Read source passages and their interpretations here, or browse the full bibliography for additional works.
Later Pali Buddhist poem; attribution uncertain in this packet · Text frames the Buddha as speaker; historical author not established
Later Metteyya narrative places advent later in this auspicious cycle after a crore-of-years interval, not a new cycle.
Text available here
Who will encounter Metteyya? →
View cited source · palitextsociety.org · PDF ↗Edition and location
K. R. Norman, Journal of the Pali Text Society XXVIII (2006), pp. 1–37; edition and English translation
Translation v.5, printed p.19 (PDF page index 24); framing vv.1–4
Joseph Smith; Joseph Smith Papers edition
Interprets Revelation's seals as successive thousand-year periods and the earth's temporal existence as seven thousand years. No Gregorian conversion is inferred.
Text available here
Joseph Smith: two prophets to the Jewish nation · commentary →
Who are the twenty-four elders? · commentary →
The little book as John’s gathering mission · commentary →
Joseph Smith on the sea of glass and living creatures · commentary →
The angels and the 144,000 · commentary →
Seven seals as seven thousand years · commentary →
When Smith places the ninth chapter · commentary →
Preparing the earth before Christ’s coming · commentary →
Śvetāmbara Jain scripture; dialogue attributed to Ariṭṭhanemī (Nemi)
A Śvetāmbara Jain scripture narrating people who end the cycle of rebirth. Its fifth chapter reports Nemi’s prediction of Krishna’s death, rebirth and eventual appearance as a future Tirthankara.
Text available here
Krishna’s future birth as Amame →
Barnett explains the third earth · commentary →
What Barnett means by Kevalī · commentary →
The nyagrodha tree · commentary →
The Puṇḍa people · commentary →
The name Juhiṭṭhile · commentary →
View cited source · archive.org ↗Edition and location
L. D. Barnett, The Antagaḍa-dasāo and Aṇuttarovavāiya-dasāo, Oriental Translation Fund, New Series XVII (London: Royal Asiatic Society, 1907). Antagaḍa-dasāo, fifth chapter, first lesson, printed pp.81–82. The question about death and both answers are reproduced as a continuous unit, ending at “thou shalt be beatified.” Visually collated against the University of Toronto scan. Printed diacritics and existing ellipses retained; line-end hyphenation joined, whitespace and quotation glyphs normalized, typography flattened. Footnote callouts removed and relevant footnotes placed in attributed margin notes.
Fifth chapter, first lesson, pp.81–82
General Islam
Abd Allah ibn Umar al-Baydawi
Al-Bayḍāwī discusses Jesus’ coming, descent and raising of the dead as signs, then records a descent report and the alternative Qur’an reading.
Text available here
Jesus’ miracles and his return · commentary →
Anonymous, attributed to Peter
Describes the place of the righteous and contrasting punishments in a revealed vision.
Text available here
Peter’s vision of paradise and punishment →
View cited source · newadvent.org ↗Edition and location
Source. Translated by Andrew Rutherfurd. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 9. Edited by Allan Menzies. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1896.) New Advent revised web edition.
Sections 14–23
Harold Camping
Harold Camping’s 1993 book, published by Vantage Press as a sequel to 1994? (1992). It reads the Jubilee trumpet of Leviticus 25:9 and the trumpet of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 together and gives 15–27 September 1994 as the most likely time of the end of the world, while declining to name the exact day.
Text available here
Harold Camping: the end most likely between 15 and 27 September 1994 · commentary →
View cited source · archive.org ↗Edition and location
Harold Camping, Are You Ready? (New York: Vantage Press, first edition, copyright 1993 by Harold Camping), ISBN 0-533-10932-9, Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 93-94226. Introduction p. xviii (one sentence, from “Individual after individual”), chapter 2 “The Jubilee Year” p. 31 (one sentence, from “We are reminded”) and p. 32 (one paragraph, from “We, therefore,” through “the feast of tabernacles.”). Internet Archive lending item areyouready0000camp, reader pages n19 (pp. xviii–xix), 30 (pp. 31–32) and n5 (copyright page); transcribed from the page images. Italics (the book title 1994?) rendered plain; line-end hyphenation joined; whitespace normalized; omissions between the three units marked […].
Introduction p. xviii; chapter 2, pp. 31–32
Latter-day Saint — Temple Lot
Church of Christ (Temple Lot)
The Temple Lot church’s statement of faith, with its own scriptural references.
