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Oakland Evangelist Predicts New End Of World: Today

OAKLAND (CBS SF) - An Oakland evangelist who famously—and incorrectly—predicted the end of the world on May 21 has said the "final end of everything" will probably happen Friday.

Harold Camping, founder of the nonprofit Christian radio network Family Radio Worldwide, has posted several lengthy statements on his website, www.familyradio.com, explaining why the original date of May 21 was incorrect and predicting that October 21 would most likely be "the final end of everything."

May 21 was the beginning of God's final judgment, and the day when he stopped saving sinners in preparation for the end of days, Camping wrote.

Oct. 21 is the end of a period of final judgment, and "at this point it looks like it will be the final end of everything," Camping said in an undated recorded statement.

Camping has assured his followers that he believes there will be no pain for unbelievers or dramatic apocalypse.

"I really believe that there's going to be no big display of any kind, the end is going to come very, very quietly, probably in the next month, probably by Oct. 21," Camping said in the recorded statement.

Camping gained national publicity for his prediction after his organization placed billboards around the Bay Area and across the country warning that God would destroy the world on May 21.

Critics at the time, however, noted that Camping had also made such a prediction in 1994.

Camping suffered a stroke in June, but his recorded message indicated that he was at home with his wife and making progress.

A person who answered the phone at Family Radio Network said there would be no media interviews or statements released regarding Camping's prediction.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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