R.E.M. It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Well, Harold Camping has predicted that today will be “The End of the World as We Know It” as it starts with an earthquake at the International Date Line at 6PM and will move westward to coincide with Christ’s return. The beginning of the end is scheduled to happen progressively at 6PM local time across the world.

This was not the first time that Camping has made such a prediction. He claimed before that this would occur between September 5 and September 27, 1994 – but those days have come and gone. Just like William Miller predicted the same – with three separate dates in 1844 and nothing happened on any of the three; expect similar results today . . . film at eleven. That's five hours past zero hour.

Although Camping has argued that the Bible supports his prophetic stance, he couldn’t be further from the Bible’s teaching on this matter. I am going to venture to say that since Camping has predicted a set day for Christ’s return, it will not happen. How can I make such a bold statement? I’ll use Camping’s argument – “the Bible Guarantees It.” Consider the following passages from the Good Book:

Matthew 25:13 (NASB) [at the conclusion of the parable of the ten virgins]: “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

Mark 13:26 & 32-33 (NASB; emphasis in the translation): “Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory . . . But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”

Luke 12:39-40 (NASB): “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

I Thessalonians 5:1-2 (NASB): “Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.”

II Peter 3:10 (NASB): “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”

I think it is pretty evident that the Bible plainly concludes that no one knows when Christ’s return is going to occur. It is also depicted as coming as a surprise - Hello!!!!

Additionally, if Jesus himself does not know, how can anyone expect Harold Camping to know? Is Camping a little presumptuous? Do ya think?

Now where did camping get his prophecy? I believe that, instead of the Bible, he had his headphones on and drifted off while listening to his favorite R.E.M. album: “Document.” This 1987 album features today’s bubbling under hit “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine).“

Qualifying as a bubbling under hit, this R.E.M. single only peaked at #69 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. With airplay on album radio, the tune did get as high as 16 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. While R.E.M. may not have been the first alternative rock band, they are certainly one of the first to achieve popularity in this genre of music . . . and this is one of their better known selections.

As far as Camping being inspired by this 1987 hit, just check out the following lyrical passages, and one can argue that R.E.M. might just have been the source of Camping's prophetic inspiration and not the Bible.

The title alone, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine),” appears to coincide with Camping’s feeling about today – May 21, 2011.

“That’s great it starts with an earthquake . . .”
Camping predicts that the coming of Christ will start with an earthquake.

“Wire in a fire representing seven games . . .”
I’m not sure what this means, but the number of perfection (7) is used, so this must be key to Camping’s prophecy. After all, Revelation is chock full of imagery around the number seven.

“Left of west and coming in a hurry . . .”
Camping’s earthquake starts at the International Date Line – which just happens to be left of the west.

“Save yourselves . . .”
Camping has been evangelistic about this message.

“Dummy with the rapture and the revered and the right.”
Ah – a mention of the Rapture – surely this song is the inspiration. Anyone who attempts to predict this auspicious occasion is certainly not clicking on all 8 cylinders – so it becomes prophetic as Camping has become the dummy in this regard.

“Feeling pretty psyched.”
He is certainly excited about today.

“Six O’Clock – TV hour.”
The prediction has the events occurring at 6PM local time all over the world. It’s not 6AM – but the TV hour – 6PM.

“This means no fear – cavalier.”
The faithful have nothing to be afraid of on May 21.

“Renegade, steer clear.”
The unbeliever will need to fear.

“Birthday party . . .”
The prediction of the date has to be occurring because it is my daughter’s birthday. How did he know this? Well he must be a faithful reader of this blog and had read about it last year. At the beginning of the video, there is a map of West Virginia - perhaps symbolic of a birthday occurring in the Mountain State. In addition, it goes without saying that if Camping knows of the end, then he surely must know everything else as well.

Boom!
Significant of the end. Need I say any more?

There is more credence to Camping’s prediction coming from the lyrics of today’s bubbling under hit than it does from the Bible, which indicates that the Day of the Lord will be unannounced. Oh by the way, if Camping just happens to be right, don’t look for this blog tomorrow. On second thought, see you on Sunday.