Remember all the fuss surrounding December 21, 2012? The world was supposed to end, and many people believed it. This belief was based on a misinterpretation of the Mayan calendar, which some people thought hinted at an impending global catastrophe on that date. But December 21, 2012 came and went, and nothing happened. The world kept on spinning, and people’s lives went on as usual.
There have been many predictions about the end of the world over the centuries – floods, fires, comets – but none of them have come true.
Below are some of the major end-time prophecies that have failed.
Mayan Apocalypse
On December 21, 2012, the Mayan Long Calendar completed its first cycle. Although the calendar tracks time continuously, many misinterpreted the event as a harbinger of doom. Fanciful prophecies arose of collisions with fictitious planets, solar flares, and axis realignments. Some built arks and sold survival kits. But the prophesied end never came.
Harold Camping
Harold Camping has made 12 end-of-the-world predictions based on his interpretation of Bible numerology. In 1992 he wrote “1994?” and predicted that the world would end that year. His most important prediction was May 21, 2011, 7,000 years after the biblical flood. When nothing happened, he recalculated and pushed the end of the world back to October 21, 2011, but again, nothing happened.
The True Path
Chen Hongming, leader of the True Way movement, predicted that God would appear on television in 1988 and then physically manifest. In 1989, he predicted a great flood, evil spirits, and even the extinction of mankind, and said that followers could escape by purchasing seats on a “cloud” spaceship. His bizarre prophecies ultimately proved false.
Halley’s Comet
In 1910, fears of destruction and poisonous fumes spread around the world as Halley’s Comet approached Earth. Headlines such as “Comet May Witness All Life on Earth, Scientists Say” stoked panic. Some believed the comet’s tail would wipe out humanity. A group in Oklahoma attempted to sacrifice virgins to appease the comet, while others stockpiled bottles of air. Eventually, Earth passed through the comet’s tail with no apparent impact.
Millerism
William Miller’s apocalyptic preaching attracted many followers who believed that Jesus would come a second time in 1843. When his prediction failed, William Miller recalculated and set a new date for 1844. His devout followers waited anxiously only to be met with crushing disappointment.
Joanna Southcott
At the age of 42, Joanna Southcott began hearing voices predicting future events such as crop failures and famine. In 1813, despite being a virgin, she proclaimed that she would give birth to the second Messiah at the age of 65. Her followers eagerly awaited the birth, but Joanna Southcott died before the prophesied birth took place.
Prophet Hen
In 1806, a chicken in Leeds, England, appeared to lay an egg with the words “Christ is coming” written on it. People, fearing Doomsday, gathered to see the chicken. But it was a trick: the chicken’s owner had written the words on the egg in ink and then put it back inside the chicken.
Great Fire of London
In 1666, many Europeans feared the end of the world and associated the year with “the number of the beast” (666). The Great Fire of London, which destroyed much of the city, confirmed these fears. The fire destroyed 87 churches and 13,000 houses, but amazingly only killed 10 people.
Global flooding
In 1524, German mathematician and astrologer Johannes Stoffler predicted a worldwide flood when the planets aligned under the constellation Pisces on February 25. However, no flood occurred, despite light rains.
Montanism
In the 2nd century, Montanus’ visions caused a schism in Christianity. He predicted the second coming of Jesus and convinced many people to leave their homes and wait for him in Phrygia (present-day Turkey). They expected the heavenly Jerusalem to descend, but God never appeared. This movement caused chaos and many Christian communities were left almost deserted.
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