Apolocalyptic prophecy: Keeps pious on toes?

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There are a great deal of Armageddon theories out there, and although I can't speak for all of history in it's entirety I have a feeling that there always have been an abundance of those screaming "THE END IS NEAR!!!" These theories, however, if not just complete crack pots are pulled out of religious text ladden with metaphor and room for interpretation (or misinterpretation as it may be.) With all the scorpion sting this, aids that, rivers of life this, Myan calender that.

Now this question is more for those who feel that God has a plan, or that the world is an illusion, or that there is deeper meaning but no real creator god/plan, or all those last false prophets out there, or just anybody who might find it interesting. Simply put, don't think this is what I believe, this is just boredom killing food-for-thought.

Could it be that apocalyptic prophecy exists to keep religious folk on their toes and productive? What I mean is the kind of people who would pick up on these signs of fufilling prophet's decrees are usually the ones who think deeply, and may need a kick in the butt such as "The end of times are upon us" to go out and make a difference in the world. The type to sit sifting through text, pounding their skull going "WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN". Then see dates add up, or hebrew numeric value calculate, or see soars and go "gasp, that means herpes", or whatever it is that makes them jump up and go "I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING!!!!"

Yes?

No?

Anti Christ?

When asked what he would tell the worlds catholics if he knew that Christ was returning very shortly, the pope said:

"Look busy"

quote:Originally posted by I_Like_Traffic_Lights:

Could it be that apocalyptic prophecy exists to keep religious folk on their toes and productive? What I mean is the kind of people who would pick up on these signs of fufilling prophet's decrees are usually the ones who think deeply, and may need a kick in the butt such as "The end of times are upon us" to go out and make a difference in the world.

My response is also food for thought...

According to the New Testament, didnt the Jews do the exact opposite? Sure, at first they believed but then rejected Jesus as the Messiah. But it was more the Hebrew leaders that rejected first, then the "common" people.

quote:Originally posted by xtreem5150ahm:

My response is also food for thought...

According to the New Testament, didnt the Jews do the exact opposite? Sure, at first they believed but then rejected Jesus as the Messiah. But it was more the Hebrew leaders that rejected first, then the "common" people.

when did they suddenly stop believing? I don't recall that ever happening. If that was true then why was the largest group of christians, jews?



not until constantinople and a bit earlier when the message spread to greece did jews become the minority of christians. But that's not because they all of a sudden stopped believing.