End time

The End Time, End Times, or End of Days is a time period described in the eschatological writings in the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and in doomsday scenarios in various other non-Abrahamic religions. In Christianity, the End Times are often depicted as a time of tribulation that precedes the Second Coming of the Christian "saviour" or a "hoped-for deliverer", Jesus, the Christian Messiah, who will usher in the fullness of the World to Come and Kingdom of God and bring an end to suffering and evil and all things wrong with the current world. In Islam, Yawm al-Qiyāmah "the Day of Resurrection" or Yawm ad-Din "the Day of Judgement", Allah's final assessment of humanity, is preceded by the end of the world. In Judaism the term "End of Days" is a reference to the Messianic era and the Jewish belief in the coming of Mashiach and the Olam Haba. Various other religions also have eschatological beliefs associated with turning and redemption.

Since the advent of modern science in the 18th century, the discovery of deep time, and the age of the Earth, the concept of an "End of Days" has been replaced in contemporary discourse with questions about the ultimate fate of the universe. Most scientists believe that the "end time" will finally one day occur hundreds of billions of years from now with the heat death of the universe.

Judaism

In Judaism, End Times are usually called The End of Days (aḥarit ha-yamim, אחרית הימים), a phrase that appears several times in the Tanakh. Though the idea of a messianic age has a prominent place in Jewish thought, it is not a pre-ordained event but rather brought about by religious observance and good deeds.

The term may refer to a number of interwoven themes:

Jewish messianism

The ingathering of the exiles

The land of Israel will turn from a desert into a garden, flourishing with fruits

Rebuilding of the Temple

Animal sacrifice or Korban

The World to Come (Olam Haba) is an ambiguous term that may refer to the afterlife, the messianic world, or the life of the resurrected.

End of Days recorded in the Tanakh:

Tumultuous events will overturn the old world order, as is recorded in the following passages from the Old Testament (Tanakh):

Deuteronomy 4:29-39 (King James Version): But if from thence thou shalt seek the thy GOD, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as the seas turn black and feel like mud, and all will know the wrath and atonement of their sins? Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the he is God; there is none else beside him. Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire. And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt; to drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

Isaiah 2:1-5 (King James Version): The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the 's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the , to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Micah 4:1-5 (King James Version): But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the , and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the our God for ever and ever.

These events create a new order in which God is universally recognized as the ruler over His creation, which includes everyone and everything.

Description of the Messianic Era

According to Jewish tradition, the Messianic Era will be one of global peace and harmony, an era free of strife and hardship, and one conducive to the furtherment of the knowledge of the Creator. The theme of the Messiah ushering in an era of global peace is encapsulated in one of the most famous scriptural passages from the book of Isaiah:

:"They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation will not lift sword against nation and they will no longer study warfare (Isaiah 2:4)."

In his Mishneh Torah, Maimonides describes the Messianic Era:

:"And at that time there will be no hunger or war, no jealousy or rivalry. For the good will be plentiful, and all delicacies available as dust. :The entire occupation of the world will be only to know God... the people Israel will be of great wisdom; they will perceive the esoteric truths and comprehend their Creator's wisdom as is the capacity of man. As it is written (Isaiah 11:9): "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea." "

Advent of the Messianic Era

According to the Talmud, the Midrash, and the ancient Kabbalistic work, the Zohar, the Messiah must arrive before the year 6000 from the time of creation. (According to Orthodox Jewish belief, the Hebrew calendar dates to the time of creation. The year 2010 corresponds to the year 5770 from creation, or before the year 2240).

The Midrash comments:

:"Six eons for going in and coming out, for war and peace. The seventh eon is entirely Shabbat and rest for life everlasting that maintains that each of the 7 days of the week, which are based upon the seven days of creation, correspond to the seven millennia of creation. The tradition teaches that the seventh day of the week, the Sabbath day of rest, corresponds to the seventh millennium, the age of universal 'rest' - the Messianic Era. The seventh millennium perforce begins with the year 6000, and is the latest time the Messiah can come. Supporting and elaborating on this theme are numerous early and late Jewish scholars, including the Ramban, Isaac Abrabanel, Abraham Ibn Ezra, Rabbeinu Bachya, the Vilna Gaon, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Ramchal, Aryeh Kaplan and Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis.

Christianity

Some Christians in the first century believed that Jesus would return during their lifetime, because Jesus had said to his followers to be alert or be ready at all times. From this belief came the first evidence of the doctrine of imminence. When the converts of Paul in Thessalonica were persecuted by the Roman Empire, they believed the end was upon them.

Tribulation in the New Testament:

The prophetic theme of the New Testament also mirrors the Old Testament, namely, Tribulation. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to this as the "Great Tribulation", "Affliction", and "days of vengeance."

Matthew 24:15-22 (King James Version): "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand). Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains. Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house. Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Mark 13:14-20 (King James Version): "But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Luke 21:20-33 (King James Version): "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

However, There are many Christians Who Today Believe that the Tribulation could start at any minute or already has. Some Popular web sites dealing with this includes one hosted by Irvin Baxter call Endtimes where many Christians listen in live daily for new proof of the Tribulation on a show Called Politics and Religion.The End of the World

Catholicism

Catholicism mainly adheres to the Amillennial school of thought, promoted by Augustine of Hippo in his work "The City of God". Augustine claims a non-literal fulfillment of prophecy. Catholics may also refer to Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 24, Verse 36, in which Christ is quoted as saying:

"But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (NAB translation)

While some who believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible insist that the prediction of dates or times is futile, some other writers believe that Jesus foretold of signs which would indicate that the "end of days" was near. Some of these signs include earthquakes, natural disasters, civil problems, "wars and rumors of wars," and other catastrophes. Of the precise time, however, it will come like a "thief in the night" (1 Thess. 5:2).

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Catholic beliefs concerning the End Times are addressed in the Profession of Faith.

Protestantism

(1521) Here the Antichrist is shown wearing the triple crown of the Roman papacy.]] Millennialists concentrate on the issue of whether the true believers will see the tribulation or be removed from it by what is referred to as a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Amillennialists believe that the end times encompass the time from Christ's ascension to the Last day, and maintain that the mention of the "thousand years" in the Book of Revelation is meant to be taken metaphorically (i.e., not literally, or 'spiritually'), a view which continues to cause divisions within evangelical Christianity.

End-times beliefs in Protestant Christianity vary widely. Christians premillennialists who believe that the End Times are occurring now, are usually specific about timelines that climax in the end of the world. For some, Israel, the European Union, or the United Nations are seen as major players whose roles are foretold in scriptures. Among dispensational premillennialists writers, there are those who believe that Christians will be supernaturally summoned to Heaven by Jesus in an event called the Rapture, which occurs before the biblical "Great Tribulation" prophesied in Matthew 24-25; Mark 13 and Luke 21. The Great Tribulation is also mentioned in the last book of the Bible — the book of Revelation.

