It is very interesting how Armageddon is treated in the world’s bible-based religions. In the older, established religions of Christendom, Armageddon is acknowledged but rarely discussed. In newer religions, those created since the 19th century, Armageddon is front and centre in their teachings. No sermon would be complete without some mention of it. So why the difference?

Through their churches, older, established religions have a presence in almost every town throughout the civilised world. Many of them also have child indoctrination centres (religious schools) to help replenish the members who keep dying or losing their faith. Over the centuries this has led to a sense of entitlement amongst the leaders of those religions. They've become lazy and complacent sitting in their churches like spiders waiting for flies. No wonder their numbers are declining!

Except perhaps for the Mormons in Utah, newer religions have a much smaller presence in any community. To get and keep their members they have to work a lot harder! The leaders of these newer religions are quite often charismatic salesmen – just watch American TV on a Sunday morning! These people understand the importance of motivating the converted to spread the word and gain new recruits (and income). Towards this goal an imminent Armageddon is a very effective motivational tool! However, like the motivational carrot suspended in front of a donkey, it needs to be positioned very carefully. If the religion claims that Armageddon won't be here for a hundred years or more, that’s too far away to be of concern to anyone alive today. But if it’s coming in only a few years that’s too close because when that time comes (with nothing happening of course) the original (false) prediction will be recent enough for everyone to remember. The trick is to use language that is urgent but not specific: “soon” and “just around the corner” are the favourite lines; “in our lifetime” is also often used but that’s risky because it invites the question, whose lifetime?

This positioning of the Armageddon carrot is not an exact science and the newer religions are always juggling and adjusting it to keep it just (but only just) out of reach! Jehovah’s Witnesses have been playing the “just around the corner” game for their entire history. They nearly came unstuck in 1995 when they had to admit their prediction tying the date of Armageddon with the generation that witnessed the year 1914 was false.

In 2009 the “World’s Last Chance” religion (an offshoot of the Seventh Day Adventists) predicted that Armageddon would arrive “in 6 to 8 years”. In 2010 we tried to get them to confirm that Armageddon was now only 5 to 7 years away, but they wouldn’t take the bait. Apparently now it is coming, “soon”.

Religious people! Does your religion predict an imminent Armageddon? We encourage you to check the history of their predictions. See how many times they have adjusted (always postponing) the date of Armageddon. How long will it be before their current prediction is postponed? How long will you continue to believe that your religious leaders are speaking the truth?