WHY THE APOCALYPSE SCARE?

Is the Apocalypse Scare Justified?

The Bible book of Revelation speaks of "the war of the great day of God the Almighty," or Armageddon, wherein the wicked will be destroyed, followed by a thousand-year period (sometimes called the Millennium) during which Satan will be abyssed and Christ will judge humankind. (Revelation 16:14, 16; 20:1-4) In the Middle Ages, these prophecies were misunderstood by some because Catholic "Saint" Augustine (354-430 C.E.) had stated that the Millennium began at the birth of Christ and would be followed by the Last Judgment. Augustine apparently gave little thought to the time frame, but as the year 1000 approached, apprehension grew. Historians disagree on the extent o f this medieval apocalypse scare. However widespread it was, it certainly turned out to be unjustified.

Similarly today, there are religious and secular fears that the year 2000 or 2001 will bring with it terrifying apocalypse. but are these fears justified? And is the message contained in the Bible book of Revelation, or Apocalypse, something to be feared or, on the contrary, is it something we should hope for?

Next time: THE APOCALYPSE-TO BE FEARED OR HOPED FOR?

Watchtower,1999