Apocalypse

Setting the Stage for Apocalypse

The word apocalypse commonly conjures images of fiery destruction, chaos, and the end of the world. However, it carries a deeper meaning. Instead of merely signaling destruction, its original Greek—apokálypsis—points to “unveiling” or “revelation.” It suggests an internal and collective process of exposing hidden truths—both personal and societal. Such revelation is triggered when existing systems, beliefs, and the ego start to unravel, forcing us to confront the uncomfortable realities within ourselves.

In previous discussions, particularly in articles like Shadow & Light and The Devil Within, we examined the role of the ego—specifically its desire for superiority and control—and how it manifests in society’s darkest moments. In this sense, the apocalypse isn’t about a final battle between good and evil but instead a necessary process of integrating the shadow and moving beyond the ego. Our challenge lies in how we choose to respond to this unveiling. Do we continue down a path of ego, denial, and superiority, or do we embrace the opportunity for transformation and unity?

Viewing the apocalypse as inevitable often deflects responsibility from human agency. This misconception obscures the reality that we play an active role in shaping its course. In this article, we explore humanity’s struggle with ego and shadow, examining the apocalypse not as a singular event, but as an unfolding psychological and spiritual journey. It invites reflection on how our individual and collective choices contribute to both the destruction we fear—and the salvation still within reach.

Desire for Apocalypse: Human Agency in Manifestation

In many religious contexts, particularly among fundamentalist groups across Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, there exists a longing for apocalyptic events. These groups often view the end times as divine validation for their beliefs, praying for the apocalypse to affirm their sense of spiritual superiority. This mindset, driven by the ego’s desire for supremacy, shifts responsibility away from human agency, as it treats events like the climate crisis as predetermined or “God-given,” thus excusing inaction.

In this framework, environmental collapse, social unrest, and global crises are viewed as inevitable steps in a divine plan rather than human-caused events that could be mitigated through collective action. This belief grants a sense of absolution, as individuals and groups escape accountability for these crises, even as their own inaction pushes the world further toward these apocalyptic events. In other words, the longing for apocalypse becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The refusal to address the consequences of human actions—such as environmental destruction—creates the very conditions that drive us toward global breakdown.

By reframing the apocalypse as inevitable and divinely orchestrated, these fundamentalist mindsets feed into the narrative that human intervention is meaningless, overlooking the concept of immanence—the divine within each and all of us. In reality, the apocalypse is not merely a divine event; it is a co-creation woven the divine and human choices, with the unchecked ego’s desire for dominance accelerating the journey toward destruction. In essence, it is our free will that drives us toward apocalypse, pushing us to either avert or embrace it based on how we confront the shadow within ourselves.

The Role of the Shadow: A Psychological Prelude

Jung’s concept of the shadow offers a profound psychological lens through which we can understand the apocalypse. As discussed in Shadow & Light, the shadow represents those hidden aspects of ourselves—desires and traits often suppressed because they clash with societal norms. For Jung, the figure of Christ symbolizes the totality of light and good within us, while the Antichrist emerges as the inevitable counterpart, representing repressed darkness. Psychological wholeness arises when we balance these opposites, yet the ego, in its pursuit of superiority, aligns solely with light (Christ), rejecting the shadow (Antichrist).

This denial creates a void, which the ego then seeks to fill through external pursuits, like wealth or power. However, these pursuits fail to satisfy the void left by unmet desires, leading the ego into an endless cycle of accumulation. This cycle amplifies societal tensions until they culminate in collapse. The apocalypse, then, can be seen as the eruption of the shadow we’ve ignored collectively, forcing humanity to confront the darkness it has suppressed.

In this sense, the Book of Revelation’s imagery—such as the breaking of the Seven Seals—can be interpreted as allegories for these internal conflicts manifesting outwardly. Each seal represents a form of turmoil (war, famine, death), echoing the crises born from an unintegrated shadow. The apocalypse forces us to face these suppressed forces, revealing that destruction is not merely an end, but a natural result of ignored inner darkness. Only by confronting and integrating these shadow elements can we hope to avert total societal collapse.

