Contact: Sam Godfrey, 916-434-3880, sgodfrey@amazingfacts.org  

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 17, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Family Radio speaker Harold Camping has boldly predicted that the world will end on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at precisely 6:00pm. Promoting it nationally through his extensive radio network, as well as on billboards and websites such as www.wecanknow.com, Camping's assertive claims have created a media frenzy around this predicted terrifying Armageddon event that will soon end the world as we know it.

But is Camping's prediction true? And worse, is it dangerous? Those are the questions posed by international speaker Doug Batchelor, a pastor and the president of Amazing Facts, a Christian ministry known globally for its comprehensive Bible prophecy presentations.

In fact, Pastor Batchelor has directly challenged Camping, offering him $100,000 to hand over the deed and rights to the Family Radio network following the May 21 deadline. He explains, "The Bible clearly teaches in Matthew 24:36 that 'No man knows the day and hour' of Jesus' return. Christ also warned that in the last days, there would be many false teachers. It is worth asking then, does Camping's prediction match what the Bible really tells us about Christ's return? I don't believe it does. But if Camping is right, he deserves the money to spread the message; if he's wrong, he should not own a radio network."

Batchelor also warns, "Reckless predictions of the second coming of Christ create an artificial excitement among believers followed by a corresponding depression. In addition, it hardens skeptics in their unbelief and provides new fodder for cynics to mock the Christian faith." Across the country, hundreds of Family Radio listeners are quitting their jobs and selling their possessions. Pastor Batchelor hopes to set the record straight and save millions of believers the devastation, harm, and the embarrassment that will come to them having put their faith in the wild opinions of men and potentially losing everything they have. He says, "Based on Bible prophecy, we'll all still be here May 22. So what can we do to save those caught up in this deception?"

Amazing Facts is a Christian media ministry sharing the Bible through radio and television on more than 650 stations around the world. It also operates AFTV, a 24/7-satellite network (www.amazingfacts.tv). Each year, more than 300,000 people contact Amazing Facts to receive information about Bible prophecy and other topics. Its many websites also receive more than 4.9 million hits per year.

Pastor Batchelor has frequently taught on the book of Revelation on the Discovery Channel and appeared with Tim LaHaye in the National Geographic documentary The Riddle of Revelation. He is also the author of numerous articles and books on prophecy and hosts the weekly radio program Bible Answers Live.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Pastor Batchelor, contact:

Sam Godfrey
sgodfrey@amazingfacts.org
P.O. Box 1058
Roseville, CA 95678
916-434-3880