When I was a kid, I loved the Etch-A Sketch, probably because I lacked skills and no matter how badly I messed up the picture, I could give it a few shakes and start fresh. There was always hope for a complete do-over.
I wonder if our current passion for apocalypse is the same desire for a fresh start. We have been deluged with movies about the coming apocalypse: reversal of poles, asteroids, ice age, viruses, nuclear exchanges, and even a deluge from rising sea levels. One common element in recent movies, especially those about environmental disasters, is the idea that apocalypse will come as a consequence of our own transgressions. Our culture seems to have a gut-level feeling that we are enjoying an affluence we do not deserve and soon will lose. We populate our new world with zombies and other forms of cosmic payback.
I suspect part of the attraction of apocalypse is the great clarity it brings. In the cinematic post- apocalyptic world, there is often a clarification of values and an exploration of what it means to be human. Courage and basic morality seem to matter again. “Doomsday-preppers” seem to hunger for meaningful challenges. When the Y2K meltdown fizzled, you could feel the disappointment among many. I suspect when December 21, 2012 comes and goes there will be the same disappointment in the air. At least we have had some mega-storms to keep our hopes for apocalypse alive. Does this yearning for apocalypse strike anyone as odd?
Although our recent fascination with apocalypse is often rooted in the Mayan calendar or super-viruses, not Scripture, it is amazing how biblical our yearning actually is. Even though Hollywood is certainly post-Christian, at times anti-Christian, it can’t avoid presenting scenarios where our corrupt culture finally reaps what it has sown. It seems we have not just a sense that something bad is coming—but that something bad should come.
The original meaning of the word apocalypse has to do with revealing or uncovering. Christians believe that the return of Christ not only reveals God in all his glory, but uncovers sin in all its ugliness. Those who are alive in Christ at the return of Christ will be changed into his likeness. Those who have refused to believe in Christ will have a terrible moment of perfect clarity about themselves.
The Bible teaches that Christians are already living in the zombie apocalypse. We live among those who are still dead in their sins and transgressions. We live among those who are spiritually the walking dead. All Christians are zombies who have been cleansed, resurrected, and given new life by Christ.
And according to the Bible, we all live on an Etch-A Sketch planet that will be shaken by the voice of God (Hebrews 12:26). In the day of the Lord what is right and wrong will be clear; what is precious and worthless will be obvious. His shaking of all things will present Him with a new heavens and new earth.
