What are two religious groups that predicted Christ's coming incorrectly?

Answer 1

There have been many individuals and groups, famous and not, who have tired to guess the date for the return of Christ. But, the two most prominent in modern times, would probably have to be William Miller (the Millerites) and the Jehovah's Witnesses.

William Miller was a Baptist minister. He claimed to know the date of Christ' return from studying Daniel chapters 8 and 9. He created charts to show his conclusion and how that he had "correctly" calculated the date: October 22, 1844. When that came and went, he went back to "recalculate". This was known as "The Great Disappointment". Miller died in 1849, but, he continued to predict the "appointed" date, until his death.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have been giving dates since 1874. The dates they have used are: 1874, 1878, 1881, 1910, 1914, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941,1975, and 1994. There is so much that can be said about each of the eleven dates, listed here. It would seem that every date has something to do with Bible prophecy, economic and political situations, though. There is also an explanation of some kind for each failed prediction, too.

PROTESTANTS: Martin Luther taught Christ would return by 1564.

PURITANS Issac Watts, Joseph Mede and the Mathers in America were date-setters.

ADVENTISTS William Miller, the founder of the American Adventist movement announced that the end of the world would take place between January of 1843 and March 21,1843.

Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California predicted the Rapture in 1981.

Hal Lindsey, author of The Late Great Planet Earth, predicted the Rapture would occur in 1988.

Elizabeth Claire Prophet announced it for 1989

Dr. Harold Camping, president of Family Radio, expected the end of the world in 1994.

Irish Bishop James Ussher's prediction was for 1996.

Dr. Jack van Impe has speculated that the end will come between September 1999 and 2000.

Pat Robertson announced it for 2007 (in a novel)

Philip B. Brown has stated that the millennial reign of Christ will begin April 6, 2008.

Several well known Evangelical ministers of Christendom have claimed direct communication from God

Further reading "Apocalypses (Eugen Weber)"

Christendom has been at picking dates in the past...and they are still SPECULATING! See also various books by Paula Fredriksen.