By COGwriter
With 2012 fast approaching, there has been seemingly increased interest in certain ancient Mayan writings and 2012 calendar predictions.
Specifically, December 21, 2012 is when the Maya’s “Long Count” calendar marks the end of a 5,126-year era.
Here is some information about it:
The date December 21st, 2012 A.D. (13.0.0.0.0 in the Long Count), represents an extremely close conjunction of the Winter Solstice Sun with the crossing point of the Galactic Equator (Equator of the Milky Way) and the Ecliptic (path of the Sun), what that ancient Maya recognized as the Sacred Tree. This is an event that has been coming to resonance very slowly over thousands and thousands of years. It will come to resolution at exactly 11:11 am GMT (All About 2012. http://www.greatdreams.com/2012.htm viewed 01/13/08).
While most people believe nothing other than some astronomical occurrences will happen then (and the Mayans were apparently correct about that according to astronomers), some believe that the Mayan date may mark the end of civilization or perhaps the beginning of a time of great tribulation. It is also getting increasingly popular to refer to the astronomical event as the "galactic alignment" (Nostradamus and 2012. History Channel, original air date 01/04/09)--though most astronomers have difficultly identifying the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
USA Today reported the following in an article titled Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse?:
Journalist Lawrence Joseph forecasts widespread catastrophe in Apocalypse 2012: A Scientific Investigation Into Civilization's End. Spiritual healer Andrew Smith predicts a restoration of a "true balance between Divine Feminine and Masculine" in The Revolution of 2012: Vol. 1, The Preparation. In 2012, Daniel Pinchbeck anticipates a "change in the nature of consciousness," assisted by indigenous insights and psychedelic drug use...
Part of the 2012 mystique stems from the stars. On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. This means that "whatever energy typically streams to Earth from the center of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on 12/21/12 at 11:11 p.m. Universal Time," Joseph writes (G. Jeffrey MacDonald. Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse? USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-03-27-maya-2012_n.htm viewed 01/14/08).
What the records actually were intended to mean by the ancient Mayans is unknown and has been subject to a lot of debate. But literally, the destruction of the planet seems to be shown by some.
When the Spaniards came across the Mayans, they considered them to have pagan practices associated with the devil. Because of that, once they conquered them, they began to burn and otherwise destroy most of the writings of their civilization (known as codices), most notably under the direction of Bishop Diego de Landa. One Catholic, however, intervened and prevented three from being destroyed. These Mayan codices are now known as the Madrid, Dresden, and Paris codices. There also is a fourth, the Grolier codex, whose authenticity is sometimes disputed, but may be genuine--only a few pages from it survive. From time to time, other fragments of Mayan writings of this period have also been found. The Dresden Codex contains the highest amount of astronomical observations and calculations of any of the surviving texts. There are also nine writings called Chilam Balam (meaning "oracular priest" "jaguar") that seem to combine Mayan and Spanish beliefs that came from the late 15th/early 16th century.
One writer (probably Robert Bast who has his own "wiki") has stated this about the Mayans and the calendar:
Like the Aztec and Inca who came to power later, the Maya believed in a cyclical nature of time. The rituals and ceremonies were very closely associated with celestial/terrestrial cycles which they observed and inscribed as separate calendars. The Maya priest had the job of interpreting these cycles and giving a prophetic outlook on the future or past based on the number relations of all their calendars. They also had to determine if the "heavens" or celestial matters were appropriate for performing certain religious ceremonies (Mayan Civilization. http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Maya_civilization viewed 01/14/08).
The actual Wikipedia states:
The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar forms the basis for a New Age belief, first forecast by José Argüelles, that a cataclysm will take place on or about 21 December 2012 (Maya Calendar. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_calendar viewed 01/14/08).
On two different programs, The History Channel claimed:
The Mayan calendar seems to say that the world will end in 2012 (Crowley, Phil. 2012, Decoding the Past. Original air date 03/01/07).
The ancient Maya have prophesied that the world will come to the end on 13 Baktun on their current calendar. This date translates to December 21st, 2012...A new age may occur...
Others...see destruction...
The last page of the Dresden codex actually shows the destruction of the world via water...
This graphic illustration depicts the destruction of the earth by flood...
Others see it as a day of rebirth...
Others see it literally, with very severe consequences (Mayan Doomsday Prophecy, Decoding the Past. Original air date 08/03/06).
So we see two interpretations from different sources that indicate that either something terrible or something very good will happen in or near the end of 2012.
Perhaps I should add that most 2012 Mayan predictions seem to be based upon Western interpretation of the calendar and Mayan drawings as opposed to what the Mayans themselves have ever publicly taught throughout history.
On The History Channel, Steve Alten, author of Domain, stated:
The four prior cycles all ended in destruction. So when we talk about the Mayan doomsday prophecy, we're talking about the end of the fifth cycle, the very last day, which equates to December 21, 2012 (Mayan Doomsday Prophecy, Decoding the Past. Original air date 08/03/06).
The History Channel narration after the preceding comment immediately was:
This means the fifth and current cycles, like its predecessors, will also end in destruction (Mayan Doomsday Prophecy, Decoding the Past. Original air date 08/03/06).
While I do not believe that the end will come then, I do believe that we are getting close to the time of the destruction of civilization as we know it.
Some who read the Mayan works also compared those writings to the modern science of astronomy. Many were intrigued by the fact that a major astronomical alignment was to occur about the same time as the Mayan calendar indicated that something major was to occur. This, combined with the Drseden codex, is would led to many Mayan calendar predictions.
Here is some additional information from the website of Adrian Gilbert, co-author of the book The Mayan Prophecies (the other co-author is Maurice Cottrell):
The Mayans had rather similar beliefs to the Aztecs though with some major differences of emphasis. Several of their bark-books have been preserved showing their amazing knowledge and fascination with astronomy.The most important of these was what is now called the "Dresden Codex", named after the town in whose library it was lodged. This strange book, inscribed with unknown hieroglyphs, was written by Maya Indians who once ruled over much of Central America, the ruins of their once grand civilization littering the jungle. In 1880 a brilliant, German scholar, who was working as a librarian in Dresden at the time, turned his attention to this codex. By a process of extraordinary detective work he cracked the code of the Mayan calendar making it possible for other scholars and explorers to translate the many dated inscriptions to be found on buildings, stelae and other ancient Mayan artefacts. He discovered that the Dresden Codex itself was concerned with astronomy providing detailed tables of lunar eclipses and other phenomenon. These were so accurate that they put our own calendar to shame. He also found evidence for a curious "magic number"- 1,366,560 days, which could be factorised in a number of ways and which harmonised the cycles of Venus and Mars with two "yearly" cycles also used by the Maya: the sacred tzolkin of 260 days and the Haab of 365 days. However, he also found that they had another system of counting the days relative to a starting date, called the Birth of Venus and now known to be 13 August 3114 BC. This calendar was divided into "months" or uinals of twenty days, "years" or tuns of 360 days and longer periods of 7200 days, (the katun) and 144,000 days, (the baktun). The number 13 was magically important to the Mayans and they believed that, starting from the Birth of Venus, after 13 of these longest periods, or baktuns, the world would come to an end. This means that working from their start date for the present age of 13 August 3114 BC, this Mayan Prophecy points to a date for the end of the age which is in our own time: 22 December 2012...
