The World Ends 155 Years After 1501, in 1656
Christopher Columbus Calculated the World Had 155 Years Left, Putting the End in 1656
In his Book of Prophecies, compiled around 1501-02, the admiral used the 7,000-year scheme of Augustine and Pierre d'Ailly to give the world a century and a half.
What was said
“there are but 155 years left for the fulfillment of the seven thousand, at which time I said above, by the authorities cited, that the world will come to an end”
— Christopher Columbus (navigator; compiler of the Libro de las profecías) · said 1501 · due 1656 (1501 + 155 years)
1656 came and went.
The fine print
Original Spanish; the quote is the English translation quoted by WallBuilders. Christian History Magazine sets out the sum: the world was thought to be '5,343 years, 318 days old when Jesus was born. Since then, another 1501 years had gone by, leaving only 155. By that reckoning, the end would be the year 1656.' Columbus thought the remaining prophecies, including the recovery of Jerusalem, had to be fulfilled in that time, and saw his voyages as part of it.
Sources
- Columbus: God Over Gold - WallBuilders (quoting the Book of Prophecies in English translation)accessed 2026-10-09
- Columbus's Millennial Voyage - Christian History Magazineaccessed 2026-10-09
As of Oct 9, 2026
since it didn't happen
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