Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John: Enriched edition. Unraveling Biblical Prophecies: Isaac Newton's Insights

by Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton in this work delves into the writings of ancient historians to show fulfillment of the prophecies in the Book of Daniel. It is fascinating to read the thoughts and interpretations of scripture from such a brilliant thinker. The most impressive first is Newton's fascination with alchemy; then it is Newton's commitment to Christianity and his careful study of the Bible.

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Christian, History, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Theology

215 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1733

About the author

Sir Isaac Newton, FRS , was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, and alchemist. His Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, published in 1687, is considered to be the most influential book in the history of science. In this work, Newton described universal gravitation and the three laws of motion, laying the groundwork for classical mechanics, which dominated the scientific view of the physical universe for the next three centuries and is the basis for modern engineering. Newton showed that the motions of objects on Earth and of celestial bodies are governed by the same set of natural laws by demonstrating the consistency between Kepler's laws of planetary motion and his theory of gravitation, thus removing the last doubts about heliocentrism and advancing the scientific revolution.

In mechanics, Newton enunciated the principles of conservation of momentum and angular momentum. In optics, he invented the reflecting telescope and developed a theory of colour based on the observation that a prism decomposes white light into a visible spectrum. He also formulated an empirical law of cooling and studied the speed of sound.

In mathematics, Newton shares the credit with Gottfried Leibniz for the development of the differential and integral calculus. He also demonstrated the generalised binomial theorem, developed the so-called "Newton's method" for approximating the zeroes of a function, and contributed to the study of power series.

Newton was also highly religious (though unorthodox), producing more work on Biblical hermeneutics than the natural science he is remembered for today.

In a 2005 poll of the Royal Society asking who had the greater effect on the history of science, Newton was deemed much more influential than Albert Einstein.

Reviews

[Scot León Pfuntner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fascinating to read the thoughts and interpretations of scripture from such a brilliant thinker. Isaac Newton delves into the writings of ancient historians to show fulfillment of the prophecies in the book of Daniel. The greatest fulfillment was the the coming of the Messiah which was to happen 62 sevens or 434 years after the rebuilding of the wall and streets of Jerusalem in Nehemiah's day, 4278 Julian date, or 434BC. 434 years after Nehemiah finished rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Jesus was born. These prophecies were written by Daniel when he was in exile in Babylon under the Medes and Persians. The Magi were from Persia and had his writings. That is how they knew when to come looking for the Messiah in Israel, because they knew the interpretation of Daniel's writings. Also, even more than the birth of Jesus is predicted. The time of His death was also predicted in Daniel, "Seventy 'sevens' are declared for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy" - Daniel 9:24. Since days represent years in the prophecy's interpretation, this means that there would be 490 years until this prophecy was fulfilled, and it was to occur after Ezra received the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. That happened in 4257 Julian date, or 455BC. 490 years later (April 23rd, 34 AD according to Newton), Jesus was anointed as the Most Holy, and crucified- bringing everlasting righteousness to all who would believe in Him. Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy and Daniel's vision.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

One strikes most people first is Newton's fascination with alchemy; what strikes people second is Newton's commitment to Christianity, albeit Unitarian, and the his careful study of the Bible.

Observations, only republished recently within the last couple decades, is a fantastic look into the mind of Sir Isaac Newton as he labors over the prophecies in the Old Testament, Daniel, and the New Testament, Revelation.

His insights are fascinating, as he takes a historicist - such was the biblical interpretation at the time, especially seen in the viewpoints of the Reformers - interpretation from both books. His inquiry is so interesting, and many gleanings can be taken from this treatise - like his commitment to an early writing for Revelation - which was written so long ago by a man only known for his strides in the natural sciences.

Definitely worth the read.

Brent McCulley

[Köksal KÖK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Değerli ingiliz bilim adamı fizikçi, metamatikçi, astronom, mucit, filosof ve de ilahiyatçı.

kitabın içeriği hakkında;

kitap iki kısımdan olşur;

kısım 1, danyalın kehanetleri üzerine, s.5-194.