Text available here
The Temple Lot church expects a temple in Independence · commentary →
View cited source · churchofchrist1830.org · PDF ↗Edition and location
Board of Publications, Church of Christ (Temple Lot), Independence, Missouri; reprinted May 2008. Article 23, PDFpage 9; title page image verified.
Board of Publications, Church of Christ (Temple Lot), Independence, Missouri; reprinted May 2008. Article 23, PDFpage 9; title page image verified.
Edward Irving
Edward Irving’s discourse on the prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse, written in 1825 and printed in this Philadelphia extract of 1828. It ends the 1260 years in 1792 and places the commencement of the blessed reign of Christ 75 years later, “in 43 years from this time (A. D. 1825).”
Text available here
Irving, 1825: the blessed reign of Christ 75 years after 1792, “in 43 years from this time” · commentary →
View cited source · archive.org ↗Edition and location
Edward Irving, Babylon and Infidelity Foredoomed of God: A Discourse on the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse, which Relate to These Latter Times (Philadelphia: published at the Church Missionary House, 1828; “stereotyped by L. Johnson”), pp. 81–82: from “That these two numbers reckon” through “to behold his glorious coming!)”. The preface calls the book pages “extracted from a larger work, in two volumes.” Internet Archive item babylonandinfid00irvigoog (University of Michigan copy, digitized by Google), BookReader leaves 6 (title page), 86 and 87. Transcribed from the page images. Small capitals (“blessed”) rendered in lower case; line-end hyphenation joined; whitespace normalized.
pp. 81–82
Attributed rabbinic sayings and discussion; redaction authorship not established
The Babylonian Talmud tractate on dealings with idolatry. Its opening discussion of eras and calendars includes dates reckoned from the Temple’s destruction and from creation.
Text available here
Avodah Zarah 9b: the year after which no field is bought →
View cited source · sefaria.org ↗Edition and location
Vilna text (Wikisource Talmud Bavli via Sefaria) with new Rainbow Watch English translation
Avodah Zarah 9b, segment 3
Traditional attribution; historical authorship not established here · Multiple attributed rabbinic sayings and discussion; redaction authorship not established
The Talmud’s Sanhedrin tractate discusses a seven-year sequence of signs before the Messiah. Rav Yosef objects to the sequence and Abaye responds, preserving a debate about the expected signs.
Text available here
Sanhedrin 97a–b: six thousand years and dated ends →
The seven years before the Messiah →
View cited source · sefaria.org ↗Edition and location
William Davidson Edition - English; Sefaria text API retrieved 2026-09-08
Sanhedrin 97a:2–3; excerpt end of 97a:2
J. E. Esslemont; later institutional revisers
Combines symbolic cosmic-sign exegesis with claims of literal geopolitical fulfillment. Corinne True's purported 1912 Armageddon prediction is explicitly sourced to September 1914 reporting, an essential timing limitation. America's role is described as partial.
Text available here
The 1948 printing: 1957 kept in the text; the Note on Revisions on 1957 and 1963 · commentary →
The revised New Era: Daniel’s 1,335 days refer to 1963 · commentary →
Esslemont’s 1957 calculation · commentary →
View cited source · gutenberg.org ↗Edition and location
Project Gutenberg 19241 copyrighted revised electronic text; edition 1 September 2006
Chapters 13 Signs in Heaven and Earth, Manner of Coming; 14 Napoleon III, Germany, America, Great War, social troubles; prefatory rights and revision notices
Servants of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, collective attribution in 12.2.44 colophon
These explanatory notes accompany the Bhāgavata Purāṇa’s chapter on the symptoms of Kali-yuga. The note on 12.2.38 says that Maru and Devāpi are already on earth, waiting to restore religious life after the age ends. The closing note contrasts the passing power of kings with spiritual liberation.
Text available here
The kings are already waiting · commentary →
View cited source · vedabase.io ↗Edition and location
VedaBase modern Purport sections, separate from Translation
12.2.44 Purport closing colophon at https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/12/2/44/; 12.2.38 Purport
Record of Bernt Knipperdolling’s confession
The Low German record of the confession of Bernt Knipperdolling, taken at Dülmen on 25 July 1535.
