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NewYeaarsEdition200912_june_july_2009.qxd 16/12/2009 2:32 PM Page 11 11 Apocalypse Now? 11 Apocalypse Now? APOCALYPSE NOW? to John. This is written as if related from God to Victory over the Antichrist APOCALYPSE NOW? Jesus Christ, and then, in turn, to his disciple, John, who was living in exile on the island of What is unusual is that, unlike previous The end of the world has been forecast Patmos in the Aegean Sea, just off the coast fo apocalyptic literature, which was cryptic and many times. Fortunately the specific Turkey. John could well have been a historical vague in its meaning, Revelation was written to nature of these predictions has so far figure whose prominence, during a period of give a clear prophecy about the times in which been matched only by their inaccuracy. open conflict between the church and the it was produced. It also gives a clear prediction Roman state in the late A.D. 80’s. led ot his about the end of time, when God will triumph in banishment to the island. It is known that, near his judgment over the harlot Babylon (Rome) On February 5, 1962, the world held it’s Ephesus in Turkey, within 10 or 20 years of the and Christ will achieve victory over the breath. Indian astrologers had announced that fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, a prophetic group Antichrist and his followers. Nonetheless, it on this day all the planets would be in was formed and led by a man named John. contains a number of allegories and unexplained conjunction in Capricorn and this would destroy symbols that leave it open to widely carrying the earth. Indian holy men led a mass prayer Encouraging the faithful interpretation. session lasting nine days. Half a million In the final chapter we learn of the pilgrims immersed themselves into the holy In Revelation. Christ appears to give thousand-year reign of Christ and the defeat of river Ganges. Nothing happened. John authority as his prophet to the church. Satan and the beasts by fire from heaven. This Scholars assure us, however, that this two-part last judgment, although cataclysmic, will lead, The end of time book is a collection of writings from different we are told, to a new heaven and a new earth: authors who lived during the last quarter of the the new Jerusalem. In 1843 farmer William Miller from 1st century A.D. It is likely that the Roman So when will this great event occur? The New York state announced that, by his persecutions of that period inspired much of the references to “a thousand years” have led many calculations, based on the Book of Daniel, the work, which is designed to give reassurance to self-styled prophets and seers to attach a world would end “sometime between March 21, Christian followers that God would eventually particular significance to the years A.D. 1000 1843, and March 21, 1844.” and A.D. 2000. Thousands of Both A.D. 1000 people living along the and A.D. have passed eastern seaboard put comparatively quietly. their faith in Miller’s prediction, and money FACT-oids was raised for a FACT-oids tabernacle to be built in Boston. When March THE END OF THE 21, 1844, came and WORLD went, a new date was announced: October 22, There is one 1844. Miller’s followers prediction that we can became more fervent in make with some their belief. They even certainty: One day the left their crops standing world will end. Our in the field at harvest earth cannot outlast the time. On the appointed sun, and the sun is day, one man put on a slowly dying. Estimates pair of turkey wings, vary, but there is a climbed a tree and general concensus that begged the Lord to take we only have another him up. He fell and 4.5 billion years of broke an arm. sunshine left. Otherwise, the day passed without incident. An optimistic note History is full of triumph over his enemies, and encourage them such stories. Humankind is fascinated by to remain steadfast in their faith. It is a message Jack Hills, an astrophysicist at Michigan attempts to foretell how, and especially when, that is meant to apply not only to those days but State University, made a more optimistic the world will end. Constant disappointments to future times when other Christians would prediction in 1979. He said that the earth would seem not to have dispelled enthusiasm for the face persecution. be swallowed up by an enormous “black hole.” subject, and in modern times and the second This is an extremely dense invisible body with millenium after the birth of Christ has fueled all Vision of catastrophe an enormous gravitational field that sucks in kinds of apocalyptic speculation. everything, including light itself. The hopeful The first part of Revelation is really a note in his forecast was that this was not likely The teachings of Zoroaster to happen for another 25 billion years. moral discourse, devoid fo visions and symbolism, taking the form of seven letters The word “apocalypse” comes from the from Christ through John to seven churches in The vulnerable earth Greek work apokalypsis which means the Roman province of Asia, and ending with a “unveiling” or “disclosure.” Apocalyptic cults message for the whole church. The rest of the Unfortunately, we are still vulnerable. At focus on revelationss, often cryptic, about God’s book is full of symbols, visions fo catastrophe, any time, the earth could be obliterated by a sudden, cataclysmic intervention in the affairs references to Satan, martyrs, and the victory of supernova (an exploding star). Or e could be hit of man. The teachings of Zoroaster, who the Archangel Michael. False prophets are by an asteroid or a comet. In this case, no founded the religion of Zoroastrianism in the described as beasts who bring destruction to the amount of preparation - underground shelters, 6th century B.C. in Persia (modern-day Iran), unfaithful. Another beast, usually referred to as food stores, etc - will save us from destruction. are the likely origin of the apocalyptic literature the Antichrist, is mentioned: this is a man, [] that was developed further by Judaic, Christian, signified by the number “666.” Many people and Islamic writers. believe that this referred to the Roman emperor, Rob & Laura would like to take this The best known of these writings is the Nero. opportunity of wishing all our world-wide last book of the New Testament, the Revelation broadcast affiliates a very Happy New Year!