Vol. 9, No. 9, 1992

Articles on Cults and New Religions

by Rick Branch

Have plans been made yet for this year's Thanksgiving day?

Has the idea of early Christmas shopping, in hopes of beating that Christmas rush, been entertained?

If so, according to the Church of the Livingstone and Mission for the Coming Days (hereafter CLMCD), these plans are a waste of time. According to this group, "The Lord has revealed the exact time of the Rapture, October 28, 1992 at 24:00 hours by Korean Time" (Jesus Is Finally Coming: Are You Ready for the Rapture on October 28, 1992?, p. 48). Thus, there will be no Thanksgiving or Christmas this year!

If this sounds familiar, it should.

Cults That Predicted The End

Throughout history, there have been numerous groups that have predicted an end to the world or have predicted the second coming of Christ.

For long-time readers of the Watchman Expositor, recollections of Edgar Whisenant and his 88 Reasons for the Rapture in 1988 or his Final Shout in 1989 may flood the memory (Watchman Expositor, Vol. 5, No. 9, 1988 and Vol. 6, No. 9, 1989).

Also, there was William Miller and Hiram Edson in the 1840's who were two of the earliest to begin setting dates (Ibid, Vol. 6, No. 3, 1989).

The Jehovah's Witnesses have repeatedly made end-time predictions. So many in fact, Watchman Fellowship has compiled a witnessing tool entitled, Jehovah's Witnesses and the Dating Game which documents their predictions for 1914, 1918, 1925 and 1975.

The New Age groups are not to be left out of this prestigious line-up. The Church Universal and Triumphant of Elizabeth Clare Prophet made a dire prediction in 1990 (Watchman Expositor Vol. 7, No. 4, 1990).

In addition, Herbert W. Armstrong, the founder of the Worldwide Church of God made several of his own false prophecies which were documented in an earlier edition of the Watchman Expositor (Vol. 8, No. 5, 1991).

Added to this list is the prediction of the Church of the Livingstone and Mission for the Coming Days.

History

Approximately 18 months ago a small pamphlet arrived at the Arlington Texas office of Watchman Fellowship entitled, "God's Judgement Day is Near: In Autumn 1992, Jesus is Coming Again"

This pamphlet was filed in the WF research files.

Then in the Fall of 1991 alert readers of the Watchman Expositor began sending full-page ads which were appearing in the local newspapers from this group to WF.

Over the next few months several pamphlets made their way to the WF office explaining that Jesus would not simply return sometime in the Autumn, but in fact, He would return in October (In Oct. 1992, Jesus is Coming Again: What's the Secret of 666?).

Still later it was revealed that not just sometime in October of 1992 but on the 28th day of October (God's Judgement Day Is Near: October 28, 1992, Jesus is Coming Again).

As a result of having further information and what appeared to be a nationwide campaign by CLMCD, a brief article entitled "The End Is Here Again!" was prepared for the Watchman Expositor (Vol. 8, No. 8, 1991).

However, since that time, WF has been able to acquire a copy of CLMCD's book Jesus Is Finally Coming: Are You Ready for the Rapture on October 28, 1992? in which they explain how they were able to determine the precise date.

Finding The Year

Similar to the Bible twisting and mental gymnastics accomplished by the leaders of the Jehovah's Witnesses and Herbert W. Armstrong of the Worldwide Church of God, the CLMCD yank the same passages from their context, wrench them into a new position and arrive at their proposed October date.

After quoting the passage which explains that "No one knows about that day or hour Matthew 24:36" the CLMCD proceed with a very interesting observation.

"The most often challenged question is, `The Bible says no man knows the day of Christ's return.' And the skeptics condemn us for knowing the very hour and day and month and year of Jesus' return" (Jesus Is Finally Coming: Are You Ready for the Rapture on October 28, 1992? p. 42).

Though the Bible is explicit on the subject, the CLMCD follow immediately by explaining, "There are several Scriptures that imply Christians can know the day and hour of Jesus' return" (Ibid, p. 45).

Upon this premise, the CLMCD begin to build their case.

They state, "One must not try to set dates for the return of Christ with man's wisdom and knowledge. Some prophetic scholars of the past have missed possibly because of misinterpreting and miscalculating certain Scriptures.

"But if God reveals the date, we can know for sure" (Ibid, p. 46).

Later in their book, the CLMCD explain, "`October 28, 1992 at 24:00 hours' was revealed to us by God Himself. We never attempted to know or find out the time of the Rapture.

