Abstract
The paper discusses how the creed of apocalyptic spirituality is built on the idea that apocalypse is the final goal of God and how it is the ultimate vision of Christianity. The paper considers the ways in which it can be manifested and how it falls into two categories; priori and posteriori. The paper also examines some of the more famous apocalyptic thinkers such as Lactantius, Joachim of Fiore and Friar Girolamo Savonarola.

From the Paper
"Joachim of Fiore was the pessimistic mystic of apocalyptic spirituality. He lived in Italy from 1135-1202 and was the founder of the monastic order of San Giovanni in Fiore. His followers were called Joachimites. Joachim of Fiore returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land a changed man. He became a hermit for a time and lived as a pessimistic wandering preacher. After some time he was embraced by Pope Lucius III and he became a prophet. Joachim of Fiore believed that he could read the true meaning of the Bible as others had never seen it. In this reading he saw that the apocalypse was actually coming quite soon. This is what differentiated him from the apocalyptic prophets before him. Joachim of Fiore warned his followers to prepare to be judged, because he saw the impending end about to come to fruition. "

Tags:priori, posteriori, Lactantius, Joachim, Fiore, Friar, Girolamo, Savonarola

Abstract
This paper discusses a thesis related to modern or contemporary incidents or personages who are perceived by many to represent connotations related to the Apocalypse in the biblical book of Revelation. Such connotations are invalid in the face of a lack of scientific evidence or proof of impending universal destruction.

From the Paper
"This paper provides an analysis of apocalyptic connotations in the contemporary world, such as the events of September 11 and others that to some connote signs of the approaching Apocalypse, referred to in the biblical book of Revelation. Apocalyptic is defined by one historian as pertaining to the Apocalypse or book of Revelation, predicting or presaging imminent disaster and total universal destruction. The research offers numerous events in the modern world that to many individuals connote or presage the total universal destruction associated with the Apocalypse of..."

Tags:Nostradamus, Bible, belief, Osama bin Laden, 9/11, nuclear annihilation

Abstract
This paper looks at three major North American cults and how they were founded, led and maintained. Their beliefs, leaders, members, roots and practises are outlined. The three cults are the Branch Davidians, Peoples Temple and the Solar Temple.

Outline
Introduction
I. The Branch Davidians
A. History
1. Victor Houteff.
2. Florence Houteff
3. Before Howell
B. David Koresh
1. David Koresh (Vernon Howell)
2. Koresh's Beliefs
C. The Branch Davidian Religion
1. Beliefs
2. Practises
3. The End
II. The People's Temple
A. Jim Jones and his Dream
1. Jim Jones
2. The People's Temple
B. The People's Temple as a Religion
1. Theories and Beliefs
2. Practises
C. Negative Aspects
1. Manipulation
2. Jonestown
III. The Order of the Solar Temple
A. The Founders
1.Joseph DiMambro
2.Luc Jouret
B. Religious Structure and History
C. The Solar Temple as a Religion
1. The 7 Rules
2. Beliefs
3. The Solar Temple's Demise
Conclusion
Appendix A. Additional Pictures
Appendix B Interview with Prof. Rabinovitch
Bibliography

From the Paper
"In the beginning, the People's Temple was based on Christian values and beliefs, over time Jones theories were what the People's Temple were based upon. The Bible was used less frequently, while Jones had several theories, which could be dismissed as insane. Jones believed he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, Buddha, Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Jones also theorized that fascists were going to take over America. He believed that the People's Temple would be singled out, because vandals and racists harassed the Church while it was based in Indianapolis. (The Devil's Party, 67) In addition, Jones proposed Revolutionary suicide, which means his followers would die in the name of himself."

Tags:false, issues, messiahs, psychology, societal

From the Paper
"The scene depicted on the tympanum of the church at Moissac is a version of the Apocalyptic vision recounted by John in the Book of Revelation. The principle subjects in the remaining sculpture in the south porch are the childhood of Christ, the story of Lazarus and Dives and the punishments of Avarice and Female Unchastity. The unifying concept of the iconographic scheme in this portion of the church can be found in the words that Christ spoke to John in the vision; "Behold, I make all things new." The new Jerusalem, the church established by Christ's suffering and death, is built on the foundations of the old Jerusalem. God remains adamant in his wrath against sinners but Christ offers a true chance of salvation.

The Apocalyptic vision, like the Last Judgment (a frequent subject on Romanesque tympanums), spoke of the wrath of God at..."

Abstract
The "Animal Apocalypse" perfectly fits the definition of apocalypse. This paper explains that it has a narrative framework where angels mediated a revelation to Enoch in his dream. The vision he saw dealt with eschatological salvation in which the author prophesied during this tumultuous historical and social setting. The author used pseudonymity and ex eventu so as to gain credibility for his actual prophecy. He used eschatological and temporal elements common in other texts of this type, specifically persecution, judgment and destruction of the wicked, cosmic transformation, and resurrection.

From the Paper
"Jewish apocalyptic literature flourished from the second century BCE throughout the late first century CE. Apocalyptic literature can be defined as: A genre of revelatory literature with a narrative framework, in which a revelation is mediated by an otherworldly being to a human recipient, disclosing a transcendent reality which is both temporal, insofar as it envisages eschatological salvation, and spatial insofar as it involves another, supernatural world, intended for a group in crisis with the purpose of exhortation and/or consolation by means of divine authority. The historical and social setting of the Jewish community triggered religious scholars to produce an abundance of apocalyptic literature. For example, the Animal Apocalypse was one text composed in response to this particular setting. Basically, this text narrated biblical history from Adam and Eve to the Maccabean revolt and then prophesized the imminent end of the world. The major components of this text include the great flood, the exodus, the entrance of Canaan, the building of the temple, the division of kingdoms, the destruction of Jerusalem, the return from exile, the Hellenistic period, and the Maccabean revolt. This text used certain literary techniques, such as pseudonymity and ex eventu, in order to present the temporal and eschatological elements found in most apocalypses: persecution, judgment and destruction of the wicked, cosmic transformation, and resurrection."