In 1986 Maurice Cotterell put forward a revolutionary theory concerning astrology and sun cycles. He had for some years suspected that the sun's variable magnetic field had consequences for life on earth. The sun has a complex field which loops and twists itself into knots. It has long been suspected that these loops give rise to sunspots, which are dark blemishes on the sun's skin. The number, size and location of sunspots are constantly changing and as a former Radio Officer, Cotterell was well aware that they have profound effects upon the earth's magnetic envelope, the magnetosphere. Whilst working as Head of Electrical and Communications Engineering (Estates) at Cranfield Institute of Technology, he devised a program that would compute the relationship between the sun's magnetic field and the Earth. As expected his model predicted that there should be a sunspot cycle of roughly eleven and a half years, closely corresponding to what has been observed over several centuries. However, he also found graphic evidence for longer cycles including a period of 1,366,040 days. His work took a new turn when he read about the Mayan super number from the Dresden Codex: 1,366,560 days. This was exactly two 260 day cycles larger than his theoretical sunspot period. He therefore proposed that the two were related. As his earlier work on what he called Astrogenetics indicated that human fertility was dependent on the presence of sunspots, he now had evidence that the Mayan calendar was not arbitrary but was based on a knowledge of the effects of sunspots (http://www.adriangilbert.co.uk/docus/books/mayan.html).
A critical review of the The Mayan Prophecies book reported the following:
Gilbert appears to have written the 212 pages of main text, even summarizing Cotterell's work in his own voice, while Cotterell provides 100 pages of mathematically complex appendices which the casual reader will find impenetrable. These are supposed to provide the rigorous scientific evidence for Cotterell's end-date cataclysm theory, which is as follows. Sunspot cycles give rise to larger solar aberrations in which the sun's magnetic field periodically reverses, causing the earth's pole to shift and thus resulting in cataclysm. According to Cotterell, the solar reversals come in groups of five, which together make a grand cycle of 18,139 years. The five "ages" are not all of the same length, due to complex solar rhythms which Cotterell modelled on a computer using only three variables. Three of the ages last 3553 years each while two last 3740 years each. These are supposed to correspond to the Mayan or Aztec myth of five (or four) ages. A key number here is the number of days in 3740 years (using 365.25 days per year): 1366035. This number is "close" to a number in the Dresden Codex, written in Long Count notation as 9.9.16.0.0. This corresponds to a date in 627 A.D., which is 1366560 days after the so-called Long Count "zero date" back in 3114 B.C. The closeness of these numbers is supposed to demonstrate that the Maya were aware of sunspot cycles, solar magnetic field reversals, and that is why the Long Count pinpoints 2012 A.D. as a cataclysmic World Age destruction. "From his studies... Cotterell has concluded that the Maya prophecy for the end of the fifth age concerns a reversal of the earth's magnetic field - around 2012 A.D."
...The inner jacket cover reads: "The present world will end on December 22nd, 2012...So prophesied the Maya 5,000 years ago..." (Review-Essay of Mayan Prophecies by Gilbert and Cotterell, Element Books 1995. Book Review. October 18th, 1995. by John Major Jenkins c. Four Ahau Press, http://www.alignment2012.com/mproph.htm viewed 01/13/08).
The History Channel and other television sources have picked up on us, and now many people are concerned that December 21, 2012/December 22, 2012 will mark a time of destruction and the end of civilization. Several have looked into certain of the books premises and alleged facts and have disagreed with them. However, it is generally agreed that some type of astronomical alignment will occur around December 21, 2012.
A few people seem to believe that on the next day or so (December 22, 2012 or December 23, 2012) that this may mark the beginning of a new and better era for humanity. Personally, I suspect that the one who will become the European King of the North may be more obvious around that time and may claim (even possibly retrospectively) that he is bringing in the positive era that the Mayan calendar may indicate (the Bible indicates that a European Beast power will be aligned with a future changed version of the Roman Catholic Church).
Specifically, some " Catholics" (and others) seem to believe that there will come an "age of peace" before Antichrist (e.g. Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp. xlii-xliii, 410), hence it would not surprise me if they claim that this new age begins (or more likely will have began) around December 22, 2012 (cf. Ezekiel 13:10-16).
However, the Bible shows that although people in many places will at first prosper because of this King of the North (Daniel 11:39; Revelation 18:3), that God will punish those who follow him (see Russia in Prophecy) or have his mark (666). Thus this is not going to be a biblically acceptable "age of peace"--and some Catholic writers also agree with my assessment.
In the Chilam Balam there is the following:
But when the law of the katun has run its course, the God will bring about a great deluge again which will be the end of the world. When this is over, then our Lord Jesus Christ will descend over the valley of Jehoshaphat besides the town of Jerusalem where he redeemed us with his holy blood (José Hoíl J, Roys R. The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel. Roys Publisher, 1933. Reprint Forgotten Books, 1967, p. 67).
The people of the Netherlands have long been concerned about the possibility of a destructive flood killing many as much of that nation is below sea level. And partially because of the Mayan prophecies, some in the Netherlands are concerned that they may be predicting the destruction of their nation and perhaps others, like Belgium.
Notice the following news item:
Many Dutch prepare for 2012 apocalypse
UPI - June 23, 2008 AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (UPI) —
Thousands of people in the Netherlands say they expect the world to end in 2012, and many say they are taking precautions to prepare for the apocalypse. The Dutch-language de Volkskrant newspaper said it spoke to thousands of believers in the impending end of civilization, and while theories on the supposed catastrophe varied, most tied the 2012 date to the end of the Mayan calendar, Radio Netherlands reported Monday.
De Volkskrant said many of those interviewed are stocking up on emergency supplies, including life rafts and other equipment. Some who spoke to the newspaper were optimistic about the end of civilization. “You know, maybe it’s really not that bad that the Netherlands will be destroyed,” Petra Faile said. “I don’t like it here anymore. Take immigration, for example. They keep letting people in. And then we have to build more houses, which makes the Netherlands even heavier. The country will sink even lower, which will make the flooding worse.” http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2008/06/23/Many_Dutch_prepare_for_2012_apocalypse/UPI-40461214263554/
The fact is that although Mayan prophecies do allude to flooding, the Netherlands will not be destroyed by a flood in 2012.
However, it is possible that a few years from then that it could have major flooding problems. Unlike most countries, since much of the Netherlands is below sea level, flooding is truly a national concern. But because I do not believe that massive flooding on that type of scale will likely occur until sometime after “the Day of the Lord” begins (which is 2 1/2 years after the Great Tribulation begins), I believe that the most destructive flooding cannot occur before 2014, and most likely will not be for one or more years after that.
And yes, I know that there has been flooding in the USA and elsewhere (see Midwest Flooding and Myanmar). But the type of deadly destruction that the 2012 prophecies appear to be referring to is not likely to happen until a few years AFTER 2012.
ABC News reported that it is not just the Dutch:
Thousands Worldwide Prepare for the Apocalypse, Expected in 2012Two years ago, Patrick Geryl, then 51, quit his job as a laboratory worker for a French oil company. He'd saved up just enough money to last him until December 2012. After that, he thought, he wouldn't need it anyway...
“You have to understand, there will be nothing, nothing left,” Geryl told ABC News from his home in Antwerp, Belgium. “We will have to start an entire civilization from scratch.”
That’s because Geryl believes the world as we know it will end in 2012. He points to the ancient Mayan cyclical calendars, the longest of which last renewed itself approximately 5,125 years ago and is set to end again, supposedly with catastrophic consequences, in 2012. He speaks of the ancient Egyptians, who, he claims, saw 2012 as a year of great change too. And he points to science: NASA predicts a sharp increase in the number of sunspots and sun flares for 2012, he said, sure to cause electrical failures and satellite disruptions.
All this adds up, Geryl said, to unprecedented catastrophe. First, a polar reversal will cause the north to become the south and the sun to rise in the west. Shattering earthquakes, massive tidal waves and simultaneous volcanic eruptions will follow. Nuclear reactors will melt, buildings will crumble, and a cloud of volcanic dust will block out the sun for 40 years. Only the prepared will survive, Geryl said, and not even all of them.
These may sound like the ravings of a madman, or perhaps the head of a small apocalyptic sect. But Geryl is not the only one who believes in the apocalypse. Thousands of people worldwide seem to be preparing, in one way or another, for the end of days in 2012. Survival groups exist in Europe, Canada and the United States…
"We had Hurricane Katrina, the recent cyclone in Myanmar," Lehmann said. "We've got major flooding in Iowa. We're always going to have natural disasters. But they are picking up quite frequently now."
