From the Editors March 7, 2011 Issue

Putting an end to end-times

The Editors

“Judgment day is almost here.” That is the message some people are sending out, according to a recent Associated Press wire story. They are warning that the end of the world will be coming this spring—on May 21, to be exact (www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40885541/ns/us_news-life/). 

Those who expect the trumpets to sound on that day say the calculation is based on their careful reading of Scripture. And their hope is that it’s not too late for people to heed the warning and be among those who go to heaven, saved, when Christ comes a second time to judge humanity.

This is not the first time people have rallied to the Rapture cry. It has been a theme throughout history. In the first half of the 19th century, the Baptist preacher William Miller led thousands of followers, who were drawn to his predictions that the Second Coming would occur in the year 1844. When the predicted date came and went without incident, many of his adherents fell away, while Miller himself never gave up his belief that the prophetic day of judgment was at hand. 

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