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Apocalypse (Full Episode) | The Story of God with Morgan Freeman

National Geographic・30 minutes read

Religions predict apocalypses with significance on the number 666, Jerusalem's importance, and the destruction of the Jewish temple. An individual's journey from extremist beliefs to a more liberal stance after experiencing torture and the dangers of jihadist movements highlights the appeal of apocalyptic ideas, offering control and empowerment in uncertain times.

Insights

  • The number 666 is a significant symbol in predicting the end of the world, with various religious texts and prophecies connecting it to apocalyptic events, highlighting its widespread cultural and historical importance.
  • Surviving traumatic events can lead individuals to reevaluate their beliefs and values, prompting personal growth and transformation, as seen in the case of Charles and Angela Marsalis, who found solace in their faith during a life-threatening storm, inspiring them to establish a new church and view the catastrophe as an opportunity for unity and renewal rather than divine retribution.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of the number 666 in predicting the end of the world?

    The number 666 is often associated with the Antichrist in Christian beliefs, symbolizing evil and the end times. According to the Book of Revelation, this number is linked to a figure who will bring about destruction and chaos before the final judgment. It is considered a powerful symbol of impending doom and a warning of the apocalypse. The number's significance lies in its representation of ultimate evil and the culmination of events leading to the end of the world.

  • Why is Jerusalem considered a crucial city in various religious beliefs regarding the end times?

    Jerusalem holds immense importance in the beliefs of Jews, Christians, and Muslims concerning the end times due to its historical and religious significance. For Jews, it is the site of the Temple Mount, where the Jewish temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Christians associate Jerusalem with the events described in the Book of Revelation, including the return of Jesus Christ. Muslims also revere Jerusalem as the location of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, significant in Islamic eschatology. The city's role in the end times is central to the beliefs of these three major religions.

  • What were the beliefs of the Essenes regarding an impending apocalyptic battle?

    The Essenes, a Jewish sect, believed in an imminent apocalyptic battle between the sons of light and the sons of darkness. They lived in isolation at Qumran, where they preserved their apocalyptic writings in the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Essenes' apocalyptic worldview centered around a cosmic conflict between good and evil forces, with the ultimate triumph of righteousness over darkness. Their beliefs influenced their communal lifestyle and practices, emphasizing spiritual purity and preparation for the final battle at the end of days.

  • How did ISIS manipulate common Muslim prophecies for their political goals?

    ISIS exploited common Muslim prophecies to further their political and ideological objectives, including the belief in an end-of-times battle in Syria. They used these prophecies to justify their actions and attract followers, portraying themselves as fulfilling divine prophecies. By manipulating religious beliefs, ISIS sought to legitimize their violent actions and establish a theocratic caliphate. This strategic use of prophecies helped them gain support and create a sense of religious obligation among their followers, contributing to their rise as a powerful extremist group.

  • What was the response of Charles and Angela Marsalis to surviving a storm in New Orleans?

    After enduring a harrowing experience during a storm in New Orleans, Charles and Angela Marsalis found solace in their faith and viewed the event as a transformative opportunity. Despite the chaos and danger they faced, their belief in God's protection and eventual rescue inspired them to establish their own church. The ordeal led them to rebuild their lives, start a new church, and see the catastrophe as a chance for personal growth and community unity. Their response exemplifies resilience, faith, and the ability to find meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.

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Summary

00:00

Apocalyptic Beliefs Across Religions

  • Many religions have long predicted an apocalypse, from Nostradamus to the Book of Revelation.
  • The number 666 is significant in predicting the end of the world.
  • Jerusalem is a crucial city in the beliefs of Jews, Christians, and Muslims regarding the end times.
  • The Temple Mount in Jerusalem holds historical and religious significance for all three faiths.
  • The Jewish temple on the Temple Mount was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.
  • The Essenes, a Jewish sect, believed in an impending apocalyptic battle.
  • The Essenes lived in isolation at Qumran and preserved their apocalyptic writings in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
  • The Essenes believed in a war between the sons of light and the sons of darkness.
  • The Christian idea of the end of days is linked to the Book of Revelation and the Antichrist.
  • Early Christians believed Emperor Nero was the Antichrist due to his persecution of Christians.

22:08

From Racism to Radicalism: A Journey

  • The individual was exposed to a severe form of violent racism in the UK, including hammer and machete attacks by neo-Nazi skinheads.
  • At 15 years old, the person felt isolated from society and was recruited by an Islamist recruiter, joining a group called Hezbollah for 13 years.
  • The group Hezbollah was the first to popularize the idea of resurrecting a modern-day theocratic caliphate, later claimed by ISIS.
  • The person was arrested in Egypt in 2002 and underwent electrocution and torture, leading to a shift in beliefs towards a more liberal Muslim stance.
  • The individual witnessed the potential horrors of jihadist and Islamist movements while in prison, realizing the dangers of such groups coming to power.
  • ISIS manipulated common Muslim prophecies for their political and ideological goals, including a battle in a small village in Syria to trigger an apocalypse.
  • ISIS believed in an end-of-times battle in Syria to draw the international community into a final confrontation, with America symbolizing Rome's fall.
  • The appeal of the apocalypse to disenfranchised individuals lies in the sense of empowerment and control over destiny it offers.
  • A study at the University of Illinois explored the human response to threats, showing that predictability of shocks lessened the emotional impact compared to unpredictability.
  • The ancient Maya did not predict an apocalypse in 2012 but marked it as the end of a cycle, with each end leading to a new beginning, contrasting with other religious beliefs in an ultimate end.

44:45

Survivors find faith, hope, and renewal

  • Charles and Angela Marsalis, along with many others, sought refuge in a local church during a storm in New Orleans, where they were stranded for three days due to flooding from broken levees, witnessing a chaotic and dangerous environment with desperate survivors resorting to illicit activities.
  • Despite the dire circumstances, Charles, a minister, and Angela, the guard's chairwoman, found solace in their faith, leading them to sing hymns with others in the darkness, believing in God's protection and eventual rescue, which ultimately inspired them to establish their own church after surviving the ordeal.
  • The experience of surviving the storm and coming close to death prompted Charles and Angela to view the event as a transformative opportunity, leading them to rebuild their lives, start a new church, and see the catastrophe as a chance for personal growth and community unity rather than divine punishment.
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