Here are different dates which have been predicted for the Second Coming. These stretch from the first century to the 21st century. The sobering thought is that every single one of these was incorrect, as Jesus has not come back yet.

The First Century
There was a sense of the imminent second coming in the first century. Paul warned the Thessalonians around AD 50 not to be shaken or alarmed if they hear that the day of the Lord is already here (2 Thess 2:1-2). Peter described people as 'scoffers' in the mid 60's who questioned why the coming of Jesus was taking so long (2 Pet 3).

AD 180's - Montanists, or New Prophecy
Montanism grew from the teaching of Montanus in Phrygia as a reaction against a growing laxity in the established church. Two women, Priscilla and Maximilla left their husbands to follow him. They desired to see the use of spiritual gifts to continue, emphasising tongues and prophecy. Initially they were accepted as part of the church and later considered as heretical.

They expected the imminent end of the age and establishment of the millennium in Pepuza, a small village in Asia Minor. They had no hope for the current world and looked with contempt at efforts to change the present order. Maximilla, who was the last of their three prophets to die in AD 179, stated, "After me there is no more prophecy, but only the end of the world". (Armerding/Gasque p. 28)

AD 180's - Bishop in Pontus
Around the time of Montanus at least two bishops, one in Pontus and one in Syria, were expecting the early return of Christ. One bishop in Pontus declared that the last judgement would come in two years and those who believe him ceased to cultivate their fields and rid themselves of houses and goods. The other led his flock into the wilderness to meet Christ. (Latourette p.128-129). In Syria, the bishop led his flock out into the wilderness to meet Christ.

AD 202 - During reign of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus
The Emperor Septimus Severus (193 - 211) made a decree in 202 forbidding people to become either Jews or Christians. The persecution was so strong in Egypt that many thought it was a sign of the last Antichrist.

AD 250 - Commodianus
Commodianus, who lived in Palestine, saw prophetic overtones to the persecution commanded by the emperor Decius (249-251). He listed seven persecutions that the church had suffered and likened them to the seven last plagues in the book of Revelation. The end of the world is at hand. Rome is the Antichrist, and this is the last persecution which represents the return of Nero. But Nero will be destroyed by a Jewish antichrist marching at the head of a Persian host. He in turn will be slain by angels and cast in to the lake of fire. The lost tribes will then return to Zion and God will come for judgement and to destroy the wicked. (Wand p.101)

AD 500 - Hippolytus and Augustine
Both Hippolytus (c 170 - c 236) and Augustine (354 - 430) believed in the 'Cosmic week'. Jesus had come in middle of sixth millennium, so they expected the end in AD 500.

Second coming in AD 1000
There are various legends about events leading up to the year 1000, but it is not easy to verify them.

One legend was that there was a mass conversion of whole population of Iceland at Midnight on 1st January 1000 to survive the expected judgement day. Another legend was that thousands sold their possessions and headed to Rome to await the end.

An ancient chronicler tells us that it was widely believed that Jesus would return at the end of the first 1000 years of Christianity. As the last decade of the first millennium dawned, there was great apprehension and anticipation. With the birth of the year AD 999 certain amazing things began to happen. People began to listen to their church with whole-hearted seriousness. There was no stealing; cheating became almost unknown; bakers gave their bread away free of charge, and there was a constant cycle of confessions, absolutions, and communion.

Another story, which may or may not be true, was that in Rome, as midnight neared on the last night of AD 999 masters and servants embraced. Offenders forgave each other. There was open repentance and godly sorrow for sin. In the old basilica of St. Peter, Pope Sylvester II performed midnight mass in silence. The church was crowded. Inside, a huge clock ticked once each second. The Pope prayed in silence. The worshippers lay face down, afraid to look up. Suddenly the clock stopped ticking. Hundreds shrieked. Some died of fright. The bell began to strike the midnight hour. Pope Sylvester raised his hands. All the bells rang at once. From the choir loft came the Te Deum Laudamus - to God be the glory!

AD 1147 - Gerard of Poehlde
Gerard taught that the thousand year reign of Christ began when the emperor Constantine came to power. From that he predicted that in 1147 Satan would be released from bondage and would conquer the church.

AD 1260 - Joachim of Fiore
Joachim (1132 - 1200) was from Calabria in Italy and became the abbot of the Cistercian Abbey at Corazzo, where he developed into a Bible teacher. He wrote a number of books including, 'The Book of the Harmony of the New and Old Testaments', 'An Exposition of the Apocalypse', and 'The Psaltery of Ten Strings'.

In his books, he divided history into the following three epochs based on the number 1260 from Rev 11:3 and 12:6:

1) The age of the Father (Petrine) - Creation to the birth of Christ
2) The age of the Son (Pauline) - the birth of Christ to 1260
3) The age of the Holy Ghost (Johannean) - beginning in 1260

The third epoch was to be a time of contemplation when all the world would become a vast monastery. This age would be preceded by the Antichrist, who he identified as the Papacy, which would be destroyed by the emperor. The empire would then be destroyed by the Saracens, who were the ten kings from the East, who would then be destroyed by the Tartars. An order of contemplative monks would take charge of the church and introduce a reform programme which would usher in the millennium, a time of rest and peace for all. (Armerding/Gasque p. 29)

AD 1186 - The Letter of Toledo
This letter was claimed to have been written by the astrologers of Toledo and addressed to Pope Clement III. It predicted the end of the world would occur in September 1186. It said there would be wind and storms, drought and famine, pestilence and earthquake. The air would grow dark and a dreadful voice would be heard that would destroy the hearts of men. Coastal towns would be covered with sand and earth. All this would be triggered by a rare conjunction of the planets in the sign of the Scales and in the tail of the Dragon. People were advised to flee their homes and find safety in the mountains.

