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For nearly 1,800 years, Christians never heard of a coming antichrist, a 7-year tribulation, nor a thousand-year reign of Christ upon the earth. It was not until John Darby began teaching dispensationalism in the early 1800's that the church began to embrace these "doctrines."

None of the early church fathers spoke of these things. And the dissertation Jesus gave in Matthew 24 concerning the end times referred not to a distant future, but to Jerusalem's destruction in 70 AD.

The problem with all of this, is not so much what is being taught, but that it keeps people focused on the fantastic instead of Jesus Christ and His salvation. Proof of this can be seen in the countless books and movies describing the end of the world.

The book of Revelation was written to 1st-Century Christians, and is heavily laced with Jewish symbolism and references. Its design was to provide comfort to those in that time of horrible persecution, not titilate modern-day Americans, who think they have an integral part in God's future plans.

For an in-depth study on Revelation, go here. I would recommend at least reading the introduction.

Go here to view articles by distinguished writers debunking these and other myths.