by Mary Miller, Koinonia Institute
As 2009 is rapidly passing, I have been approached by many friends asking, “What do you think of all of this 2012 non-sense?”
I had to admit I hadn’t given it much thought except for the attention to the Mayan Long Calendar I had studied years ago (many years ago) in college.
Needless to say, soon after these conversations, everything that crossed my desk had “2012” somewhere in the title or the summary.
I started to research what is behind this 2012 phenomenon, which is building steam even as this article is being written.
What began as a study of the year 2012 quickly turned into a study of cycles. What many have come to believe throughout the generations as the apocalyptic end of our age as defined in the Mayan culture and calendars is actually a stunning convergence of cycles.
Cycles impact our everyday life. Many of which are so in-grained in our daily routines we do not even think about them. The definitions of these cycles and the impact of their convergence on the times in which we live are the focus of this series.
Definition
Most of us have been taught to think linearly, as in the use of historical time lines, to explain where mankind has been in history, where we are now, and where we are headed in the future. The challenge of this study is to begin to think cyclically; life as a grouping of cycles and patterns.
The following definitions are excerpted from Definitions and Concepts used in Cycle Study, by Edward R. Dewey, founder of the Cycles Research Institute. The Greek word for cycle is kyklos (a ring, circle, cycle): a complete course of operation returning to its original state. Associated with the study of cycles are the words “order,” “pat-tern,” and “rhythm.”
The Latin word for “order” is ordo (order): conformity to law. The Latin word for “pattern” is pater (patron, father): an arrangement or composition that suggests or reveals a design; a configuration; formal or regular arrangement. The Greek word for “rhythm” is rhythmos (measured motion): movement marked by reasonably regular recurrence, or reasonably regularity of alternation.
Topical cycles currently being studied by this Institute include: astronomy, biology, chemistry, climate, harmonics, geology, history, wave structure of matter, social trends, lunar, solar, war, commodities, currencies, economics, markets, stock trading, astrology, and religion, just to name a few.
Interestingly, this Institute’s study of cycles, although secular in nature, fully supports the intelligent design of God’s plan.
Cycles in Creation
Within the creation story of Genesis, cycles are first defined. The cycle of the day is defined:
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Genesis 1:5
The cycles of days, weeks, months, years, and “appointed times” or feasts with the Lord are defined:
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Genesis 1:14
These cycles are often taught as circles within circles, the innermost circle representing the smallest unit of a cycle. For instance, the inner circle could represent days. When seven days are reached, a cycle of weeks is started in the next larger circle. When four weeks are reached, a cycle of months is started in the next larger circle, and so forth.
Bill Cloud presented the concept of a cycle in his presentation “Light in a Dark Place.” In Hebrew, the letter Samekh is written in cursive as a circle, “o.” Interestingly, this letter means “to support” and has a numeric value of 60. Time is represented by the hands of a clock going in a circle—60 seconds to make a minute; 60 minutes to make an hour. Time does not march in a straight line; it is represented by increasing measurements of repeating cycles.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that around every circle another can be drawn; that there is no end in nature, but every end is a be-ginning.”
“Signs” in the Sky
Scripturally, the “end” has been foretold from the beginning—another cycle. This is a foundational concept to under-stand, as it relates to the natural cycles of our lives and the universal cycles God placed in the observable heavens.
Prior to the written Scriptures, the story of man’s redemption was placed in the stars in what the Hebrews came to call the Mazzaroth—the original understanding of the constella-tions in the sky.
We have no doubt as to God’s hand in the creation of the heavenlies as He poses His questions to Job:
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst though bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? Or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
Job 38:31-33
Although scholars vary in some of the particulars, the general understanding of the original zodiac defines the chronicle of redemption as: Ancient Civilizations Interpret the Constellations.
This incredible prophecy was, however, corrupted in Babylon with a “different zodiac.” When the tower of Babel was destroyed, the people scattered, and the language confounded—a form of the corrupted story traveled with them.
In addition to changing the definition of the stars, some ancient civilizations have been considered expert in tracking the movement of the constellations in relation to the earth and the cycles of time.
Archaeological finds have found similar zodiacs and stories of former and future world cycles in the Hopi Indian Tribe of North America; the Hindu traditions of ancient India; the Mayan civilizations of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize; the Aztec civilization of central Mexico; and the Inca civilization of Peru, among others.
With the advent of 20th-century science, proponents of the intelligence of these ancient societies endorsed the meanings of their calendars and prophecies. Characteristics in common among these include the tracking of an approximate 26,000-year cycle for the “precession of the equinoxes” (the time it takes for the earth to journey through the 12 constellations) and a smaller “world age” cycle of 5,125 years. The one eye-catching similarity in their stories, their zodiacs, and the end of their current “world cycle” is the year 2012. However, unlike the popular press of the anticipated apocalyptic end of time, it is actually interpreted as simply the end of the current cycle, which means it is also the beginning of a new one.
Even traditional scholars, extrapolating from the cycles of human history, have reasoned that the coming years will be extraordinary.
As we discussed in Part 1 of this series, wading through the mystique surrounding the popular focus of the year 2012 is actually a study in cycle theory. Without regard for the Mayan Long calendar, scholars and analysts, extrapolating from the cycles of human history, have reasoned that the coming years will be extraordinary.
Long ago, someone else was searching for meaning in an otherwise troubled world—his name was Solomon.
As Solomon explains, there is a time to every purpose under heaven. We are the generation that will witness a radical global shift of “purpose” that will strain the capabilities of individuals, businesses, support organizations, and government administrations.