After AD 1260 - Peter John Olivi
Olivi (1248-98), a teacher and theologian belonging to the Spiritual Franciscans, wrote a 'Commentary on the Apocalypse' in 1297, which was based on Joachim's works. The year 1260 had passed without incident, but some had seen Francis of Assisi as the leader of the new era of the Spirit, so Joachim's writings were revived and new dates calculated, especially after the Franciscans were persecuted by the church. (Armerding/Gasque p.30)

AD 1420 - The Taborites
These were extreme followers of Jan Hus from Bohemia. They took their name from Mount Tabor, where they believed Jesus foretold his second coming. They waited for the expected the end in 1420. When this failed to happen, they became a revolutionary movement, calling themselves the warriors of God. They controlled many towns in Bohemia until they were finally crushed in 1434. (Kyle p.52)

AD 1490's - Savonarola
Savonarola (1452-98) was a wandering prophet in Italy, predicting an imminent improvement on the earth before the final judgement. The social and political turmoil in Italy caused Savonarola to see the world as a battleground between good and evil. The last days were approaching with disaster for Florence and Italy, which would be averted if the people of Florence would repent. The coming antichrist would be defeated and the Turks and pagans would be converted. He saw Florence as Zion, the city of God, and himself as its prophet. He thought that Charles VIII of France was the last world emperor. He took control of Florence in 1494, before being defeated by the Medicis and being executed in 1498. (Kyle p.53)

AD 1528 - Hans Hut
Hut predicted the return of Christ at Pentecost in 1528. He gathered 144,000 elect saints to prepare for this.

AD 1533 - Melchior Hoffman
Melchior Hoffman (1498 - 1543) came from Swabia in south-western Germany was an Anabaptist missionary, who preached around Europe, including the Baltic region, Scandinavia, Holland. He was imprisoned in Strassburg for many years. He predicted that after his death, he would return with Christ in clouds of heaven in 1533, the wicked would be judged, and that the New Jerusalem would be set up in Strassburg. However, 1533 passed, with Hoffman still in prison. (Latourette p.781,783)

AD 1534 - Jan Matthys
Jan Beukelssen was an Anabaptist baker from Harlem in Holland, who believed that he was a prophet and that Münster, in Germany, where the Anabaptists had taken control and were attempting to establish a Christian society, would be the site of the New Jerusalem (Latourette p.783)

AD 1550's - Michael Servetus
Servetus (1511-53) was a Spaniard, and is primarily remembered for his conflict with Calvin. Because he denied the Trinity and rejected infant baptism he was condemned to death, and was burned at the stake in 1553. He also denounced predestination and believed that the millennial reign of Christ was about to begin. (Latourette p.759)
AD 1583 - Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn

This conjunction made the two planets appear to become one much brighter body, and produced many end-time anxieties (Kyle p.65)

AD 1694 - Johann Heinrich Alsted
Alsted was a German Calvinist, who was Professor of Theology at Herborn, and a reformed representative at the Synod of Dort (1618). In his book 'The Beloved City', he calculated 1694 as the start of the Millennium and declared that the Thirty Years War, which had just started, signified the end of the age. His book had great influence in the reformed countries and on the Puritan revolution, particularly in England. (Armerding/Gasque p.30-33)

He calculated that adding 1290 (from Dan 12:11) to the date of the Fall of Jerusalem (AD 69) gave the year 1359. He then added 1335 (from Dan 12:12) to give the end of the millennium in 2694, which meant that the start of the millennium would be in the year 1694.

AD 1652 - Total eclipse of the sun
This was predicted to happen in March 1652, and sent apocalyptic shudders throughout Europe (Kyle p.65)

AD 1650's - Fifth Monarchy Men
During the rule of Oliver Cromwell (1649-1660), several groups existed who desired more radical reform than had existed under the Puritan government of Cromwell. The Fifth Monarchy Men believed that according to Biblical prophecy Christ was soon to return to establish on earth the 'Fifth Monarchy' in succession to the Assyrian, Persian, Greek and Roman empires, and that he would reign, with his saints, for a thousand years. They differed greatly among themselves, some wished to use force to establish the Fifth Monarchy, others wished to wait quietly for the coming of Christ. (Latourette p. 822)

They believed that the fifth and last monarchy, the reign of God would begin in England. The antichrist would be destroyed, England purified, and the kingdom of Christ would spread throughout the world. The English armies led by Oliver Cromwell would sweep through Europe and defeat the Pope. The Jews would return to the Holy Land and defeat the Turks. These events would happen between 1655 and 1657. (Kyle p.67)

One group tried to hasten the second coming by attacking the restored Stuart monarchy to prove to God that there was faith on earth, so Christ would return and establish the millennial reign in London. The attempt failed, the leaders were jailed or beheaded and the movement fizzled.

AD 1650 - Christopher Columbus
Columbus’s motivation for exploration was partly religious. He wanted to sail west across the Atlantic Ocean in order to reach Asia directly. He did not know that America was in between. Inspired by the earlier crusades, his plan was to conquer Asia and take wealth from there to finance a crusade to the Middle East to capture the Holy Land from the Muslims, which he will lead himself.

In order to persuade King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to finance his fourth voyage to the 'Indies' he presented them with his 'Book of Prophecies'. From the Bible, he had predicted that the world will end in 1650, and before then he would lead a crusade to liberate Jerusalem.

The year 1666
Many combined 1000 (the millennium) with 666 (the mark of the beast) to arrive at the date 1666. 1666 was the year of the plague followed by the Great Fire of London. The Quaker George Fox wrote that in 1666, every thunderstorm aroused end-time expectations (Kyle p.67-68).

AD 1694 - John Mason
John Mason was an Anglican vicar, who used the writings of Archbishop James Ussher and Johann Alsted to calculate that the millennium would begin in 1694. Later he based his end-time predictions on the voices and visions that came to him. As time went on, he became increasingly bizarre, even insisting that he would not die. When he did die, his followers believed that he would rise on the third day. (Kyle p. 72)

AD 1697 - Thomas Beverly
Thomas Beverly was an Anglican vicar, who predicted the end would come in 1697. (Kyle p.72)

AD 1697 - Cotton Mather
Cotton and his father Increase were American Puritans, who considered the American Indians as being in league with the Antichrist. Basing his calculations on activities of the Turks and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, he first calculated the end to come in 1697. When this date passed, he quietly adjusted the time, first to 1736, then back to 1716. He naturally believed that the New Jerusalem would be located in New England, USA. (Kyle p.78-79)

AD 1700 - A French Prophet
A French prophet predicted the coming of Christ in 1700 to destroy Catholicism.

