Isaac Newton predicted the end of the world—and the date is disturbingly close

Isaac Newton wrote about the end of the world in 1704, and the date he proposed is alarmingly near.

Theoretically, the Mayans predicted that the world would end on 21 December 2012—something we now know did not happen. In fact, the supposed prophecy was not real at all but rather a misinterpretation of Mayan culture, according to National Geographic. That date simply marked the end of a 5,226-year cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, and on 21 December 2012, celebrations were held across Mayan heritage nations, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

Now that we have moved past 2012, another doomsday prediction has resurfaced—one that, unlike the Mayans’ ancient calendar, dates back just over 300 years. This time, the forecast did not come from an ancient civilisation but from one of history’s greatest scientific figures: Sir Isaac Newton.

Science and religion

Newton is widely regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time. His groundbreaking work, Principia Mathematica, established the three laws of motion. He discovered the universal law of gravitation, conducted original experiments on light and optics, and invented calculus. He rejected the authority of the Greek philosopher Aristotle and championed experimental science.

What is less well known, however, is that Newton was a devout Christian who wrote extensively about Christianity, including the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ, according to a study published by Brigham Young University. His writings reveal that he studied the Bible extensively, along with the works of early Christian leaders. Notably, Newton concluded that the doctrine of the Holy Trinity was a false teaching and refused to be ordained in the Anglican Church—a deeply unpopular decision that nearly cost him his position at the University of Cambridge. He also believed that, early in Christian history, there had been widespread apostasy from Christ’s teachings and wrote that the restoration of God’s true church would occur at some future time.

While none of Newton’s religious writings were published during his lifetime, after his death in 1727, John Conduitt, the executor of Newton’s will, released some of his theological manuscripts. The remaining documents resurfaced in 1936 when his handwritten notes were auctioned.

When will the world end?

In 1704, the renowned mathematician and physicist wrote a letter in which he theorised about the end of the world. His prophecy was based on his interpretation of biblical texts, which he believed pointed to a coming reset of civilisation.

His prediction placed doomsday exactly 1,260 years after the founding of the Roman Empire. Newton cited plagues, wars, and the “destruction of wicked nations” as reasons for this catastrophic event.

According to the British astronomer and scholar, the world would end in the year 2060, followed by the return of Jesus Christ and the saints to establish a thousand years of peace on Earth.

Stephen D. Snobelen, a professor at King’s College in Halifax, Canada, explained that Newton arrived at this conclusion based on dates derived from the biblical Book of Daniel.

2060 may not be the end, but it won’t happen before then

Newton wrote in his letter, “It may end later, but I see no reason for it to end sooner. I mention this not to assert when the end shall be, but to put a stop to rash conjectures of fanciful men who are frequently predicting the end and thereby bringing the sacred prophecies into disrepute as often as their predictions fail.”

Snobelen, an expert on the history of science and technology, commented that Newton’s theory heralded the beginning of a new era for humanity.

Newton is often cited as the founder of modern physics. However, Snobelen argues that he was not a scientist in the conventional sense but rather a “natural philosopher.” In a 2003 interview with isaac-newton.org, Snobelen remarked, “Newton recognised no impermeable boundary between religion and what we today call science. During his long life, he worked tirelessly to uncover God’s truth—whether in nature or in the Scriptures.”

Newton’s infamous letter predicting the end of the world is still on display at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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