Lehmann said he eventually hoped to move away from Cape Girardeau, built on the banks of the Mississippi River, to the higher plains of southwest Missouri to keep safe from the floods sure to follow the earthquakes of 2012.
Geryl and his Belgian and Dutch followers have similar intentions, though their plan will take them much farther from home. They are looking to buy a plot of land high up in African mountains, where they'll be able to withstand the monstrous tidal waves and wait out the cloud of volcanic dust that they said would block out the sun.
Geryl said the group has recently zeroed in on a location, but won't reveal his find for fear of tipping off rival survival groups in the United States and Canada. On that land, Geryl's group, whose core membership consists of 16 people but whose wait list supposedly lists hundreds, will build concrete dwellings or outfit caves for survival...
When asked what would happen if December 2012 were to come and go without the earthquakes and tsunamis of his predictions, Geryl fell silent.
“I don’t really contemplate that possibility,” he said. “[My predictions] are so spectacular, they can’t possibly be wrong.” (Will the World End in 2012? ABC News, July 3, 2008. http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=5301284&page=1)
I reviewed 2012 the Movie (by Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company) preview and also the trailer for it a few times. Thus far, it seems to perpetuate the non-biblical position that the world will be destroyed by a flood (cf. Genesis 9:11-17) in 2012. The trailer also has the following statements:
HOW WOULD THE GOVERNMENTS OF OUR PLANET PREPARE SIX BILLION PEOPLE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD?
THEY WOULDN'T
2012
FIND OUT THE TRUTH
Despite claims, Mayan writings, movie trailers, and movie reviews, the truth is that world will not end in 2012. (Though massive flooding, which Sony's movie implies, is likely to occur just a few years later.)
It is simply not possible according to the Bible for this to happen in 2012 (please also see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?). Those who think it will, simply have been misled. And those looking for a place of protection, may wish to consult the Bible and not Patrick Geryl (for biblical information, please see the article There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra) nor Hollywood.
The Bible also teaches:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Those who are convinced by Mayan and other non-biblical prophecies otherwise are not correct and simply are not being directed by God–they are leaning on their own inaccurate misunderstandings. But the end of the world (meaning the end of this age) will come soon--but it will not be until after 2012 for reasons that this article will indicate later.
And, it may be important to realize that the Bible does show that some type of flooding will occur and eliminate most of the islands of the world (please see Islands and Bible Prophecy), but I do not believe that this can occur until some years after December 21, 2012. Nor does the Bible allow for a worldwide destruction of all flesh through a flood:
8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: 9 "And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth. 11 Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." (Genesis 9:8-11).
However, since the world cannot and will not be destroyed by a flood, I strongly suspect that many will decide that the Mayan prophecies should properly be interpreted to mean that the longed for age of peace is upon us--even though it will not be (Ezekiel 13:10).
Here is a picture of page 9 of the Dresden Codex (from the 1880 Förstermann edition):
It took quite some time to translate these type of writings.
As far as Mayan predictions (or what some assume are Mayan 2012 predictions), here is a picture of the last page of the actual Dresden Codex (from the 1880 Förstermann edition). This is the page that suggests to some that the world will end in a flood (and although massive flooding will occur, it will not be until after 2012, but will occur after the start of the Great Tribulation, please see Islands and Bible Prophecy):
The actual Dresden Codex, with lots of pages (and it is slow to download) is available at http://www.famsi.org/mayawriting/codices/dresden.html
Now one interpretation is that the water is showing the world ending in a flood (and that is consistent with the Chilam Balam, which was written well after the Dresden Codex). Another interpretation could be that since the figures that the water is near have some black on them, that the water will cleanse the world of evil and a new day will dawn. It is also possible that the picture is not related to the 2012 date at all. Some have other ideas.
The Mayan long-count calendar consists of time periods with different names.
| Days | Long Count period | Long Count period | Approx solar years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | = 1 K'in | ||
| 20 | = 20 K'in | = 1 Winal | 1/18th |
| 360 | = 18 Winal | = 1 Tun | 1 |
| 7,200 | = 20 Tun | = 1 K'atun | 20 |
| 144,000 | = 20 K'atun | = 1 B'ak'tun | 395 |
The Mayan name for a day was k'in. Twenty of these k'ins are known as a winal (or uinal). Eighteen winals or 360 k'in make one tun. Twenty tuns are known as a k'atun. Twenty k'atuns make a b'ak'tun. There are also four rarely-used higher-order periods: piktun, kalabtun, k'inchiltun, and alautun (Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Wikipedia viewed 4/20/08).
In the Chilam Balam there is the following:
You shall not call the katun which is to come a hostile one, when Jesus, the guardian of our souls shall come...
The katun is established at Chichen Itzá. The settlement of the Itzá shall take place <there>. The quetzal shall come, the green bird shall come. Ah Kantenal shall come. Blood-vomit shall come. Kukulcan shall come with them for the second time. <It is> the word of God. (José Hoíl J, Roys R. The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel. Roys Publisher, 1933. Reprint Forgotten Books, 1967, pp. 78, 111)
The katuns in these writings do not seem to be the same precise time periods, yet some feel that they are related to 2012.
These writings do document that there was some type of belief that some type of disaster ("blood-vomit") would come. Blood-vomit may signify liquid (like a flood) or perhaps disaster. And, perhaps because they were influenced by the Spanish missionaries, they suggest that Jesus would return (the Bible calls Jesus the "Word" and God).
However, it would not seem possible for Jesus to return by December 21, 2012, so if the above are referring to a future event, it would seem that they would need to be referring to a time after December 21, 2012.It should probably be noted that Kulkulcan can mean "serpent" (ibid, p. 228) or "feathered serpent" (ibid, p. 261) and hence instead of Jesus returning, the second section above may be referring to a Satanic power rising up at a time of turmoil who claims his word is that of God. (Perhaps it should also be noted that the Chilam Balam hints that the church will be near or in a cave, and apparently those in Central America should head for the forest, for more details, please see There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).
The History Channel declared:
The ancient Maya have prophesied that the world will come to the end on 13 Baktun on their current calendar. This date translates to December 21st, 2012...(Mayan Doomsday Prophecy, Decoding the Past. Original air date 08/03/06).
The following is the list of the start dates for 13 Baktuns:
| Long Count | Proleptic Gregorian Calendar Date |
|---|---|
| 0.0.0.0.0 | August 11, 3114 BCE |
| 1.0.0.0.0 | November 13, 2720 BCE |
| 2.0.0.0.0 | February 16, 2325 BCE |
| 3.0.0.0.0 | May 21, 1931 BCE |
| 4.0.0.0.0 | August 23, 1537 BCE |
| 5.0.0.0.0 | November 26, 1143 BCE |
| 6.0.0.0.0 | February 28, 748 BCE |
| 7.0.0.0.0 | June 3, 354 BCE |
| 8.0.0.0.0 | September 5, 41 CE |
| 9.0.0.0.0 | December 9, 435 |
| 10.0.0.0.0 | March 13, 830 |
| 11.0.0.0.0 | June 15, 1224 |
| 12.0.0.0.0 | September 18, 1618 |
| 13.0.0.0.0 | December 21, 2012 |
Thus, the end of the 13th Baktun is coming fairly soon.
The Bible shows that one is coming called "the King of the North". However, prior to being referred to as "the King of the North" he initially appears to be referred to as a "prince" (or rising leader) in Daniel 9:26-27 (one is normally a "prince" before one becomes a "king"). As this deal has still not been made, this would suggest that contrary to claims of various false prophets (Ronald Weinland of CGPFK comes to mind) the great tribulation will not begin prior to 2013.
