The Semi-Official Blog of Zack Hunt
As you probably already know the end of the world could be just around the corner. May 21st to be exact according to a group affiliated with Family Radio.
Here at The American Jesus we want to help you, our beloved readers, prepare for this imminent apocalypse. So, we went straight to the source for answers and the folks behind the May 21st Judgement Day awareness campaign were gracious enough to answer a few questions for us.
And I know you’re wondering, so let me assure you: YES this is a REAL interview!!
So, before we begin we want to say a very special thank you to Gunther von Harringa, Sr., President of Bible Ministries International and everyone at Family Radio and WeCanKnow.com for taking the time out of their very busy schedule to answer our questions.
Tough question first: What would you say in response to those who would argue that the Bible never talks about the rapture, nor does the word or concept appear in the Bible, but rather it is simply a 18th century theological construction?
Quite simply, they do not believe the Bible, nor do they understand the enormous relevance of the the resurrection, and subsequent glorification of the bodies of “most” true believers; there are a few exceptions – like Enoch, Elijah and others, who already possess their glorified spiritual bodies). While it is true that the word “Rapture” dos not appear in the Bible, the word “shall be caught up” does, as it appears in 1 Thes. 4:17 (as well as 12 other citation). Please note the very significant context of verses 13-18, plus it precedes one of the most important chapters on the Bible that we can absolutely KNOW the timing of the “catching up” and the Day of Judgment (which is a period of 153 days in actuality from May 21, 2011 – October 21, 2011) in 1 Thes. 5:1-5:
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
I Cor. 15:51-57 corroborates this as well: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament echoes this same hope in Job 19:25-27, For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Easier question: Are Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye supporters of your cause?
I doubt it.
Could their Left Behind series be used as a survival manual for those that are left behind after May 21st?
I have never read their books, so I can’t comment. As mentioned above, the 153 days of Judgment is God’s wrath upon those who are left behind – which will consist of the vast majority of mankind – there will no mercy whatsoever during this most horrific time.
You have volunteer groups caravaning around the country spreading your message; have you been able to convince any doubters of the truth of your message and if so how many?
Nobody is “keeping track” as salvation is entirely up to God, according to John 1:13, Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.Wonderfully, however, God is saving more people in our day than at any other time in history, so there is GREAT HOPE in the remaining days that are left before God shuts the door to salvation forever on May 21st, as Rev. 7:9 beautifully proclaims, After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Furthermore, no human being can convince another person with regard to truth…only God can open an individual’s spiritual eyes and ears to the truth…as Isa. 35:1-6 affirms, The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
The reaction we get is the same reaction that the Apostle Paul received in Acts 17:32-34 and has been the case throughout history: And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 33 So Paul departed from among them. 34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
What is the worst reaction you have received to your campaign to make people aware of the impending Judgment Day?
I have no idea since this is a global movement, but he Lord Jesus best expressed it when He said in John 15:18-21, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
What is the best reaction you have received to your campaigning to make people aware of the impending Judgment Day?
This can only be when a person truly becomes “born from above” – which is altogether through the WORK and FAITH of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to Gal. 2:16, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.’
Are you familiar with William Tapley, the self-proclaimed “Third Eagle of the Apocalypse” and “Co-prophet of the End Times”? And if so, have you consulted his prophetic expertise on this matter?
The only source of expertise on any Biblical subject is the Bible itself. The information that Family Radio (and others like Bible Ministries International, E-Bible Fellowship.com, etc.) is putting forth is free, and comes only from the Bible, the fountainhead of ALL Truth. We encourage all to examine it in the light of Acts 17:11-12, These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Recently Michigan pastor Rob Bell published a book called Love Wins in which he argues that people will get a second chance after death to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Do you think that anyone will be able to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior after May 21st or will that mark the end of everyone’s opportunity for salvation?
Unfortunately, all hope of salvation will end on Mat 21st. As a matter of fact, salvation is NOT dependent on anything a person DOES – it is a GIFT from God. Man is spiritually dead, and cannot do anything to save himself, as we read in Eph 2: 1-10, And you hath he quickened [“made alive”] who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Your argument for May 21st 2011 being Judgment Day stems in large part from the idea that God changed his mind when Jesus said no one, including Himself, knows the hour or the day that He will return. Is it possible that God could once again change His mind and decide not to hold the Judgment Day on May 21st?
God did not “change ” His mind, He merely gave us additional information that we must take into serious consideration. Jesus, Who is eternal God, KNOWS everything – after all – as a “baby” in Isa. 9:6 He is called “…the mighty God, the everlasting Father…” In question #1, I alluded to 1 Thes. 5:1 where the terms “the times” and ” the seasons” appear together as well as in Acts 1:7(-8) which states, And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. It is true that during the “church age” (May 22, 33 AD – May 21, 1988) – a period of 1955 years – God “hid” any end-time information in the Bible, as we learn from Dan. 12:4 and 9-10, But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased… 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Only now that we are very close to the “End” (and after 1988) has God chosen to “reveal” this information that He Himself hid, as we read in Rev. 5:1-5, And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Just for the sake of argument, if God does indeed choose to change his mind and delay Judgment Day, how would your group proceed? Is the Mayan date of December 21, 2012 a possible backup date in case May 21st doesn’t turn out to be the end of all things?
No, the Mayan calendar has nothing to do with the Bible. God will not change His mind because He Has given us the accurate date in order for genuine believers to warn their families, friends, and the world at large, as He commands in Eze. 33:7, So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. There are also no other “back-up dates” because the Bible guarantees this with many proofs and much evidence…it WILL happen, and NOTHING can prevent it.
Once again, just for the sake of argument, if God does change His mind and delay His plans, then would you be willing to conduct a follow up interview with us, or if they do turn out as you have told everyone they will, could we go ahead and set up an interview in heaven?
Because of the utter devastation that will engulf the entire world an interview would be virtually impossible; moreover, by God’s mercy, I don’t plan on being here.
Thank you once again for taking a moment to answer our questions during what I’m sure is an incredibly busy time for you. We join with you and John the Revelator in saying “Come quickly Lord Jesus.”
You’re more than welcome…thank you for the opportunity to share this most awesome warning. We invite all who are interested to learn more from www.familyradio.com where they can download much information (for free) or have it sent to them by mail free, and postage paid, by calling 800-543-1495.
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