Although myths about the origins of the universe are among the most prevalent, they are often accompanied by myths about the expected end of everything. In such myths the world rarely ends with a whimper; rather amidst apocalyptic scenarios outdoing a Spielberg block-buster.

The word ‘apocalypse’ has come to mean the end of the world, or a major catastrophe. For Christians more specific images may come to mind, such as the Four Horsemen heralded by trumpets bringing cataclysm, fire in the sky, turning the sea to blood, stars falling into the sea, and plagues. But originally the word ‘apocalypse’ meant ‘revelation’.