The Great Tribulation will also not start before there is an actual King of the South and an actual King of the North)--and while the "prince" will apparently help make a deal with Israel (probably somewhat including the United States as part of the "many" in Daniel 9:27), Daniel 11:27 requires two kings, which suggests that the "prince" will gain more and more importance after the deal in Daniel 9:27 (for more information on the sequence of Daniel 11, please see the article the King of the North).
In the book of Daniel there is a prophecy related to the end times that states:
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:26-27).
While there have been various understandings of the above passage in Daniel 9 (and many falsely believe it requires a third temple to be built, please see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?), the fact is that the Great Tribulation cannot start prior to 2013.
Why?
Simply because this agreement between the King of the North and Israel has apparently not yet occurred, thus the great tribulation cannot occur until about 3 1/2 years after it does. This means that unless this agreement occurred secretly and prior to July 1, 2009, that the intense 3/12 year period of the great tribulation cannot occur before 2013!
If one adds 3 1/2 years to any current or future date, then a date of 2013 or later is the only period possible (and I believe it will probably be up to several years later than 2013). Thus, the Great Tribulation CANNOT occur in 2009 nor prior to 2013! (For more biblical analysis and commentary regarding Daniel 9:26-27, please see the article Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011?)
(Perhaps it should be mentioned here that contrary to the claims of various self-appointed ones, a while ago I wrote that the Great Tribulation COULD NOT begin in 2008. A news item explaining more of the reasons why would be At Least Two Wrongly Claim Great Tribulation Will Begin in 2008).
There are writings, legends, and calculations from a variety of sources (including the Bible) that indicate that the end will occur in the 21st century.
And while I believe that 2012 is just a little bit too early for the end, several seem to point to that year for some type of major change.
Perhaps one of the more fascinating is related to the Chinese I Ching. Although it slightly reminds me of the so-called Bible Code, there have been some calculations made apparently based upon looking at all the 64 possible combinations one can obtain by throwing the three discs and plotting the associated full and broken lines from using the I Ching:
Fractal time and the I Ching...
Various fringe scientists have tried to calculate this point of infinity, giving us calculated dates ranging from 2010 to 2050. Dates that many of us will live to see. Perhaps the date is Dec 22, 2012. Ethnobotanists and fractal time experts Terrence and Dennis McKenna believe so, and they present their ideas in Invisible Landscape: Mind Hallucinogens and the I Ching (1993).
Their studies began with the I Ching, which is composed of 64 hexagrams, or six-line figures. It struck them that 6 x 64 = 384, which is exceptionally close to the number of days in 13 lunar months (29.5306 x 13 = 383.8978), and that maybe the I Ching was originally an ancient Chinese calendar. Further multiples had astronomical significance...
The McKenna brothers arrived at the 2012 end date by using fractals. Starting from a table of differences between one hexagram and the next, they developed a Mandelbrot fractal in which each level is 64 times greater then the one below it. They then laid this fractal pattern on top of a time scale. The peaks and troughs of the pattern relate to the level of connectedness or novelty in any span of time, whether it covers a day, millennia or even since the beginning of time. By matching the levels of the pattern with key periods in history, they determined it would fit best if the end of the time scale was December 22, 2012. This is the only point in which the level of novelty reaches its maximum, and everything that happens is new (Bast R. Survive 2012. http://survive2012.com/why_2012_fractal.php viewed 04/12/08).
So, some believe that December 22, 2012 was long known as the date for the world as we know it to end.
There is a tradition from the Buddhists in Tibet:
The Tibetans Kalachakra contains a prophecy that 860 years after its introduction into Tibet, which happened in 1127, the conditions would be fulfilled for a twenty-five year period that would culminate in the appearance of the Tibetan version of New Jerusalem, the hidden city of Shamballa. Eight hundred and sixty years after 1127 is 1987, and 25 years after that is 2012 (Weidner J, Bridges V. Harrington M. A Monument to the End of Time: Alchemy, Fulcanelli and the Great Cross. Aethyrea Books LLC, 2000, p. 173).
So, some Buddhists seem to be looking for an age of peace to come in or after 2012. But the Bible shows that New Jerusalem does not occur until AFTER the Great Tribulation and AFTER the 1,000 year millennial reign of Christ on this earth, hence this is a false time of peace that some seem to be looking forward to.
There is also a tradition from India:
It is interesting that this prediction of the emergence of a new world is prophesied to appear about the same time that the Mayans predicted it to come! The Mayan calendar began with the Fifth Great Cycle in 3114 BC and will end on 21 December 2012 AD. The Hindu Kali Yuga calendar began on 18 February 3102 B.C. There is only a difference of 12 years between the Hindu's beginning of the Kali Yuga and the Mayan's beginning of the Fifth Great Cycle. It is amazing that both calendars began at about the same time over 5,000 years ago and both calendars predict a totally new world and/or golden age after about 5,000 years into their calendars! We are definitely on to something with these Mayan and Hindu 2012 predictions. Historically, this is an amazing fact since these two ancient cultures did not have any contact...Lord Krishna's Golden Age could easily begin in 2012! (Hindu Calendar. http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Hindu_Calendar viewed 01/14/08).
A source, related to the above India/Hindu comments, also stated:
The Hopi prophecy is an oral tradition of stories that Hopis say predicted the coming of the white man, the world wars and nuclear weapons. And it predicts that time will end when humanity emerges into the "fifth world." The Mayan calendar predicts a similar end in 2012; some Hopis have said their prophecy roughly coincides with that time. The tradition says the years after 2012 could be a golden age with humans at peace. It also says the world will go through a time of trial, suffering and purification before a time of "one-heartedness" (Hopi Civilization. http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Hopi_Civilization viewed 01/14/08).
And although a Robert Bast is the source of many of those written quotes (and his Hindu ones are all over the internet), a program (2012 episode of Decoding the Past) that The History Channel originally aired March 1, 2007, had a variety of sources that basically stated the same things that Robert Bast has written, but less so on the Hindus. But one of those that was similar was that the end of "the fourth world" in Hopi prophecy is about upon us.
A Hindu from India named Vijay Kumar (who refers to himself as "The Man who Realized God In 1993") makes the following claims about 2012 at his website:
Yes! 2012... shall be the year of reckoning. 2012 shall be remembered in history of mankind forever. Why?
From the position of planetary movements and astrological calculations... the significance of number three for present civilization is immense. The 12th year of 21st century totals number three.
Talking of 2012 means... we have already stepped into the 21st century which numerically totals three. The 12th year also totals to three. A significant upheaval on the whole shall be the order of the day.
Adharma (lawlessness) would be rooted out for ever. 2012 and beyond is the period of spiritual elevation. 2012 rings start of golden era. Beyond 2012 it shall be harmony and peace all over.
The society would have learnt its lessons. Unethical practices and wanton desires would take a back seat. The lure of money and position would cease to exist. A pot of gold found lying in the backyard would not have a claimant!
The glitter of gold and diamonds would be passé. The spiritual wisdom would become the order of the day. 2012 is the year of sacrifice. Both... the sinner (committer of crime) and the innocent will be sacrificed. One who has committed crime shall face the gallows. Those who uphold and cherish values in the society would sacrifice their lives for the sake of humanity...
The sacrifice by the eminent would be by will. To cleanse the society of its ills in 2012... many would come forward and sacrifice self on the altar of God. Unless that happens... the upheaval in the society is not possible. The blood of the innocent would be spilled. There is no other remedy...
For the society to climb back to its pristine glory of the golden era... even the meek would handle metal (pick arms). Whatever the poor and the downtrodden lay their hands upon would become their weapon. In the last phase of the Kali Yuga we are passing through... the complete society has been taken to ransom by about 6% corrupt population comprising of politicians, bureaucrats, judiciary and police force.
In every nook and corner of the world situation would be same...