AD 1757 - Emanuel swedenborg
The well-known Swedish mystic and scientist (1688-1772) claimed to have had a vision which carried him in to the spiritual world, where he had been able to see eternal truths. He believed that his writings were the dawn of a new age in the history of the world. He declared that the last judgement had occurred in 1757, and that the second coming had already been fulfilled spiritually.

AD 1789 - The French Revolution
Many English Bible interpreters thought that the French Revolution was the prophecies of Daniel chapter 7 and Revelation chapter 13 being fulfilled before their very eyes (Kyle p.72)

AD 1795 - Richard Brothers
Richard Brothers became convinced that God was speaking to him, and wrote several prophetic works in the 1790's, predicting that the millennium would begin in 1795. He believed that his lineage was divine and that he would lead the ten lost tribes back to Israel. In one prophecy he said that God wanted him to wear the crown of England. The government arrested him, and he spent the rest of his life in a lunatic asylum, where he planned the New Jerusalem (Kyle p.73)

AD 1830's - Catholic Apostolic Church (Irvingites)
Edward Irving (1792-1834) was a Presbyterian clergyman from Scotland, who preached in the Presbyterian church in London. He believed that the apostolic gifts of the early church were being revived, including speaking in tongues and healing. He also believed that the second coming of Christ was imminent. He was ejected from the Presbyterian church for heresy, but his views found a home in the Catholic Apostolic Church, founded in 1832. (Latourette p. 1184)

Continued below..................

budaatum:


It could be an elaborate conscious elaborate fabrication, like swedenborg's, or an unconscious elaborate fabrication brought on by his mind while he was near death. Fact is, it is not a experience of a real thing that actually happened.

You said:
Fact is, it is not a experience of a real thing that actually happened.

Unfortunately, it is Not your experience and there are even reports of more compelling OBE with verifiable scientific reports. This is why scientists don't deny OBEs

TenQ:

If you had checked carefully, I was careful to let him speak his Own testimony.

All I ask is that you ask yourself the question : Could this have being an eleborate fabrication?

He saw himself in a bad loveless place!
For want of language, the nearest word would be hell.

The conclusion :
He stopped being an Atheist!

It could be an elaborate conscious elaborate fabrication, like swedenborg's, or an unconscious elaborate fabrication brought on by his mind while he was near death. Fact is, it is not a experience of a real thing that actually happened.

budaatum:


A near death experience where the "Bottom line based on his Own Report is He was sick and died".

Surely, it could not have been near if he died, or could it?

Then he goes to hell, as religiously expected, since that's where he's been informed atheists go, and he expects to be believed of course. lol.

Guess he might not have heard of swedenborg who went to heaven and also to hell without nearing death not to talk of dying.

If you had checked carefully, I was careful to let him speak his Own testimony.

All I ask is that you ask yourself the question : Could this have being an eleborate fabrication?

He saw himself in a bad loveless place!
For want of language, the nearest word would be hell.

The conclusion :
He stopped being an Atheist!

TenQ:

I didn't even mention the name of Jesus nor did I say anything about God.

But the children of hate must live according to the seed of hate in them.

Bottom line based on his Own Report :
He was sick and died
Went to Hell as a Atheist
Received Mercy
No more an Atheist

A near death experience where the "Bottom line based on his Own Report is He was sick and died".

Surely, it could not have been near if he died, or could it?

Then he goes to hell, as religiously expected, since that's where he's been informed atheists go, and he expects to be believed of course. lol.

Guess he might not have heard of swedenborg who went to heaven and also to hell without nearing death not to talk of dying.

Here are different dates which have been predicted for the Second Coming. These stretch from the first century to the 21st century. The sobering thought is that every single one of these was incorrect, as Jesus has not come back yet.

The First Century
There was a sense of the imminent second coming in the first century. Paul warned the Thessalonians around AD 50 not to be shaken or alarmed if they hear that the day of the Lord is already here (2 Thess 2:1-2). Peter described people as 'scoffers' in the mid 60's who questioned why the coming of Jesus was taking so long (2 Pet 3).

AD 180's - Montanists, or New Prophecy
Montanism grew from the teaching of Montanus in Phrygia as a reaction against a growing laxity in the established church. Two women, Priscilla and Maximilla left their husbands to follow him. They desired to see the use of spiritual gifts to continue, emphasising tongues and prophecy. Initially they were accepted as part of the church and later considered as heretical.

They expected the imminent end of the age and establishment of the millennium in Pepuza, a small village in Asia Minor. They had no hope for the current world and looked with contempt at efforts to change the present order. Maximilla, who was the last of their three prophets to die in AD 179, stated, "After me there is no more prophecy, but only the end of the world". (Armerding/Gasque p. 28)

AD 180's - Bishop in Pontus
Around the time of Montanus at least two bishops, one in Pontus and one in Syria, were expecting the early return of Christ. One bishop in Pontus declared that the last judgement would come in two years and those who believe him ceased to cultivate their fields and rid themselves of houses and goods. The other led his flock into the wilderness to meet Christ. (Latourette p.128-129). In Syria, the bishop led his flock out into the wilderness to meet Christ.

AD 202 - During reign of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus
The Emperor Septimus Severus (193 - 211) made a decree in 202 forbidding people to become either Jews or Christians. The persecution was so strong in Egypt that many thought it was a sign of the last Antichrist.

AD 250 - Commodianus
Commodianus, who lived in Palestine, saw prophetic overtones to the persecution commanded by the emperor Decius (249-251). He listed seven persecutions that the church had suffered and likened them to the seven last plagues in the book of Revelation. The end of the world is at hand. Rome is the Antichrist, and this is the last persecution which represents the return of Nero. But Nero will be destroyed by a Jewish antichrist marching at the head of a Persian host. He in turn will be slain by angels and cast in to the lake of fire. The lost tribes will then return to Zion and God will come for judgement and to destroy the wicked. (Wand p.101)

AD 500 - Hippolytus and Augustine
Both Hippolytus (c 170 - c 236) and Augustine (354 - 430) believed in the 'Cosmic week'. Jesus had come in middle of sixth millennium, so they expected the end in AD 500.

Second coming in AD 1000
There are various legends about events leading up to the year 1000, but it is not easy to verify them.

One legend was that there was a mass conversion of whole population of Iceland at Midnight on 1st January 1000 to survive the expected judgement day. Another legend was that thousands sold their possessions and headed to Rome to await the end.

