Dispensationalism (the "end-times") teaching is a relatively recent teaching that came about in the 1800's. It isn't something that was taught in the church before then. I don't believe that the book of the Revelation should be omitted from the Bible, but it certainly isn't to be taken literally. It is obviously figurative.
Those of us alive in the 1970's remember Hal Lindsey and
The Late Great Planet Earth. Time has proven that his teachings were total hogwash. (Though that hasn't stopped him from revising and publishing more recent books.)
A good book that deals a lot with this topic is Bruce Bawer's
Stealing Jesus: How Fundamentalism Betrays Christianity
I don't know why fundamentalist Christianity has adopted the dispensational theology. It is totally unBiblical. I guess it goes along with the idea of exclusivity. Only those who are right will be saved while the evil masses (especially gays, gasp!) will be left to suffer. It turns God into an avenging warrior.
(Actually I sort of hope there is a rapture and all fundamentalists are taken away. It will be a lot of fun without them.
)
OK I apologize for that last comment - sort of.
Pablo