2012 is the year of the Avatar of the era (god almighty manifest in human form)... people await with abated breath the coming of Bhagwan Kalki... one who delivers the mankind from the existing ills of today. Bhagwan Kalki would be a spiritual master of the highest order with the deadly combination of a wise dictator (Chanakya of the modern era)...
Prayers world-wide have delayed the coming of Bhagavan Kalki. The World War Three that was destined to start in 1998~1999 got delayed. It is the theory of mass karma that governs the destiny of every living being. WTC affair was just a preamble to the main show. Let us all prepare ourselves and wait for 2012.
Be it enlightenment 2012, mayan prophecy prediction year 2012, nostradamus 2012 predicciones armageddon doomsday happen, horrible polar shift... everything bogs down to... what is going to happen in 2012!
(Kumar, Vijay. End of the World 2012. http://www.godrealized.com/2012.html viewed 01/18/09).
Also notice that Vijay Kumar's writing are supporting a warring power--something that the Bible warns against in Revelation 13.
If views like Vijay Kumar's become predominant, it may be that they will help lead to Hindus at least temporarily accepting the religion of the false prophet and the authority of the coming dictator known as Beast that the Bible warns will rise up at the end. Hence, in that way, 2012 may have biblically prophetic significance. Perhaps I should add that "God in human form" will return (Jesus) and bring in a time of peace, but it will not and cannot be in 2012 as the Great Tribulation must start 3 1/2 years before Christ returns.
It also probably should be mentioned that unlike Vijay Kumar's assertions, most Hindu "prophecies" I have seen tend seem to be point to dates later than 2012.
Here is an astrological one related to a Hindu deity (it also calls the time "an age of transition"):
Thereafter Saturn will govern for 19 years when it will spread Sahaja Yoga in the Whole world. Saturn means the masses, the Virata and Shri Mataji will witness Kalki (Mercury) Power manifesting over the whole World. 21 – 02 - 2013 (Horoscope of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – by Lalit Bhandari (given during Tour of Australia – 22 October 1991; http://www.adishakti.org/mayan_end_times_12-21-2012/shri_mataji's_horoscope_the_tribulation_and_satya_yuga.htm viewed 8/20/08).
So, apparently a time of change is being predicted that may be clearer by February 21, 2013 (a frequent Hindu festival called "Ekadashi" is also to take place then). Other Hindus, however, seem to be looking a little later, while recognizing certain astronomical aspects of 2012:
As far as Hindus are concerned the important date is 2014 & 2013.
In 2012 the plane of our Solar System will line up exactly with the plane of our Galaxy,
On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years.
According to Srimad Bhagavatam - Kalki is destined to appear when the Sun, Moon and Jupiter together enters Pushya nakshatra ...it then goes to give the description of his birth etc. This astrological phenomenon happens on 26/27th. July 2014 A.D. at 3:10 P. M. on a Sunday.(Raju Apr 22 2007, 01:06 AM. India Discussion Forum. http://www.india-forum.com/forums/index.php?act=Print&client=printer&f=10&t=1843 viewed 8/20/08).
Thus, it is clear that not all Hindus are looking towards 2012, but some do seem to be looking to the next decade. And although I do not condone astrology, astrology is part of the Hindu faith, thus they can be highly influenced by movements in the sky. So much so, that perhaps this will temporarily get them to accept some of what the European Beast power is teaching (see Asia in Prophecy).
Now regarding the Hopi prophecies, notice the following from the popular book 2012 The Return of Quetzalcoatl:
According to the Hopi, we are currently completing the cycle of the Fourth World--Tuwaqachi, "World Complete" --on the verge of the transitioning, or emerging, into the Fifth World, with several more worlds to follow. In each of the three previous conditions, humanity eventually went berserk, bringing ruin upon themselves through destructive practices, wars, misused technologies, and the loss of the connection to the sacred (Pinchbeck, Daniel. 2012 The Return of Quetzalcoatl. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, NY, 2007, p. 381).
Hence, the Hopi prophecies tend towards doom, though NOT the destruction of all life.
A couple of thousand years ago the so-called Sibylline prophecies (or Sybilline oracles) predicted what seem to be the end. These writings consist of many books, but the fourth is the most explicit:
Book iv. is far more unified. In the name of the true God the sibyl predicts the events that will take place from the first to the tenth generation of man (Sibyl. JewishEncyclopedia.com viewed 04/12/08).
This last generation is supposed to have started around the year 2000 (Crowley, Phil. 2012, Decoding the Past. Original air date 03/01/07).
So there are many different indications that something may happen in the 21st century, and perhaps in the next decade.
There are other astronomically-related events that may occur:
Holes in Earth's magnetic cloak let the sun in
Reuters - Dec 16, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Earth's protective magnetosphere has two large holes that are letting in disruptive solar winds, scientists said on Tuesday.
Understanding how these holes form will help them better predict the electrical storms that cause power grid blackouts and the aurora, activity that will peak in 2012 as sunspots hit their maximum level...
"The opening was huge -- four times wider than Earth itself," said Raeder. "This kind of influx is an order of magnitude greater than what we thought was possible."
Most of the particles are deflected back into space, but some circulate in the magnetosphere, get energized, and cause electrical storms that trigger power grid outages, cause problems for aircraft flying over the poles, and can damage satellites in geosynchronous orbit.
"There's a bigger risk because we have more stuff in space now," said Raeder.
Scientists said that the majority of solar storms take place midway through and on the tail end of the solar cycle. This 11-year cycle of activity is at its minimum now and electrical storms will be at their peak in 2012. http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE4BF79220081216
Hence, there will likely be at least minor electrical disturbances in 2012. And they could be significant.
Furthermore, notice the following:
Space storm alert: 90 seconds from catastrophe
IT IS midnight on 22 September 2012 and the skies above Manhattan are filled with a flickering curtain of colourful light...Within 90 seconds, the entire eastern half of the US is without power.
A year later and millions of Americans are dead and the nation’s infrastructure lies in tatters. The World Bank declares America a developing nation. Europe, Scandinavia, China and Japan are also struggling to recover from the same fateful event - a violent storm, 150 million kilometres away on the surface of the sun…
According to the NAS report, a severe space weather event in the US could induce ground currents that would knock out 300 key transformers within about 90 seconds, cutting off the power for more than 130 million people…
First to go - immediately for some people - is drinkable water…With no electricity to pump water from reservoirs, there is no more…
The truly shocking finding is that this whole situation would not improve for months, maybe years...
There is simply no electrically powered transport: no trains, underground or overground...For hospitals, that would mean about 72 hours of running a bare-bones, essential care only, service. After that, no more modern healthcare.(Brooks, Michael. Space storm alert: 90 seconds from catastrophe. New Scientist Monday, March 23, 2009. http://www.prisonplanet.com/space-storm-alert-90-seconds-from-catastrophe.html viewed 03/23/09)
Notice the following:
Russian geophysicists believe that the Solar System has entered an interstellar energy cloud…Their predictions for catastrophe resulting from the Earth’s encounter with this energy cloud range from 2010 to 2020 (Joseph LE. Apocalypse 2012: An Investigation into Civilization's End. Broadway, 2008, p. 16).
There also seems to be 1-2 Mayan writings that suggests some type of solar flare-up to affect the earth:
Chliam Balam (Mayan priest): Heaven and earth shall burn...It is the holy judgment, the holy judgment (José Hoíl J, Roys R. The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel. Roys Publisher, 1933. Reprint Forgotten Books, 1967, p. 112).
Napuctun (Mayan priest): It shall burn on earth; there shall be a circle in the sky (ibid p. 115).
The Bible itself warns of a time of scorching heat (Revelation 16:9).
Perhaps I first should mention that there are a variety of private "Catholic prophecies" indicate that the end will not come BEFORE the 20th century, but that the "beginning of the end" comes then. Some then indicate that the end may come in the early 21st century.
