Harold Camping, the pastor behind the “Rapture” predictions/scares, has announced his retirement, according to The Christian Post and The Huffington Post.
You probably didn’t know this, but a few says ago was supposed end not only May of this year (probably the most publicized date in pop-culture this year), but also October of this year. His predictions also go back to 1994, which, of course, were wrong. His failed predictions are the reasons why the pastor is going into retirement. He also issued an apology to his followers.
The 90-year-old pastor stated, according to documentarian Brandon Tauszik, he “is no longer able to lead Family Radio Stations, Inc., or his ministry” and that Camping seemed “disappointed” by the faulty predictions.
Camping released an audio message through his radio program explaining his decision to retire. He said that the Rapture didn’t occur October 21 because it was God’s will and that “He could have stopped everything if He had wanted to.” He also said that his calculations about the Rapture were erroneous and that his followers should be very patient about the miscalculations. “At least in a minimal way we are learning to walk more and more humble before God,” he said.
Also, an apology was given for his statement that people who didn’t believe in the May 21 Rapture date weren’t being saved by God.
Privately, Camping said that no one would know when the Rapture would come, according to his interlocutor.
I’d say that its about time Camping came to these conclusions–as to whether most people care is another matter.