The Apocalypse: Prophecies of Destruction That Shook Humanity
Doomsday, the Final Battle, the End of the World, Judgment Day, the Last Reckoning—these terms have long signified the destruction of Earth and the extinction of life as we know it. Fortunately for us, these dramatic expressions far outnumber the actual moments when the world was genuinely at risk of ending.
Throughout history, people have tried to predict the apocalypse. Religious scholar Ian Gurney recently suggested that 2023 might mark humanity’s final year. But before panic sets in, let us take comfort in the fact that the success rate of apocalyptic predictions has been 0% throughout the ages.
Here are five instances when humanity believed the end was near:
1. Pope Innocent III and the End of the World After the Crusades (1284)
Pope Innocent III was one of the most powerful popes of the medieval era, reigning from 1198 to 1216. Known for expanding the scope of the Crusades, he tirelessly sought to reclaim the Holy Lands but strongly disapproved of the Crusaders' brutality.
Before his death in 1216, Pope Innocent III predicted the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ. His prophecy was largely based on the rising victories of Muslim forces, which he interpreted as the era of the Antichrist and a sign of impending doom.
He declared, "We place our complete trust in the Lord, who has assured us that good will triumph and evil will ultimately end."
Relying on the Book of Revelation, he calculated that the end would occur 666 years after the rise of Islam, which began around 618 CE. This brought him to the year 1284 CE as the date for Christ’s return.
2. Johannes Stöffler and the Great Flood of 1524
In 1499, German mathematician and astrologer Johannes Stöffler predicted a catastrophic flood that would destroy the world on February 20, 1524. His forecast was based on celestial alignments expected that year.
Over 100 publications discussing Stöffler's prophecy spread across Europe, inciting widespread panic. People began building boats in preparation for the flood. A German nobleman, Count von Iggleheim, even constructed a massive three-story ark on the Rhine River.
On the prophesied day, light rain began to fall. Terrified crowds rushed to board Iggleheim’s ark, sparking riots that led to numerous deaths, including the count himself, who was stoned to death.
Ultimately, nothing more than a drizzle occurred. Undeterred, Stöffler revised his calculations and predicted the flood would happen in 1528. However, his credibility had been irreparably
damaged, and few believed him.
3. The Millerites and the Great Disappointment (1843–1844)
American preacher William Miller founded a religious movement in the mid-19th century called Millerism. Spreading his ideas across North America, he gained a significant following by claiming the Second Coming of Christ would occur between 1843 and 1844.
Miller cited the Book of Daniel, specifically the verse: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” He interpreted this as a prophecy of Christ’s return, which he believed would signal the end of the world.
Miller’s movement grew to include over 500,000 followers, all convinced that humanity’s end was near. However, when the predicted dates passed without incident, the movement’s momentum collapsed, leading to what is now known as "The Great Disappointment."
4. The Halley’s Comet Panic (1910)
English astronomer Edmond Halley discovered a comet in the 18th century that bears his name, Halley’s Comet. Visible from Earth approximately every 75–79 years, the comet was observed in 1835, 1910, and again in 1986.
In 1910, hysteria broke out as rumors spread that the comet would collide with Earth. The panic was exacerbated by the discovery of a toxic gas called cyanogen in the comet’s tail. French astronomer Camille Flammarion fueled fears by suggesting the gas could infiltrate Earth's atmosphere and wipe out all life.
Demand for gas masks soared, and opportunists sold "anti-comet umbrellas" and other nonsensical products to terrified citizens. Despite the widespread panic, Halley’s Comet passed Earth without causing any harm.
5. The Mayan Calendar and 2012
The Mayan civilization, one of the most advanced societies in pre-Columbian America, peaked in the 6th century CE. Renowned for their written language, astronomical expertise, and mathematical prowess, the Mayans also developed a highly accurate calendar.
This calendar’s final cycle ended on December 21, 2012, after 5,126 days. Many interpreted this as a prediction of the apocalypse. Social media and modern communication amplified the fear, spreading the belief that the world would end on that date.
Experts, however, clarified that the end of the Mayan calendar marked the conclusion of a historical cycle, not the end of the world. Even the Mayans themselves did not associate the calendar’s conclusion with apocalyptic events.
The Endless Fascination with the End
While each of these predictions turned out to be false, they serve as a reminder of humanity's enduring curiosity—and fear—about the unknown. As history shows, our fascination with the apocalypse is deeply rooted in culture, faith, and imagination. But for now, life on Earth continues, and the end of the world remains just another unsolved mystery.