Text available here
Knipperdolling’s confession on the failed Easter promise · commentary →
Knipperdolling’s confession on the failed Easter promise · commentary →
View cited source · archive.org ↗Edition and location
Carl Adolf Cornelius (ed.), Berichte der Augenzeugen über das Münsterische Wiedertäuferreich (Die Geschichtsquellen des Bisthums Münster, 2; Münster: Theissing, 1853), Internet Archive berichtederaugen00corn. Actenstücke no. LXXII, “Bekenntniss Bernt Knipperdollings”, Dülmen, 25 July 1535, p. 377 (leaves n477–n478), from “Seght oich, wie der koninck” to “sin solde.” Followed in the note by a new AI-assisted English translation (Rainbow Watch, 2026), labelled as such. Low German (Westphalian) text as printed by Cornelius. German-style low and high quotation marks as printed. Spacing normalized; line-end hyphenation joined. Transcribed from the page images.
Cornelius, Actenstücke LXXII, p. 377
Examiners’ record of Jan van Leiden’s confession
The examiners’ Low German record of the confession of Jan van Leiden, king of Münster, taken at Dülmen on 25 July 1535.
Text available here
Jan van Leiden’s confession: an inward deliverance · commentary →
Jan van Leiden’s confession: an inward deliverance · commentary →
View cited source · archive.org ↗Edition and location
Carl Adolf Cornelius (ed.), Berichte der Augenzeugen über das Münsterische Wiedertäuferreich (Die Geschichtsquellen des Bisthums Münster, 2; Münster: Theissing, 1853), Internet Archive berichtederaugen00corn. Actenstücke no. LXXI, “Bekenntniss Johanns von Leiden”, Dülmen, 25 July 1535, p. 373 (leaves n470, n474), from “Und oich van einem brif” to “in den geist gemeint hedde.” The excerpt begins within a sentence: the confession says he knows of no understanding with princes or towns except through Henricus Graess, and also of a letter; the omitted opening is marked […]. The confession is recorded in the third person by the examiners. Followed in the note by a new AI-assisted English translation (Rainbow Watch, 2026), labelled as such. Low German (Westphalian) text as printed by Cornelius. German-style low and high quotation marks as printed. Spacing normalized; line-end hyphenation joined. Transcribed from the page images.
Cornelius, Actenstücke LXXI, p. 373
Zoroastrian Middle Persian compilers; English E. W. West · Middle Persian compilation; individual historical compiler not established · Middle Persian compilation; historical compiler not established
The Bundahishn describes resurrection, purification through molten metal and the renewal of the world. Its account of collective renewal differs from judgment after an individual’s death.
Text available here
Resurrection and the renewal of the world →
West connects the opposing powers with Zamyad Yasht 96 · commentary →
West connects the opposing powers with Zamyad Yasht 96 · commentary →
West explains the disappearance of class distinctions · commentary →
West: the three nights of punishment · commentary →
View cited source · avesta.org ↗Edition and location
Peterson electronic text of E.W. West, SBE vol.5; website cites Oxford 1897
Bundahishn 30.1–17; especially 3–7 and 10–16; Bundahishn 30.18–33; especially 19–20, 25 and 30–33
View cited source · sacred-texts.com ↗Edition and location
E.W.West, Pahlavi Texts PartI (1880), Sacred Books of the East5; additional reading edition via Internet Sacred Text Archive
Bundahis chapterXXX §§18–33, printed pp.125–130
Cyril of Jerusalem
Urges hearers to distinguish Christ's return from a false claimant; includes expected signs and judgment.
Text available here
Meeting the Lord in the clouds · commentary →
“Now is the falling away” · commentary →
Cyril expects the heavens to be renewed · commentary →
Cyril expects the heavens to be renewed · commentary →
The Roman kings and Antichrist · commentary →
The Roman kings and Antichrist · commentary →
Wars, divided churches, and signs Cyril saw in his own day · commentary →
Which temple does Cyril mean? · commentary →
Which temple does Cyril mean? · commentary →
Three and a half years of tribulation · commentary →
Three and a half years of tribulation · commentary →
Three and a half years of tribulation · commentary →
Christ’s return will be visible · commentary →
Meeting the Judge through works of mercy · commentary →
Meeting the Judge through works of mercy · commentary →
Does “until” put an end to Christ’s kingdom? · commentary →
Does “until” put an end to Christ’s kingdom? · commentary →
The cross as the sign in heaven · commentary →
The poor and servants are not overlooked · commentary →
Cyril reads the aging poem as a vision of the end · commentary →
Cyril reads the aging poem as a vision of the end · commentary →
Cyril reads the aging poem as a vision of the end · commentary →
Two advents of Christ · commentary →
View cited source · newadvent.org ↗Edition and location
Source. Translated by Edwin Hamilton Gifford. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 7. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1894.) New Advent revised web edition.