The Foundation for the Study of Cycles
Richard Mogey, Director of Research for the Foundation for the Study of Cycles, has worked with leading academicians and scientists from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Temple University, Western Reserve as well as other global institutions to build archives of cyclical data spanning 5,000 years. According to Mr. Mogey:
I’ve dedicated my entire adult life to studying the natural cycles that govern the universe and all of human existence —including the cyclical ebb and flow of stocks, currencies and commodities. I’m proud to occupy the position at the Foundation for the Study of Cycles that was created by President Herbert Hoover’s chief economist, Edward R. Dewey, nearly 80 years ago.
It is of interest that this Foundation was put in place to study historical cycles and determine if the factors that brought about the Great Depression could have been fore-known and likewise changed. The results of years of studies provided the “revelation that economies, investment markets and individual investment vehicles move in regular, rhythmic, predictable cycles—one of the greatest breakthroughs in financial history.”Considering the current condition of economic collapse around the world, and the U.S. in particular, one might wonder if the knowledge of cycles is all that helpful. However, experts had been warning for years that a domino-like collapse was inevitable.
2012 Economic Cycles
The convergence of economic and geopolitical cycles for the United States in 2012 paints a picture worthy of note: one that may or may not come as a surprise to anyone watching current events.
Beginning in 2010 and converging to an all-time low in 2012 are the valuations of the 20- and 60-year cycles of the U.S. GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
According to the International Monetary Fund figures for 2008, the U.S. is currently behind the European Union, but staying well ahead of Japan and China (see chart, below).
In the light of other cycle predictions, the tide could change rather rapidly. The valuation of the dollar against gold is also expected to reach a low peak during this period. While some would speculate that this turn would be only temporary as it has been in the past, another convergence may adversely impact the recovery time of these economic cycles.
According to the Foundation, every 500 years, there is a geopolitical power shift moving east to west or west to east. Converging with these economic low cycles in 2012 is the anticipated geopolitical shift of power from the West (U.S.) to the East (Asia).
The debate between the financial analysts (wealth is moving to Asia) and the geopolitical analysts (the U.S. will remain a dominant world power) will be interesting to watch. Depending upon the outcome of these cycles, the U.S. may very well feel as if an apocalypse has occurred.
The U.S. Past, Present, Future
William Strauss and Neil Howe are researchers and observers of American and human history. Their writings, including the 1994 Generations: The History of America’s Future, 1584 to 2069, depicts the cyclical themes in social psychology within America since the time of the Pilgrims.
Observations through the looking glass of cycles have caused Strauss, Howe, and other institutional analysts to suggest that the period between 2005 and 2015 will see a merging of “economic, social, cultural, ecological, technological, geopolitical, and military distress and disruption of unprecedented magnitude.”
Unfortunately, Strauss and Howe lead a myriad of voices characterizing this as a time of “unique opportunity”—a chance, if not an obligation, to craft a new civic order.
Is This the “Change” We’ve Been Hearing About?
These are not the cosmic catastrophes predicted in ancient cultures or popularized in modern entertainment; these are the predictions of analysts who have studied the cycles of human existence. To a serious student of Biblical eschatology, the results are striking.
John L. Peterson, founder of the Arlington Institute, a non-profit future-oriented think tank, presented his thoughts regarding preparation for the coming storm of 2012 [emphasis mine]:
To ultimately become part of a global effort, there are four general functions that must become an integral part of any organization, business, or government (whether local or national).
Anticipation
• We must learn how to anticipate what is coming our way before it shows up, otherwise every big event is a surprise.
• Anticipatory roles and capabilities must be encouraged throughout the social system—government, business, schools, homes and families.
• A communications and response capability will have to be implemented to quickly and effectively communicate early warning signals to all levels of society.
Innovation• The rapid development of new theories of adaptation and resilience must be encouraged to determine how organizations, governments, and families can organize and prepare themselves for external shocks.
• Considerable incentives should be established to encourage practical new ideas about living well using less energy and other resources.
Adaptation• A priority must be established to make all levels of society more resilient and adaptive to change.
• A major initiative must be put in place to familiarize the general populace with the potential implications of big changes and convince them of the importance of getting ready for the times ahead.
• Decentralization must become a national value.
• Breakdown scenarios must be studied so everyone can be-come familiar with failure possibilities.
Education• Incentives should be put in place to encourage a search for historical models of how societies adapted (or not) to big change.
Continuing with Peterson’s analysis [emphasis mine]:Implementing this level of institutional change is very hard and, for governments, unprecedented. A strong leader must have clear mental pictures of both the implications of staying the course and the necessity for change coupled with a pointed sense of urgency for his actions.
Are these the foundations for the “Change You Can Believe In” slogans that permeated the 2008 U.S. Presidential election? Keep in mind that 2012 is also the next election for that post.
Moving Forward
Rahm Emanuel (White House Chief of Staff) has declared, “Rule 1: Never allow a crisis to go to waste, they are opportunities to do big things.” According to the current U.S. administration, all aspects of life are now in “crisis mode.” The speed with which “change” is being achieved is startling.
The advocates of the 2012 “Age of Aquarius” collapse of the old world system and rebirth of a new, enlightened world system would have us believe that our position in the solar system and the position of the stars in a pagan zodiac will dictate the future of mankind. In truth, there is a carefully planned agenda. Visionary and 1969 “Humanist of the Year,” R. Buckminster Fuller once said, “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” The launching of this “new model” between 2010 and 2012 is the most worrisome of 2012 chaos theories.
Solomon explains in Ecclesiastes 2:13-14, “Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happenth to them all.”
This is a time to ensure your walk is in the light with eyes wide open to the events surrounding you.
By 2012 this new world, born out of the creative minds and compassionate hearts of self-empowered visionaries every-where, will be even more visible and influential, affecting every aspect of life.
¬—John L.Peterson A Vision for 2012: Planning for Extraordinary Change
