Those who speak on their own seek their own glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing unjust in him.
John 7:18
Dear members and friends,
We read the word “apocalypse” in literature, ancient myths, legends and even the Bible. Usually, the apocalypse is understood as the end of the world. The linguistic origin of the word apocalypse is the Greek word, apokaluptein, which is apo-(un) + kaluptein (to cover), meaning “to uncover.” How did the word literally meaning “to uncover” became the word to mean the end of the world? Though we might point to the book of Revelation in the Bible, two other major influences could have been Zoroastrianism and Norse mythology. The ancient Persian religion Zoroastrianism believed that there will be the final battle between Ahura Mazda (the supreme god and the creator of all things) and Angra Mainyu (the destructive spirit and the embodiment of chaos and darkness). In Norse mythology, there is the final battle called Ragnarök, which is the apocalyptic end of the word. Interestingly, both traditions teach that the purpose of the apocalyptic battle is not the end of the world itself, but the creation of a new world in which harmony, peace, and renewal of all things prevail. This theme is very similarly illustrated in the Bible.
As a Daoist, I understand that the Western concept of apocalypse might have been inspired by their observation of nature, especially the passing of seasons. It might become more obvious, if you lived in an area where four seasons are distinctive from each other. As winter arrives, all things in nature seem to retreat and disappear; the entire world seems to be covered by hopeless and lifeless punishment. If you have no home to shelter yourself or food to survive, winter is certainly the cruelest season. However, if you endure, winter ends and turns into spring! Scarcity becomes abundance and the world is full of life and hope once more. In nature, nothing stays the same forever, either good or bad. But there is a never-ending cycle of all things in nature. It is just human preference to label certain things as good and certain things as bad.
My brothers and sisters in God, let us take a moment of prayer and reflection this week. Let us learn from nature – of which we are just a part – and embrace the truth that there is a season for everything.
Blessings, Rev. Junchol Lee