End-of-the-world prophecy
Meaning
A prediction or forecast that the world or human civilization will be destroyed, often attributed to supernatural forces or ancient texts.
Origin
The human fascination with the world's end stretches back to humanity's earliest myths. From the Norse Ragnarök to the Hindu Pralaya, nearly every ancient civilization wove tales of ultimate destruction and rebirth into their cosmic fabric. The phrase “end-of-the-world prophecy” became the common linguistic shorthand to describe these visions, particularly those found in religious texts like the Book of Revelation. It captures that enduring, primal human fear—and occasional hope—of a final reckoning, whether by fire, flood, or celestial judgment, solidifying a concept that has haunted human imagination for millennia.
Examples
- Despite numerous warnings, the latest end-of-the-world prophecy failed to materialize, leaving many followers bewildered.
- Ancient civilizations often recorded an end-of-the-world prophecy in their myths, reflecting anxieties about the unknown future.