"The end is near" started in about  43 AD or so for Bible readers.    

Those who thought it would happen in their lifetimes quit breeding and died out over the centuries since.  

Those in Jonestown-style cults keep killing  themselves to get there sooner.

As an agnostic, I'm going to wait and see!  

   
Or maybe this is the TRUTH:

"Holy Father, "I have good news and bad news. 

The good news is that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has returned to the Earth."
"My son, what possibly could be the bad news?" 
"He was calling from Salt Lake City."