The 2012 Prophecy
Ominous sounds of the approaching year 2012 rumble in the ears of this
generation. The thunder comes from constant media mantra-meanderings
about the end of days as foretold by the Mayan calendar hundreds of
years ago. Is this generation looking the end of the world squarely in
the face on December 21, 2012?
Suddenly it is as if those of the news and entertainment world have
forgotten that prophecy is, at best, fodder for fun-poking, and now have
a date that they believe is genuinely filled with foreboding. They often
snicker at Bible prophecy and those who bring it into public discourse;
they aren’t snickering at the foretelling left us by the long-since
extinct Mayans. Something of catastrophic nature, they are fearfully
conjecturing, might be about to change life forever on Planet Earth.
But, with news and entertainment producer types, you never know. Could
be they seeing in the 2012 “prophecies” a chance for numerous
remunerative documentaries and films that appeal to the always-lucrative
fright flicks, thus the genuine tone of reverential fear for the Mayan
holy men and their prognostications?
Why the Hoopla?
The Mayans were absolutely brilliant in every area of science and
mathematics, if you ask those who are giddily wrapped up in studying the
calendar the Mayan shamans left for future generations.
Here’s what a blog devoted to the Mayan prophecy has to say, in part:
“The Mayan civilization was extremely advanced in mathematics,
engineering and astronomy. They also had an incredible understanding of
time and space. Various calendars were in use to track time in linear
progressions within cycles. The 'Great Cycle' of the 'Long Count'
calendar equates to 5,125.36 years. The current Great Cycle is due to be
completed on the winter solstice of 2012, December 21. So, it has been
interpreted that on this day, the Great Cycle ends, time ends, so the
Earth must end as well” (2012endofdays.org).
They are no more in existence as a civilization, so one must wonder what
did they know, really. The end for them came hundreds of years ago–not
in that 2012 future time. Yet people who are mesmerized by that defunct
society/culture see in the “prophecies” the end of the world, or at the
very least, a cataclysm of some sort that will change life on Planet
Earth in major ways.
The mindset that seems to cling so heartily to the prognostications of
the Mayans are strongest among those who reject the Old and New
Testament prophets, most all of whom were Jews.
Of the two peoples, again we must scratch our heads and ask which are
more believable based upon the facts.
Let’s see…
The Mayans went out of business as a civilization/empire/culture, it is
estimated, around 900 A.D. This is acknowledged by historians for the
most part. The Hebrews–Jews—Israel went out of business as a nation
after Roman emperor Hadrian caused them to scatter following the
insurrection he put down in and around Jerusalem in 135 A.D.
The facts are that:
1) The Mayans are still out of business–except for their calendar, which
promises, the excited Mayanists of our day extrapolate, something
profound will happen in the year 2012. Beyond that, so far as I can
tell, soothsayers of that era made no predictions that have come to
pass--at least none that can be looked at historically, pointed to, and
verified as in fact having eventuated.
2) The Jews are back from their diaspora in the second century A.D. They
are back, under the same name as a nation–Israel. They were reborn as a
nation in one day, just as one of their most famous
prophets–Isaiah—predicted (read Isaiah 66:7-9). Israel again has its own
language. The Jews have blessed the world with some of the most profound
inventions, discoveries, and other achievements that have furthered
mankind’s progress. They are surrounded by ancient enemies and are the
center of attention, making them a worrisome nation-state for
geopoliticians because of the nuclear option they hold in their weapons
repertoire. This is precisely the situation their prophet Zechariah said
would be the case as the end of days approach.
The first part of the Jewish foretelling is as follows: “The burden of
the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth
the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the
spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of
trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the
siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I
make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden
themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people
of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zech. 12:1-3).
The second part of the foretelling speaks to what seems eerily like the
description of the effects of nuclear impact upon flesh: “And this shall
be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have
fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they
stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes,
and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth” (Zech. 14:12).
To reiterate, the Mayans simply left us some pronouncements by their
shamans, their veracity as predictors of the future without historical
proof. The Jewish prophets gave us prophecies that have proven true to
this point. The Jews are in the land with a nation in their ancient
homeland; they have the whole world of diplomats tightly cinched in
angst, searching for peace those same Hebrew prophets said will not be
forthcoming until Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, stands on that
final day atop the Mount of Olives on the same spot from which He
ascended nearly 2000 years ago.
To be fair, there are differing opinions about what the Mayan calendar
verbiage indicates for the future. The blog about the Mayan calendar and
the date 2012 continues:
“…However, there are different opinions on what this end date really
means.
As mentioned, some believe cataclysmic events will take place in 2012
with the ultimate destruction occurring on December 21, 2012. Others
believe that the world will not end, but instead humanity will enter a
new age, marked by significant changes physically and mentally.
Hopefully destruction will not occur and it will be just another day.
Maybe there will be some cosmic transformation. Anything is possible…"
The blogger then explains the mechanics of the Mayan timeline.
The Mayan Calendar
The Mayan calendar is not actually a single calendar that westerners are
used to referring to today. It is actually a complex system of multiple
calendars. The explanation is quite difficult to follow; to be honest,
it's beyond my capability to follow, so I will include only the details
around which I can sort of wrap my thoughts. You can, of course, go to
the referenced website if interested beyond what is included here. As a
matter of fact, even the blogger in that extended explanation admits it
is too difficult to follow and recommends the reader go to other sources
to get the full explanation.
“December 21, 2012 marks the end of the Long Count and Precession Cycle.
A fascinating astronomical occurrence will take place that day. The sun
will be seen in a conjunction with the crossing point of the galactic
equator and the ecliptic which is referred by the Mayans as the Sacred
Tree. Since this is due to take place on the winter solstice, this
should provide clear evidence that the proper end day of the Mayan
calendar is December 21, 2012. Some say December 22nd, 23rd or even
other dates. However, the solstice was an important day to the Mayans
and it is logical to think that they would conclude their calendar cycle
on this day, coupled with the fact of the rare astronomical occurrence
set to take place that day…” (2012endofdays.org).
World Without End
The Hebrew prophets gave no dates for the end of the world. Actually,
the Bible says the world will never end. It will be remade by holy fire.
“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the
heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for
new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Pet.
3:13).
Paul the apostle and prophet gives us a look at the ultimate fate of
Planet Earth: “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Eph. 3:21).
No Dates
There is strong biblical prescription against date settings, whether
involving days, months, years, or even seasons. When talking about the
time of His return to earth while He was still here in the flesh, Jesus
said, But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of
heaven, but my Father only” (Matt. 24:36).
Jesus gave this warning to all people, urging them to be spiritually
prepared for His sudden return, the time of which no human being or even
angel in Heaven knows. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor
the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 25:13).
Christ’s coming for believers in the rapture of His Church–which God
likens to Christ’s bride—is imminent. That is, the event can happen at
any moment. No calendar–Mayan or otherwise—can predict that stupendous
event.
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