'End times' may also refer simply to the passing of a particular age or long period in the relationship between man and God. Adherents to this view sometimes cite St. Paul's second letter to Timothy, and draw analogies to the late 20th/early 21st centuries.

Post-Exilic Hebrew books of prophecy such as the Book of Daniel and Book of Ezekiel are given new interpretations in this Christian tradition, while apocalyptic forecasts appear in the Judeo-Christian Sibylline Oracles and in the whole field of apocalyptic literature, which includes the Book of Revelation ascribed to John, the apocryphal Apocalypse of Peter, and the Second Book Of Esdras.

Most fundamentalist Christians anticipate that biblical prophecy will be fulfilled literally. They see current world and regional wars, earthquakes, hurricanes and famines as the beginning of the birth pains which Jesus described in Matthew and Mark . They believe that mankind started in the garden of Eden, and point to Megiddo as the place that the current world system will finish, with the Advent of Messiah coming to rule for 1,000 years.

Contemporary use of the term End Times has evolved from use around a group of literal beliefs in Christian millennialism. These beliefs typically include the ideas that the Biblical apocalypse is imminent and that various signs in current events are omens of a climax to world history known as the battle of Armageddon. These beliefs have been widely held in one form, by the Adventist movement (Millerites), by Jehovah's Witnesses, and in another form by dispensational premillennialists. In 1918 a group of eight well known preachers produced a London Manifesto warning of an imminent second coming of Christ shortly after the 1917 liberation of Jerusalem by the British.

Religious movements which expect that the second coming of Christ, will be a cataclysmic event, generally called adventism, have arisen throughout the Christian era; but they became particularly common during and after the Protestant Reformation. Shakers, Emanuel Swedenborg (who considered the second coming to be symbolic, and to have occurred in 1757), and others developed entire religious systems around a central concern for the second coming of Christ, disclosed by new prophecy or special gifts of revelation. The Millerites are diverse religious groups which similarly rely upon a special gift of interpretation for fixing the date of Christ's return.

The chief difference between the 19th century Millerite and Adventist movements and contemporary prophecy belief is that William Miller and his followers fixed the time for the Second Coming by calendar calculations based on interpretations of the Biblical apocalypses; they originally set a date for the Second Coming in 1844. These sorts of computations also appear in some contemporary prophecy beliefs, but few contemporary End Times prophets use them to fix a date; their timetables will be triggered by future wars and moral catastrophes, and accordingly believe that God's judgment against the conflict-ridden and corrupt world is close at hand.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that Biblical prophecy foretells an end time scenario in which the United States works in conjunction with the Catholic Church to mandate worship on a day other than seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) as prescribed in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11), thereby bringing about a situation where one must choose for or against the Bible as the revealed will of God. Short paperback books like National Sunday Law promise that, just in the day of the Roman emperor Constantine, Sunday religious worship will be enforced on pain of death: this is anathema to those who believe they must worship on Saturday. Seventh-day Adventists interpret the "two horned beast" that "came out of the wilderness" and "spoke meekly" to mean the United States because it passed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, was established in a thinly settled part of the world compared to Roman and Byzantine Europe, and because it declared support for democracy, rule of law, and at least the rights of all white men, rich or poor. Books such as The Pearl of Great Price do much to remind the reader that Christians of conscience have struggled to translate and read the Bible according to their own conscience. When caught, these Christians have not compromised their beliefs nor engaged in violence. The Seventh-day Adventists would be the first in line to oppose the right-wing incorporation of religious agenda into politics, not only because Seventh-day Adventists and other Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) have been arrested and tried for offenses such as draft evasion, but because the politicalization of any religious agenda may lead to an official religion and not only first criminalize the losers, but if there is a power shift, also come to criminalize the ex-winners, too.

Preterism

Another view of the 'end times' known as Preterism differentiates between the concept of 'time of the end' and 'end of time', and promotes a different understanding of these prophecies, in that they took place in the 1st century, more specifically in year AD 70, when the Jewish Temple was destroyed, and animal sacrifices were stopped. In this view, the 'time of the end' concept is referring to the end of the covenant between God and Israel, rather than the end of time, or the end of planet Earth. Unlike all the other Christian theological systems, Preterism holds an exclusive and unique view on the nature and timing of the 'End Times', in that Preterists teach the 'end times' to be in the 1st century AD.

Preterists believe that prophecies such as the Second Coming, the defiling of the Temple, the destruction of Jerusalem, the Antichrist, the Great Tribulation, the advent of The Day of the Lord and the Final Judgment were fulfilled at or about the year AD 70 when the Roman general (and future Emperor) Titus sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Jewish Temple, putting a permanent stop to the daily animal sacrifices.

Proponents of Full Preterism do not believe in the bodily Resurrection of the dead and place this event as well as the Second Coming in AD 70, whereas proponents of Partial Preterism do believe in a bodily resurrection of the dead at a future Second Coming. Full preterists contend that those who consider themselves to be partial preterists are actually just futurists since they believe the Second Coming, Resurrection, Rapture and Judgment are still in the future.

Many preterists believe the 1st-century living Christians were literally raptured off the earth to be with Christ. At that time, their bodies were changed to be like Christ's. Preterists also believe the term 'Last Days' or 'Time of the End' refers not to the last days of planet Earth, or last days of mankind, but to the last days of the Old Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant which God had exclusively with Israel until year AD 70.

According to Preterism, many 'time passages' in the New Testament indicate with apparent certainty that the Second Coming of Christ, and the 'End Times' predicted in the Bible were to take place within the lifetimes of Christ's disciples: Matt. 10:23, Matt. 16:28, Matt. 24:34, Matt. 26:64, Rom. 13:11-12, 1 Cor. 7:29-31, 1 Cor. 10:11, Phil. 4:5, James 5:8-9, 1 Pet. 4:7, 1 Jn. 2:18.

Dispensationalist prophecies

The reestablishment of Israel in 1948 provided a major impetus to the dispensationalist belief system. Israel's history of wars after 1948 with its Arab neighbors provided further research as was seen in at least one book by John F. Walvoord. After the Six Day War in 1967, and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, it seemed plausible to many Fundamentalist Christians in the 1970s that Middle East turmoil may well be leading up to the fulfillment of various Bible prophecies and to the Battle of Armageddon.

Members of the dispensationalist movement such as Hal Lindsey, J. Dwight Pentecost, John Walvoord, all of whom have Dallas Theological Seminary backgrounds, and some other writers, claimed further that the European Economic Community founded on the Treaty of Rome was a revived Roman Empire, and would become the kingdom of the coming Antichrist and the Beast. The Roman Empire also figured into the New Testament writers' vision of the future. The fact that in the early 1970s, there were (erroneously thought to be) seven nations in the European Economic Community was held to be significant; this aligned the Community with a seven-headed beast mentioned in Revelation. This specific prophecy has required revision, but the idea of a revived Roman Empire remains.

