GabyResearchers have discovered prophecy about the end of the world among the notes of Sir Isaac Newton (1643 – 1727), known for his revolutionary works in physics, mathematics, and astronomy.
The scientist who formulated the law of universal gravitation calculated over 300 years ago when, in his opinion, the apocalypse would occur. In 1704, he wrote that the world as we know it would cease to exist in the year 2060. This ominous warning was left by Newton along with a series of mathematical calculations on a sheet of letter paper.
Why did the scientist choose this particular year?
Isaac Newton based his prophecy on a Protestant interpretation. Bible It is known that the scholar was interested in descriptions of the end of the world and the battle of Armageddon between the forces of good and evil. According to the Holy Scriptures, this battle will mark the end of the world and usher in a new era, the publication reminded. Daily Mail .
To determine the date of the apocalypse, Isaac Newton He turned to his favorite mathematics and analyzed dates from biblical history. The scholar chose the year 800 AD as a reference point for his calculations, when Charlemagne was crowned on the throne of the restored Holy Roman Empire. He calculated that 1260 years should pass between this event and the end of the world. Therefore, according to Newton, the apocalypse should be expected in 2060.
Indeed, researchers of Isaac Newton’s texts have also found written evidence of his doubts regarding the accuracy of this prophecy. The scholar notably remarked: “It may end later, but I see no reason for it to end sooner.”
What is the modern science’s stance on this?
Stephen D. Snobelen, a professor of the history of science and technology at the University of King’s College in Halifax (Canada), noted that Newton’s prophecy did not involve complex mathematical calculations. According to the professor, it was more about simple arithmetic operations that “a child could perform.”
Mr. Snobelen also mentioned that although Newton tried to predict future He was afraid to name prophetic dates and was also concerned that “the failure of false human prophecies based on divine prophecies would disgrace the Bible.” It may seem somewhat strange today that the renowned scholar was so troubled by biblical prophecies. However, according to Professor Snobelen, “Newton was not a scientist in the modern sense of the word. Instead, he was a natural philosopher.”
“Natural philosophy, practiced from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, involved the study of not only nature but also God’s intervention in nature,” the researcher added. According to him, “for Newton, there was no insurmountable barrier between religion and what we now call science. Throughout his long life, Newton worked on uncovering God’s truth – whether in Nature or in Scripture.”