One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.

Carl Jung

The Lamb and the Shadow: An Invitation to Integrate Light and Darkness

In the Book of Revelation, the Lamb, commonly associated with Christ, opens the Seven Seals, initiating a sequence of catastrophic events.

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, ‘Come and see’

Revelation 6:1

When we align exclusively with the light (Christ), we deny the darker aspects of ourselves, relegating them to the shadow. According to Jung, this suppression does not eliminate darkness; rather, it fortifies it. The Lamb breaking the seals can symbolize the inevitable eruption of these repressed elements, which, once unleashed, manifest as destructive forces. Thus, the path of unchecked light, without the balance of darkness, can paradoxically lead to the very apocalyptic chaos it seeks to avoid.

In this light, the seals are not merely acts of judgment; they are reflections of an unbalanced ego that has cast its shadow into the world. “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:17) This warning speaks to the danger of rigid dualism—the illusion that good and evil are absolute, separate forces. To prevent the sealing of humanity’s fate, we must transcend binary thinking, embracing both light and shadow within ourselves, not as opposing forces, but as interwoven aspects of a greater whole.

The Ego and the Antichrist: The Devil Within Us

Building on The Devil Within, we can view Satan as a powerful metaphor for the unchecked ego—specifically, the desire for superiority, dominance, and control. In many religious apocalyptic narratives, Satan embodies ultimate evil, but psychologically, this figure reflects the ego’s most destructive tendencies.

The Devil isn’t just an external entity; it is the ego’s drive to separate from the divine, placing personal supremacy above all, including divine authority. This pursuit of power leads to personal and societal devastation. In this sense, fascism, as explored in The Devil Within, is the ultimate manifestation of an ego-driven apocalypse. Fascism thrives on promises of superiority and dominance, rooted in the same destructive desires that Satan represents.

Each of the Seven Deadly Sins can be viewed as a pathway to breaking the Seven Seals of Revelation, connecting our internal vices to apocalyptic consequences:

1. Greed – Leads to economic disparity and famine, symbolizing scarcity and suffering.
2. Wrath – Aligns with war, fueling conflict and violence.
3. Pride – Drives conquest, where the desire for dominance leads to widespread destruction.
4. Envy – Manifests as division, eroding social unity and causing upheaval.
5. Lust – Represents moral decay, weakening the bonds of social cohesion.
6. Gluttony – Tied to overconsumption, which drives environmental collapse.
7. Sloth – Embodies inaction, allowing crises to worsen unchecked.

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

James 5:1–3

Each sin reflects an aspect of the ego, driving behaviors that, left unchecked, amplify societal collapse. For example, greed leads to wealth inequality, which can incite social unrest and, ultimately, war. These ego-driven vices channel destructive forces, mirroring the chaos represented by the Seven Seals. The Antichrist, then, is not some distant, otherworldly figure, but rather a reflection of our collective darkness, manifesting within those who are most driven by their unhinged ego. The apocalypse it heralds is the direct result of humanity’s failure to transcend these ego-based behaviors.

Recognizing and confronting these shadows within ourselves, and within our societal structures, is essential for breaking the apocalyptic cycle and averting the destruction that unchecked ego brings.

The Seven Gates of Hell and Ego in the Apocalypse

And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates; for every gate is of them a portion designated.

Surah Al-Hijr (15:43-44)

The concept of the Seven Gates of Hell in the Quran offers profound insight into the nature of the ego. Each gate symbolizes a barrier that the ego erects, distancing us from divine connection. As Rumi said, “The ego is the veil between humans and God.” These gates represent the thresholds through which pride, greed, and wrath lead individuals into personal and societal disorder.

In the context of the apocalypse, these gates can be understood as metaphors for the inner descent caused by unchecked ego. Pride might open one gate, leading to isolation and downfall, while wrath may open another, fueling conflict and violence. The journey through these gates reflects how the ego drives us further from divine presence, mirroring the notion of Hell as both a physical and spiritual reality.