The separate destinies of the Church and Israel, a belief which is inherent in dispensationalism is a particular concern to some Jews and to some evangelical Christians. Evangelicals who reject dispensationalism, such as those who hold to a Post Tribulation Rapture, (or more accurately a Post Tribulation Resurrection-Rapture), see both the Church and Israel entering the crucible of the End Time together.

Dispensationalism, in contrast to the Millerite Adventist movement, had its beginning in the 19th century, when John Nelson Darby, founder of the Plymouth Brethren religious denomination, incorporated into his system of Biblical interpretation a system of organizing Biblical time into a number of discrete dispensations, each of which marks a separate covenant with God. Darby's beliefs were widely publicized in Cyrus I. Scofield's Scofield Reference Bible, an annotated Bible that became popular in the United States of America.

Since the majority of the Biblical prophets were writing at a time when [Israel] was mostly Jewish, and the Temple in Jerusalem was still functioning, they wrote as if those institutions would still be in operation during the prophesied events. According to Preterism this was the very fulfillment of the prophecies. However, according to Futurists their destruction in AD 70 put the prophetic timetable, if there is one, on hold. Many such believers therefore anticipated the return of Jews to Israel and the reconstruction of the Temple before the Second Coming could occur. (See Christian Zionism)

Post-tribulation pre-millennialists

A view of the Second Coming of Christ as held by post-tribulational pre-millennialists is unique, though not widely held in the Protestant Church because of its connotations, in particular that the Church of Christ will have to undergo great persecution.

Specific prophetic movements

In 1843, William Miller made the first of several predictions that the world would end in only a few months. As his predictions did not come true (referred to as the Great Disappointment), followers of Miller went on to found separate churches, the most successful of which is the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Restorationism (Christian primitivism)

End times theology is also significant to restorationist Christian religions, which consider themselves distinct from both Catholicism and Protestantism.

Mormonism

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons, has taught that humanity is living in the last days.

Latter-day Saints do not speculate as to the exact age of the world, except that it was created in 6 "creative periods". They believe Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden after the world's creation. They do not speculate as to the time, day or year of the second coming, but watch for Biblical indications, or "Signs of the Times" that the event is approaching.

Latter-day Saints believe that their church is led by prophets who receive inspiration and direction from God. A number of Mormon leaders have taught that the human family has been allotted seven thousand years, and that the earth is nearing the end of the sixth such millennium. Mormon leader Orson F. Whitney stated that humanity is now in the "late Saturday night" of the Earth's existence, and that the seventh thousandth year will be marked by Christ's second coming and the ushering in of the millennial kingdom, which will be Earth's Sabbath and day of rest. The seven seals and seven trumpets of the Book of Revelation relate to the seven millennia allotted to Earth by Latter-day Saint theology.

Latter-day Saints are frequently counseled to watch for the "signs of the times" but not to fear them. The statement "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (from Doctrine and Covenants 38:30) has brought comfort among the Latter-day Saints. Wars, pestilence, economic despair, natural disasters and more are all part of what Latter-day Saints see as signs of the times. In particular, a great earthquake is mentioned in all cases.

Other events that Latter-day Saints regard as important, and the dates some of them have purportedly occurred:

Priesthood authority, which had been lost in the great apostasy, to be restored (this happened in May 1829).

The pure gospel of Jesus Christ is to be restored, and taught in His church (this has happened, on April 6, 1830).

Elijah would return and give priesthood keys (this has happened, on April 3, 1836).

The return of the Jews to Jerusalem and Israel, as dedicated by Orson Hyde on October 24, 1841 (first wave of Jewish immigration to Israel, or Aliyah (עלייה) started in 1881).

The building of a temple in Israel (this has not happened, although the building of the Third Temple is currently planned).

The building of a temple in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri (this has not occurred, although the location is marked).

Temples will "dot the earth" (according to Mormon sources, 130 temples in operation and 22 announced or under construction as of May 2010).

A meeting of priesthood leaders with angelic beings and Christ in Adam-ondi-Ahman (this has not occurred).

Christ will appear in the Temple in Saline County, Illinois (this has not occurred).

Wars will be poured out upon all nations (could figuratively, but not literally (see Discussion), refer to World War II, as this involved fighting in or participation by many if not most countries in the world).

The nations of the earth will be gathered to fight Israel (this has not occurred).

The Wicked will be consumed by fire (some traditions allude to a nuclear holocaust, and some hold that this will be at the coming of Christ.)

The restored gospel will be preached in all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples (there are, according to Mormon sources, 53,000 missionaries in 165 countries as of 2008).

Many Latter-Day Saints' temples feature a statue of Moroni on the highest spire. Most of these statues face East, the direction from which Christ will come. The Salt Lake City temple has two large doors on the east side of the building, that are not used. Tradition holds that Christ will enter the temple through these doors, when He comes again.

After the coming of Christ to the mount of Olives, and the destruction of the wicked, the righteous will live on the earth in relative peace and prosperity during the millennium, under the leadership of Christ. Other churches still may exist during this time, and not all people living will be Latter-day Saints, but such people will represent the "more righteous" part of the peoples of the earth. Missionary work and temple work for the deceased (see Baptism for the dead) will continue during the millennium and missionary and genealogy work will be a main focus of Church members and other righteous individuals who live during the time leading up to the final judgement.

Joseph Smith produced a rendition of 24, relating to the end times.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that, at the beginning of the Millennial Era, Jesus Christ the Lord will appear at his Second Coming and usher in a thousand-year era of peace, called the Millennium, whereby Satan will be bound (Doctrine and Covenants 88:110), the wicked will be removed from the Earth, and the righteous will be "caught up to meet him". A resurrection of the righteous who have died will occur—they will also "be caught up to meet him." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:96-97). During the Millennium, every man or woman to ever live on the Earth will be resurrected. Those individuals who were righteous will be resurrected at the beginning, and will be able to visit the Earth to restore the knowledge about family histories; the wicked will be resurrected at the end of the Millennium (D & C 76:85).