-bölüm 1, Eski Ahit Kitapları'nın Derleyicilerine ilişkin sunuş,
-bölüm 2, Peygamber kullandıkları Dil üzerine,
-bölüm 3, dört metalden oluşan heykel düşü üzerine,
-bölüm 4, dört yaratık düşü üzerine,
-bölüm 5, Heykelin Demir ve Kilden oluşan Ayakları ile Temsil Edilen Krallıklar üzerine,
-bölüm 6, dördüncü yaratığın on boynuzu ile simgelenen on krallık üzerine,
-bölüm 7, danyalın dördüncü yaratığının on birinci boynuzu üzerine,
-bölüm 8, danyalın dördüncü yaratığının on birinci boynuzunun zamanları ve yasaları değiştirme gücü üzerine,
-bölüm 9, danyalın koç ve erkeke keçi olarak temsil edilen krallıkları üzerine,
-bölüm 10, Yetmiş Hafta Kehaneti üzerine,
-bölüm 11, İsa'nın doğumu ve ölümü üzerine,
-bölüm 12, gerçek kitap kehaneti üzerine,
-bölüm 13, dilediği şekilde hareket eden, kendini bütün tanrılardan üstün tutan, Mahuzzimleri şereflendiren ve kadınların sevgisini önemsemeyen kral üzerine,
-bölüm 14, dilediği şekilde hareket eden, kral tarafından şereflendirilen Mahuzzimler üzerine.

Mahuzzim-Mahuzzimler: ruhlar, ölülerin ruhları, şehitlerin, azizlerin, 4oların, kırkların ruhları kabirleri ziyaret yerleri, kutsal eşya ve araçları.

kısım 2, aziz johnun mahşeri üzerine, s. 195-255.

-bölüm 1, kitabın yazıldığı döneme ilişkin sunuş,
-bölüm 2, johnun mahşerinin musanın yasa kitabı ve tapınakta tanrıya ibadetle ilişkisi üzerine,
-bölüm 3, johnun kehanetinin danyalın kehaneti ile bağlantısı ve kehanetin konusu üzerine,

mahşer: johnun mahşeri, danyalın mahşeri, vahiy bölümü, vahiy kitabı.

nette birsürü yorum var. merak eden kitabı okuduktan sonra inceleyebilir, ama ben burada küçük anahtar bilgiler vermek istiyorum;

-dördüncü yaratığın on boynuzu ile simgelenen on krallık, 350'lerde başlayan kavimleri göçü ile avrupada günümüz ulus devletlerinin temeli atılmıştır. hunlar ve attila etken.

-günah, yıkım getiren günah, yıkıcı iğrenç günah, putperestler, kemoş, molek.

-en kutsal olan, mesh edilmiş olan, mesih, isa.

-kral, kilise, kadın, vatikan, büyük fahişe, iki kanatlı kadın, gökteki olağanüstü kadın, izebel, roma imp. yönetir.

-gnostikler, encratites, continentes. yahudi olmayanların ve kabalacı yahudilerin metafizik-mistik doktrinleri izleyen tarikat. bunlar eski putperest inançları hristiyanlığa adapte ettiler. tıpkı bizde, islamda, türklerin kadim kutsal inanç ve yaşam biçimi olam göktanrı-şamanizm-kamizmin, alevi bektaşi şia içinde yer etmesi kabul görmesi, uyması, bir yol (tasavvuf-sufizm) açması gibi, ki onlara minnettarız.

-7. mühür, yedinci mühür, 7. borazan, isa kiliseyi ağzından kusar, ilk tapınak dönemi son bulur. (bunu tam olarak anlayamadım, belki de kova çağını, 21. yy, enigma, altın çağı kastediyordur).

-6. mühür, putperestliğin kaldırılması.

-ilk 4 mühür, romaya 4 bela, kuzey-güney-doğu-batıdan gelen saldırılar. batı roma dağılır, 407 de ulus devletleri ortaya çıkar.

-4. borazanın çalmasıyla 4 mühür kırılır, kuzeyden hunlar, ve diğer barbar kavimler, romaya saldırır.

-5. borazanla 5 mühür kırılır, romaya güneyden kuyu-duman-çekirge=islam-halife-arap orduları saldırır.

-6. borazanla 6 mühür kırılır, doğudan cengiz han-moğolar-tatarlar saldırır. doğu roma-bizans-konstantiniyye 1453'te türklere teslim olur.

belki biraz karışık oldu ama, özet olarak ne anladıysam, kitaba ne not aldıysam çoğunu yazdım.

bu değerli bilim adamı üslub olarak gayet akıcı, araştırma olarak son derece zengin ve anlaşılabilir bir çalışma yapmış.

son bi not, sanırım aytun hocanın çevirisi üslub yönünden farklı olabilir, ama yine de emre beyin çevirisi de harika, akıcı.

[Robert Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In our post-intellectual society, with science and faith seemingly at odds, it has often occurred to me that many of the people arguing on both sides of the debate are woefully ignorant, for in my estimation, there is no true schism between real science and real faith. Indeed, it seems that many of those who are most vocal in the debate in favor of "faith" have not even read their Bibles, and many of those who are most vocal in favor of "science" base their arguments more on their faith in "scientific facts" they have been fed rather than real empirical data.

