There has long been speculation that on December 21, 2012, the world as we know it will end. Some predict that we’ll be wiped out by a natural disaster like a giant tidal wave, an Earth-wide earthquake or a tremendous volcanic eruption. Others believe that on that day in December, the Earth will collide with a mysterious “Planet X,” causing magnetic pole shifts, gravitational reversals or a black hole so big that our solar system will simply disappear.
What’s more, believers say that this news is not really news at all; on the contrary, they argue, we have known about the coming apocalypse since the ancient Maya predicted and recorded it on their Long Count calendar more than 2,200 years ago. These theorists believe that on December 21, 2012, the Earth will experience unprecedented, cataclysmic disasters ranging from massive earthquakes and tsunamis to nuclear reactor meltdowns. In order to prepare for these events, some proponents of the 2012 prophecy have already begun stocking up on survival supplies.
The planet’s major religions each have their own beliefs about the end of the world, the triumph of good over evil and Judgment Day.
In Christianity the Shakers thought the world would be over in 1792, while the Jehovah’s Witnesses pegged various years between 1914 and 1994 as an end date. The Book of Revelation, the last chapter of the Bible’s New Testament, mentions Armageddon, the final battle on Earth between the forces of God and Satan.
In Islam, the end of the world is referred to as the Hour and involves Jesus returning to Damascus to slay an anti-Christ who has put the planet in peril.
In Judaism, there is no term for Armageddon, but there are references in the Hebrew bible to events that could be compared with Armageddon, including the Day of the Lord (in which God causes death and destruction to people who deserve to be punished) and the War of Gog and Magog (in which Israel and its god fight their enemies, rather than an anti-Christ).
In Hinduism, there is the story of the god Vishnu coming back in the last cycle of time as a figure called Kulki, who rides a white horse, carries a sword that looks like a comet and destroys the forces of evil.
In some Buddhist prophecies, the equivalent of Armageddon is Shambhala, in which good triumphs over evil; however, the planet is restored rather than destroyed so people can pursue enlightenment.
French astrologer and physician Nostradames is known for his prophecies which he published in a book entitled “The Prophecies” in 1555, which have become famous worldwide. Some scholars believe he was not writing to be a prophet, but writing to comment on events of his time and the people in it. Whatever his method or intentions, Nostradamus’ timeless predictions continue to make him popular to those seeking answers to life’s more difficult questions.
As far as I know, psychic Edgar Cayce never predicted a specific end-of-the-world date but did come out with dooms day predictions. One was his belief in a giant crystal ball used to power energy on Atlantis and in 1958 the United States would discover a death ray that had been used on Atlantis. (Well, we do have some kick-ass developments in laser technology which could be described as a death ray.)
Tomorrow, the 21st, winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere is the beginning of summer. That much world upheaval we can count on.
Just to cover my bases, farewell and Godspeed to all. Thank you for your forbearance and tolerance of my human frailties, short comings and offenses. And likewise, you have my forgiveness for any perceived slight or insult.
If I’m posting on the 22nd, forget what I just said.