Notice what a Catholic saint named Nilus allegedly stated in 430 A.D. (there are reasons to doubt the early date):
After the year 1900, toward the middle of the 20th century, the people of that time will become unrecognisable. When the time for the Advent of the Antichrist approaches, peoples minds will grow cloudy from carnal passions, and dishonour and lawlessness will grow stronger. Then the world will become unrecognisable. Peoples appearances will change, and it will be impossible to distinguish men from women due to there shamelessness in dress and style of hair. These people will be cruel and will be like wild animals because of the temptations of the Antichrist. There will be no respect for parents or elders, love will disappear, and Christian pastors, bishops, and priests will become vain men, completely failing to distinguish the right hand way from the left. At that time the morals and traditions of Christians and the Church will change. People will abandon modesty, and dissipation will reign. Falsehood and greed will attain great proportions, and woe to those who pile up treasures. Lust, adultery, homosexuality, secret deeds and murder will rule in society (CATHOLIC PROPHECIES - PART I http://www.freehomepages.com/nostradamus/catholic_prophecies_PartOne.htm 01/30/07).
Also notice the following :
SISTER BERTINA BOUQUILLON (d. 1850)...The beginning of the end will not come in the nineteenth century BUT CERTAINLY IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY." (Culligan E. The Last World War and the End of Time. The book was blessed by Pope Paul VI, 1966. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), Pp. 130-131)
The following, which did not come to pass quite as indicated below, does demonstrate that some Roman Catholic sources suggest that the end is fairly near to now:
St. John of the Cleft Rock (14th century). "It is said that 20 centuries after the incarnation of the Word, the Beast in its turn will become man. About the year 2000 A.D., Antichrist will reveal himself to the world.' (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 23)
The author feels that there is convincing evidence for him to accept that the Antichrist was born on February 5, 1962...The Antichrist will be a Jew by race and religion (Culligan, pp. 100-101).
There are also other old Roman Catholic prophecies that indicates that the end cannot occur before the 20th century:
Ven. Sor Marianne de Jesus Torres (17th Century)...
Our Lady told Sister Marianne: "...But this knowledge will only become known to the general public in the 20th Century.
"During this epoch the Church will find herself attacked by waves of the secret sect...
"Know, beloved daughter, that when your name is made known in the 20th Century, there will be many who do not believe, claiming this devotion is not pleasing to God..." (Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp. 317,326) .
Nun Anne Catherine Emmerich (about 1820): "I heard that Lucifer (if I don't mistake) will be freed again for awhile fifty or sixty years before the year 2000 A.D. I have forgotten many of the other dates were told (Emmerich AC. The Life of Lord Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations. Schmöger edition, Vol. IV. Nihil Obstat: D. Jaegher, 14 Februari 1914. Imprimatur: A.C. De Schrevel, Brugis, 14 Februari 1914. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 2004: pp. 353-354).
Anyway, while some of their dates seem a little premature, these Catholic "prophets" seemed to believe that while events to get ready for the end would not begin until the 20th century, that the end would apparently come shortly thereafter.
Mother Shipton (16th century). "The great chastisement will come when carriages go without horses..." (Dupont, 113)
Automobiles, of course, used to be called horse-less carriages and they did not start to become used to any extent before the 20th century. Now while some say that "Mother Shipton" was basically a myth and the predictions composed by others, a book containing them came out in the 17th century. And according to Yves Dupont, she was a Catholic prophetess.
"Mother Shipton" was born Ursula Sontheil in 1488 in a cave beside the river Nidd in North Yorkshire, England...
When pictures seem alive with movements free When boats like fishes swim beneath the sea, When men like birds shall scour the sky Then half the world, deep drenched in blood shall die.
For those who live the century through In fear and trembling this shall do. Flee to the mountains and the dens To bog and forest and wild fens.
For storms will rage and oceans roar When Gabriel stands on sea and shore And as he blows his wondrous horn Old worlds die and new be born.
A fiery dragon will cross the sky Six times before this earth shall die Mankind will tremble and frightened be for the sixth heralds in this prophecy.
For seven days and seven nights Man will watch this awesome sight. The tides will rise beyond their ken To bite away the shores and then The mountains will begin to roar And earthquakes split the plain to shore.
And flooding waters, rushing in Will flood the lands with such a din That mankind cowers in muddy fen And snarls about his fellow men.
He bares his teeth and fights and kills And secrets food in secret hills And ugly in his fear, he lies To kill marauders, thieves and spies.
Man flees in terror from the floods And kills, and rapes and lies in blood And spilling blood by mankinds hands Will stain and bitter many lands (Mother Shipton's Prophecies. http://www.crystalinks.com/shipton.html 08/26/08).
Now if by century, the 20th century itself is indicated, then the above prophecy was partially false. However, if the century began once television became available ("When pictures seem alive with movements free"), then the century would not have begun until sometime in the 1920s, hence, this may indicate that flood and other prophecies are expected before the end of 2030.
I should also add here that from the 12th century, in the so-called Malachy prophecies of the list of popes there is only has one pope left (Bander, Peter. The Prophecies of St. Malachy. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973).
And if there is only one more pope remaining, then some type of end is clearly predicted by some of the Catholics to occur in the 21st century--though 2012 is not specified in any accepted ones that I have seen. (For more information on Catholic prophesies, please see the article Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?)
But why might there be a variety of predictions seemingly pointing to the second decade of the 21st century?
Consistent with the beliefs of the early professors of Christ, those of us in the Living Church of God believe that God has a 6,000 year plan for humanity to rule itself, and that this will be followed by a 1,000 year millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the earth. And this 6,000 years will be up sometime in the 21st century--probably next decade.
(Information on this from the Bible, early writers, and more recent writers can be found in the article Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6000 Years End?)
We also believe that the Great Tribulation will begin 3 1/2 years prior to the return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:20-21; Revelation 12:14; Daniel 12:7-12).
Because Satan the devil clearly knows when God created Adam and Eve, it is clear that he knows when the Great Tribulation needs to start by. I suspect that because of this, and the fact that Satan understands astronomy, that he had those particular Mayan/Hopi/Hindu/Buddhist/New Age/I Ching prophecies recorded and saved in an effort to discredit the true Church of God. People should try not to be deceived by Satanically-inspired false prophecies
Satan will encourage the world to hype up this event as he knows the world will not end then. And while I have nothing against the concept of movies on this subject, because of the movie on 2012 due this November 13th (called 2012 the Movie, but whose working title is Farewell Atlantis) combined with the perilous times we seem to be living in, I do not doubt that many will be concerned that the negative interpretations of the Mayan December 21, 2012 date may be correct.
But how would this discredit God's church?
Well, since the Mayans were correct that a major astronomical event is to occur in December 2012, this will give the Mayan/Hopi/I Ching prophecies a certain credibility. Massive amounts of people will at least consider that the world might end then. However, when the end does not happen then (and it is now impossible that December 21, 2012 is the date of the start of the Great Tribulation), many people will probably have an increased skepticism regarding negative end-time prophecies.
Furthermore, it is highly likely that representatives of the Roman Catholic Church will teach that the end will not come on December 21, 2012. This will increase the reputation of that church as a "credible source" on matters prophetic. And instead, it may eventually teach that its hope for age of peace will have started near then--which seems close to what some Hindus, New Agers, and Buddhists teach.
If the Great Tribulation is to begin within a few months or a few years after the December 21, 2012 date (and it is highly likely that it will) and the Living Church of God teaches that it is about to begin (which the true Church will), it is highly likely that certain Roman Catholics will teach that this is not true.
Since groups like the Living Church of God are so small and generally considered to be of less consequence to the world than the Mayan/Hindu astronomers have been, I believe then that the Mayan prophecies for 2012 will basically be pointed to as "proof" that the Roman Catholic Church and not the Living Church of God should be listened too regarding end-time prophecies.