The Seven Gates, much like the ego itself, serve as powerful symbols of the inner barriers we must overcome. By acknowledging these tendencies within ourselves, we can strive to close these gates and move toward a more unified existence, where the veil of the ego no longer keeps us from the divine. In this view, Hell represents not only a place of punishment but also a state of profound disconnection, a condition we can strive to transcend both inwardly and outwardly.

Indeed, God will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.

Qur’an, Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:11)

Light and Redemption: Immanence as Salvation

In contrast to the darkness of the apocalypse and the unhinged ego’s destructive nature lies the potential for redemption through the concept of immanence—the belief that divinity resides within us. The path to salvation begins with recognizing that the Kingdom of God is within each of us (Luke 17:21). This inner divinity offers an opportunity to avert apocalyptic destruction by turning inward, confronting our shadow, and transcending the ego.

Rather than viewing the apocalypse as a fixed end, we can reframe it as an opportunity for transformation. The chaos and destruction it brings are not merely punitive but openings for integrating the shadow and moving toward enlightenment. In this sense, the apocalypse becomes an invitation to confront inner darkness and offers the possibility of redemption through self-awareness.

Understanding immanence within the context of transcendence challenges us to look beyond external salvation, recognizing that divinity both surrounds and resides within us. This perspective shifts the focus from waiting for an external savior to realizing that the way forward is in our hands. By embracing our inner divine light, we can counteract the ego’s destructive tendencies and move toward unity. The apocalypse, then, is a potential turning point, inviting us to transition toward a more integrated existence and a more unified collective consciousness.

Rumi’s Mirror and Fragmented Truth: A Call for Unity

The truth was a mirror in the hands of God. It fell, and broke into pieces. Everybody took a piece of it, and they looked at it and thought they had the truth.

Rumi

Rumi’s metaphor of the broken mirror—where each person holds only a fragment of the truth—reveals a deep insight into apocalyptic thinking. In the quest for validation, fundamentalist groups cling to their fragment as if it represents the whole, overlooking that their truth, like a shard of a mirror, is part of a larger, interconnected picture. This fragmented approach not only fuels division but also intensifies the desire for apocalypse, seen as a final vindication.

All religions are a path to arrive at God. They are like different languages to arrive there. But God is God for all.

Pope Francis

This sentiment encapsulates the heart of Omnism, which recognizes that each religion holds a piece of the larger spiritual puzzle. By embracing this diversity of perspectives, Omnism reveals a fundamental unity within diversity. In a non-dualistic view, both statements can be true simultaneously: while no single religion holds the entire truth, all point toward the same ultimate reality. This acceptance of multiplicity not only fosters respect but also promotes a holistic, interconnected understanding of spirituality.

Panentheism deepens this concept by harmonizing the dual aspects of transcendence and immanence, suggesting that divine truth permeates all existence and transcends it as well. In this light, the apocalypse becomes not just a catastrophic end, but a revelation of our shared limitations and our mutual interdependence. Humanity’s survival hinges on our ability to respect and integrate these diverse perspectives.

This transcends individual beliefs and touches upon a fundamental human condition: the tendency to cling to fragmented truths driven by ego and the desire for supremacy. Omnism offers us a pathway toward unity and shared growth. The apocalypse, in this perspective, is not merely an end but a call to embrace a more inclusive, holistic vision of truth.

In this transformative journey, unity and inner transformation are inseparable, guiding us from a world of division to one of interconnectedness and shared purpose. It offers an opportunity for unity and redemption.

Praying for Apocalypse: A Call to Internal Transformation

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Revelation 11:18

Fascism twists religious identity into a tool for supremacy. This is not a pursuit of enlightenment but a quest for validation. For them, the apocalypse is not a revelation but a final judgment that confirms their chosen status. In their view, destruction becomes a means to assert dominance—where ‘the other’ faces ruin while they remain righteous. Essentially, fascism is the corruption of the soul.