"God simply started to reveal to the meek and lowly of heart through visions, dreams, prophecies, and voices a few years back.

"Therefore, we can safely conclude that it was God's revelation" (Ibid, p. 63).

Thus, this October 28th date did not come simply by scriptural manipulation but, according to the CLMCD, by revelation.

Having thus confirmed that it was God's voice giving these prophecies, the CLMCD next turned to scriptural proof-texting.

To gain an approximate date, the CLMCD explain, "From the time of Abraham until the coming of Christ, God had protected Israel for 2000 years. But when the Jews murdered the Messiah, the salvation was extended to the Gentiles.

"God also gave the Gentiles the same period of 2000 years to fill the numbers of fellow servants and brothers in Christ" (Ibid, p. 56).

Thus, based on this 2000 year span of time, the approximate Second Coming date is now known. But more details are still needed.

Therefore, they write, "Sometimes 1 day is represented as 1 year and 1000 years. Therefore, Sabbath, Sabbatic year, 6 stone jars, 6 hour crucifixion on the cross reflect 6000 years of man related to the 1000 year of Millennium.

"The Bible shows that the period from Adam to Christ was precisely 4000 years and since the birth of Jesus Christ, 1992 years have passed by.

"Man's history is 6000 years and if we subtract the seven-year tribulation period, the year 1992 is the year of Jesus' return in the air and the Rapture" (Ibid, p. 66).

Aside from the bizarre interpretation of biblical numbers, the author of this book appears to lack certain skills in mathematics. For 2000 minus seven is not 1992 but rather 1993!

Next the CLMCD endeavor to build a two-pronged argument.

First they explain, "In the Bible, the fig tree symbolizes the nation of Israel. `Putting forth leaves' refers to the independence of Israel on May 14, 1948."

Second they calculate that a biblical "generation was 51.5.7 years." They explain, "This figure comes from studying the genealogy of Jesus. From Abraham to Jesus, there were 42 generations in 2166 years. By dividing 42 into 2,166 years, you have 51.5.7 years."

These two figures are vital to their 1992 dating system, for they declare, "If we add 51 years to the year 1948, the year 1999 is the year of the Glorious Appearing to the whole earth.

"As we have observed, the previous findings point to and around the year 1999. And again, subtracting 7 years from 1999 equals the year 1992" (Ibid, pp. 67-68).

What happened to 2000 minus seven equalling 1992? What happened to that extra year? Also, the CLMCD originally stated there were 2000 years between Abraham and Jesus (p. 56, mentioned above) but now they are saying that actually it was 2,166 years. What happened to the extra 166 years!?

Does it appear to anyone besides this author that the Bible and biblical numbers are being manipulated?

Finding the Month, Day and Hour

Having firmly established the year of the rapture, the CLMCD next turns to finding scriptural evidence for the month, day and hour of Jesus Second Coming.

After a long and convoluted series of calculation, they explain, "It symbolizes the Rapture of the church and on the Rosh Hashanah the trumpets will be heard. In 1992, Rosh Hashanah falls on September 28th by using our Gregorian calendar.

"Notice it's not October 28th?" (Ibid, p. 72). However, this apparent discrepancy is no problem for the CLMCD.

Using the passage in Numbers 9:10 they explain, "God allowed the children of Israel to postpone the Passover one month..." (Ibid).

Hence, "This explains why the Rapture date is October 28th instead of September 28th. Since Rapture is a spiritual Passover, God will delay the time of the Feast of Trumpets by one month, in order to deliver more souls from the Tribulation"(Ibid, p. 72).

Knowing the year, the month, and even the day, the CLMCD next explains how they were able to determine the exact minute of Jesus' Second Coming.

"God gave the righteous more insight as the Rapture date drew nearer. God revealed the general time, the year 1992 first.

"Later, as judgement drew nearer, He revealed the month, October of 1992. Then, He revealed the date, 28th October. Next, the exact time, October 28, 1992 at 24:00 hours was revealed to us, Koreans" (Ibid, p. 73).

Realizing that few people have a global time chart handy, the CLMCD printed in the English version of their book the time of the Rapture in America.

"In the United States by Eastern Standard Time RAPTURE will happen at 10:00 am." (Ibid, p. 99).

Conclusion

What is to be the conclusion of such an article?

Simply stated, if the Rapture happens on October 28th, the CLMCD truly heard the voice of God.

However, if the Rapture does not occur, they heard the voice of another spiritual being and the world has another false prophet and another cult!