Yet today's end-time prophecy preachers blunder heedlessly ahead, seemingly oblivious to history's painful lessons. They are as eager to predict the future as they are eager to forget their failed past predictions. Since the beginning of the church, Christians have differed as to how Bible prophecy should be understood. Because of the rich and often obscure symbolism of prophecy, interpretive approaches have differed radically. Often Christians have no idea there are other ways to understand prophecy than the views of their own particular denomination.
Many today expect fulfillment of prophecies via actual persons and events in the future.
They fail to realize that others believe the same prophecies were fulfilled in the past. Still others regard prophecy as primarily allegorical or symbolic, portraying the age-old struggle between good and evil and the ultimate triumph of God. These divergent views have existed since the early days of Christianity. The year 2000, I'm sure, will lead some off the prophetic deep end. People are always wanting to have their ears tickled with the latest in prophetic speculation.