Christian history is filled with people who interpreted events in their lifetime as fulfillments of the end-times Bible prophecies, but were wrong.  In fact, many of the modern day Christian sects actually started around interpretations of prophecy that failed to come true.  The truth is, much of the theology that now sets certain sects apart from the mainstream came about because of their leaders' need to explain why their predictions failed.

Some modern scholars actually suggest that this is the reason the New Testament book of Revelation was written.  They believe the Apostle John wrote Revelation to explain why Jesus failed to return when expected by first-century believers.  They point to the words of the Apostle Peter, which seem to suggest he believed the end would come during the lifetime of first-century believers. He said, “The end of all things is at hand: therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer (1 Peter 4:7).

Soon afterwards, “the end of all things,” as Peter knew it, did come.  The city of Jerusalem was destroyed, the Jewish nation ceased to exist, and the Jewish people were scattered among the nations.  Jesus, however, didn't return.

From the time of the Apostles to the present day, people’s interest in prophecy has had its highs and lows.  When times were difficult and uncertain, interest in prophecy tended to be high. And in the good times, interest in prophecy was often low.

The rebirth of Israel in 1948 brought renewed interest in Bible prophecy in America.  In 1970, a book on prophecy actually made the New York best-seller list, and was named the No. 1 selling book of the decade.  It was Hal Lindsey’s, The Late Great Planet Earth. The Christian world once again got ready for Christ’s glorious return to earth.  Yet, like all those times before, Jesus didn’t show up.

All through 2000 years of Christian history, we find similar stories of failed prophetic predictions.  Some of them are tragic.  And each time this story is repeated, another group of God’s people experience great disillusionment and confusion.

It’s no wonder we’ve arrived at a time in Christian history when – instead of flames revival – the subject of Bible prophecy can spark suspicion and skepticism.  Yet this is not the first time many of God’s people have had this attitude and have stopped watching for current events that could fulfill prophecy.

This was the same attitude many of Israel’s spiritual leaders had when Jesus began his earthly ministry.  Certainly, this man was not the one the prophecies had told about, they reasoned.  After all, so many others had come before Him claiming to be Israel’s long awaited Messiah.  And just as many had proven false.  In other words, Jesus came to Israel at a time when they least expected it.