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In the Reformation era, Martin Luther reportedly said, "We know no more about eternal life than children in the womb of their mother know about the world they are about to enter." John Calvin concurred, dismissing the millennial speculations of some of his contemporaries: "Their fiction is too childish either to need or to be worth a refutation. And the Apocalypse [Revelation], from which they undoubtedly drew pretext for their error, does not support them."

American theologian Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) held a completely different view. A postmillennialist, he entertained fervent hopes that God might do something special among the people of New England. Impressed by New England's spiritual awakening in the early 1740s, he wrote, " 'Tis not unlikely that this work of God's Spirit, that is so extraordinary and wonderful, is the dawning, or at least a prelude, of that glorious work of God, so often foretold in Scripture. … And there are many things that make it probable that this work will begin in America." After the Great Awakening, Edwards became more cautious and dated the Millennium (a term he used rarely) somewhere around the year 2000.

Other dates receiving votes for God's scheduled return include March 21, 1844, and October 22, 1844 (William Miller), the years immediately following 1906 (Anna Hall, William Seymour, and many other early Pentecostals), 1988 (Hal Lindsey), 1992 (the Korean Hyoo-go movement), and 1994 (Harold Camping, president of Family Radio).

I still believe that Bible verses about the end times apply to our lives, though. Especially this one: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Mt. 25:13).

Elesha Coffman is managing editor of Christian History magazine, a Christianity Today sister publication.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christianity Today's Opinion Roundup questioned whether most Christians were trying to fit the terror attacks into end-times scenarios.

Mainstream media articles on post-9/11 prophecy include:

End-times prophecies continue | Fresh apocalyptic scenarios are popping up with a new intensity (Associated Press)

What we deserve? | Some Americans believe the Second Coming is close at hand—and that the terrorist attacks were God's warning (Beliefnet)

Scripture scholars, pastors play down end-times speculation | Current crisis not prophesied in Bible, some Christians say (The Dallas Morning News)

Thomas Nelson rushes new prophecy book on attack | John Hagee's The Battle for Jerusalem gets new chapter, retitled "Attack on America: New York, Jerusalem and The Role of Terrorism In The Last Days" (The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Bible sales skyrocket following attacks | Books on prophecy also selling well (WKMG, Orlando)

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October (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45