Lecture XV, discussion of Matthew 24 and Antichrist
Catholic Church
Defines final trial and Antichrist deception and rejects identifying final messianic hope with historical political ascendancy.
Text available here
The Catechism on Christ’s reign and the final trial · commentary →
The Catechism on Christ’s reign and the final trial · commentary →
Universal House of Justice, Research Department
Answers Beckwith's false prophecy and concealment allegations by distinguishing Esslemont's calculations and reported table talk from authenticated tablets. Cites a 1946 revision note preceding 1957, while defending later replacement of the passage.
Text available here
The Research Department’s response to the 1957 dispute · commentary →
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society; unsigned institutional article
Acknowledges that published probability language overshadowed cautions about 1975 and helped build expectation. Clarifies that an earlier call to adjust mistaken expectations includes persons involved in publication, not only readers.
Text available here
The Watchtower regrets statements that raised 1975 hopes · commentary →
Salimbene of Parma; G. G. Coulton, translator
The chronicle of the Franciscan Salimbene of Parma, written in the 1280s. It records the Joachite expectations of his youth, the Flagellants of 1260 and his later rejection of Joachite dating.
Text available here
Salimbene and the Joachite year 1260 →
Gerard of Borgo San Donnino: the Gospel superseded in 1260 · commentary →
Salimbene gives up Joachism after 1260 · commentary →
Quintus Julius Hilarianus
A short Latin chronology written in 397 by the North African bishop Quintus Julius Hilarianus. It counts six thousand years for the world and reckons that 101 of them remained from the consulship of Caesarius and Atticus.
Text available here
Hilarianus: 101 years remain to complete six thousand →
View cited source · archive.org ↗Edition and location
Quintus Julius Hilarianus, Chronologia sive libellus de mundi duratione (written 397), chapters XVI (end)–XVII, in J.-P. Migne, Patrologia Latina 13 (Paris), cols. 1104–1105 (Internet Archive patrologiaecur13mign, leaves n555–n556). Transcribed from the page images; the two-column OCR layer was used only to locate the passage. Migne’s æ ligatures and italic scripture quotations (italics not distinguished) retained; column and page breaks joined; line-end hyphenation joined; Migne’s footnote markers omitted. The opening clause of the selection begins a new sentence in Migne after the reckoning to Lucullus’s consulship, which is omitted.
Chapters XVI–XVII, PL 13, cols. 1104–1105
Latter-day Saint — Church of Jesus Christ (Monongahela)
The Church of Jesus Christ
Official beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ headquartered in Monongahela.
Text available here
A peaceful reign before Christ’s return · commentary →
View cited source · thechurchofjesuschrist.org ↗Edition and location
The Church of Jesus Christ, headquartered in Monongahela, official website: beliefs on peaceful reign, resurrection and Second Coming; inspected 11 September 2026.
The Church of Jesus Christ, headquartered in Monongahela, official website: beliefs on peaceful reign, resurrection and Second Coming; inspected 11 September 2026.
Adam Clarke
Applies the darkened heavenly bodies to Jerusalem's downfall, citing Lightfoot and parallels in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Joel.
Text available here
Clarke: “generation” and the preservation of the Jewish people · commentary →
Clarke separates the disciples’ questions · commentary →
M. Baxter
Michael Baxter’s prophetic timetable of the seals, trumpets and vials of Revelation, published in London in 1866–1867. It placed Christ’s descent at Armageddon in 1873–1875.
Text available here
Baxter: Christ’s descent at Armageddon in 1873–5 · commentary →
Baxter on Gill: the 1260 years from 610 or 612 end in 1870 or 1872 · commentary →
View cited source · archive.org ↗Edition and location
M. Baxter, Coming Wonders Expected between 1867 and 1875, “fourth thousand” (London: E. A. Taylor, 1867). Internet Archive scan comingwondersexp00baxt (University of Toronto, Robarts Library), Ninth Wonder, pp. 158–159, two paragraphs from “Because the deepest expositors” through “before Christ’s descent at Armageddon.)” Transcribed from the page images (leaves 161–162); the OCR layer was used only for comparison. Footnote reference marks 1 and 2 omitted; small capitals (“double fulfilment,” “years,” “days”) rendered in lower case; line-end hyphenation joined; whitespace normalized.
Ninth Wonder, pp. 158–159