Apocalyptic Christian writers forecast a fixed number of years for Muslim rule

Evidence

I will spare the reader Alvarus’s labyrinthine calculations of this period; suffice it to say that he concludes that Muslim rule is destined to last 245 years and that only 16 remain. Like the pseudo- Methodius, Alvarus paints the present in apocalyptic colors while holding out the hope of the imminent end of the persecutions. It is logical that the persecutions of the enemy are hardening, but the good Christian who perseveres will live to see a better day. Unlike pseudo-Methodius, however, Alvarus does not foresee the end of time, only the end of Muslim rule. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 523

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to modern end-times math like Harold Camping’s 2011 calculations — apocalyptic numerology repeats across centuries.