An ancient chronicler tells us that it was widely believed that Jesus would return at the end of the first 1000 years of Christianity. As the last decade of the first millennium dawned, there was great apprehension and anticipation. With the birth of the year AD 999 certain amazing things began to happen. People began to listen to their church with whole-hearted seriousness. There was no stealing; cheating became almost unknown; bakers gave their bread away free of charge, and there was a constant cycle of confessions, absolutions, and communion.

Another story, which may or may not be true, was that in Rome, as midnight neared on the last night of AD 999 masters and servants embraced. Offenders forgave each other. There was open repentance and godly sorrow for sin. In the old basilica of St. Peter, Pope Sylvester II performed midnight mass in silence. The church was crowded. Inside, a huge clock ticked once each second. The Pope prayed in silence. The worshippers lay face down, afraid to look up. Suddenly the clock stopped ticking. Hundreds shrieked. Some died of fright. The bell began to strike the midnight hour. Pope Sylvester raised his hands. All the bells rang at once. From the choir loft came the Te Deum Laudamus - to God be the glory!

AD 1147 - Gerard of Poehlde
Gerard taught that the thousand year reign of Christ began when the emperor Constantine came to power. From that he predicted that in 1147 Satan would be released from bondage and would conquer the church.

AD 1260 - Joachim of Fiore
Joachim (1132 - 1200) was from Calabria in Italy and became the abbot of the Cistercian Abbey at Corazzo, where he developed into a Bible teacher. He wrote a number of books including, 'The Book of the Harmony of the New and Old Testaments', 'An Exposition of the Apocalypse', and 'The Psaltery of Ten Strings'.

In his books, he divided history into the following three epochs based on the number 1260 from Rev 11:3 and 12:6:

1) The age of the Father (Petrine) - Creation to the birth of Christ
2) The age of the Son (Pauline) - the birth of Christ to 1260
3) The age of the Holy Ghost (Johannean) - beginning in 1260

The third epoch was to be a time of contemplation when all the world would become a vast monastery. This age would be preceded by the Antichrist, who he identified as the Papacy, which would be destroyed by the emperor. The empire would then be destroyed by the Saracens, who were the ten kings from the East, who would then be destroyed by the Tartars. An order of contemplative monks would take charge of the church and introduce a reform programme which would usher in the millennium, a time of rest and peace for all. (Armerding/Gasque p. 29)

AD 1186 - The Letter of Toledo
This letter was claimed to have been written by the astrologers of Toledo and addressed to Pope Clement III. It predicted the end of the world would occur in September 1186. It said there would be wind and storms, drought and famine, pestilence and earthquake. The air would grow dark and a dreadful voice would be heard that would destroy the hearts of men. Coastal towns would be covered with sand and earth. All this would be triggered by a rare conjunction of the planets in the sign of the Scales and in the tail of the Dragon. People were advised to flee their homes and find safety in the mountains.

After AD 1260 - Peter John Olivi
Olivi (1248-98), a teacher and theologian belonging to the Spiritual Franciscans, wrote a 'Commentary on the Apocalypse' in 1297, which was based on Joachim's works. The year 1260 had passed without incident, but some had seen Francis of Assisi as the leader of the new era of the Spirit, so Joachim's writings were revived and new dates calculated, especially after the Franciscans were persecuted by the church. (Armerding/Gasque p.30)

AD 1420 - The Taborites
These were extreme followers of Jan Hus from Bohemia. They took their name from Mount Tabor, where they believed Jesus foretold his second coming. They waited for the expected the end in 1420. When this failed to happen, they became a revolutionary movement, calling themselves the warriors of God. They controlled many towns in Bohemia until they were finally crushed in 1434. (Kyle p.52)

AD 1490's - Savonarola
Savonarola (1452-98) was a wandering prophet in Italy, predicting an imminent improvement on the earth before the final judgement. The social and political turmoil in Italy caused Savonarola to see the world as a battleground between good and evil. The last days were approaching with disaster for Florence and Italy, which would be averted if the people of Florence would repent. The coming antichrist would be defeated and the Turks and pagans would be converted. He saw Florence as Zion, the city of God, and himself as its prophet. He thought that Charles VIII of France was the last world emperor. He took control of Florence in 1494, before being defeated by the Medicis and being executed in 1498. (Kyle p.53)

AD 1528 - Hans Hut
Hut predicted the return of Christ at Pentecost in 1528. He gathered 144,000 elect saints to prepare for this.

AD 1533 - Melchior Hoffman
Melchior Hoffman (1498 - 1543) came from Swabia in south-western Germany was an Anabaptist missionary, who preached around Europe, including the Baltic region, Scandinavia, Holland. He was imprisoned in Strassburg for many years. He predicted that after his death, he would return with Christ in clouds of heaven in 1533, the wicked would be judged, and that the New Jerusalem would be set up in Strassburg. However, 1533 passed, with Hoffman still in prison. (Latourette p.781,783)

AD 1534 - Jan Matthys
Jan Beukelssen was an Anabaptist baker from Harlem in Holland, who believed that he was a prophet and that Münster, in Germany, where the Anabaptists had taken control and were attempting to establish a Christian society, would be the site of the New Jerusalem (Latourette p.783)

AD 1550's - Michael Servetus
Servetus (1511-53) was a Spaniard, and is primarily remembered for his conflict with Calvin. Because he denied the Trinity and rejected infant baptism he was condemned to death, and was burned at the stake in 1553. He also denounced predestination and believed that the millennial reign of Christ was about to begin. (Latourette p.759)
AD 1583 - Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn

This conjunction made the two planets appear to become one much brighter body, and produced many end-time anxieties (Kyle p.65)

AD 1694 - Johann Heinrich Alsted
Alsted was a German Calvinist, who was Professor of Theology at Herborn, and a reformed representative at the Synod of Dort (1618). In his book 'The Beloved City', he calculated 1694 as the start of the Millennium and declared that the Thirty Years War, which had just started, signified the end of the age. His book had great influence in the reformed countries and on the Puritan revolution, particularly in England. (Armerding/Gasque p.30-33)

He calculated that adding 1290 (from Dan 12:11) to the date of the Fall of Jerusalem (AD 69) gave the year 1359. He then added 1335 (from Dan 12:12) to give the end of the millennium in 2694, which meant that the start of the millennium would be in the year 1694.