At the time of each person's resurrection, their Last Judgment will occur, during which all individuals will be placed into one of three heavenly kingdoms: the Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom. In the Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph Smith Jr., who is believed to be the translator of the Book of Mormon and the first Mormon prophet, leader, and seer for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reveals that the kingdoms will be separated into various levels of glory in symbolic comparison to the sun, the moon, and the stars. The sun, being the brightest of these heavenly bodies, is relative to the glory of the celestial kingdom, which is reserved for those who obey the commandments, live righteously, and become baptized. The moon, being the second brightest heavenly body, is relative to the terrestrial kingdom, which is for those who are righteous in a sense, but do not constantly obey the commandments and/or are not baptized. The stars, being the least brightest heavenly body, are relative to the telestial kingdom, which is for those individuals who are wicked and commit major sins without repenting. A group of people who reject Jesus Christ after receiving full and indisputable knowledge of his divinity will go to what is referred to as Outer darkness, which is where Satan will eventually be consigned forever with his hosts of angels.(D & C 76:43-46)

While the exact time of Christ's return is not known in Latter-Day Saints' theology, there are certain signs that are accepted as pointing to his return:

The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, Isa. 2: 2-3.

The Lord shall lift an ensign and gather Israel, Isa. 5: 26 (2 Ne. 15: 26-30).

The sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not cause her light to shine, Isa. 13: 10 (Joel 3: 15; D & C 29: 14).

Men shall transgress the law and break the everlasting covenant, Isa. 24: 5.

The Nephites (ancient fallen people of the Americas, descended from Joseph of Egypt) shall speak as a voice from the dust, Isa. 29: 4 (2 Ne. 27).

Israel shall be gathered with power, Isa. 49: 22-23 (1 Ne. 21: 22-23; 3 Ne. 20-21).

God shall set up a kingdom which shall not be destroyed, Dan. 2: 44 (D & C 65: 2).

War, dreams, and visions shall precede the Second Coming, Joel 2.

All nations will gather against Jerusalem to battle, Zech. 14: 2 (Ezek. 38-39).

The day cometh that shall burn as an oven, Mal. 4: 1 (3 Ne. 25: 1; D & C 133: 64; JS-H 1: 37).

Great calamities shall precede the Second Coming, Matt. 24 (JS-M 1).

Paul described apostasy and perilous times of the last days, 2 Tim. 3-4.

Two prophets will be slain and resurrected in Jerusalem, Rev. 11 (D & C 77: 15).

The gospel shall be restored in the last days by angelic ministry, Rev. 14: 6-7 (D & C 13; 27; 110: 11-16; 128: 8-24).

Babylon will be established and fall, Rev. 17-18.

Israel shall be gathered with power, 1 Ne. 21: 13-26 (Isa. 49: 13-26; 3 Ne. 20-21).

The Book of Mormon shall come forth by the power of God, Morm. 8.

Lamanites (Indigenous peoples of the Americas) to blossom, D & C 49: 24-25.

The Lord is to slay the wicked, D & C 63: 32-35 (Rev. 9).

War will be poured out upon all nations, D & C 87: 2.

Signs, upheavals of the elements, and angels prepare the way for the coming of the Lord, D & C 88: 86-94.

Darkness to cover the earth, D & C 112: 23-24.

Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses have their own unique eschatology, involving very specific doctrines on the End Times, which is explained in detail in their literature. For example, Witnesses teach that the Greek word parousia, often translated as 'coming', means 'presence' and that the term "last days" refers to the concluding time period of this system of things.

Witnesses teach that the last days began in 1914 with the events surrounding the outbreak of World War I. In the future, God is expected to cleanse the earth of all wickedness and Satan will be bound for 1,000 years. During this time period, people will be resurrected to life on earth and given a chance to learn about God (Jehovah) and to live under the rule of Jesus Christ. Christ will rule over the earth from heaven with 144,000 co-rulers, restoring earth to its original paradise-like state. They teach that Biblical prophecy shows there will be no more death, sickness and that people will live in peace and harmony as God's originally purposed for mankind. Jehovah's Witnesses' unique beliefs postulate the order of events relating to the End Times and subsequent restoration of earth:

# King Nebuchadnezzar's dream at Daniel chapter 4 refers to the kingdom of God, to be given to Jesus Christ, after "seven times". Until then, the kingdom of God, represented by Jerusalem, was trampled on by "the nations", represented in the book of Daniel by wild beasts. After successive kingdoms, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, and then Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the Anglo-American world powers, God would reassert the authority of his kingdom by 'crushing' those kingdoms.(Luke 21:24, Ezekiel 21:26,27, Luke 1:32,33 ) # The "seven times" began after Zedekiah, the last king in the typical kingdom of God, was removed from the throne in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. 607 BC (rather than the secularly accepted 587 BC) is selected based on their beliefs that the Jews returned from captivity in 537 BC (rather than the secularly accepted 538 BC) and that the Jews were exiled in Babylon for exactly 70 years. The "seven times", based on a comparison with the 42 months (3½ years or 1,260 days) at Revelation 11:2,3 and 12:6,14, are construed to mean 2,520 days. A year is counted for each of the 2,520 days to arrive at 2,520 years, which are counted from October 607 BC to arrive at October 1914.( Daniel 4: 10-16, Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6) # In October 1914, at the end of "seven times" Christ was installed as king in heaven and Satan and his angels were hurled down to the earth, marking the beginning of the end times or "last days".(Daniel 7:13,14, Revelation 12:7-12 ) # Fulfillment of prophecies in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 about the "conclusion of the system of things" has occurred since 1914 to provide a composite "sign" that Jesus' invisible presence in heaven has begun. #Jehovah's worshippers will be gathered and restored.They do not engage in wars.They will walk in the name of 'Jehovah'. (Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah:4:5 ) #The goodnews about God's kingdom will be preached to all nations.(Mathew:24:14) # There will be a worldwide "cry of 'peace and security'" before the "great tribulation" begins.(1 Thessalonians 5:3) # All religions, represented by the Babylon the Great, except Jehovah's Witnesses, will be destroyed by the United Nations.(Revelation 17:16-18) # Satan will attack God's people.( Ezekiel: 38: 10-12,16,18) # Political rulers and other wicked people will be destroyed by God at Armageddon.(Revelation:16:14-16) # Jesus will bind Satan in an abyss.(Revelation 20:1-3) # Jesus will reign for 1000 years from heaven, during which righteous people delivered through Armageddon will work together with the help of Jesus and 144,000 to make the earth a paradise, like the original Garden of Eden. In addition, the dead will gradually be resurrected and given the chance to learn righteousness without Satanic influence. Mankind will be restored to perfection.(Revelation 20:5,6, 5:10, 21:3-5, John:5:28,29) # At the end of the 1000 years, Satan will be let loose for a short time as a final test to "mislead the nations", after which he will be destroyed along with his followers.(Revelation 20:7-10) # Our planet earth will not be literally destroyed,except the wicked.(Psalms 104:5, 78:69, 37:9-11, Mathew:5:5) # With only perfect mankind remaining, Jesus will handover the kingdom to the Almighty God 'Jehovah'.(1 Corinthians:15:24-28) # Those righteous people, who survive the final test at the end of the thousand year rule, will live forever on a paradise earth.(Psalms:37:29, 72:7,8) # All who live on earth will worship the only true God, "Jehovah". (Isaiah:11:9) # Thus God's original purpose for mankind on earth, will be fulfilled.(Genesis:1:28)

Witnesses remain neutral in political affairs and teach that believers on earth will be spectators only in the above-mentioned scenario, not participating in any type of warfare.