As a Christian, I believe that God has revealed Himself to us not only in Scripture, but also through His creation. "For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made." Romans 1:20 (HCSB). Therefore, if I see what appears to be a conflict between Scripture and empirical data, rather than place the error on either faith or science, I instead place the error on my inability to understand. In other words, I believe that any such "conflict" must stem from my human inability to fully understand either Scripture or the empirical data. Thus, I am committed to doing what I believe God would want me to do -- rather than arrogantly argue one position or the other, I will re-examine both my understanding of Scripture and my understanding of the empirical data, and I will seek a sound interpretation of both that is in concord.

It is for this reason that I thought it would be interesting to read what one of the most distinguished scientists had to say about Biblical prophecy. Like many of the most notable scientists of the past, Sir Isaac Newton did not reject God or faith in his pursuit of truth. He simply sought to understand God's creation not only through Scripture but also through God's creation.

The book is very interesting, but it is not a light read (what did you expect from Newton?). It will challenge you not only because of the depth of his thinking, but also because it is written in archaic English with a liberal use of Latin (my high school Latin was of no help here). Don't read this book if you are looking for mere entertainment, as you might find in many modern books about Biblical prophecy. But if you are looking for a book that will stimulate your own thinking about Scripture -- even if you don't ultimately agree with Newton -- then I heartily recommend this book!

[Davut · Rating 2 out of 5]

Isaac Newton tarafından yazılan; Hristiyanlık ve Yahudiliğe ait kutsal kitapların tarihsel olaylar üzerine benzeştirme çalışması.
Kitabın baskısına ait en önemli sıkıntı, bazı latince kısımların çevirilmeden direk kitaba konmuş olması.
Kitabın arkasında yazan "Eser, bilim-din ilişkileri açısından oldukça önem taşımaktadır." ifadesinin gerçek dışı olduğunu düşündüm. Herhangi bir bilimsel açıklama ya da teori bulunmuyor. Onun yerine kutsal kitaplarda geçen ayetlerin ve kehanetlerin tarih içinde hangi olaylara karşılık geldiği tahminleri yer alıyor.
I. Newton yazdığı için ilgi çekiyor, fakat yazar başka biri olsaydı içerik pek de dikkat çekmezdi diye düşündüm.

[Joshua Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

History through the Scope of Bible Prophesy

This is not a religious book, this is a history book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. My only beef is that this version does not translate the Latin.

[MykeWeber · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I learned that Sir Isaac Newton wrote more on religion than he had regarding Mathemtics and Physics I knew I wanted to read what he wrote. His Observations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John is astounding! The depth and breadth of his research is phenomenal and completely characteristic of his thorough approach to Science. In the Second Edition of Principia he wrote: The true God is a living, intelligent and powerful being. His duration reaches from eternity to eternity; His presence from infinity to infinity. He governs all things.” Not a common perception among many of today’s physicists.

On page 251, he writes: “The folly of Interpreters has been to foretell times and things by this Prophecy, as if God designed to make them Prophets. By this rashness they. Have not a one exposed themselves, but brought the Prophecy also into contempt.”

So instead he sets out to reveal the fulfillment of Daniel and St. John’s prophesies, which have already come to pass. He does this thoroughly, persuasively and convincingly. I come away amazed at how precisely Daniel and John predicted forthcoming events and their meaning.

The book was well worth studying and will remain a source and guide for my future considerations!

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just knowing that such a scientist of Isaac Newton's caliber read and understood to some degree Daniel and Revelation is refreshing. Most today probably would assume all scientists were atheists or agnostics. That said, Newton takes a historicist view of Daniel and Revelation and in stunning detail at times. This is actually what I was looking for. If someone can explain away the details of Daniel and Revelation in a way that actually makes Biblical sense, then I at least would be able to juxtapose those views with my Premillenialism. While interesting reading from a historical position, Newton's thesis is not compelling. What a shame that his great mind was stunted by his times and suppositions. Had he lived in the days of the return of Israel to their land, perhaps his views would change. But an interesting read.

[Johann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

Isaac Newton, the father of modern physics, also seemed very interested in religious matters, especially concerning the prophecies found in the book of Daniel and Revelation.
I found it interesting to see how his mind worked out the prophesies and how he tried to correlate everything within his own time.
In his studies I also noted that he took both prophesies as only symbolic and held no belief in the supernatural when it comes to his interpretation.
I did, however, appreciate his very serious study of the subject matter and thought it was great to see him delve into things that had nothing to with mathematics.
Very hard read based on the citing of different languages without interpretations but still enjoy how the father of modern day physics utilizes his own methods of logic to maje sense of his own time concerning such matters.

