-
Applewhite and Nettles Meet
Applewhite and Nettles met in 1972 (exact date unclear) at the Houston hospital where Nettles was a nurse. Some sources say Applewhite was a patient; others, that he was visiting a friend or relative. Either way, they hit it off, thanks to shared religious upbringings, similar personal problems, and complementary spiritual ideologies. -
Wandering & Incarceration
Applewhite & Nettles, convinced they were "The Two" representatives of Christ from the Book of Revelation, wandered the country leaving calling cards but remaining hidden from view. At some point during that year, they were arrested for stealing a car and spent some time in a Brownsville, Tx. Upon release, they had nothing left but some camping gear. They set out again, more nomadic than before. -
Heaven's Gate Recruitment
Applewhite & Nettles held meetings to recruit followers. They believed that, as "The Two," they would soon be murdered and, in 3.5 days, ascend on a spaceship to the Next Level (Heaven). Their interpretation of the Bibilical Rapture was impending, and all who gave up earthly lifestyles would also reach the Next Level, There was no talk of leaving earthly vehicles: BODY AND SOUL WOULD TRAVEL TOGETHER. -
Harvest is Closed
Applewhite and Nettles' enterprise had unsurprisingly, become the butt of a lot of media jokes and, presumably in order to fend off the circus, The Two announced that "Harvest is Closed," the time had passed to join the ranks of voyagers to the Next Level. They set up camp with their followers in Wyoming and laid low until 1991. -
Bonnie Nettles' Dies of Cancer
Though it had been clear for awhile that The Two's murder and ascension prophecy was not coming true anytime soon, Nettles' death threw a wrench in the whole foundation of Heaven's Gate's teachings. -
The '88 Update
Applewhite published a booklet explaining how recent events played into the development of Heaven's Gate, and detailing several "new revelations" from his Older Member (Nettles). Biggest were the notions that followers were predetermined, and that they may have to leave their earthly vehicles. He also established himself as the only means by which followers could receive information from NL: the chain of command was stricter than ever before. Applewhite's health was ailing by this time. -
Reappearance: The Last Call
In 1991 and 1992, Heaven's Gate reappeared (calling themselves Total Overcomers Anonymous), releasing a series of twelve hour-long videos preaching their message. They were again convinced that the end was near, and they aimed to recruit those equipped to hear the messages of the Next Level. There were still no overt plans for suicide. -
Final Offer
The group took out an ad in USA today, extending a "Final Offer" for readers to be saved in time for the End Days. Still no suicide plans -- only the promise that, when the Earth was recycled, followers would find a place in the Next Level. Shortly after this announcement, the group resumed public recruitment meetings. -
Comet Hale Bopp Appears
Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp independently discovered this comet. -
UFO Discovered
Texan amateur astronomer, Chuck Shramek took a photo of the comet that showed a fuzzy, elongated object nearby. He announced it as a UFO sighting, which was accepted among UFO enthusiasts all over. Applewhite soon announced that this was the spaceship that would take Heaven's Gate to the Next Level, if only they would shed their earthly vehicles. -
Escape from Earth
39 members of Heaven's Gate committed suicide. They poisoned themselves by mixing Phenobarbitol and alcohol with applesauce, then placing plastic bags over their heads. They appear to have killed themselves in waves: after one wave died, the next wave laid them out neatly and covered them with purple shrouds before poisoning themselves. Each body was dressed in black, wearing Nikes, and carrying $5.75.
