ABSTRACT
The apocalyptic imagination provides perennial opposition to whatever is unprecedented or modern and gives the illusion of continuity with the ancient past. This chapter argues that these perennial functions of the apocalyptic imagination have become more relevant and potentially dangerous in a global society in which the state not only intrudes more energetically into the private sphere and into the lives of local communities. It considers the apocalyptic reaction to modernity. For the Christian community to keep apocalyptic beliefs as an article of orthodox faith and as an element of their sacred literature makes the burdens of modernity intolerable. The radical secularization of apocalyptic imagination will be required if the future is to offer something more than continuation and repetition of old catastrophes disguised as new battles. Apocalyptic visions, Christian or fascist, express loathing and inspire terror. Apocalyptic beliefs simply take this basic logic of apprehension and disgust and turn it into orthodoxy.
