Mayan Calendar and 12/12/12 (or 12/12/21)

What’s the significance of Dec. 12, 2012 (or December 21, 2012)?

Many spiritualists, astrologers, and other people involved in “New Age” religions or other approaches to spirituality think December 21, 2012 (or December 12, 2012) is going to be a big day. They say that the ancient Mayan calendar’s cycle will stop and then restart, and that something significant will take place. Their predictions range from cataclysmic events to the world being “reborn” Dec. 21, 2012 (or Dec. 12, 2012).

12/12/12 — History is full of failed predictions

It’s understandable that many people would get caught up with this idea about 12/12/2012. Throughout history people have been fascinated (or scared) by predictions about coming cataclysmic events or the world’s end. There have been countless failed predictions, but people either mis-interpret what was said … or they simply forget and look for the next big thing.

Spiritualists and astrologers are not the only ones to get caught up with false predictions about “big” days. Many Christians thought the first millennium would see the return of Jesus Christ, and again many expected earth-shaking events a few years ago at the second millennium. (Do you remember the Y2K fears?) Dec. 12, 2012 and Dec. 21, 2012 will be no more significant than those days.

The Bible warns us not to trust in astrology

In another online Bible study, I summarized God’s warning in the Bible about astrology, the occult, mediums, divination and sorcery.

The main problem with these practices is that they cause us to look to other sources of “power,” not to God himself. God created everyone. He loves us and wants a close personal relationship with us. When we get caught up with “spiritual” ideas, we often think we are seeing the bigger picture when in fact we miss God himself.

God is not simply a “force,” an idea or a nebulous spirit. He is real, and his passionate love for you is real.

God communicated his message of love through Jesus. Jesus’ message of love is very different from that of the many “New Age” religions and schools of thought.

The Bible does predict cataclysmic future events

God’s word, the Bible, tells us that someday Jesus will return to earth. Momentous things will happen around that time. We are encouraged to live lives worthy of God and to be ready for that day.

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. (Acts 2:20)

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. (2 Peter 3:10)

But the Bible also tells us that no one knows when that day will take place. That includes 12/12/12. Numerous people have claimed to know and have been proven wrong. It shouldn’t be a surprise that they were wrong, because the Bible says no one knows.

December 21, 2012 (or December 12, 2012) is no more likely than any other day to be the day when Jesus returns or when anything else of significance happens.

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36)

Don’t get sidetracked by Dec. 21, 2012 (or Dec. 12, 2012)

Focus on what is really important, not on 12/12/12:

God loves you and doesn’t want you to worry about the December 21, 2012 (or December 12, 2012) predictions. Instead, he wants you to enter into an intimate relationship with him and to grow in his Spirit. Don’t get distracted! Instead, “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).

Ask God to reveal his love for you

Sometimes we think of God as being a big meanie in the sky, yet just the opposite is true. God’s love for us—and God’s love for you—is amazing. Even his commands, which sometime seem like a bummer, are for our good. Take a minute to read this Bible study on God’s love for us. There’s nothing better than to bask in God’s love.