Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Does Anybody Really Care?

That old Chicago tune comes to mind when I read that phrase. I couldn't help but think of it! But I'm showing my age! : )

Another thought came to mind while I was reading James Ussher's, The Annals of the World; that classic survey of world history. In religious prophecy; dating, timing and history are everything. It's fun to read "history" in the Bible then review the history in the Annals.

For example, the Persian rulers Artaxerxes and Darius are mentioned in the Bible as rulers of the Jews and as prominent figures within Daniel's prophecies. Reading the "secular" history along with the biblical places everything in it's actual historical perspective. This is why the Bible has been called the most historically justified book of all time. Actual secular history follows the biblical text, or vice-versa, depending on your approach.

While having a bit of fun with this I came across something that elicited an interesting thought. Ussher relies on Julian Dating. Named after the famous Julius Caesar, JD is less accurate (today) than the famous Gregorian calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII. In the end it doesn't matter because the Julian adjustments to the calendar makes sense for ancient dates and the Gregorian adjustments make sense for us today. That's why we have both. One could make a fine, enjoyable study of this but it's not the purpose of this blog entry.

When we look at today's date, August 29, 2009; it's Julian equivalent is; 2455072.5, or 2 million 455 thousand, 72.5 days from the beginning of the Julian Period - which started, BTW, in 4713 B.C. ! If my math is correct, this is the year 6722 (or thereabouts) of the Julian Period.

Now, I realize I'm not the first person to think of this (I also realize the futility of it as well). But, God seems to like to work in 7's doesn't He? Aren't we nearing the end of a 7th millennium? Concerning Christians who believe in an actual, literal Second Advent - we seem to be living on borrowed time! It makes you think, doesn't it?

Here is a Julian Dating Converter if you wish to convert a modern day calendar date.

The Observer