This is where the unchecked ego thrives, denying its shadow and aligning solely with the light (Christ), while rejecting darkness (Antichrist) as a threat. Such imbalance opens the door for deception. Fascism capitalize on this denial, projecting inner conflicts outward and fueling cycles of blame and aggression.

Deleuze’s idea of ‘becoming-other’ emphasizes the acceptance of fluid identities over rigid binaries. By rejecting our darkness, we project it onto others, avoiding self-confrontation. Deleuze and Jung teach us that embracing our duality—our light and shadow—fosters personal and societal growth, reducing our need for scapegoats.

By embracing the implications of Panentheism—where both transcendence and immanence coexist harmoniously—we recognize that we are, in essence, constantly judging ourselves. Accepting that the divine is both within and beyond us implies that our actions manifest, serving as self-inflicted judgments. This perspective on non-dualism helps us see the apocalypse as part of the divine plan, yet also a choice for humanity. It is up to us whether it unfolds as a destructive end or as a chance for global growth.

In acknowledging the “other within,” we confront parts of ourselves that we often deny, integrating them into a deeper self-awareness. This process of self-judgment unfolds on both personal and collective levels, holding us accountable not just to ourselves but to society. Together, our collective reflections shape our world, guiding us toward unity and transformation.

To avert apocalypse as mere destructive event, we must evolve beyond identities built on supremacy—whether by race, nation, religion, or ideology. If we can harmonize our internal conflicts, we may steer humanity toward a future where collective consciousness transcends divisive constructs. In doing so, the apocalypse could either signal our downfall or our collective awakening into a more unified, respectful global society.

As Surah Al-Ma’idah reminds us:

Had God willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To God is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.

Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:48)

This highlights the divine value of differences, teaching us coexistence. Regardless of belief—whether religious or not—division weakens us all. Omnism offers a path beyond supremacy and exclusion. By embracing the diversity of faiths and beliefs, we can dismantle the forces of fear and division. Only by integrating “the other” within ourselves can we prevent cycles of violence born from externalized shadows. Unity is our strength, and it’s time to recognize our shared humanity as the true path forward.

Conclusion: Apocalypse as Revelation, Not End

The apocalypse, as we’ve explored, is not merely about a cosmic end but an unveiling of humanity’s inner conflicts. It demands a confrontation with our ego, shadow, and fragmented truths. Our survival hinges on recognizing and embracing our shared humanity, honoring the implications of immanence and practicing Omnism. We cannot afford to dismiss any strategic ally in tackling our current challenges. By integrating the shadow and confronting the desire for superiority, we can transform the apocalypse from a path of inevitable destruction into a journey of renewal and unity.

The major enemy, the strategic adversary is fascism… […] in us all, in our heads and in our everyday behavior, the fascism that causes us to love power, to desire the very thing that dominates and exploits us.

Michel Foucault

This responsibility lies with each of us. Supremacist ideologies distort the apocalypse into a tool for personal validation rather than a true moment of revelation, fueling cycles of division and self-destruction. But by embracing unity over exclusion, we choose to rewrite our collective destiny. In the face of the climate crisis and the rise of modern fascism, unity and cooperation offer us the strongest path forward.

The choice is y_ours: to either continue down a path of ego-driven fragmentation or to welcome a more inclusive, enlightened future. The apocalypse does not have to be our end; it can become the dawn of a new, more integrated way of being.

In this moment of choice, let us remember that we possess the power to shape this potential apocalyptic moment. Through embracing the wisdom within each other’s beliefs, acknowledging our shadows, and confronting our collective ego, we can move toward a world where humanity rises as one, transcending the divisions that drive us to self-destruction.

If the human race survives, future man will, I suspect, look back on our enlightened epoch as a veritable age of Darkness. They will presumably be able to savor the irony of this situation with more amusement than we can extract from it. The laugh’s on us.

Deleuze & Guattari

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