Intensified interest in prophecy, and particularly in its contemporaneous fulfillment, continued to mark this period. The world-shaking effects of the French Revolution, together with the exploits of Napoleon in Europe—and even the changes resulting from the American Revolution—were considered as harbingers of momentous developments ahead. Hence the signs of those approaching events became the subject of increasing investigation and anticipation, because it was commonly believed that important developments were soon to take place. PFF4 179.1