There is something captivating about old Bibles. The thick paper, the worn edges and the extra charts tucked into the front feel like a window into how earlier generations tried to understand history and time. That is why a recently resurfaced Bible timeline has captured so much attention online. It is interesting. It sparks curiosity. It invites reflection. But it should never be confused with Scripture or treated as a countdown to the end.
A recent Daily Mail article highlights a viral video posted on Instagram by Kaylah Hodgins, who drew attention to an 1818 Bible containing detailed chronological tables alongside apocryphal writings.
According to Hodgins video, the Bible lists “3,974 years from Adam to Christ, plus another 1,815 years from Christ’s birth to the Bible’s publication year,” totaling 5,789 years by the early 19th century. When the years since printing are added, the timeline approaches 6,000 years since Creation, a number that has long carried symbolic meaning in some Jewish and Christian traditions.
That symbolism comes from the Creation account itself. In this framework, history is sometimes viewed as six symbolic “days,” or 6,000 years, of human labor and struggle, followed by a seventh “day” of rest, often associated with renewal or a messianic age. It is an elegant idea. History is framed as a long human striving followed by rest and restoration. As the world feels increasingly unstable, it is easy to see why people find that concept compelling.
The timeline highlighted in Hodgins’ video traces back to James Ussher, a respected 17th-century scholar who sought to reconstruct biblical history by compiling genealogies and major events recorded in Scripture. His work became widely printed in 18th- and 19th-century Bibles, including the 1818 edition now circulating online, often appearing as charts or tables rather than part of the biblical text itself.
Here is where fascination must be paired with clarity. Scripture does not inspire Ussher’s chronology. It is a historical calculation. Even scholars cited in the article acknowledge that the Creation date printed in old Bibles reflects one interpretation, not a universally accepted doctrine. These timelines were intended to help readers organize biblical history, not predict future events.
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The Bible itself is unmistakably clear on this issue. Jesus directly warned against trying to calculate the timing of the end, saying, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt. 24:36). Any attempt to turn historical chronologies into prophetic deadlines steps beyond Scripture.
This is why date-setting has repeatedly caused confusion throughout history. When numbers are treated as prophecy, disappointment often follows. Scripture never instructs believers to calculate the end of the age. It calls them to remain faithful and watchful, regardless of when that end may come.
Still, the renewed interest sparked by Hodgins’ video reveals something meaningful. Many people sense that the world is shifting and are searching for perspective. Some view the 6,000-year framework as a reminder of humanity’s smallness in the sweep of history. Others see it as a symbolic prompt for moral or spiritual reflection rather than a literal prediction.
That is where the discussion can be healthy. Ancient Bible chronologies can be appreciated for their historical value and symbolic depth. They can spark thoughtful conversations about time, humility and responsibility. What they cannot do is replace Scripture or override what the Bible plainly teaches.
This material is fascinating and worth understanding. But it is not prophecy. It is not a divine timetable. The Bible does not call us to calculate dates. It calls us to trust God, live faithfully and stay grounded in what Scripture actually says.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
