It shouldn't make you think too much. The mayans were the only ones who predicted this date that I can tell from the research that I have done. It was common belief the world would end on the first millenium and then the second. I'm sure there are many dates predicted to be the end of the world.
Oh, kinda like the seventies and the vietnam war? Or maybe the Korean War? Or how about the sixties with racial protests and race wars? Protests happen all the time as do wars. And I don't think that it need to be said that the world is changing around us at a rapid rate constantly and it always has.
Sorry, but I just don't believe that this is influenced by UFOs instead of natural human progression. Besides, if they were protecting us as is stated, why do they allow the wars to go on?