In the Ramsey home, the last week has been one of prayers and goodbyes.
The prayers are for friends and family, even if, like Ramsey's father, they don't believe ("He says it's our own thing and that we'll see on Saturday," Ramsey says). Friends -- the couple has few left aside from fellow Judgement Day preachers -- have come over for Mexican Lasagna, one of Ramsey's favorites.
On Thursday, Paladines' mother flew up from Florida. They hadn't seen each other for a year. Mom doesn't believe the end is near. "This is just a phase that will pass," she tells her daughter, who breaks down in tears at the words.
Over the weekend, mother, daughter and son-in-law went out to eat sushi at their favorite spot in Harrison. They wandered the halls of the American Museum of Natural History, gazing in awe at God's creations: an IMAX film on ancient creatures of the ocean, a hall of life-size taxidermied African mammals and an exhibition on 25,000 miles of ancient road's created during the Incan empire.
"We still have until May 21," says Paladines, hoping her mother will come around.
She caresses the bulge of her belly, smiling and shedding a tear as she feels the baby's slight kicks.
This may be one of her last memories of him, she thinks. Judgment Day followers believe that for those who are saved, there will be no recollection of the pains or pleasures of earth while in heaven.
"God is in control. I have prayed for mercy on my baby," Paladines says, crying. "But I don't know what's going to happen. If I'm here May 21, then I will suffer the consequences of the wrath of God. I know like anybody else I'll deserve it because none of us are perfect."
"I don't know how heaven will be. Just a very nice and beautiful place," she says. "Nothing that we have ever seen before."
Several Judgment Day caravans have taken off from California and other states in recent weeks, traveling to many corners of the U.S. to preach. Followers have quit their jobs and depleted their savings to join the effort.
Last week, hundreds of them converged in Manhattan business districts and parks before heading to Delaware and Boston.
Ramsey came with his mother and brother to Union Square.
"The enemy is coming!" he shouted to bewildered passersby. He wore a neon green shirt proclaiming "Judgement Day: May 21, 2011."
It was just after 5 p.m. on a Thursday as Ramsey held out stacks of pamphlets ("GOD GIVES ANOTHER INFALLABLE PROOF THAT ASSURES THE RAPTURE WILL OCCUR MAY 21, 2011," one read) to a crowd of suited men and women briskly walking and tapping at their Blackberries and iPhones.
The pamphlets were ordered free of charge from Family Radio's web site. Other organizations, including eBiblefellowship and WeCanKnow.com have also given out free materials.
"We only have a few days left -- can you pipe down?" a middle-aged man said to the Ramseys.
A young woman wearing sunglasses and driving a BMW pulled up and rolled down her window. She took a stack of pamphlets and immediately dropped it to the ground.
"You're insane," she said, before speeding away.
"People have a total disregard for the Bible," says Ramsey. "It seems like the ones who have everything God has to offer don't want to let go. They're absolutely terrified."
While he has passed out hundreds of pamphlets, Ramsey, like several other preachers interviewed, admits he has only seen a few dozen people actually read them.
"For a long time, I wouldn't have either," he says. "I never imagined I'd be the one to warn about The End."
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