AD 1652 - Total eclipse of the sun
This was predicted to happen in March 1652, and sent apocalyptic shudders throughout Europe (Kyle p.65)

AD 1650's - Fifth Monarchy Men
During the rule of Oliver Cromwell (1649-1660), several groups existed who desired more radical reform than had existed under the Puritan government of Cromwell. The Fifth Monarchy Men believed that according to Biblical prophecy Christ was soon to return to establish on earth the 'Fifth Monarchy' in succession to the Assyrian, Persian, Greek and Roman empires, and that he would reign, with his saints, for a thousand years. They differed greatly among themselves, some wished to use force to establish the Fifth Monarchy, others wished to wait quietly for the coming of Christ. (Latourette p. 822)

They believed that the fifth and last monarchy, the reign of God would begin in England. The antichrist would be destroyed, England purified, and the kingdom of Christ would spread throughout the world. The English armies led by Oliver Cromwell would sweep through Europe and defeat the Pope. The Jews would return to the Holy Land and defeat the Turks. These events would happen between 1655 and 1657. (Kyle p.67)

One group tried to hasten the second coming by attacking the restored Stuart monarchy to prove to God that there was faith on earth, so Christ would return and establish the millennial reign in London. The attempt failed, the leaders were jailed or beheaded and the movement fizzled.

AD 1650 - Christopher Columbus
Columbus’s motivation for exploration was partly religious. He wanted to sail west across the Atlantic Ocean in order to reach Asia directly. He did not know that America was in between. Inspired by the earlier crusades, his plan was to conquer Asia and take wealth from there to finance a crusade to the Middle East to capture the Holy Land from the Muslims, which he will lead himself.

In order to persuade King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to finance his fourth voyage to the 'Indies' he presented them with his 'Book of Prophecies'. From the Bible, he had predicted that the world will end in 1650, and before then he would lead a crusade to liberate Jerusalem.

The year 1666
Many combined 1000 (the millennium) with 666 (the mark of the beast) to arrive at the date 1666. 1666 was the year of the plague followed by the Great Fire of London. The Quaker George Fox wrote that in 1666, every thunderstorm aroused end-time expectations (Kyle p.67-68).

AD 1694 - John Mason
John Mason was an Anglican vicar, who used the writings of Archbishop James Ussher and Johann Alsted to calculate that the millennium would begin in 1694. Later he based his end-time predictions on the voices and visions that came to him. As time went on, he became increasingly bizarre, even insisting that he would not die. When he did die, his followers believed that he would rise on the third day. (Kyle p. 72)

AD 1697 - Thomas Beverly
Thomas Beverly was an Anglican vicar, who predicted the end would come in 1697. (Kyle p.72)

AD 1697 - Cotton Mather
Cotton and his father Increase were American Puritans, who considered the American Indians as being in league with the Antichrist. Basing his calculations on activities of the Turks and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, he first calculated the end to come in 1697. When this date passed, he quietly adjusted the time, first to 1736, then back to 1716. He naturally believed that the New Jerusalem would be located in New England, USA. (Kyle p.78-79)

AD 1700 - A French Prophet
A French prophet predicted the coming of Christ in 1700 to destroy Catholicism.

AD 1757 - Emanuel swedenborg
The well-known Swedish mystic and scientist (1688-1772) claimed to have had a vision which carried him in to the spiritual world, where he had been able to see eternal truths. He believed that his writings were the dawn of a new age in the history of the world. He declared that the last judgement had occurred in 1757, and that the second coming had already been fulfilled spiritually.

AD 1789 - The French Revolution
Many English Bible interpreters thought that the French Revolution was the prophecies of Daniel chapter 7 and Revelation chapter 13 being fulfilled before their very eyes (Kyle p.72)

AD 1795 - Richard Brothers
Richard Brothers became convinced that God was speaking to him, and wrote several prophetic works in the 1790's, predicting that the millennium would begin in 1795. He believed that his lineage was divine and that he would lead the ten lost tribes back to Israel. In one prophecy he said that God wanted him to wear the crown of England. The government arrested him, and he spent the rest of his life in a lunatic asylum, where he planned the New Jerusalem (Kyle p.73)

AD 1830's - Catholic Apostolic Church (Irvingites)
Edward Irving (1792-1834) was a Presbyterian clergyman from Scotland, who preached in the Presbyterian church in London. He believed that the apostolic gifts of the early church were being revived, including speaking in tongues and healing. He also believed that the second coming of Christ was imminent. He was ejected from the Presbyterian church for heresy, but his views found a home in the Catholic Apostolic Church, founded in 1832. (Latourette p. 1184)

Continued below..................

Have you ever heard the names Emanuel swedenborg or Bahaullah? How about Guatama Buddha, Abrushin, or Joseph Smith?


Chances are some of these names sound familiar while others don't. What you might not know is that every one of them had beautiful insights to share with you, with the world. Some of them even carry more truth about God than the Bible. Some will point you to the heart of God, others will teach you how society should be organized, etcetera. Sadly, all of them have the potential to mislead you. ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE POPULAR BIBLE AND QUR'AN.


That warning is not for you to become scared of these books. No, ask for wisdom and guidance as you read, but READ. LEARN. Don't be afraid. Let these teachers educate you on what God and life are really about, not just what you believe in society. If you ask for wisdom and guidance, no one can mislead you. They will only open your mind.


Right now your religion, be it Christianity or Islam, is blocking you from understanding God. Those two religions are notorious for invalidating others. Especially Christianity, so beware if you are a Christian. Ideally, there should be no religion at all in this world. Those names I mentioned are just like Albert Einstein or Arthur Schopenhauer. They were meant to share insights with you, to educate you, not start religions. But due to ignorance, almost all of them started one religion or another. So don't assume that you are meant to be loyal to any religion. No, you are not even supposed to be religious in the first place. Read, learn, and always ask for guidance. No religion has the truth, they only have insights to share, which you are meant to learn.

