully are too numerous to be recounted here. Each country has its own horrific stories to narrate.
So it comes as no wonder that other people are coming again to reinvent the wheel.
HOW THEY CAME ABOUT TO KNOW THE DATE
According to a booklet titled We are almost there written by Harold Camping of Family Radio in Califonia USA pages 8 to 18, it appears it is easy to calculate the end of the world starting from the creation of the world:
“As we carefully study the Bible, we discover that the world was created about 13,000 years ago. The Bible is very precise, so when we harmonize the Biblical calendar with our modern calendar, we know that the year of creation was 11,013 B.C.” (Revised Edition: August 2010)
So to these guys, calculating the doomsday is as simple as ABCD…
“Amazingly, May 21, 2011 is the 17th day of the 2nd month of the Biblical calender of our day. Remember, the flood waters also began on the 17th day of the 2nd month, in the year 4990 B.C. (Familyradio.com)
“The final five months of the earth’s history begins on May 21, 2011 and will end on October 21, 2011………… Thus there are five months, consisting of 153 days……., during which time the events of Mark 13:24-27 must take place” (Revised Edition: August 2010)
WHAT DOES THE SCRIPTURES SAY ABOUT THE HOUR?
Both the Holy Bible and the Holy Quran categorically state that is is only Allah the Almighty that has knowledge of the Hour as quoted at the beginning of this article.
The Holy Quran even goes on to say:
“They ask you as if you are familiar with it. Say, ‘It’s knowledge is only with Allah’.” Holy Quran 7: 187
The Holy Bible also adds that:
“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Mark 13:33 (New International Version)
So for anyone to wake up and proclaim that they know the final day, is not only outrageous but blasphemy of the highest order.
WHAT TO DO AS WE WAIT FOR THE HOUR?
Narrated Anas: A man asked the Prophet about the Hour saying “When will the Hour be?” The Prophet said, “What have you prepared for it?” The man said, “Nothing except that I love Allah and His Apostle.” The Prophet said, “You will be with those whom you love.” Bukhari 5:57
Jesus Christ is also quoted to have said:
“And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Mark 13:37 (New English Version).
What is required by the people is to be steadfast in one’s faith and not be moved by these fame-seeking individuals. The major signs that leads towards the Day of Judgment have all not come to pass and it is madness to frighten the masses as done by others before them.
I therefore call upon the religious leaders to come upfront and condemn these people in strongest terms possible.
I conclude with a verse from the Holy Quran, Surah Al-Imran:
“And do not be grieved, (O Muhammad), by those who hasten into disbelief. Indeed they will never harm Allah at all. Allah intends that He should give them no share in the Hereafter and for them is a great punishment.” Holy Quran 3:176
