Think the world is coming to an end in 2012? According to this billboard sign in Bridgeton, NJ, you're greatly mistaken. The sign is the handiwork of Edwin Ramos, the owner and operator of American Industrial Electrical Contractors; his business is dead however, thanks to his fervent belief in and promotion of the idea that the world will end on May 21, 2011. There is a mostly-sad profile of apocalypse-chaser Ramos on NJ.com today, and his sad campaign to warn the world the end is nigh, like a friendless, truck-driving Noah.
Ramos says he was clued into the destruction of mankind through the radio preachings of Harold Camping, of FamilyRadio: “About three months ago, it hit me. Camping had kept talking about the end of the world, but I didn’t really understand it until then. That was when I knew I had to start to warn people.” Ramos said he covered his work trailer in a wrap bearing the same message as the billboards, which is when things really started getting depressing: “I was pulling this trailer with my work truck, which still had my company logo, and of course people saw it and I stopped getting as many calls...I started to notice my friends were not calling as much. I also stopped having as much contact with my in-laws." From what we can tell, like Carl Paladino, FamilyRadio thinks that "Gay Pride" is the major sign of the end times. Other than that, their beliefs mostly stick to the tried-and-true crucible of fire and brimstone fun.
But if you're wondering where the date for the end of the world comes from, here is the "almost infallible proof" to explain why we all better get our sinning over with before May 21 next year:
Because the year 2011 A.D. is exactly 7,000 years after 4990 B.C. when the flood began, the Bible has given us absolute proof that the year 2011 is the end of the world during the Day of Judgment, which will come on the last day of the Day of Judgment.
Amazingly, May 21, 2011 is the 17th day of the 2nd month of the Biblical calendar of our day. Remember, the flood waters also began on the 17th day of the 2nd month, in the year 4990 B.C.
Ramos added that there is a five-month judgment period after May 21, just like when you apply to buy a handgun. The world won't be completely obliterated until Oct. 21; it's good to know that even when it comes to the apocalypse, there is still a layaway period.