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few weeks ago is quite surprising.
The huge billboards read: Judgment Day, 21 May . . . The Bible guarantees it . . . Cry mightily unto God (Jonah 3:8) . . . Shortwave 7395 kHz 19:00 – 22:00 . . . FamilyRadio.com. Are local authorities so desperate for money that they allow such heresies to be spread by United States of America preacher (Harold Camping), who has many times made false predictions about the apocalypse?
Who in our local authorities allowed these billboards to be put up? Was it done under the epistemological spirit of diversity and accommodation, and if so, is it in line with biblical principles that the Christian faith has to compromise itself for the sake of money? Which Zimbabwean church(es) or organisation(s) is/are working with Family Radio International?
If local preachers who are currently labeling each other in all sorts of manner, let this one pass, what does it say about us?
Many people might not have taken this message seriously, but believers are not at the same level of spiritual maturity. It might not have been a mainstream news item as it did with reputable magazines like Time taking on Camping.
There might not have been a panic mode as in some places around the world, where people sold away everything because they thought that the rapture would be on May 21, but in a country where more than 75 percent profess to be Christians, why would people have even entertained an idea that the Lord’s coming should be announced on billboards, and then use modern technology to watch an event that should happen in the twinkling of an eye?
When others like Camping try this in future, for the devil thrives on weaknesses, will Zimbabwe continue to be gullible?
As a Shortwave radio listener, this writer has listened to Harold Camping since 2004, and has heard him make these preposterous claims about the end times. But, he has a huge following worldwide. Despite some Christian believers challenging his claims, others have a lot of faith in him.
According to Wikipedia, “Camping is notable for applying numerology to his interpretations of Bible passages to predict dates for the End Times. In his 2011 end times prediction, he calculated that the rapture would occur on May 21, 2011, and that God would subsequently completely destroy the Earth and the universe five months later on October 21. He had previously predicted judgment days on May 21, 1988, and September 7, 1994.” Apart from warning of false prophets, the Lord Jesus makes it very clear that the day and hour about His second coming is unknown. During the Olivetti discourse He told His disciples (and us): “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”. (Matthew 24: 36; Mark 13: 32; Luke 17: 26 – 36, NIV).
But people like Camping cannot be stopped from preaching their heresies because they are only fulfilling what the Word says. The gratification though is that Jesus said, “. . . I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it”. (Matthew 16: 18)
Forthcoming events
Event: Revival – Apostolic Flame Ministries of Zimbabwe
Date: May 26 – 28
Venue: Rutendo Hall, Mufakose
Time: 5:30 – 8pm
Theme: Igniting the Apostolic flame (Luke 12: 49)
Hosts: Rev T O and Amai Chipunza
Contact: 04-772830-1/0714127394-9
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Event: Miracle Crusade – Jesus for Africa Evangelistic Ministries
Date: May 25 – 28
Venue: Mbizo Shopping Centre, Kwekwe
Time: 5:30 – 9pm
Theme: Igniting the Apostolic flame (Luke 12: 49)
Hosts: Evangelist Paul Saungweme
Contact:0772544944
0772638905/0773610570
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Event: Good News explosion crusade
Dates: May 26 – 29
Time: 6 – 8pm
Venue: Mount Hope Harare International Church, 104 Enterprise Rd, Highlands
Speaker: Rev Greg Hubbard
Hosts: General Council Assemblies of God – Zimbabwe
Contact: 0772901077/0772297929
***
Event: Action Celebrate International Conference
Dates: May 23 – 29
Theme: Walking in Wisdom
Hosts: Pastors Tom and Bonnie Deuschle
Venue: Celebration Center
Guest speaker: Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin
Contact: 04-850888-92
***
Event: 2011 Leadership Life Development Convention
Dates: May 23 – 29
Theme: Maximising: Building life relationships
Venue: Bible Life Ministries (City of the Lord’s Complex, Broadhurst, Gaborone, Botswana)
Host: Dr Enock Sitima
Speakers: Bishop I V Hilliard, Ron Kenoly, Dr Rob Thompson
Contact: (+267) 395 7298
***
Event: Revival – AFM Living Word Tabernacle
Dates: May 23 – 29
Venue: Living Word Tabernacle, Avondale
Theme: Pursuing greater kingdom exploits
Host: Pastor P V Makarichi
Speakers: Rev A Madziyire and Pastor Rodney Chipoyera
***
Event: Arise and shine talk show
Date: May 28
Venue: Celebration Centre
Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm
Theme: Walking in Wisdom
Hosts: Pastors Tom and Bonnie Deuschle
Special guests: Nicole C Mullen and Narlene Jackson
Contact: 04-850888-92
***
Event: Prayer and fasting Retreat
Date: May 28
Time: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Venue: 20 R Mugabe/Cnr Harare St
Host: Redemption Ministries International (Apostle T Ndebele)
Contact: 0774165511/0712407908
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Event: Celebrating Pentecost
Dates: June 3 – 5
Venue: Mazarura Village/Zvimba, Kasanze
Speaker: Bishop C Mutasa
Hosts: Mabasa Ezviratidzo Apostolic Church
Contact: 0772958814
0733230868
***
Event: 10th Anniversary – Christian Light Ministries International
Date: June 10 – 11
Venue: No 236, Cnr Churchill/Pinnar Rd, Waterfalls
Theme: Building pillars, structures and walls
Time: 10am – 6pm
Hosts: Apostle Peter Zhangazha
Contact: 0772344153
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Event: Big Sunday – Spirit Embassy
Date: June 5
Venue: HICC, Rainbow Towers
Time: 1:30pm
Hosts: Prophet Uebert and Pastor Beverly Angel
Contact: 0772411278/0772366228
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Event: Men of Substance meeting
Date: June 11
Time: 2pm – 4:30pm
Venue: 20 R Mugabe/Harare St
Theme: The role of man according to God
Host: Redemption Ministries International (Apostle Tose Ndebele)
Contact: 0774165511/0712407908
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins”. (1 Peter 4: 7-8)
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