An amazing story although that won't really change the perception of the Greek kid or that of his father as atheists are usually very rigid in their way of thought. I recommend reading on Emanuel swedenborg on Wikipedia for both you and your kid, he was an amazing Swedish scientist in the 18th century greatest at his time from the country, late in his life he had a vision of Jesus while in a bar followed by his spiritual transformation, he did various mystical things such as telling the queen of Sweden something only her dead brother would ever know whilst never meeting him and even with acclaimed atheists in the midst and the queen skeptical herself, he told her something no living person knew except her and even predicted the exct date of his death months before

Jake420:
Foolishness in the land, it's a sad reality when these atheists claim to be smarter and wiser by believing that there's no God by using science as an excuse or evidence, not knowing science can't disprove God either, the thought of using physical phenomena to try an explain a possible metaphysical being believed to have universal sovereignity isn't it stupidity in itself.Isn't it the greatest scientists such as Einstein that believed in God, Newton who did so too, same man who discovered gravity O! He has a book on Christ, search his books on Google and it's there. Read about Emanuel swedenborg one of the greatest scientists of the 18th century with too many discoveries and excellence start writing About Jesus and his visions for no financial or fame gain at all, Read the shock on Queen of Sweden's face when he told her something no other man alive would know from her dead brother and atheist professionals there to all attempts failed to think of anyway how? How he predicted his own date of death to a man he messaged just because the man was interested in him? No it's scientific intuition, Ode

Einstein wasn't even atheist, he was agnostic. that's worse way worse

Foolishness in the land, it's a sad reality when these atheists claim to be smarter and wiser by believing that there's no God by using science as an excuse or evidence, not knowing science can't disprove God either, the thought of using physical phenomena to try an explain a possible metaphysical being believed to have universal sovereignity isn't it stupidity in itself.Isn't it the greatest scientists such as Einstein that believed in God, Newton who did so too, same man who discovered gravity O! He has a book on Christ, search his books on Google and it's there. Read about Emanuel swedenborg one of the greatest scientists of the 18th century with too many discoveries and excellence start writing About Jesus and his visions for no financial or fame gain at all, Read the shock on Queen of Sweden's face when he told her something no other man alive would know from her dead brother and atheist professionals there to all attempts failed to think of anyway how? How he predicted his own date of death to a man he messaged just because the man was interested in him? No it's scientific intuition, Ode

Jake420:

God doesn't exist in our physical plane of consciousness. In philosophy there's ontology and epistemology, the latter is for things that can be measured such as things we see everyday and the former is for abstract things such as time and so on. If humans could explain God by science, then he won't be God. He's beyond us, it's contradictory and redundant to try to explain God by scientific means. I recommend reading on Emanuel swedenborg on Wikipedia, when one of the greatest scientists of the 17th and 18th century goes into Christianity late in his life after having a vision of Jesus then visiting the spiritual world, everyone assumed he was insane when so but everyone who met him could tell that was wrong even the queen of Sweden before he convinced her by telling her something only her late brother and her would know and never shared to another living human and more predictions including date of his death. God is real

But God's glory appeared to his followers in the Bible countless times, he manifested himself in different ways.

Despite all the physical signs and miracles, Israelites forsook him many times, how do you expect this generation that never saw such to believe his existence

God1000:

That's one mystery We're faced with today.
I posted something related this morning, though It did not hit front page

God doesn't exist in our physical plane of consciousness. In philosophy there's ontology and epistemology, the latter is for things that can be measured such as things we see everyday and the former is for abstract things such as time and so on. If humans could explain God by science, then he won't be God. He's beyond us, it's contradictory and redundant to try to explain God by scientific means. I recommend reading on Emanuel swedenborg on Wikipedia, when one of the greatest scientists of the 17th and 18th century goes into Christianity late in his life after having a vision of Jesus then visiting the spiritual world, everyone assumed he was insane when so but everyone who met him could tell that was wrong even the queen of Sweden before he convinced her by telling her something only her late brother and her would know and never shared to another living human and more predictions including date of his death. God is real

Sabellianism, Christian heresy that was a more developed and less naive form of Modalistic Monarchianism (see Monarchianism); it was propounded by Sabellius (fl. c. 217–c. 220), who was possibly a presbyter in Rome. Little is actually known of his life because the most detailed information about him was contained in the prejudiced reports of his contemporary, Hippolytus, an anti-Monarchian Roman theologian.

In Rome there was an active struggle between the Monarchians, or Modalists, and those who affirmed permanent distinctions (“Persons”) within the Godhead. The Monarchians, in their concern for the divine monarchy (the absolute unity and indivisibility of God), denied that such distinctions were ultimate or permanent. Sabellius evidently taught that the Godhead is a monad, expressing itself in three operations: as Father, in creation; as Son, in redemption; and as Holy Spirit, in sanctification.

Pope Calixtus was at first inclined to be sympathetic to Sabellius’ teaching but later condemned it and excommunicated Sabellius.

The heresy broke out again 30 years later in Libya and was opposed by Dionysius of Alexandria. In the 4th century, Arius accused his bishop of Sabellianism, and throughout the Arian controversy this charge was levelled at the supporters of Nicene orthodoxy (those who accepted the doctrine of the Trinity set forth in the Nicene Creed), whose emphasis on the unity of substance of Father and Son was interpreted by Arians to mean that the orthodox denied any personal distinctions within the Godhead. About 375 the heresy was renewed at Neocaesarea and was attacked by Basil the Great. In Spain Priscillian seems to have enunciated a doctrine of the divine unity in Sabellian terms.

At the time of the Reformation, Sabellianism was reformulated by Michael Servetus, a Spanish theologian and physician, to the effect that Christ and the Holy Spirit are merely representative forms of the one Godhead, the Father. In the 18th century, Emanuel swedenborg, a Swedish mystical philosopher and scientist, also taught this doctrine, as did his disciples, who founded the New Church.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sabellianism


Dear Bishopkingsley, is this another fake history?

[color=#006600][/color] Your challenges has both medical and spiritual undertone.

Medical: You may need to check and review your health status, weight, and lifestyle/ eating habits. Regular exercises helps.

Spiritual: No one may be after your life, you may just be going through a phase of your spiritual awareness.

If you have an addiction or any related habit that you think you need to stop, work on it.

Having doubts about God is human. But don't remain there. It's like someone getting annoyed and remaining in that annoyance or someone failing and remaining in that failure. Move on!

