1988 End Times Prophecy Failure

Source Type

Documented Claim - Widely reported prophetic statement with documented failure

Background

The World Mission Society Church of God, through founder Ahn Sahng-hong, made specific claims about the end of the world occurring in 1988. This prophecy was central to early WMSCOG evangelism and recruitment efforts.

Original Prophecy Claims

• The world would end in 1988
• Only WMSCOG members would be saved
• Urgency created for immediate conversion and membership
• Used as primary recruitment tool in 1970s and 1980s

Source Materials

• Early WMSCOG literature and publications
• Member testimonies from the 1980s period
• Documentation of preaching and teaching materials
• Witness accounts from former members

Prophecy Failure

Date: January 1, 1989 (and continuing) Status: Complete failure - world continued normally

Organizational Response

After the prophecy failed, WMSCOG leadership:

• Reinterpreted the prophecy as “spiritual” rather than literal
• Claimed the prophecy was fulfilled in ways not visible to outsiders
• Continued with modified end-times claims
• Did not acknowledge the failure or apologize to members

Impact on Members

• Some members left the organization after the failure
• Others accepted the reinterpretation and remained
• Created ongoing questions about prophetic reliability
• Continued pattern of date-setting despite failure

Verification Status

Verified - Multiple independent confirmations:

• Former member testimonies
• Contemporary news reports
• Academic research documentation
• Legal case references

Related Documents

• WMSCOG Early Literature Collection
• Ex-Member Testimonies 1980s-1990s
• Prophetic Claims Analysis

Research Notes

This prophecy failure represents a classic pattern in high-control religious groups where failed predictions are reinterpreted rather than acknowledged. The organizational response demonstrates typical thought-stopping and rationalization techniques used to maintain member loyalty despite contradictory evidence.

Document Status: Primary Source
Verification Level: Multiple Independent Confirmation
Related Analysis: See WMSCOG Doctrine for theological context