Tags:apocalypse, christianity, end, judaism, world

From the Paper
"Benjamin West's "Death on the Pale Horse"

This paper will analyze the context in which the work of art, "Death on the Pale Horse" was created. The discussion will also identify the medium which the artist chose as well as highlight some of the more interesting aspects of this Benjamin West painting.

Two copies of the painting, both of which have been exhibited and reproduced as authentic works by Benjamin West, are in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. However, in articles written by a former director for that museum, Fiske Kimball, the old director questions whether these two paintings are actually copies. The articles were published in 1931 and 1932, and art historians now believe that the two originals now hang elsewhere (Von Erffa ..."

Abstract
This paper looks at how the major difference between the Apostle Paul and the other apostles is that Paul had not known Jesus while he was on earth as the Son of God. It examines how Paul's conversion occurred only after the Ascension and how this fact plays a prominent role in his teachings about Jesus and about the apocalypse. It discusses this aspect of Paul's Christianity together with specific aspects of the apocalypse that Paul deals with in his writings. The three ages of the apocalypse as seen by Paul are also examined.
Outline
The End of the World (1 Cor. 15)
The Resurrection (1 Cor 15 continued)
The Restoration of the World (Romans 8)
The Coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4)

From the Paper
"First, the end of the world as depicted by Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians (Chapter 15:20-28) is considered. This is a celebration of God, who will come and reign over everything and everyone. Secondly, and closely related to this is Paul's view of the resurrection (1Cor15:20-28), during which the earth and human beings are made new to conform to the spiritual realm. Thirdly Paul's description of the restoration of the world in Romans 8:18-25 is considered. Here the premise is the hope that every Christian lives in that the suffering experienced in the world will end in glory. Finally, the way in which Paul deals with the coming of Christ in his first epistle to the Thessalonians (Chapter 4:13-18) is considered. Here Paul continues the theme of hope in terms of being reunited with those who have passed away."

Tags:jesus, god, ascension, christianity, christ

Abstract
In this essay, the writer reviews some of the main topics addressed in "Old Testament Prophecy: From Oracle to Canon" by Ronald E. Clements. The writer discusses the written preservation of prophecy leading to the apocalyptic and interpretive methodology.

From the Paper
"Ronald E. Clements' Old Testament Prophecy From Oracles to Canon is a collection of Clements' formerly published writings. The essays pertain to the study of the prophetic corpus of the Old Testament. The essays are arranged in the book in canonical order with Clements' providing insights on a variety of significant issues being debated among the community of theology scholars. Old Testament Prophecy is structured in seven parts including and introduction and the following parts devoted to the prophets and prophecies Prophet King and Messiah ... "

Tags:Ronald E. Clements, Israel, religion, scripture, Jesus, Isaiah, messianic, apocalyptic, Mark, Old Testament, New Testament, scholarship, theology

Abstract
The Book of Revelation is a unique portion of the New Testament. Unlike the other Books found in the latter part of the Bible, the Book of Revelation is not presented as a historical document or an instructional discussion, but is essentially a prophetic book, intended to deliver a glimpse of upcoming history that affects the happenings of the church. The paper considers why more mystery and disagreement surrounds the Book of Revelation than any other part of the New Testament. It shows that one reason why there is so much disharmony in the interpretations of the Book of Revelation is that there are different perspectives from which this apocalyptic book could be understood. The magnificence of Revelation is apparent in its intersection of shared imagery, language and style. This paper focuses on chapter 20 of the book of Revelations, by dissecting it line by line.

From the Paper
"Line eleven states "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." This throne is the throne of judgment, and all nations are called to stand before God. The white throne represents purity, glory and triumph, and is the color of the light. There is to be a new heaven and earth, and the old ones are destroyed and will be reconstructed. The twelfth line reads "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." This indicates how the dead of every part of earth all come to judgment. The records that contain all the deeds of men are opened, as is the book of life in which the names of the saints are kept. All are judged according to their works in these books."

Tags:apocalyptic, literature, Domitian, Christ

Abstract
This paper explains that, born into a time when self-serving aspirations in the name of the public welfare were the norm of public life, Niccolo Machiavelli wrote his two discourses on public government as a means of demonstrating the difference between moral and immoral governments. The author points out Erasmus taught that the moral being, which is the key to the understanding of a man's character, is the same measure that should be applied to the measure of a political leader. The paper relates that, writing in the middle 20th century, Cohn's work holds the skeptical perspective, which typifies his period by focusing on how prejudices and hatreds among the poor, especially against the Jews, the clergy, and the wealthy, were used by religious leaders in conjunction with the cultural apocalyptic expectations in order to give rise to mass movements that resulted in much mayhem and bloodshed.

Table of Contents
Niccolo Machiavelli
Erasmus
Norman Cohn
Conclusion

From the Paper
"At the heart of the struggle across Europe was class struggle between rich and poor, between landowners and farmers who worked the land, or between poor and clergy. These ongoing struggles developed frequently into all out wars. Cohn follows the misapplied beliefs of the church, but fails to move beyond the tragic examples of those who would lead in the name of religion for their own purposed, to build a philosophy regarding how religious ethic can, and should form the mind of man in order to teach him how to lead for the benefit of others. Cohn does an excellent job of describing this process in detail and deals with much of the mysticism and religious beliefs surrounding it."

Tags:welfare, moral, leader, government, apocalyptic