Belief in the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the dawn of a new age has existed since the days of the apostles. Nearly 1,000 years ago an interpretation of prophecies in the book of Revelation led to a belief that spread throughout Europe that Christ would soon return to earth.

Johann Lorenz Mosheim, a reputable historian of ecclesiastical history, recorded the mood as Europeans neared the year 1000. In his Institutes of Ecclesiastical History he writes:

"Innumerable examples and testimonies show that immense superstition flourished everywhere throughout the Christian world. To this were added many futile and groundless opinions, fostered by the priests for their own advantage. Among the opinions which dishonoured and disquieted the Latin churches in this century, none produced more excitement than the belief that the day of final consummation was at hand. This belief was derived in the preceding century from the apocalypse of John [the book of Revelation], xx.2-4; and being advanced by many in this century it spread all over Europe and excited great terror and alarm among the people.

"For they supposed St. John had explicitly foretold that after a thousand years from the birth of Christ, Satan would be let loose, Antichrist would appear and the end of the world would come. Hence immense numbers transferring their property to the churches and monasteries, left all and proceeded to Palestine, where they supposed Christ would descend from heaven to judge the world. Others by a solemn vow consecrating themselves and all they possessed to the churches, the monasteries, and the priests, served them in the character of slaves, performing the daily tasks assigned them; for they hoped the supreme Judge would be more favourable to them, if they made themselves servants to his servants.

"Hence also whenever an eclipse of the sun or the moon occurred, most people betook themselves to caverns, rocks, and caves. Very many also gave a large part of their estates to God and the saints, that is, to the priests and monks. And in many places, edifices both sacred and secular were suffered to go to decay, and in some instances actually pulled down from the expectation that they would no longer be needed. This general delusion was opposed indeed by a few wiser individuals, yet nothing could overcome it till the century had closed" (translation by James Murdock, 12th edition, Ward, Lock & Co., London, pp. 339-340).

To this day, 1,000 years later, we can see evidence of the reemergence of this long-ago zeal. One of the most common inscriptions on bequeathments to the Catholic Church in the middle to late 10th century began with the words: "The end of the world now being at hand . . ." Then would follow the bequeathment of land, of homes, of estates, of personal wealth.

What impact will belief in Christ's return have on society as we approach the year 2000? One thousand years ago religious fervor led some to actions they likely wouldn't have considered under other circumstances. Jesus Himself prophesied that, shortly before His return, misguided religious zeal will again lead people to acts and attitudes with tragic consequences (Matthew 24:4-5, 9, 11, 23-26). GN