Often, misinformed individuals claiming to be well informed predict the end of time. Since the beginning of recorded history, countless prophecies have been made about some sort of world-ending cataclysm. When these catastrophes don’t happen, another end-time soothsayer comes forth with another augury.
One of these end-time prophets was Christopher Columbus. Some of his early Sixteenth Century writings indicate he was convinced that his New World discoveries had already been prophesied, and future events in these lands would precipitate Armageddon — most likely another Great Flood similar to the one that wiped out mankind in Noah’s time.
Then, early Twentieth Century German scholar Ernst Forstemann provided what he felt was indisputable evidence that, as Columbus speculated, the world would end with a Great Flood. He based his claim on the Dresden Codex, an ancient Maya compilation that is the oldest book written in the Americas. In it are astronomical tables that have proven to be surprisingly accurate. “On the last page of the manuscript, is depicted the destruction of the world. Here, indeed, is portrayed with a graphic touch the final all-engulfing cataclysm,” Forstemann said.
But, as American astronomer Carl Sagan said, “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” Predictably, a whole new set of prophets proclaims it has ample extraordinary evidence in support of the so-called 2012 phenomenon. They profess to be eschatologists, those who interpret that part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of humankind.
According to these pseudo-scientists, Planet Earth will experience a cataclysmic event on December 21, 2012, or 12-21-12, and cease to exist. They base the prediction on what is called the Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar, prepared by Maya scribes thousands of years ago, which confirms 12-21-12 as the end date of one of the calendar’s 5,125-year-long Great Cycles.
American archeologist and anthropologist Michael Coe gave credence to this prediction by stating, “There is a suggestion … that Armageddon would overtake the degenerate peoples of the world … our present universe will be annihilated … when the Great Cycle of the Long Count reaches completion.”
Unlike usual calendars, the Long Count calendar does not repeat itself, but has progressed in linear fashion since August 11, 3114 B.C., the supposed date on which the fourth world, populated by human beings, was created. (Mayan literature claims that the gods had created three failed worlds prior to this date and had destroyed them.)
Among the numerous speculations as to how the world will be destroyed, two get the most attention: a solar maximum, and collision with Planet Nibiru. Solar maximums take place at a certain point in the Sun’s eleven-year cycle during which solar activity maximizes. Nibiru is supposedly a huge, planet-sized object hurtling through space directly toward Earth. Even if the two celestial bodies don’t collide, the phony prognosticators claim that a near miss will cause a pole shift, thereby annihilating all living things, including humanity.
To all these predictions, I answer: Bunk! Christians will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ … four days after 12-21-12.
Jimmy Reed is an Oxford, Mississippi resident, Ole Miss and Delta State University alumnus, Vietnam Era Army Veteran, former Mississippi Delta cotton farmer and ginner, author, and retired college teacher.
This story is a selection from Jimmy Reed’s latest book, entitled The Jaybird Tales.
Copies, including personalized autographs, can be reserved by notifying the author via email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
