Top 10 Failed Prophecies of Apocalypse

The idea that the end is nigh a recent phenomenon? Not even close. Indeed, Chicken Littles crying doom for years. This is a list of predictions about the end of the world which, clearly, never came true. I also hope that you will derive amusement from some of the more bizarre prophecies.

10. The Year 2012

The year 2012 is the last year in the cycle of 5125 years of the Mayan Calendar. December 21 is considered by many strange people on the last days of human culture. To pay tribute to Indian history and heritage, but it may be possible that the Mayan calendar dude who is bored or something better to do? Not wrong, we’ll just wait and if this prophecy will come true to see.

9. 2000 – The new millennium

In addition to the millennium bug was the end of the world expected. Neither hatched, and all that the world was faced with another was paralyzed Eve.

8. The Year 1997 – mass suicide of Heaven’s Gate

The new brand of Nike shoes, 39 cult members committed mass suicide in the belief that the Apocalypse was here. At least they went out in style.

 7. The Sept. 1982 – The effect of Jupiter

The Jupiter Effect came out in 1974 and was written by two astrophysicists, John Gribben and Stephen Plagemann. It was about all nine planets aligning on March 10, 1982 to create a gravitational pull that would cause a huge increase in sunspots, solar, flares, and/or earthquakes. Many credophiles took this as a prediction. Although author Gribben even came out and said it was a theoretical “what if” festival without much of any real substance behind it, people believed it was going to happen and would not be deterred.

Interesting Fact: While the effect did not cause major catastrophe, there was some influence by the planets, with high tide calculated at 0.04 millimeters higher than normal.


6. The year 1914 – Jehovah’s Witnesses

The Jehovah's Witness religion has made a number of predictions about the end of the world. The first was 1914 – they based their prediction on prophecies from the Book of Daniel. After the end did not come, they changed the meaning of the prediction and stated that it was the date that Jesus would begin to rule invisibly (yes – invisibly). Some other years that the group have predicted the end of the world to come are: 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975 and 1994, etc. One member of the cult actually built a house for the Jewish prophets to live in when they returned to earth as part of the end times.


5. The Year 1910 – Comet Halley

Even though Haley’s Comet had been visible many times before without any reported deaths, the passing of the comet on May 18, 1910 was thought to be a deathly threat to people because of poisonous gas coming from its tail. It is not only religious misapprehension that can cause apocalyptic panic. This may have been the first time science caused this grave fear.

Interesting Fact: Mark Twain was born in 1835. Haley’s comet had made an appearance this same year. He has been quoted as having said he would “go out with comet.” Mark Twain died in April of 1910.


4. The year 1844 -Millerites await Second Coming

Between the years of 1831 and 1841, William Miller (a Baptist minister), predicted the return of Jesus and the end of the world based on prophecies in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 8:14). “My principles in brief, are, that Jesus Christ will come again to this earth, cleanse, purify, and take possession of the same, with all the saints, sometime between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844.” The day came and went and the Millerites kept their faith. After further discussion, the date of the end of the world was changed to April 18th. Again the day came and went. Again the date was changed – this time to October 22, 1844. Miller continued to wait for the end until his death in 1849.

Interesting Fact: The Millerite religious movement eventually became the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They believe that the prediction was correct, but that it referred to an event in Heaven not on earth. They continue to believe that to this day. Members of the Bahá’í Faith also believe the prediction – they think it referred to the coming of a forerunner of their own religion, the Bab.


3. The year 1533 – The Son of God returns

For a more precise prophecy, Anabaptist leader, Melchior Hoffman predicted the return of Jesus to Strasbourg, Germany of all places. Local prosecutors did not however believe the poor schmuck, who was sent to prison where he died in 1543.


2. The Year 1284 – 666 years later

The unpopularity of Islam is one thing, but pinning the end of the world to it is another. Pope Innocent III was however not late in predicting that the Apocalypse would come exactly 666 years after the birth of Islam.


1. The Year 1000 – Messiah Returns

Turn of millenniums has a special effect on people, and especially Christians who expected the Messiah’s attendance on his 1000′s birthday. He doesn’t show up.