[João Paulo Pessoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livro que mostra um lado pouco conhecido do Isaac Newton: o ocultista. Na verdade, Newton não tinha um lado ocultista. Ele era ocultista em sua totalidade — isso inclui seus estudos na matemática e na física. Suas análises sobre as profecias de Daniel, o Apocalipse de João, o Templo de Salomão, a Alquimia e muito mais são tão interessantes quanto o seu Principia. Na época, a separação entre "ocultismo" e "ciência" não era tão clara quanto é hoje em dia. Tudo isso era, até então, "scientia", a palavra latina para "conhecimento". É por isso que, eu, particularmente, acho os estudiosos desses tempos mais interessantes do que os estudiosos de hoje em dia.

[Ed Barton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have Your Latin Ready

The book, which is Newton’s parallels between Daniel, Revelation and historical fall of Rome is somewhat interesting. It might be more so if 20%+ of the book wasn’t in untranslated Latin. I’ve got a few years of Latin study under my belt and could muddle through some of it - but the overall book, coupled with the need to translate the Latin, makes it a pass...

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know what Newton did for science, it is fascinating to see him waltz through ancient history and the Scriptures. To switch from gravity and light to the juxtaposition of items in the first or second temple and Kabbalistic translation you get a sense of the immensity of the mind you're watching - very much as though you were an ant watching a giant work the forge.

[Sidney Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest. A must read

I learned to understand a part of the two books . This author will open hearts. I feel that it should be required to read.

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seemed off topic until I saw that he connected everything to the ottomans overtaking the byzantines

[Sarah Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should have paid more attention in my Latin classes.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting ideas, and really well researched, but wow is eighteenth century academic prose with random Latin inserts hard to read...

[Miley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible author, before his time, if you like history this is a ‘must read‘, also a very trustworthy author as far as accuracy goes, genuine facts, well researched.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A challenging read. Too bad Newton didn’t translate into English the chunks of Latin he quoted.

[Lisa PageBinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love Isaac Newton? Again this is a wonderful way to take a look into a great mind concerning religious views and thought.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

First published in 1733, six years after he died, republished in 1991, Of religious and historical value, Isaac newton took bible prophecy as serious as his scientific principles of gravity, planetary movements and mathematics. Very interesting reading but in my reprint you must get used to the old English lettering such as S and F's looking the same and also B and H's. He writes several chapter and verse notes on pages and also switches from english to latin without warning wich i cannot read. Interesting part is his logical step by step explanation on why the little horn that became great in Daniel chapter 8 could not represent the Historical Antiochus Epiphanes. That aside he makes no allusions that he believes his interpretations must all be correct but admits in his notes after many years of study he has tried his best.

[Armin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lese sonst gerne historische Wissenschaft, auch wenn manche Bollwerke der Ignoranz und des Aberglaubens längst geschliffen sind und auch manches Fundament der Aufklärung sich als Luftnummer erwiesen hat. Hier jedoch handelt es sich um eine absolut obsolete Geschichtsdarstellung, vollkommen frei von Esprit, die historische Ereignisse als Bestätigung der Prophezeiungen Daniels und der Apokalypse darstellt. Zumeist liefert Newton reine Aufzählungen von Stammbäumen unterschiedlicher Königreiche bzw. deren Abfolge und Siedlungsräume. Dann lieber Gibbons lesen, wenn es z.B. um den Niedergang Roms und die Völkerwanderungskriege geht. Ohne entsprechende Vorkenntnisse absolut unbrauchbar. Wenn man sich ein wenig auskennt, überflüssig.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the free ebook edition of this, and it was ok for the price. More serious students may want to obtain an annotated edition. It contained a lot of untranslated Latin, but I can't say for sure whether I was actually missing very much. Of course, the main value in this work is historical, although it is also quite entertaining at times to see the contrast between Newton's interpretations of these books and the popular interpretations being bandied about today by, say, Messrs. LaHaye and Jenkins.

[Mark Tibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and understandable interpretation of Scripture considering that a literal Israel was not existent during Newton's time. The history presented throughout the book is very thorough. His commentary of Daniel is noteworthy. This book helped me understand why so many people are confused about the idioms found in the Book of Revelation.

[Δx Δp ≥ ½ ħ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously, Isaac?

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isaac Newton was clearly brilliant...this was over my head however, I may need to return to this. His depth of history...pretty amazing

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book ever read

[Haudrey Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gostei muito. Uma grande ajuda no estudo da Profecia com muitos dados de história antiga. Recomendo!