2012 was first popularized by José Argüelles as a date when he indicated could mark the beginning of a new age of peace. José Argüelles as a date when he indicated could mark the beginning of a new age of peace. Dr. Argüelles was one of the original founders of “Earth Day” in 1970 and is considered a leader with New Age beliefs.
According to Argüelles, the 5125 years (5200 tun) of the "Long Count from 3113 BC to 2012 AD, measures the entire span of what we call history, from its beginning to its end--from the building of Stonehenge to the Pyramids, the creation of the solar clock and written language (all around 3000 BC), to the "end of history" in our planetary birth into higher consciousness (Pinchbeck, Daniel. 2012 The Return of Quetzalcoatl. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, NY, 2007, p. 197).
Here is some of what José Argüelles has written:
When we look at the calendar…the thirteenth subcycle of this beam, began in 1618 and runs to 2012…There are actually many points of convergence among the Mayan galactic code, I Ching, the Book of Revelations, and many other systems…
you have the mathematical code of the Book of Revelations, which is based on 7 and 13, and 144 and 144,000; it’s the same number of the Mayan Code. The Mayan Code is the master code. It’s the galactic code. It’s the master program. (In Braden G. The Mystery of 2012: Predictions, Prophecies and Possibilities. Sounds True, Incorporated, 2009, pp. 74,78)
Of course, the Mayan Code is NOT the master program. But many wonder if it might be.
In his book, Peace is the Way, Deepak Chopra wrote that we are on the verge of a global shift in consciousness that will lead the world toward an age of peace because many in the West are becoming more accepting of New Age values—which he stated included a shift away from what he calls “religious fundamentalism”—which apparently would include the accepting of some future ecumenical religion (Schneider L. A New Age of Peace. http://www.beliefnet.com/News/Peace/A-New-Age-Of-Peace.aspx viewed 03/14/09).
Basically most who are part of the New Age Movement look forward to what some refer to as the "Aquarian Age". According to those adherents, this new age is dawning. It is expected soon and it believed to bring in peace and enlightenment and reunite humans with God. People within this movement tend to believe that humans are separated from God because of lack of understanding and knowledge concerning the true nature of God and reality.
Here is some of what Religious Tolerance has reported about the New Age Movement:
New Age beliefs:
A number of fundamental beliefs are held by many New Age followers…
Universal Religion: Since all is God, then only one reality exists, and all religions are simply different paths to that ultimate reality. The universal religion can be visualized as a mountain, with many sadhanas (spiritual paths) to the summit. Some are hard; others easy. There is no one correct path. All paths eventually reach the top. They anticipate that a new universal religion which contains elements of all current faiths will evolve and become generally accepted worldwide.
And some in that movement are looking towards 2012 as the start of its ecumenical new age.
Because of its limited structure and apparent beliefs, I am concerned that many New Agers are likely to be influenced by one who proclaims peace accompanied by signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9) and establishes a religion that people all around the world will worship (Revelation 13:3-4).
I am concerned, that like some of the Hindus, when a leader rises up proclaiming a new ecumenical religion that he will likely claim will lead to an “age of peace” that many within this movement will decide that this leader is the one that their movement needs in order for the world to have peace.
But it is not just those that are New Agers, Hindus, Buddhists, or other such faiths that are looking for a time of peace.
As mentioned earlier, even many Catholic writers have longed for a time prior to the return of Christ for an age of peace.
Here are some who have done so:
D. Birch (20th century): This would be a Minor Chastisement preceding an Age of Peace. It is not the Tribulation… The Great King will establish Peace and justice in civil matters on a worldwide basis, and protect the primacy of the Church in spiritual matters (Birch, pp. xlii-xliii, 555).
H. Kramer (20th century): Verses 20 and 21 presage a time of peace between the first reign of terror in the second woe and the reign of Antichrist ( Kramer, H.B. L. The Book of Destiny. Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 228).
Y. Dupont: (20th century): a period of peace...In short, virtually the whole world will be Catholic (Dupont, p. 90).
Telesphorus of Cozensa (16th century). "A powerful French Monarch and French Pope will regain the Holy Land after terrible wars in Europe. They will convert the world and bring universal peace (Dupont, p. 31).
Mother Alphonse Eppinger (1867): After God has purified the world faith and peace will return. Whole nations will adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 25).
Werdin d' Otrante (13th century): "The Great Monarch and the Great Pope will precede Antichrist...All the sects will vanish. The capital of the world will fall...The Great Monarch will come and restore peace and the Pope will share in the victory (Connor, p. 33).
John of the Cleft Rock (1340): The White Eagle (Great Monarch), by order of the Archangel Michael, will drive crescent from Europe where none but Christians will remain--he himself will rule from Constantinople. An era of peace and prosperity will begin for the world (Connor, pp. 33-34).
St. Methodius (4th century). But a Great King will arise to fight the enemies of God. He will defeat them, and peace will be given to the world, and the Church will be freed from her anxieties (Dupont, p. 13).
Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (died 1658): He will root out false doctrines and destroy the rule of the Moslemism. His dominion will extend from the East to the West. All nations will adore God their Lord according to Catholic teaching… The reign of the Great Ruler may be compared with that of Caesar Augustus, who became Emperor after his victory over his enemies, thereby giving peace to the world... The Fifth Epoch of time dates from the reign of Charles V until the reign of the Great Monarch (Connor, pp. 35-36).
But notice that this "age of peace" happens when a dictator (like the one the Hindu Vijay Kumar mentioned) rises up and crushes all opposition. This is NOT God's age of peace. Hopefully, Catholics wanting to be faithful to scripture will realize this.
Also notice that although they were not pointing to 2012, some Catholic writers seem to know and have warned of a false age of peace:
The Ecstatic of Tours: When everyone believes that peace is assured, when everyone least expects it, the great happenings will begin…(Dupont, p.37).
Robert Conte, Jr. (21st century): They will obtain a kind of false peace, which is an exterior-only peace brought about by severities in law enforcement, by excessively harsh punishments, and by a sinful permissiveness that does not count as a crime many acts that are certainly crimes against humanity and against God. There will also be little or no war, except between the kingdom of the North (Europe) and the kingdom of the South (Israel, Middle East, northern Africa)...The Antichrist then decides to try to destroy the Church from within, by making it legal for these apostates and heretics to openly practice their perverse version of Catholicism. He give them control of church buildings and he alters laws, customs, and culture in order to support their ideas (Conte Jr., Ronald L. The Great Apostasy and the Abomination of Desolation. December 23, 2005. http://www.catholicplanet.com/future/great-apostasy.htm viewed 12/13/08).
It should be mentioned that the Bible specifically warns that a time is coming were false visionaries will claim a time of peace that will end in sudden destruction:
6 They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, 'Thus says the LORD!' But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. 7 Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, 'The LORD says,' but I have not spoken."
8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you," says the Lord GOD. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD. 10 Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, 'Peace!' when there is no peace (Ezekiel 13:6-10).
Might 2012 be the called the start of this golden age of peace that many in many lands have longed for?
It may be, but it will not be real and lasting peace. Actually, according to the Bible, things will get so bad that unless God intervened (and He will), all flesh would be destroyed (Matthew 24:22). So, the real age of peace WILL NOT begin in 2012.
Perhaps it should also be noted that an old Mayan writing suggests trouble then the time of Antichrist:
Prepare yourselves to endure the burden of misery which comes to your villages. This katun which has been established is, a katun of misery, a katun of opportunity of the devil when it is established in Katun 11 Ahua...Antichrist, on that day which is to come, on that day which confronts you, alas, in much misery <my> sons. This is the word of our Lord: "It shall burn on earth, there shall be a white circle in the sky, in that katun in time to come"...that katun will be established in Christianity (José Hoíl J, Roys R. The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel. Roys Publisher, 1933. Reprint Forgotten Books, 1967, pp. 100-101)
And since the Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012, this predictions would seem to be outside of it, so a troubled age would still seem to be due afterwards (if it is to come to pass).