How do you move on and overcome? Praying is needed, faith is a requirement, living a good life is inevitable but above all; know thy God.

How do you know your God? Read, study and think about the word of God always. Experiment this, just before you sleep, read a portion of the bible, think about what you read, ask yourself questions, desire to know more, just fascinate about what you read, think about God, until you fall asleep. Something will change.

Go further, read books inspired by God's truth and make efforts to apply those truths in your life. It will most likely take a life time to get there, but you don't stop.

I recommend books by Emanuel swedenborg, Google it.

Kind Regards,
Destiny.

shadeyinka:

It is. Please send a link if you can!

Again.

budaatum:

De Caelo et Eius Mirabilibus et de inferno, ex Auditis et Visis, Emanuel swedenborg
Heaven and its Wonders and Hell, From Things Heard and Seen

shadeyinka:


I won't tell you that I am Physically full because I ate in my dreams. (Even if I say so, it could be a true statement from me). But I can describe the details of my experience at the White House even to the point that a black cat with yellow hat on came to play with me and I gave it macaroni. LOL!

Below is some reading that might interest you. Rather than focusing on what he ate, perhaps wonder how he cooked it.

budaatum:

De Caelo et Eius Mirabilibus et de inferno, ex Auditis et Visis, Emanuel swedenborg
Heaven and its Wonders and Hell, From Things Heard and Seen

#INSPIRE_US
True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense. - Emanuel swedenborg

#INSPIRE_US
True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense. - Emanuel swedenborg

#INSPIRE_US
True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense. - Emanuel swedenborg

#INSPIRE_US
True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense. - Emanuel swedenborg

#INSPIRE_US
True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense. - Emanuel swedenborg

#INSPIRE_US
True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense. - Emanuel swedenborg

Anas09:
,@gentleebuka
Here are Christian scientists and their inventions in 18century.

John Ray (1627–1705): English botanist who wrote The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation (1691) and was among the first to attempt a biological definition for the concept of species. The John Ray Initiative[26] of Environment and Christianity is also named for him.[27]

Gottfried Leibniz (1646–1716):
He was a philosopher who developed the philosophical theory of the Pre-established harmony; he is also most noted for his optimism, e.g., his conclusion that our Universe is, in a restricted sense, the best possible one that God could have created. He also made major contributions to mathematics, physics, and technology. He created the Stepped Reckoner and his Protogaea concerns geology and natural history. He was a Lutheran who worked with convert to Catholicism John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg in hopes of a reunification between Catholicism and Lutheranism.[28]

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723): Dutch Reformed Calvinist who is remembered as the "father of microbiology".
Stephen Hales (1677–1761): Copley Medal winning scientist significant to the study of plant physiology. As an inventor designed a type of ventilation system, a means to distill sea-water, ways to preserve meat, etc. In religion he was an Anglican curate who worked with the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and for a group working to convert black slaves in the West Indies.[29]
Firmin Abauzit (1679–1767): physicist and theologian. He translated the New Testament into French and corrected an error in Newton's Principia.[30]
Emanuel swedenborg (1688–1772): He did a great deal of scientific research with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences having commissioned work by him.[31] His religious writing is the basis of Swedenborgianism and several of his theological works contained some science hypotheses, most notably the Nebular hypothesis for the origin of the Solar System.[32]
Albrecht von Haller (1708–1777): Swiss anatomist, physiologist known as "the father of modern physiology." A Protestant, he was involved in the erection of the Reformed church in Göttingen, and, as a man interested in religious questions, he wrote apologetic letters which were compiled by his daughter under the name .[33]
Leonhard Euler (1707–1783): significant mathematician and physicist, see List of topics named after Leonhard Euler. The son of a pastor, he wrote Defense of the Divine Revelation against the Objections of the Freethinkers and is also commemorated by the Lutheran Church on their Calendar of Saints on May 24.[34]
Mikhail Lomonosov (1711–1765): Russian Orthodox Christian who discovered the atmosphere of Venus and formulated the law of conservation of mass in chemical reactions.
Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794): considered the "father of modern chemistry". He is known for his discovery of oxygen's role in combustion, developing chemical nomenclature, developing a preliminary periodic table of elements, and the law of conservation of mass. He was a Catholic and defender of scripture.[35]
Herman Boerhaave (1668–1789): remarkable Dutch physician and botanist known as the founder of clinical teaching. A collection of his religious thoughts on medicine, translated from Latin into English, has been compiled under the name Boerhaaveìs Orations.[36]
John Michell (1724–1793): English clergyman who provided pioneering insights in a wide range of scientific fields, including astronomy, geology, optics, and gravitation.[37][38]
Maria Gaetana Agnesi (1718–1799): mathematician appointed to a position by Pope Benedict XIV. After her father died she devoted her life to religious studies, charity, and ultimately became a nun.[39]
Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778): Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, "father of modern taxonomy".
Whoever told you that satanists are behind science are liars like their master satan

I bet these people you mentioned didnt believe that law of electromagnetism is demonic. So where did your own theory come from? So because one man in America tells you that electromagnetism is demonic, you now want all of us to believe it, and if we don't, we'll go to hell right? That's ignorance at it's peak. But that's not my business anyway.

As for the bolded, please read my post again. I never mentioned satanists or new age are behind science. I remember i told you i didn't know what you were talking about when you accused me of belonging to new age. I said that being over-religious can blind one to the realities of how the universe works. Religious people can become scientists and inventors. Over-religious people? They can also become scientists and inventors as long as they are not blind enough to believe electromagnetism is demonic

,@gentleebuka
Here are Christian scientists and their inventions in 18century.