They generally do not use the expression 'end of the world', with its connotations of the destruction of humanity or the planet, but prefer to use the expression 'conclusion of a system of things', thus maintaining the distinction between the original-language words kosmos (world) and aion (age), or system of things.

Islam

There are various signs (as many as up to 100) given in the Sunnah and Quran for the coming of Judgment Day. These signs can be divided into two parts, minor and major. The major signs include #And you will see people entering religion of God in crowds. (Qur'an Surat an-Nasr, 1-2) #the coming of the one-eyed Dajjal (Evil Antichrist), Imam Mahdi and then Prophet Jesus (who will combine forces of good, against evil), (Qur'an 43:61) #the blowing of Trumpet and the minor signs will precede them. #the Sun will rise from the West instead of the East. #the Earth will experience an earthquake that will cause mountains to crash down. The Earth's inner body will break out, and the Earth will be stretched out.99:1, 69:13-14, 70:8, 84:3-4, 20:105-107, 99:1-6. #Earthquakes from the East, the West, and one in the Arabian Peninsula # Gog(yahjuj) & Magog(mahjuj) will be released and will destroy the crops, animals, water and kill everything. # Smoke will spread and cause non-believers to fall ill whereas the believers will catch a mere cold. Later, Allah will send a cool wind, taking life (gently) from all of the believers, leaving only the Kufaars (unbelievers) to see the last day till the Day Of Judgment will arrive.

Islamic eschatology is concerned with the Qiyamah (end of the world; Last Judgment) and the final judgment of humanity. Eschatology relates to one of the six articles of faith (aqidah) of Islam. Like the other Abrahamic religions, Islam teaches the bodily resurrection of the dead, the fulfillment of a divine plan for creation, and the immortality of the human soul; the righteous are rewarded with the pleasures of Jannah (Heaven), while the unrighteous are punished in Jahannam (Hell). A significant fraction of the Quran deals with these beliefs, with many hadith elaborating on the themes and details. Islamic apocalyptic literature describing the Armageddon is often known as fitna (a test) and malahim (or ghayba in the shi'ite tradition).

Sunni Islam

In Sunni Islam, which is followed by the majority of Muslims. The appearance of the Mahdi as the final Muslim Caliph and the descending of the prophet Jesus in his time. There are both major and minor signs of the end times.

The Minor Signs: # The disappearance of knowledge and the appearance of ignorance (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, & Ahmad) # Books/writing will be widespread and (religious) knowledge will be low (Ahmad) # Adultery and fornication will be prevalent (Muhammad S.A.W said that this has never happened without new diseases befalling the people, which their ancestors had not known.) (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, & Al-Haythami) # When fornication becomes widespread among your leaders (Muhammad S.A.W said that this will happen when the people stop forbidding evil) (Ibn Majah) # Adultery and fornication will be performed in the open # The consumption of intoxicants will be widespread (Bukhari & Muslim) # Women will outnumber men......eventually 50:1 (Bukhari, Muslim, & Ahmad) # Killing, killing, killing (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, & Ahmad) # The nations of the earth will gather against the Muslims like hungry people going to sit down to a table full of food. This will occur when the Muslims are large in number, but weak "like the foam of the sea". # People will beat others with whips like the tails of oxen (Muslim)? # The children will be filled with rage (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim) # Children will be foul (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim) # Women will conspire (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim) # Rain will be acidic or burning (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim) # Children of fornication will become widespread or prevalent (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim) # When a trust becomes a means of making a profit (at-Tirmidhi, Al-Haythami) # Gains will be shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor (at-Tirmidhi) # Paying zakat becomes a burden and miserliness becomes widespread; charity is given reluctantly (at-Tirmidhi & Al-Haythami) # Miserliness will be thrown into the hearts of people (Bukhari) # Episodes of sudden death will become widespread (Ahmad) # There will be people who will be brethren in public but enemies in secret (He was asked how that would come about and replied, "Because they will have ulterior motives in their mutual dealings and at the same time will fear one another.") (at-Tirmidhi) # When a man obeys his wife and disobeys his mother; and treats his friend kindly while shunning his father (at-Tirmidhi) # When voices are raised in the mosques (at-Tirmidhi) # People will walk in the marketplace with their thighs exposed # Great distances will be traversed in short spans of time # The people of Iraq will receive no food and no money due to oppression by the Romans (Europeans) (Muslim) # People will hop between the clouds and the earth # A tribulation will enter everyone's home (Ahmad) # The leader of a people will be the worst of them (at-Tirmidhi) # Leaders of people will be oppressors (Al-Haythami) # People will treat a man with respect out of fear for some evil he might do (at-Tirmidhi) # Men will begin to wear silk (at-Tirmidhi) # Female singers and musical instruments will become popular (at-Tirmidhi) # When singers become common (Al-Haythami) # People will dance late into the night # When the last ones of the Ummah begin to curse the first ones (at-Tirmidhi) # People will claim to follow the Qur'an but will reject hadith & sunnah (Abu Dawood) # People will believe in the stars (Al-Haythami) # People will reject al-Qadr (the Divine Decree of Destiny) (Al-Haythami) # Time will pass rapidly (Bukhari, Muslim, & Ahmad) # Good deeds will decrease (Bukhari) # Smog will appear over cities because of the evil that they are doing # People will be carrying on with their trade, but their will only be a few trustworthy persons # Wealth will increase so much so that if a man were given 10,000, he would not be content with it (Ahmad & Bukhari) # A man will pass by a grave and wish that he was in their place (Bukhari) # Earthquakes will increase (Bukhari & Muslim) # There will be attempts to make the deserts green # The appearance of false messengers (30 dajjals) (Bukhari) # Women will seem more naked in spite of being dressed (indecent clothes), these women will be led astray & will lead others astray (Muslim) # The conquest of Constantinople by the Muslims (Ahmad) # When people begin to compete with others in the construction of taller buildings (Bukhari) #"Then tell me about its signs," said the man. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, "That slave women give birth to their mistresses; and that you see barefoot, unclothed, beginning shepherds competing in the construction of tall buildings." (Sahih Muslim) # There will be a special greeting for the people of distinction (Ahmad) # The Euphrates will disclose a treasure (Muhammad S.A.W said that whoever is present should not take anything from it) (Bukhari & Muslim) # Two large groups, adhering to the same religious teaching will fight each other with large numbers of casualties (Bukhari & Muslim) # Wild animals will be able to talk to humans (Ahmad) # A man will leave his home and his thigh or hip will tell him what is happening back at his home (Ahmad) # Years of deceit in which the truthful person will not be believed and the liar will be believed (Ahmad) # Bearing false witness will become widespread (Al-Haythami & Ahmad) # When men lie with men and women lie with women (Al-Haythami) # Trade will become so widespread that a woman will be forced to help her husband in business (Ahmad) # A woman will enter the workforce out of love for this world (Ahmad) # Arrogance will increase in the earth (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim) # Family ties will be cut (Ahmad) # There will be many women of child-bearing age who will no longer give birth. # There will be an abundance of food, much of which has no blessing in it. # People will refuse when offered food. # Men will begin to look like women and women will begin to look like men.

