Predictions on the End of the World

End-of-the-world predictions continue to fascinate believers and nonbelievers.

End of the world predictions have a long cultural history, dating back to the Ragnarok, or Final end of the Gods predictions, of the old Norse religion that were widely written about in the 13th century, and the book of Revelations in the Christian religious tradition. Modern end-of-the-world stories can seem esoteric or confusing, but to those who believe, they are a source of certainty and conviction.

Revelations

Revelations is the popular Christian metaphor for the end of the world, detailing a set of events that the faithful believe will lead to the end of humanity. The prophetic text describes a series of events, or seals to be opened, that will foretell the end of days. Christian theologians have used these descriptions as warning signs for the faithful to watch for, as a marker for when the end times will arrive.

Y2K

The Y2K fears that spread through the world at the close of 1999 were founded on the idea of the end of the computer age and life as everyone knew it. The fear was founded on a bug in computer programs that left software unable to update the date after December 31, 1999, a bug that could have left computers unable to function or retrieve important data after the first morning of the year 2000. While the actual bug was solved earlier in 1999, the issue became a point of concern for individuals who began to realize the potential problems associated with the loss of modern computers and how losing those computers would have meant the end of the world as we know it.

May 21, 2011

Harold Camping developed his own end-of-the-world prediction using a unique form of Christian numerology to determine that the end will begin on May 21, 2011. By ascribing meaning to a few specific numbers, he believes that he has determined the exact date of the end of the world. His numerology is based on a numerical value for ideas like atonement (5), completeness (10) and heaven (17), says "The Washington Post." As a Christian evangelist, Camping has used his numerological conclusion to unite his listeners and create a religious perspective on the end times that has excited his listeners.

December 21, 2012

One of the most popular end-of-the-world predictions relates to the conclusion of the 5,126-year Mayan calendar, which will occur in the evening of December 21, 2012. The Mayan legacy is built on an understanding that they possessed time keeping techniques that were very advanced for their time. Additional concerns stem from the astrological significance of the date, a rare alignment of the sun with the center of the Milky Way, according to a 2007 article in "USA Today." This phenomenon has been the source behind new end-of-the-world books and movies, and will continue to unite a growing number of curious astrologers until the date arrives.

References

• Stanford University; "Bible Prophecy Belief in American Culture and Its Political Implications"; Paul S. Boyer; 2007
• "The Washington Post"; May 21, 2011: Harold Camping Says the End Is Near; Elizabeth Tenety; 2011
• "USA Today"; Does Maya Calendar Predict 2012 Apocalypse?; G. Jeffrey MacDonald; March 27, 2007
• Bible Plus; Twelve Signs That We Are Very Near the End of the World; Ed R. Meelhuysen; 1973
• "The New York Times"; It's Always the End of the World as We Know It ; Denis Dutton; December 31, 2009