Newton predicted apocalypse for 2060

Last Updated: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 | 7:54 PM ET

CBC News

Sir Isaac Newton is most famous for his discovery of gravity. A Nova Scotia university professor's fame comes from his discovery of an obscure Newton prediction – the world would end in 2060.

Stephen Snobelen, a professor at University of King's College in Halifax, has spent years studying the life of Newton, who died in 1727.

Snobelen discovered handwritten manuscripts in a library in Jerusalem, including a chart.

Isaac Newton

The pages show Newton tried to decode the Bible, which he believed contained God's secret laws for the universe.

The Biblical passage reads: "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? A time, times and a half."

For Newton, the passage represents 1,260 years from AD 800, meaning the events of the apocalypse would take place in 2060.

Newton believed once the world ended he would return as a saint. It makes sense if you understand Newton, according to Snobelen.

"For Newton, what he was trying to do was discover God in nature and discover God's purpose," said Snobelen. The father of science wanted to use science to support the existence of God.

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Snobelen's discovery about Newton and his prediction will be featured in a BBC documentary this weekend.