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These criticisms come after a Christian numerologist named David Meade predicts that the world as we know it will end on September 23, 2017.
One of these pastors is Wallace Henley, an associate pastor of Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. According to Christian Post, he thinks that these end of days theories are caused by reading the scriptures wrong.
In his words, “I do believe that there are some very serious and deeply committed Bible students who do come to those conclusions. I think they are reading the Scriptures wrong when they do that just as I would say that someone who denies the deity of Jesus is reading the Scripture wrong.”
Time in the Bible “is not cyclical, as many far Eastern religions say, but neither is it strictly linear as Western reductionism says. It is linear-cyclical.”
He adds, “We’re also in an age of tremendous marketing when publishers are looking for something that will move the market.”
ALSO READ: Christian researchers are not deceiving anyone with their fake predictions
Ed Stetzer, an American author, missiologist and pastor, has harsher words for Meade.
He basically called the prediction ‘an embarrassment to Christians and the faith convictions we take so seriously and a distortion of God’s word.’
Stetzer also stated that “there is no such thing as a legitimate ‘Christian numerologist.’ David Meade, the man the Fox News article cites as their source for these claims, doesn’t have any formal, academic training in numerology.”
Towards the end, he wrote, “ultimately, the notion that so many around us are being duped by pretenders like Meade should break our hearts and stir in us a passion for the spreading of truth in our communities. As believers, we can be certain that the fight against fake news has clear connections to our calling….
“In working to promote the dispersion of that which is true in the public square, we are ultimately living out Jesus’ promise to believers in John 8:32: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
This was all said in his article on Christianity Today titled, ‘No, the World Won’t End Next Week and There’s No Such Thing as a Christian Numerologist.’
Christian scientist, Jonathan Sarfati, expressed the same thoughts, according to the Express.
In his words, “As usual with any astrology (or Christian adaptations of it), one cherry-picks the stars that fit the desired conclusion. There is nothing to suggest that 23 September is a momentous date for biblical prophecy, and Christians need to be careful about being drawn into such sensationalist claims.”
Russell Moore, a theologist also agrees with aforementioned that the prediction is false.
He revealed his stance in a straightforward tweet.
Clearly, no one thinks the world is ending tomorrow.
What do you think?