Secrets revealed: Newton predicted the apocalypse in this letter!
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In a fascinating blend of science and prophecy, Sir Isaac Newton, the luminary who illuminated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, also cast his gaze into the murky waters of biblical prophecy. It may come as a surprise to many that the same mind which laid the groundwork for classical mechanics also pondered the end times. In a letter penned in 1704, Newton ventured beyond the physical world to predict a date for the apocalypse: the year 2060.
This revelation, scrawled above a series of mathematical calculations, has intrigued scholars and enthusiasts alike for centuries. Newton, a devout Christian and a towering figure in the scientific revolution, believed that the Bible held not only spiritual truths but also a coded timeline of human history, including its ultimate conclusion.
His prediction was rooted in a Protestant interpretation of biblical texts, particularly the apocalyptic visions described in the Book of Revelation. Here, the final battle between good and evil, known as Armageddon, is depicted, leading to the end of the world as we know it and the dawn of a new era of divine peace.
Newton's method was to apply a principle known as the 'day-for-a-year' interpretation, where days mentioned in scripture are understood as years. He focused on specific time periods, such as 1260 years, which he associated with the duration of the Church's abandonment and the rise of what he viewed as 'corrupt' Trinitarian religions, particularly Catholicism.
By studying historical events, Newton pinpointed the year 800 AD, marking the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire, as the starting point for his calculations. Adding 1260 years to this date led him to the year 2060 as the potential end of the current world era.
The letter reads, 'So then the time times & half a time are 42 months or 1260 days or three years & an half, reckoning twelve months to a year & 30 days to a month as was done in the Calendar of the primitive year... And the days of short-lived Beasts being put for the years of lived [sic] kingdoms, the period of 1260 days, if dated from the complete conquest of the three kings A.C. 800, will end A.C. 2060.'
Stephen D Snobelen, a professor of the history of science and technology, has noted that Newton's approach was not based on complex mathematics but rather on simple arithmetic. Newton also considered other time spans mentioned in the books of Daniel and Revelation, such as 1290, 1335, and 2300 days, interpreting them as years to decipher the prophetic timeline.
Newton envisioned that around 2060, corrupt branches of Christianity would collapse, and the true Gospel would be preached openly. He also believed that before the second coming of Christ, the Jews would return to Israel and rebuild The Temple, as foretold by biblical prophecy.
Despite his detailed calculations, Newton was cautious about setting specific dates for prophecy fulfilment. He was concerned that inaccurate human predictions could discredit the Bible. He even questioned his own prediction, stating, 'It may end later, but I see no reason for its ending sooner.'
In another statement, he sought to temper the enthusiasm of those eager to pinpoint the apocalypse: 'This I mention not to assert when the time of the end shall be, but to put a stop to the rash conjectures of fanciful men who are frequently predicting the time of the end, [and] by doing so bring the sacred prophecies into discredit as often as their predictions fail.'
In today's world, the notion of a scientist deeply engaged in biblical prophecy may seem incongruous. However, as Snobelen points out, Newton was not a 'scientist' in the modern sense but a 'natural philosopher,' a role that encompassed both the study of nature and the divine workings within it. For Newton, the pursuit of truth was a holistic endeavour, seeking to understand God's design in both the natural world and the scriptures.
As we approach the year 2060, Newton's apocalyptic prediction remains a topic of curiosity and debate. Whether one views it as a historical curiosity or a potential harbinger of things to come, it is a testament to the complex and multifaceted intellect of Sir Isaac Newton, a man whose quest for knowledge knew no bounds.
This revelation, scrawled above a series of mathematical calculations, has intrigued scholars and enthusiasts alike for centuries. Newton, a devout Christian and a towering figure in the scientific revolution, believed that the Bible held not only spiritual truths but also a coded timeline of human history, including its ultimate conclusion.
His prediction was rooted in a Protestant interpretation of biblical texts, particularly the apocalyptic visions described in the Book of Revelation. Here, the final battle between good and evil, known as Armageddon, is depicted, leading to the end of the world as we know it and the dawn of a new era of divine peace.
Newton's method was to apply a principle known as the 'day-for-a-year' interpretation, where days mentioned in scripture are understood as years. He focused on specific time periods, such as 1260 years, which he associated with the duration of the Church's abandonment and the rise of what he viewed as 'corrupt' Trinitarian religions, particularly Catholicism.
By studying historical events, Newton pinpointed the year 800 AD, marking the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire, as the starting point for his calculations. Adding 1260 years to this date led him to the year 2060 as the potential end of the current world era.
The letter reads, 'So then the time times & half a time are 42 months or 1260 days or three years & an half, reckoning twelve months to a year & 30 days to a month as was done in the Calendar of the primitive year... And the days of short-lived Beasts being put for the years of lived [sic] kingdoms, the period of 1260 days, if dated from the complete conquest of the three kings A.C. 800, will end A.C. 2060.'
Stephen D Snobelen, a professor of the history of science and technology, has noted that Newton's approach was not based on complex mathematics but rather on simple arithmetic. Newton also considered other time spans mentioned in the books of Daniel and Revelation, such as 1290, 1335, and 2300 days, interpreting them as years to decipher the prophetic timeline.
Newton envisioned that around 2060, corrupt branches of Christianity would collapse, and the true Gospel would be preached openly. He also believed that before the second coming of Christ, the Jews would return to Israel and rebuild The Temple, as foretold by biblical prophecy.
Despite his detailed calculations, Newton was cautious about setting specific dates for prophecy fulfilment. He was concerned that inaccurate human predictions could discredit the Bible. He even questioned his own prediction, stating, 'It may end later, but I see no reason for its ending sooner.'
In another statement, he sought to temper the enthusiasm of those eager to pinpoint the apocalypse: 'This I mention not to assert when the time of the end shall be, but to put a stop to the rash conjectures of fanciful men who are frequently predicting the time of the end, [and] by doing so bring the sacred prophecies into discredit as often as their predictions fail.'
In today's world, the notion of a scientist deeply engaged in biblical prophecy may seem incongruous. However, as Snobelen points out, Newton was not a 'scientist' in the modern sense but a 'natural philosopher,' a role that encompassed both the study of nature and the divine workings within it. For Newton, the pursuit of truth was a holistic endeavour, seeking to understand God's design in both the natural world and the scriptures.
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