Not for lack of trying. See Hal (Terminal Generation) Lindsey and Chuck Smith, e.g.:
"We’re the generation that saw the fig tree bud forth, as Israel became a nation again in 1948. As a rule, a generation in the Bible lasts 40 years. . . . Forty years after 1948 would bring us to 1988."But in many scholar's views, certain conditions have already been met. Events are seen, by some, to transpire in such a way as to suggest that many prophecies in the Bible have come to pass, and many others will be borne out at some future date." I'm convinced that the Lord is coming for His Church before the end of 1981." (Chuck Smith, Future Survival)
Like the claims of evolutionist, anything is possible given enough time and energy. That’s what makes the claims so unbelievable. Once the political landscape changes, they all-but-certain prophetic condition seems to fade away or morph into something new.
If the NT writers treated the OT prophecies in the same fashion as modern prophetic prognosticators treat them, I don’t think we would be sure of anything about Christ.
Is it a copout when it is suggested that the timeline can shift because of current events? I don't think so. But rather than taking a pessimistic view, I would only suggest you read Joel C. Rosenberg's book Epicenter - Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future. It is a fascinating read.
Yep, it’s a copout. Especially from folks who pride themselves on being able to read and interpret the Bible "literally". If the Bible painted these alleged future events in the way many prophecy gurus would have us believe, the details would fall together like a perfect puzzle. There would be no need for book revisions and new lecture series/prophecy conferences. Most of these conferences are only to tell you how the experts have had to change their theories since the last conference.
There are many fascinating reads that are far from the truth. When your starting propositions are faulty it is most likely that the conclusions will be faulty as well.
Well, yeah I admit I didn't try to find those. Not like I didn't know that a few have made the concrete predictions like your examples show. Just that I also realize as you claim with your statement-"Yep, it’s a copout. ", that no one can know G-d's plans for the world with absolute certainty.
On the other hand, there is prophecy in the Bible wrt Jesus as Messiah. Granted, not all accepted Him as such. But that does not invalidate prophecy. BTW, Epicenter is still worth a look, regardless your views.