The Major Signs:

Although they appear here in no particular order, it is important to point out that Prophet Muhammad said that these last, major signs will follow each other like pearls falling off of a necklace...

# Masih ad-Dajjal (The AntiChrist) # The Mahdi # The appearance of Isa (Jesus) al-Masih , the son of Mary # Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) # The destruction of the Ka'bah and the recovery of its treasure # Emergence of the Beast # The smoke # Three major landslides (one in the East, one in the West, and one on the Arabian peninsula) # The wind will take the souls of the believers # The rising of the sun from the west # The fire will drive the people to their final gathering place # Three blasts of the trumpet (fear & terror, death, resurrection)

Shia Islam

Note: the word Imam means Leader, and such a title is considered to be a God-given rank and authority when used before one of the 12 successors of Prophet Mohammad, according to Shia Islamic belief. The usage of the word Imam nowadays with other people, as in Imam Khomeini, merely means "leader" with no insinuation to God-given authority.

End of time beliefs in Shia Islamic thought are based on Quranic references, instruction from the Prophet Muhammad and his progeny Ahl al-Bayt. Several variants of one theory exist in Shia eschatology, yet they all revolve around the messianic figure, Imam Mahdi also known as "Imam az-Zaman" meaning the Leader of Our Time, who is considered by Twelver Shias as the 12th appointed successor of Prophet Muhammad. He is Mohammad (Al-Mahdi), son of Hasan (Al-'Askari), son of Ali (Al-Hadi), son of Mohammad (Al-Jawad), son of Ali (Al-Rida), son of Musa (Al-Kathem), son of Jafar (As-Sadeq), son of Mohammad (Al-Baqer), son of Ali (Zainul-abideen), son of Hussein (Ash-Shahid), son of Ali (Amirul Mu'mineen) husband of Prophet Mohammad's daughter, Fatima.

In Shia Islamic thought, there is a worldly reality that is mentioned to occur before the end of human life on earth. The first events that occur upon his appearance will be related to al-Sufyani, whom will be the ruler of Bilaad Ash-sham; a region which includes Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. Sufyani is a descendant of the Umayyad family, which was the greatest enemy of Prophet Muhammad. The Sufyani, upon knowing that Imam Mahdi has appeared in Mecca, sends an army to kill him, but according to Shia beliefs, a great event will occur then. The ground will open up and bury the whole army alive, except for two men. One lives on to, then, side with Imam Mahdi's army, while the other will go back to Sufyani to warn him and his army of God's wrath if he decides to fight al-Mahdi. It is noted in Shia traditions that the Sufyani will be of great terror to the Shias of his time, as he will follow them by their names. Whoever is named after one of the Shia Imams, will be killed, even those by the name of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam, will be slaughtered mercilessly by Sufyani and his followers.

Even though during the days of the Shia Imams (more than a thousand years ago), Iran was still Persian and non-Muslim; it is mentioned in Shia traditions (which were narrated from the Shia Imams of Ahlul Bayt), that people from Iran (often referred to people from the East, also) will pave the way to Al-Mahdi's appearance, and after his return, the Iranians will side with him and fight his enemies. Prior to Imam Mahdi's return, the Iranian army, whose leader will be a man called in Shia traditions as: Al-Khorasani (in reference to Khorasan, a region in Iran), will be sent to Kufa to fight Sufyani's army, which will be sent from Syria to slaughter the Shia of Iraq.

It is important to draw a line between the "signs" that correlate to Imam Mahdi's return, and the "signs" that occur prior to Judgment Day. According to Shia beliefs, there are many signs that will occur before Imam Mahdi's appearance, but only 5 of those are guaranteed to occur, while the rest are uncertain to people, depending on God's will. If He wishes them to occur or not, it is what He decides. God has hidden His will with regards to those uncertain signs for the well-being of mankind, for He is the most knowledgeable to what serves mankind good and what harms it. This what is known in Shia beliefs as "Badaa" (البداء).

The five signs that are imminent are the following:

# The appearance of a person by the name of "Sufyani" (claims to be Muslim, though he 'carries a cross', though he is a descendant of the disintegrated Ummayyad dynasty whose scattered descendants may have been in the Levant and Spain or Morocco over the last 12 centuries) will lead forces from Syria across Iraq to Arabia to defeat the Mahdi's forces along with his Allies # The cracking of the earth to abolish Sufyani's forces as previously mentioned. # The appearance of al-Yamani, the ruler of Yemen, who will be a guide to people to the right path before Imam Mahdi's appearance # The killing of the "pure soul", near al-Kaabah, precisely between "al-rokn al yamani" and "maqam Ibrahim" # The voice of Gabriel, the angel, from the sky that calls out people to support Imam Mahdi because he is sent by God.

It is mentioned in Shia traditions, that Imam Mahdi's army will destroy the Jewish state, which was predicted by Islam more than 1400 years ago, that was established in the Middle East. After that, Imam Mahdi will fight al-Sufyani and eventually destroy him and his army too. It is after those events that the Jews gather once again under the Dajjal the anti-Christ, as Christians call him, the deceiver, who will try to influence people once again to side with him against Imam Mahdi's wordly revolution.

The Shia End of Time theory also states that the coming of Jesus, will coincide with the return of the Mahdi. Shias believe that Jesus and the Mahdi will work together to bring about peace and justice on earth between all peoples of faith. This is the general theme accepted among Shia theologians.

