We often hear that we are living in apocalyptic times. Wars like those in the Middle East are just more signs that the end is near. That, however, is a misunderstanding of the message of the Bible and the Qur'an. The basic meaning of
apocalypse
is disclosure, revelation, bringing to light what is happening now and what has happened throughout all of history. The
apocalypse
is not about making predictions about the future but about determining who bears responsibility for injustice in the world. In that sense, all times–including ours–are
apocalyptic,
though in a different way than what is usually thought. Since the devastating Greek conquest of the world by Alexander the Great, there have been apocalyptic insights and
revelatory
readings of the whole Hebrew Bible. The same is true of the New Testament with
Rome
as the world power then. The same apocalyptic message is confirmed by the Qur'an when the Byzantines and the Persians fought for mastery of the world. The apocalyptic message is that God will put an end to the unjust dominion of violence, money, and lies. God’s kingdom will certainly arrive, but not through violence–after all, there
is no violence in God
(Diognetus).