When we speak of 2012 and Doomsday Predictions, it is important to realise that we are not merely talking of one person’s prophetic view of that outcome.
Instead, we see that in history, there are many references to Doomsday and the end of the world. There is an almost morbid preoccupation with an end to life on this planet, perhaps sparked by religions almost universally acknowledging the need for the relevant deity or deities to reset the creation.
So assuming that an end of sorts will happen, it is certainly comforting that the prophecies of the likely outcome suggest it will be sudden. Almost all of them are seemingly fast-acting, catastrophic occurrences, and not a slow death as it were.
Amongst those predictions of the end of the world are: super volcanoes; solar storms; huge ice shelves melting causing widespread flooding; massive tsunami tidal waves; and a giant planetoid or meteor crashing into the Earth with the force of a thousand nuclear weapons.
In each case where a prophecy has been made, the expected outcome tends to suggest some kind of negative event, or at least a life-altering one. Many independent modern-day interpreters of ancient prophecies of the likes of Nostradamus, a Revelation to John, the Hopi Indians and the Oracles of the Ancient Mediterranean region, all seem to concur in terms of a heightening of bad events culminating in a single cataclysmic world-wide disaster.
So how do these “mega-catastrophes” come to be linked with the 2012 date? In most cases, there are pointers within the texts that when interpreted, appear to be impressive links to our modern day. Talks of global diseases, heightening wars, modern weaponry and machinery, including flying machines, or social changes such as equality amongst races and sexes. In addition, the elements feature extensively, such as flooding, fires and earthquakes, all of which have taken centre stage in the world’s news media in just the past few years.
It seems possible then that these prophetic sources all foresaw modern times in their vision. Times that are most accurately reflected as right now! But why 2012 specifically?
Well, some astronomers concur at least that in 2012, a rare cosmic event which places the Earth, the Sun, and the centre of the Milky Way galaxy in alignment will happen. And since this cosmic alignment, foreseen by the Maya a thousand years ago, is anticipated to be a harbinger of global change, most would believe that 21st December 2012 is the next most likely date for a Doomsday scenario.
Were the prophetic individuals and cultures of long ago correct? Is the world’s demise imminent?
Only time will tell.