Prompt Cast
History of Failed Apocalyptic Predictions
TLDR Throughout history, there have been numerous failed predictions about the end of the world, made by religious figures, cults, and paranormal prophets. Despite the lack of accuracy, believers often adjust their beliefs rather than leaving the movement, and new predictions continue to be made.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Throughout history, there have been numerous predictions about the end of the world, but none of them have come true so far.
01:51
The concept of the end of the world can be found in various religious texts, and early apocalyptic predictions were made by the Gnostics, a heretical Christian sect, with one of the first specific predictions coming from a bishop named Hidatius in 482.
03:25
Early apocalyptic predictions included the end of the world in 793, the year 1000, and between 1200 and 1260, with one prediction in 1524 causing 20,000 people to flee London.
05:08
Apocalyptic predictions in the 17th century included dates in 1624, 1656, and 2060, with specific predictions made by Johannes Stoffler, Hans Hoet, Michael Stiefel, Jan Mathis, Christopher Columbus, Isaac Newton, and Joanna Southcott.
06:57
In the 19th century, William Miller's prediction of the end of the world on October 22nd, 1844, resulted in the Great Disappointment, while the 20th century saw various predictions from paranormal prophets and UFO cults.
08:40
Various religious and paranormal figures throughout history have made predictions about the end of the world, including the Heaven's Gate cult in 1997 and predictions for the years 2013, 2017, and 2020, but none of these predictions have come true.
10:29
When predictions of the end of the world don't come true, most people in the cult or movement adjust their beliefs rather than leaving, and despite the many failed predictions, new ones will continue to be made until one is eventually correct.