The events that occur in the final moments of humanity will mainly revolve around Dajjal and his ability to woo humanity to a new world religion, one that is not divinely issued. The idea of a Mahdi returning to help humanity against the "Great Deception" is also mentioned in Sunni traditions, but is specifically outlined as Muhammad al-Mahdi in Shia sources. There are many sources that have prophecies regarding the last days, with only some that are accepted as repeated in different sources by different people. A majority of Shia scholars agree on the following detail of events that will occur in the final days:

# The Dajjal (Al Masih Al Dajjal - The Antichrist) will claim to be the savior of humanity and people of all faiths will unite under his religion # There will be mass killings of Shias in Iraq (around the Euphrates), and there will be prices put on their hands, even if they are not criminals # The Mahdi will reappear and make a speech at the Kaaba and will gather an army of 313 generals and thousands of followers to defeat the Sufyani # The Mahdi will re-establish the true Islam and the world will find peace and tranquility # There will be a period of rule by the Mahdi # The resurrection of men and women will begin as the Day of Judgement will commence

Hinduism

Hindus have a cyclic understanding of external history/internal spirituality. The Cycle or "Kalpa", lasting 8.64 billion years in the terms of orthodox Hindus, illustrates the pattern of decline in the state of nature and civilization between periods of timelessness when Brahma (Matter,mass) regenerates the world of existence/reality.Brahma has a life time of billions of years and the universe will contract to a singularity . then again will be evolved from the singularity. As Hindus does not consider humans as a special or noble creations of god unlike some other religions.the wrong doings or such things committed by humans shall have no effects on the end of time ,as end of time as per Hinduism is purely a property of matter(mass). There are four yugs or ages in this process from completely pure to completely impure. The final is Kali Yuga or the Dark Age where civilization becomes spiritually degraded, human lives are shortened by violence and disease and there is a general state of decay in nature. This is the worst period before complete destruction which is then followed by a Golden Age.

Hindu traditional prophecies, as described in the Puranas and several other texts, say that the world shall fall into chaos and degradation. There will then be a rapid influx of perversity, greed and conflict, and this state has been described as:

"Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanir Bhavati Bharata, Abhyuthanam Adharmasya Tadatmanam Srijami Aham". Bhagavad Gita (Chapter IV-7)

"Whenever there is decay of righteousness O! Bharatha And a rise of unrighteousness then I manifest Myself!"

Thus whenever there is intolerable evil and chaos in the world, there is an appearance of an Avatar. In the current yuga, known as the Kali (the most evil) yuga, "The Lord shall manifest Himself as the Kalki Avatar… He will establish righteousness upon the earth and the minds of the people will become as pure as crystal."

In Hinduism, there is no eternal damnation of souls or end times. After this evil Kali yuga ends, the next yuga or epoch would be Satya yuga where everyone will be righteous, followed by Treta yuga,Dwapara yuga and then another Kali Yuga. Thus time is cyclical and the epochs keep repeating infinitely. However, the extent of tolerable evil and degradation in each epoch is different and therefore the threshold that is necessary for the manifestation of God's incarnation is different for each yuga. The current yuga is the most evil and so the threshold for the appearance of the Avatar is so high that the world needs to degrade to the maximum levels.

Buddhism

Gautama Buddha was a spiritual teacher from ancient India Bharat and the founder of Buddhism. The exact dates of his birth and death are uncertain, but a number of 20th-century historians have dated his lifetime from circa 563 BC to 483 BC. Some more recent scholars, however, have suggested dates of 410 to 400 BC for his death. This alternative chronology has not been accepted by other historians.

The Buddha predicted that his teachings Dharma (Buddhism) would disappear after 5,000 years, when no one practices the actual teachings any more. It would last so long as someone practiced. According to the Sutta Pitaka, the "ten wholesome courses of conduct" will disappear and people will follow the ten unwholesome concepts of theft, violence, murder, lying, false speech, sexual misconduct, abusive and idle talk, covetousness and ill will, wanton greed, and uncontrolled lust resulting in poverty and the breakdown of law and cooperation or regard for the dharma.

As part of Buddhist eschatology, it is believed that the age leading up to the coming of the next Buddha Maitreya will be characterized by impiety, physical weakness, sexual depravity, and general social disarray.

Commentators like Buddhaghosa predicted a step-by-step disappearance of the Buddha's teachings. During the first stage, arahants would no longer appear in the world. Later, the content of the Buddha's true teachings would vanish, and only their appearance or outward form would be preserved. Finally, even the form of the Dharma would be lost. During the final stage, the memory of the Buddha himself would be forgotten, and the last of his relics would be gathered together in Bodh Gaya and cremated. Some time following this devolution a new Buddha named Maitreya will arise to rediscover and reveal the timeless teachings of dharma and rediscover the path to Nirvana. Maitreya is said to currently reside in the Tushita world, before his final rebirth in the human world.

The decline of Buddha's teaching in the human world, and its eventual re-establishment by Maitreya, are in keeping with the general shape of Buddhist cosmology. Like Hindus, Buddhists generally believe in cycles of destruction and creation, of which the current epoch represents only the latest step. The historical Buddha Shakyamuni is only the latest in a series of Buddhas that stretches back into the past.

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrian eschatology is the oldest eschatology found in recorded history. By the year 500 BC, a fully developed concept of the end of the world was established in Zoroastrianism.

According to Zoroastrian philosophy, redacted in the Zand-i Vohuman Yasht, "at the end of thy tenth hundredth winter...the sun is more unseen and more spotted; the year, month, and day are shorter; and the earth is more barren; and the crop will not yield the seed; and men ... become more deceitful and more given to vile practices. They have no gratitude." "Honorable wealth will all proceed to those of perverted faith...and a dark cloud makes the whole sky night...and it will rain more noxious creatures than winter."

At the end of this spiritual battle between the righteous and wicked, a final judgment of all souls will occur. Sinners whose bad deeds are more than their good deeds will be punished for 3 days, but will eventually be forgiven. The world will reach perfection as all evil traits such as poverty, old age, disease, thirst, hunger, and death will disappear from the earth. Zoroastrian concepts parallel greatly with those of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic eschatological beliefs. Zoroaster also preached that bliss will be everywhere, and not just in a remote kingdom of paradise.

Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi states the Brahma Kumaris' prediction of the imminent 'End of the World', or Destruction as it is called, is generally hidden from non-members. Before destruction everyone on earth must come to know their God and purify themselves. Much of the Earth's land mass is also predicted to become submerged beneath the oceans of the world and the government of India will hand over power to them.

Greek religion

Greek mythology is derived primarily from Greek literature and representations on visual media dating from the Geometric period (c. 900-800 BC) onward.

Ancient Greek mythology claimed that Zeus, as he had previously overthrown his father, Cronus, would in turn also be overthrown by a son. This story can be seen as the equivalent to the end of the world, or the end of an age. Prometheus revealed to him that this son would be born from Zeus and Thetis, if they copulated. In order to prevent this from happening, Zeus married Thetis to Peleus, a mortal hero. This union produced Achilles, the protagonist of the Iliad and one of the greatest heroes of Greek myth.

Norse religion

In Norse mythology, Ragnarök (Old Norse "Final destiny of the gods" - c.f. Ragn-: power, -a-: via, -rök: rest of volition) refers to a series of major events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures (including the gods Odin, Thor, Freyr, Heimdall, and the jötunn Loki), the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water. Afterwards, the world resurfaces anew and fertile, the surviving gods meet, and the world is repopulated by two human survivors. Ragnarök is an important event in the Norse canon, and has been the subject of an amount of scholarly discourse and theory.

