With the prophesied second coming of the Lord less than 24 hours away, at least one reverend has admitted that he has been contacted by 'unsaved persons' expressing interest in baptism.

Reverend W A Blair of the New Testament Church of God explained that as the May 21 deadline draws closer, he has received an increase in calls from persons desirous of baptism. "I have had an increase in calls yesterday and today (Wednesday and Thursday) from persons expressing interest in baptism but I have advised them not to panic," Blair said.

A surprised Blair has never experienced such an expressed interest of unsaved persons to become Christians before. "It is unscriptual and it is not right for the people to be frightened ... the panic now is unparalleled because I have never seen it like this before ... I am amazed that the frenzy has been taken up by so many people," said Blair who points out that while the calls have increased he has not seen an increase in the attendance of unsaved persons to church.

not biblical

He is not convinced that 'Judgement Day' will arrive on the given date but maintained "The coming is extremely near," as represented by signs outlined in the Bible. "It is not biblical and therefore it is not real," he added. "Whose report do you believe, the word of the Lord Jesus Christ or the man who is prophesying?".

At the same time, THE WEEKEND STAR has received unconfirmed reports that a church in rural Jamaica baptised 1000 persons in a single night earlier this week. THE WEEKEND STAR also visited the streets of the Corporate Area to garner the views of unsaved persons.

"No. I don't believe nothing, it is said in the Bible no one knows the hour or night God is coming," one woman said. A man explained that " Hell no, God alone know wen him a go come fi him world yah,".

The prophecy was put forward by an American religious group from Pennsylvania that announced Judgement Day to be May 21 followed by total destruction of the world by fire five months later on October 21.

According to Harold Camping, president of Christian radio network Family Stations Inc, on May 21, 2011 two events will occur. A great earthquake will occur, the Bible describes it as "such as was not since men were upon the Earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great." This earthquake will be so powerful it will throw open all graves. The remains of all the believers who have ever lived will be instantly transformed into glorified spiritual bodies to be forever with God.

unsaved people

On the other hand, the bodies of all unsaved people will be thrown out upon the ground to be shamed.

The inhabitants who survive the earthquake will exist in a world of horror and chaos beyond description. Each day people will die until October 21, 2011 when God will completely destroy the Earth and its surviving inhabitants, Family Station Inc said on its website".

Bishop Rowan Edwards, president of the Jamaica Full Gospel Assembly of Churches, described the prediction as untrue. "It's utter madness I tell you," he said. "It's a facade ... The God that I serve sent his only begotten son and he says that no man knows the time nor the hour of His coming ... the coming of the Lord is sure but nobody knows when."

Similarly, Reverend Jim Parkes of the Christ Church in Vineyard Town is not persuaded. "I would be quite reluctant to accept any date given by anyone because that would not be consistent with Jesus' words," he said.