Question:
What are we to make of the end of the Mayan calendar, some
marking it as the coming end of the world?
Answer: The media report that
doomsday believers are stocking up on supplies to escape the end of the
world scheduled on the Mayan calendar for December 21st. But short of
an asteroid striking the earth, it is certain that the world will still
be here. The fears and anxieties over the Mayan calendar are based on
at least three misunderstandings: first, what the Mayans themselves say
about their own calendar; second, religious language; third, Divine
Providence.
First, the Mayans had three types of calendars. The one that is
creating current interest is called “The Long Count” or “The Great
Cycle.” It is a universal cycle based on 5,125 years. We have
to remember that in some cultures there is no beginning and end to
time; time is measured in very long cycles. The Mayan calendar is an
expression of this view. Now, Mayan elders have never said that the end
of the Great Cycle means the physical end of the world. The white man
jumped to this conclusion.
But it does signify a major shift, a significant turning-point in human
history. In Bahá’í terms, it signifies the end of an old world order
and the gradual, but nonetheless catastrophically punctuated transition
to a new world order. This transition signifies the emergence
of world-consciousness, and the realization that the peoples
of the world constitute one people under one God.
Second, in some languages—New Testament Greek for example—the word for
“world” and “age” is the same word. Eon means both world and age. So we
could translate “end of the age” instead of “end of the
world.” Third, Divine Providence always keeps His promises. This is
part of God’s great covenant with humanity. The scriptures of all the
world great religions share the common promise of the Great Day of
Peace that will come. The world chaos that we are witnessing virtually
daily is accomplishing the necessary tearing down of all the
dysfunctional, antiquated barriers that are preventing the gradual
implementation of world peace. The end of the world would prevent the
Divine Plan of universal peace from being realized. It can be
delayed but ultimately not prevented. -
Jack
McLean