Are there Barack Obama prophecies related to 2012? There have been a lot of concerns about Barack Obama as there are some non-biblical prophecies, and even one biblical prophecy, some have claimed are related to him.
For example, there is claimed to be an early 20th century prophecy by Johanwa Owalo, the founder of Kenya’s Nomiya Luo Church, in 1912 made this prophecy about the United States:
“So far have they [the United States] strayed into wickedness in those [future] times that their destruction has been sealed by my [father]. Their great cities will burn, their crops and cattle will suffer disease and death, their children will perish from diseases never seen upon this Earth, and I reveal to you the greatest [mystery] of all as I have been allowed to see that their [the United States] destruction will come about through the vengeful hands of one of our very own sons.” (for more details, please see Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States).
Since Barack Obama's father is ethnically a Luo of Kenya (see Kenya Rejoices as Obama Wins), Barack Obama seems to meet the criteria above as being "one of our our very sons".
Irrespective of possible Kenyan prophecies, Bible prophecy itself warns that if the descendants of Israel sinned and did not repent, the following would happen:
43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower (Deuteronomy 28:43).
12 As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.” (Isaiah 3:12)
16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed (Isaiah 9:16).
Since multiple millions of the physical descendants of reside in the United States (see Anglo - America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel), the above prophecies are likely to be fulfilled, to a degree, during Barack Obama's presidency.
While I believe that Barack Obama is basically a sincere and well-meaning individual, I believe that since he may be the last (and certainly one of the last) USA presidents, he will somewhat fulfill the last two prophecies (and I also felt that John McCain would help fulfill the last two biblical prophecies above if he was elected, see the older news item US Election Tomorrow: Pray & Fast).
And while I do not doubt that Barack Obama is an American citizen (see Obama’s Citizenship?) and I do not believe that he is a private Muslim, because Barack Obama's father is Luo Kenyan, his mother is at least part Native American, AND because he was partially raised in Indonesia, in those ways he could be perceived as an alien. Hence, the biblical prophecy in Deuteronomy 28:43 MIGHT apply to Barack Obama (and it may also have multiple applications).
Additionally, there is an amazing old Shiite prophecy that seems to fit Barack Hussein Obama personally. Notice what Forbes' writer Amir Taheri reported:
Is Barack Obama the “promised warrior” coming to help the Hidden Imam of Shiite Muslims conquer the world?
…a pro-government Web site published a Hadith (or tradition) from a Shiite text of the 17th century. The tradition comes from Bahar al-Anvar (meaning Oceans of Light) by Mullah Majlisi, a magnum opus in 132 volumes and the basis of modern Shiite Islam.
According to the tradition, Imam Ali Ibn Abi-Talib (the prophet’s cousin and son-in-law) prophesied that at the End of Times and just before the return of the Mahdi, the Ultimate Saviour, a “tall black man will assume the reins of government in the West.” Commanding “the strongest army on earth,” the new ruler in the West will carry “a clear sign” from the third imam, whose name was Hussein Ibn Ali. The tradition concludes: “Shiites should have no doubt that he is with us.”
In a curious coincidence Obama’s first and second names–Barack Hussein–mean “the blessing of Hussein” in Arabic and Persian. His family name, Obama, written in the Persian alphabet, reads O Ba Ma, which means “he is with us,” the magic formula in Majlisi’s tradition (for more details, please see Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy?).
Since Barack Hussein Obama is black and he leads the most powerful army in the world, it makes sense that a lot of Shiite Muslims believe that he may fit the Islamic prophecy.
His first name is of Hebrew origin. Interestingly, there is a timid warrior in the Hebrew scriptures named Barak who needed women to help in battle in Judges 4:6-9. Here is the related meaning of that name:
OT:1300
baraq (baw-rawk'); from OT:1299; lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword:
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
His middle name is Arabic for handsome.
While Obama is a Luo Kenyan word, if it originally came from Hebrew, it most likely would have come from the word "Bama" (I have read, but not verified, that the Latin "O" is sometimes used in Hebrew as a conjunction such as meaning "and"):
The meaning of the name Bama is: Son of prophecy (http://www.babyhold.com/list/Hebrew_Baby_Names/Bama/details/ viewed 11/16/08).
So, combining the definitions above, the name Baraq Hussein Bama would essentially mean the Handsome Timid Gleam and Son of Prophecy.
But what does anything about Barack Obama have to do with 2012?
First of all, presuming he remains in office, Barack Obama will be the president of the United States in 2012. The next USA presidential election is also scheduled for 2012.
Secondly, according to the Malachy prophecies, there is only one pope left--the one who could be the antipope, the final Antichrist--and he may be around near 2012 (see Prophecies of Barack Obama?).
Thirdly, according to a prediction by the Catholic mystic Nostradamus, there is a prophecy that might involve Barack Obama and the Antichrist (see Prophecies of Barack Obama?), and events around 2012 may impact this.
Fourthly, while I believe that according to Bible prophecy that the end of the 6000 years for humanity to rule itself cutoff from God is almost over (Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), that presuming that Barack Obama is re-elected and the Great Tribulation will begin within a few years after 2012, that Barack Obama will likely be the final leader of the United States of America.
And even if he is not the last president (a Republican could get elected that could chill US/EU relations), it is likely that his presidency will set the stage for the rising of the prophesied King of the South (which Muslims seem to feel will be their Mahdi) as well as for the rising of the prophesied King of the North, and the ultimate bankrupting and finally utter destruction of the United States of America and its Anglo-allies (please see Anglo - America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).
Some, like Quetzil Castañeda, have called 2012 "a gringo invention" (Miller L. 2012: A Y2K for the New Age. Newsweek, Published May 2, 2009, from the magazine issue dated May 18, 2009 . http://www.newsweek.com/id/195688 viewed 06/27/09). Part of the reason for that is that the ancient Mayans were not clear as to what, if any, interpretation their drawings or end of their long-count calendar signified. But the reality is that many cultures seem to be looking for something to happen next decade.
The Mayan 2012 calendar date, itself, correctly predicts a type of an astronomical event. That is part of its value.
There are basically four possibilities that most have concluded about December 21, 2012:
But, there is a also fifth possibility as this paper has covered--while an astronomical event will occur (as well as apparently an increase in sunspot activity) and some may claim it is a time of peace, the 2012 prophecies may simply be part of a Satanic deception.
This particular set of Mayan prophecies may have been retained because Satan wants to add further confusion to end-time prophecies just prior to the Great Tribulation. And this coincides with prophecies from others like the Hopis and the Hindus. And even the Catholic Malachy.
While those in the Living Church of God should be aware of these prophecies, we have nothing to fear from them specifically (though the Bible does warn about persecutions that will come just before the end). But since it appears that the Bible does have a 6,000 year plan, the end will apparently come in the first quarter of the 21st century (Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).
Regarding massive future catastrophe, the Bible specifically shows that Jesus promises to protect the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God "from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world" (Revelation 3:7,10). Those who submit to God and are called to part of that portion of the church will be protected in a place in the wilderness.
However, since the Great Tribulation is coming AND it is likely to come not too long after 2012 (When Can the Great Tribulation Begin?), I believe that the Mayan calendar date should serve as a warning that although the end is prophesied to come in the Bible, that many will misunderstand when it is to come and who they should believe about the time of the time.
The end is coming, but probably not until after December 22, 2012.
An article of related interest may be Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders?
Thiel B. End of Mayan Calendar 2012. www.cogwriter.com (c) First edition: January 13, 2008 (Last update 2009 0703)
Several articles of related interest may include:
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final "Anti-Christ" be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? What does Daniel 11 teach will happen before the end? Will the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be attacked?
The Bible and the Arab World In History and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Where Are the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel? Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might they be punished first?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Asians?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans who supported the Beast?
SDA/COG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The COG is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White.
Might a Temple in Jerusalem Not be Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required, who is 'the temple of God" in the New Testament?