Fulfillment

While most religious traditions remain waiting for end time events, some believe that the events have been fulfilled. Several established religions believe that their founder represents the coming of the Promised One of previous scriptures, and that the spread of their teachings will ultimately bring about the desired society of unity and justice.

Bahá'í Faith

The founder of the Bahá'í Faith, Bahá'u'lláh claimed that he was the return of Christ as well as prophetic expectations of other religions. The inception of the Bahá'í Faith coincides with Millerite prophesy pointing to the year 1844. With respect to particular expectations of the end times, it has been argued that the Battle of Armageddon has already passed and that mass martyrdoms anticipated during the End Times had already passed within the historical context of the Bahá'í Faith. Bahá'ís expect their faith to be eventually embraced by the masses of the world, ushering in a golden age of society.

Ahmadiyya

In Ahmadiyya Islam, the present age has been a witness to the wrath of God with the occurrence of the World Wars and the frequency of natural disasters. In Ahmadiyya, Ghulam Ahmad (d.1908) is seen as the promised Messiah whose Islamic teachings will establish spiritual reform and ultimately establish an age of peace upon earth. This age continues for around a thousand years as per judeo-Christian prophecies; and is characterised by the assembling of mankind under one faith that is Islam as per Ahmadiyya belief .

Rastafari movement

Rastafarians have a unique interpretation of the end times, based on the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation. They believe Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie is God incarnate, the King of kings and Lord of lords mentioned in Revelation 5:5. While on the one hand Selassie's crowning was seen as the second coming, and events such as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War were seen as fulfillments of biblical and specifically Revelation prophecy there is also expectation that Selassie will call a day of judgment, when he will bring home the lost children of Israel (the black peoples taken out of Africa during the slave trade) to live with him in peace, love and harmony in the Mount Zion in Africa.

Modern media

Literature

The Left Behind series of novels, comic book stories, some motion pictures and a computer game, originally by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, are a fictional telling of these tales from the most popular, Futurist point of view.

Good Omens is a parody of the Futurist point of view by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

A rapture of sorts occurs in the novel by Robert A. Heinlein.

"The Dead" by Mark E. Rogers depicts a fearful end to Humanity's reign on Earth. A (surprisingly small) number of people are "Raptured" from the face of the Earth — perhaps more controversially than anything else that happens in the book, the Pope is not "Raptured" - and the remaining people find themselves coming under increasing attack from reanimated corpses under the control of the Biblical demon, Legion. The corpses are all but unstoppable, being vulnerable only to fire, and continue to attack even when their bodies have suffered traumatic damage. (A bullet to the head will not stop them.) Legion and his host are committed to slaughtering all of Mankind in a series of extremely horrible ways. Technology fails at every level rendering Humanity all but defenseless. This novel could be considered the darkest vision of Mankind's final hours.

An end-times novel that depicts a Preterist point of view, entitled The Last Disciple, was written by well-known apologist Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer; it was released in Autumn 2004, ironically by the same publisher as the futurist Left Behind series. The end-times of H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos involves the destruction of all we know. Though multiple versions of how it will come to pass exist, one version he mentions comes in his short story The Call of Cthulhu, in which he states...

"The time would be easy to know, for then mankind would have become as the Great Old Ones; free and wild and beyond good and evil, with laws and morals thrown aside and all men shouting and killing and revelling in joy. Then the liberated Old Ones would teach them new ways to shout and kill and revel and enjoy themselves, and all the earth would flame with a holocaust of ecstasy and freedom."—H. P. Lovecraft, "The Call of Cthulhu"

Essentially, humanity will have reverted to pure instinct and desires, and Cthulhu will usher in a new age in his own image.

Joel C. Rosenberg's bestselling political thrillers The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option, and The Copper Scroll deal with the War of Gog and Magog and what will happen in the End Times before the rapture. His nonfiction book which recounts the reasoning behind his theories and the current perceived signs that the End Times will come in our generation is called Epicenter.

Childhood's End is a science fiction novel written by Sir Arthur C. Clarke, originally published in 1953, in which humanity is visited by aliens who resemble Satan. The aliens, named in the novel as the overlords, are seen in the role of "heralds" for a god-like force named the Overmind. A transformation occurs in the last human generation, which ultimately merges with this Overmind and resulting in the destruction of the earth and the solar system.

Brian Keene has written a series of books that depict the end of the humans "rule" over the planet by a group of entities from beyond our dimension. ("The Rising" and "The Conqueror Worms" )

Silvano Fausti, La fine del tempo (Le domande ultime dell'uomo), Ancora, 2005.

Film

The Omen (1976) and its sequels are predicated on some Futurist and other end-times' beliefs.

The Seventh Sign (1988) featured some elements mentioned in the biblical new testament, but was 'loosely based' on the Bible, being mixed with the story-telling plot of the screen writers and having little relevance to the Bible as a whole.

The Thief In The Night series of movies

Alex de la Iglesia's Spanish horror-comedy motion picture "El Día de la Bestia" (Day of the Beast) depicts the efforts of a Basque priest and a young follower of heavy metal music to prevent the birth of the Antichrist.

The Left Behind movies produced by Cloud Ten Pictures have produced three movies , the first two based on the same-name books. The third movie, World At War, deviated slightly from the authors' works, but retained the same characters and overall storyline. These movies are about the end times, the rapture and the takeover of the antichrist.

Cloud Ten Pictures has also produced Apocalypse in 1998

End of Days which featured Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Rapture (1991). A film whereby the writer, producer and director provide their own views, apart from those of biblical, Christian, evangelical thinking or other views.

The Omega Code is a 1999 film about the millennium with a plot that the Antichrist will take over the world, destroy Jerusalem, and lead the armies of Satan against God.

film presents the fulfillment of a prophetic event about one world government under the Antichrist and the final battle between God and Satan.

Knowing is a film visualizing Earth's destruction by a massive coronal mass ejection.

2012, a film that presents the Mayans calendar date of 'end of the world' on December 21, 2012, about how Earth is destroyed and of humans trying to survive.

See also

Apocalypticism

Abomination of Desolation

BKWSU Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

Christian Eschatology

End of the world

Endtime Ministries

Katechon

Mysticism

Number of the Beast

Prophecy of Seventy Weeks

Revelation

Summary of Christian eschatological differences

the Two Witnesses

Ultimate fate of the Universe

Unfulfilled religious prophecies

Whore of Babylon

Year 6000

References

External links

Library of Date Setters of The End of the World: "Over 200 predictions and counting."

The Ending World- Current event Dealing with the End of the World from a Christian perspective.

Religious Tolerance- A list of different groups claiming to predict the end of the world prior to 2000.

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