John Ray (1627–1705): English botanist who wrote The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation (1691) and was among the first to attempt a biological definition for the concept of species. The John Ray Initiative[26] of Environment and Christianity is also named for him.[27]

Gottfried Leibniz (1646–1716):
He was a philosopher who developed the philosophical theory of the Pre-established harmony; he is also most noted for his optimism, e.g., his conclusion that our Universe is, in a restricted sense, the best possible one that God could have created. He also made major contributions to mathematics, physics, and technology. He created the Stepped Reckoner and his Protogaea concerns geology and natural history. He was a Lutheran who worked with convert to Catholicism John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg in hopes of a reunification between Catholicism and Lutheranism.[28]

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723): Dutch Reformed Calvinist who is remembered as the "father of microbiology".
Stephen Hales (1677–1761): Copley Medal winning scientist significant to the study of plant physiology. As an inventor designed a type of ventilation system, a means to distill sea-water, ways to preserve meat, etc. In religion he was an Anglican curate who worked with the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and for a group working to convert black slaves in the West Indies.[29]
Firmin Abauzit (1679–1767): physicist and theologian. He translated the New Testament into French and corrected an error in Newton's Principia.[30]
Emanuel swedenborg (1688–1772): He did a great deal of scientific research with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences having commissioned work by him.[31] His religious writing is the basis of Swedenborgianism and several of his theological works contained some science hypotheses, most notably the Nebular hypothesis for the origin of the Solar System.[32]
Albrecht von Haller (1708–1777): Swiss anatomist, physiologist known as "the father of modern physiology." A Protestant, he was involved in the erection of the Reformed church in Göttingen, and, as a man interested in religious questions, he wrote apologetic letters which were compiled by his daughter under the name .[33]
Leonhard Euler (1707–1783): significant mathematician and physicist, see List of topics named after Leonhard Euler. The son of a pastor, he wrote Defense of the Divine Revelation against the Objections of the Freethinkers and is also commemorated by the Lutheran Church on their Calendar of Saints on May 24.[34]
Mikhail Lomonosov (1711–1765): Russian Orthodox Christian who discovered the atmosphere of Venus and formulated the law of conservation of mass in chemical reactions.
Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794): considered the "father of modern chemistry". He is known for his discovery of oxygen's role in combustion, developing chemical nomenclature, developing a preliminary periodic table of elements, and the law of conservation of mass. He was a Catholic and defender of scripture.[35]
Herman Boerhaave (1668–1789): remarkable Dutch physician and botanist known as the founder of clinical teaching. A collection of his religious thoughts on medicine, translated from Latin into English, has been compiled under the name Boerhaaveìs Orations.[36]
John Michell (1724–1793): English clergyman who provided pioneering insights in a wide range of scientific fields, including astronomy, geology, optics, and gravitation.[37][38]
Maria Gaetana Agnesi (1718–1799): mathematician appointed to a position by Pope Benedict XIV. After her father died she devoted her life to religious studies, charity, and ultimately became a nun.[39]
Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778): Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, "father of modern taxonomy".
Whoever told you that satanists are behind science are liars like their master satan

OkCornel:


Yes, I am aware of that. And isn't it funny how Alex Malarkey's fabrication coincided with the week Heaven is for real movie was released?

Also feel free to dispute Emmanuel swedenborg's experience on heaven and hell as a fabrication too. And while at it, kindly tell us Akiane is delusional.

Can you answer my questions instead of throwing all these red herrings about?

LordReed:


The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven: A True Story is a best-selling 2010 Christian book that purported to tell the story of Alex Malarkey's experiences in heaven after a traffic accident in 2004. It was published by Tyndale House Publishers in 2010 and lists Alex's father Kevin Malarkey as an author along with Alex, although Alex described it in November 2012 as "one of the most deceptive books ever." It was adapted into a television film in March 2010.

Alex forcefully disavowed the book in an open letter to Christian bookstores almost five years after it was published and more than a million copies were sold, describing his near-death experience as a fabrication. As a result, Tyndale House removed the book from print, and Christian bookstores removed it from their shelves.

Yes, I am aware of that. And isn't it funny how Alex Malarkey's fabrication coincided with the week Heaven is for real movie was released?

Please how does Alex Malarkey's confession automatically invalidate the experiences and testimonies of many others? Just come straight to the point and tell us all these people are liars, and there's nothing like heaven or hell. So we can end our discussion quickly.

Also feel free to dispute Emmanuel swedenborg's experience on heaven and hell as a fabrication too. And while at it, kindly tell us Akiane is delusional.

budaatum:

No, Cornel, I had not read your account of Akiane, though, as you have seen in one of my posts, I did go and research her all the same. Now that I have read your post though, I can't but be reminded of the angel of the Lord taking swedenborg on a journey through Heaven and Hell.

None of the Gospels were written by any of the Apostles of Jesus. None of them are even eyewitness accounts as shown by Luke who tells us clearly that his narrative is what he received from many before him and eyewitnesses and ministers, which is clearly, a second hand account.

But that's besides the point. The Word of God it is to those who place God at the forefront of their reading despite the additions, corrections and ommisions, for the devil too [url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-11&version=NKJV]wears[/url] Prada.

Thanks for the heads up on swedenborg. I skimmed the surface and it looks interesting.

I'll dig into the details much later. Thanks.

OkCornel:


Did you read my first post on this thread?


Do you also agree the Gospel of Matthew to John is a testimony of the Apostles accounts with Jesus?

No, Cornel, I had not read your account of Akiane, though, as you have seen in one of my posts, I did go and research her all the same. Now that I have read your post though, I can't but be reminded of the angel of the Lord taking swedenborg on a journey through Heaven and Hell.

None of the Gospels were written by any of the Apostles of Jesus. None of them are even eyewitness accounts as shown by Luke who tells us clearly that his narrative is what he received from many before him and eyewitnesses and ministers, which is clearly, a second hand account.

But that's besides the point. The Word of God it is to those who place God at the forefront of their reading despite the additions, corrections and ommisions, for the devil too [url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-11&version=NKJV]wears[/url] Prada.

jubianose:
True Christianity vol 2.
Listen to Emmanuel swedenborg's wisdom

Is swedenborg the wisdom of God?

Pls come and explain John5:37 , John 6:46.
1John4:12. "No man has ever seen God at any time ".

Did Jesus Christ agree with your screenshot?

Does the holy Scriptures, even Yahweh himself (Judges6:11-22. Exodus 33:20) agree with your screenshot?

True Christianity vol 2.
Listen to Emmanuel swedenborg's wisdom

Please this is a must read for Christians! True Christianity by Emanuel swedenborg

Shepherd00:

I read something very close to this in swedenborg's 'Heaven And Hell.

These things must be real.

Hello. No Sir .for this narration, it isn't real. Just pure fiction and imagination