The Christian world has long believed in the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth—an event that will mark the beginning of the end of the present age. From century to century, however, some believers in this doctrine have gazed into the proverbial crystal ball, interpreting biblical prophecies and predicting specific dates or years for Christ’s return. Many claimed that His return would precede the millennium, the reign of the Antichrist, and eventually the end of the world. To date, all such predictions have failed.
One of the most prominent figures in the history of Second Advent predictions was William Miller, who featured prominently in the Great Second Advent Movement that swept across the United States in the 1840s. According to Walter Martin in The Kingdom of the Cults, William Miller confidently taught as early as 1818 that Jesus Christ would return in about twenty-five years—that is, by 1843.
Miller claimed to have studied the Scriptures for two years before arriving at what he called a “solemn conclusion” that all the affairs of the present world would be wound up within that period. He famously declared:
«“I am fully convinced that between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844, Christ will come and bring all His saints with Him.”»
When this prediction failed, Miller’s followers—later known as the Millerites—reset the date to October 22, 1844. When this too failed, an event remembered as “The Great Disappointment” occurred. To his credit, Miller later confessed his error, saying:
«“I confess my error and acknowledge my disappointment. Yet I still believe the day of the Lord is near. I exhort you to be watchful, and not let that day come upon you unawares.”»
Although Miller popularized the 1843–1844 date-setting phenomenon, he was not alone. Ellen G. White, founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, also made several predictions concerning Christ’s return, none of which materialized. One of her more specific claims was her interpretation of a vision she said she received. At an 1856 conference, she reportedly told attendees that some present would be alive at the Second Coming of Christ.
Similarly, Jehovah’s Witnesses arrived at the year 1914 as the date for Christ’s return through a dispensational interpretation of the Book of Daniel. When 1914 passed, the date was shifted repeatedly—to 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1975, and even 1994—all of which failed. Eventually, they declared that Christ had returned invisibly in 1914 and cleansed the temple by 1918, arguing that since He did not rise physically, He would not return physically either.
Herbert W. Armstrong also predicted that Christ would return in 1975, repeatedly warning his followers that the Lord was coming “within a few years.” The founding of the state of Israel in 1948 further energized dispensationalists worldwide, many of whom concluded that this event marked “the beginning of the end.” Some taught that the “generation” Jesus referred to in Matthew 24:34 began in 1948.
When Israel captured the whole of Jerusalem in 1967, expectations intensified further. Other notable failed predictions followed:
– Chuck Smith, Pastor of Calvary Chapel, predicted Christ’s return before the end of 1981.
– Pat Robertson predicted the end of the world in 1982.
– Hal Lindsey predicted the rapture in 1988.
– Edgar Whisenant sold over four million copies of his book 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Occur in 1988.
Later, the world faced intense apprehension over the year 2000 (Y2K), when many feared a computer-driven global collapse that could lead to human extinction. The failure of this prediction became, in effect, a second “Great Disappointment” after that of William Miller.
Does the repeated failure of these predictions mean that Jesus Christ will never return? Absolutely not.
Walter Martin correctly observes that anyone who carefully reads the words of Jesus Christ will realize that all attempts to predict the date of His return directly contradict Scripture. Jesus Himself said:
«“But of that day and hour knoweth no man…” (Matthew 24:36; see also 24:42, 24:44; 25:13).»
Far from denying Christ’s return, Scripture emphatically affirms that His Second Coming is certain but unpredictable. Every heaven-conscious believer must therefore live daily with readiness, guided by these sobering truths:
«“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:2»
«“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
— 2 Peter 3:10»
«“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”
— Revelation 3:3»
«“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
— Revelation 16:15»
Therefore, the failure of human predictions does not negate the promise of Christ’s return; rather, it confirms the wisdom of Christ’s warning. The Church is not called to set dates but to watch, live ready, and remain faithful, lest that day come upon us unawares.