As we approach the year 2012, an increasing number of people are filling their hearts and minds with anticipation for cataclysm. More and more are coming to believe in the various “prophetic” writings on the subject of apocalypse. Many see the signs of the times indicating the coming fulfillment of what they think are prophecies in the book of Revelation from the Bible. Likewise, a growing number of individuals feel that the enigmatic verses of Nostradamus predict great disaster in the near future. Then to top it all off, modern “prophets”, are interpreting the 2012 cycle ending target date on the Mayan calendar as coinciding with Armageddon. When one considers what might be the consequences of such a growing collective belief, the possibilities are a bit awesome and perhaps somewhat frightening, as well.

Examining the Nature of Belief

However, before we delve into any conclusions about these possibilities, let’s first examine the nature and power of belief. There is a considerable body of evidence, which suggest that our very reality is of a flexible or relative nature. We shape our own personal realities by what we believe. Some theorists have proposed the idea that reality is a shared illusion, which all of humanity have subconsciously agreed upon, based on our limited perceptions. In essence we manifest our reality both consciously and subconsciously by our very beliefs. If this is true, then it could be the most straightforward explanation for what many call miraculous events. With virtually every miracle described in the New Testament, we see portrayed the important necessity of belief, or faith. Time and again we read Jesus insisting to the recipients of his miracles that they must believe. That belief must not have any doubt, if it is to be effective. Belief without doubt appears to be an integral part of the process of bringing the manifestation about.

Doubtless Examples

This doubtless element is well illustrated in two different stories in the New Testament of the Bible, (here quoting from the New American Standard Version). Both of these gospel quotations are found in the book of Matthew.

First let’s look at the gospel of Matthew, in chapter 18, verses 14-20. In this passage we read the story of a man who brought his afflicted son to Jesus begging for mercy, and stating that the disciples could not cure him. In verse 17 Jesus responded by saying, “O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” NAS version

It seems the disciples let their lingering doubts undermine their faith. Later in verse 19, they asked Jesus privately, why they could not cure the man’s son. In verse 20 he responded, “Because of the littleness of your faith; truly I say to you, if you have the faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.” NAS version

In other words when doubt undermines your beliefs, faith is little, and reality can not be transformed. Conversely when there is no doubt, when belief is strong, and faith is growing ever larger, then no transformation of reality is beyond our scope.

Secondly, the same point can be seen also in the gospel of Matthew chapter 14 verses 22-33, where according to the story, Jesus walked on the surface of water. In verses 29 and 30 we read of Peter enthusiastically trying to walk on the water to meet Jesus. He had only taken a few steps, when he became afraid and started to sink. In verse 31 we find the response from Jesus.

Matt. 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”NAS version

Once again we see Peter letting his doubt overcome his belief. This passage shows us the power of belief and the flip side equal but opposite disabling power of doubt.

Our Collective Expectations Create Manifestations

With that said, let’s return to the original subject. There is in our world today a growing belief that we are now quickly approaching Armageddon. As this belief becomes greater, and more people anticipate this cataclysmic fate with increasing certainty, we will cause it to happen simply because we expect it. If we allow this trend to continue we will bring about Armageddon by our own anticipation of it. Our collective expectations will create the manifestation, thus being the actual cause of these horrific tribulations. By seeing this, we now realize that these “prophetic visions of the future”, are not actually foretelling of things to come, but the very force which shapes these future events into existence. The inescapable conclusion is that these “prophecies” manipulate the collective human subconscious, and bring about the very calamities they pretend to warn us against. But this is not true of all prophecies, and it certainly was not the original intention of most in the ancient world. The ancient Prophets foretold doom, in order to motivate change in the ways of the populace. If the people continued in their wayward behaviors, then their karma was to see the prophecies fulfilled. On the other hand, if they changed their ways, then the doom would not come after all. A good example of this use of prophecy can be found in the Bible’s New Testament book of Luke, chapter 11, verses 29-32 (here quoted from the New International Version.)

Luke 11 : 29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.” NIV

In these verses we find Jesus mixing together three different yet related messages into this prophecy.

These Three Components Are . . .

A bold declaration regarding his own status as a prophet, stating that he, (Jesus) had more wisdom than Solomon, and greater prophetic influence than Jonah.

He alludes to the hope embodied in the repentance of the Ninevites. They avoided the doom of Jonah’s prophecies by changing their ways.

He says that the only sign given to that generation was the “sign of Jonah”.

The Sign of Jonah

What, you may ask is this “sign of Jonah”? Some have interpreted this as a prophecy of his impending death, entombment for 3 days, and resurrection. This reference to Jonah would then presumably point to the story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish for 3 days, and then emerging unscathed to deliver his prophecies to the Ninevites. There is a serious problem with this interpretation. It is not what Jesus said about Jonah’s accomplishments. Rather, his focus was on Jonah as a sign to the Ninevites, what he achieved as an actual prophet. In this we find much deeper meaning to his cryptic reference, “sign of Jonah”.

What did Jonah Accomplish?

To find that meaning we need to dig deeper into the history of Jonah. What did Jonah accomplish? The answer is not just escaping from a great fish’s belly. That is no doubt a mythic / legendary part of Jonah’s story, not of an actual historic nature. Besides, this whole fish story was not even the point of Jonah’s chronicle. He was sent on a mission, and that’s where the important part of the narrative is found. We uncover a significant clue in verse 32 of the above passage. In this verse Jesus tells us that the Ninevites “… repented at the preaching of Jonah …” So, the answer is that Jonah was successful at changing the ways of the populace to which he presented his prophecy. In other words Jonah saved the Ninevites from their doom, by leading them to repentance. When Jesus refers to the “sign of Jonah”, he is making the comparison between the impact of Jonah as a prophet, and his own impact as a prophet. Thus, the “sign of Jonah” is our one opportunity to be saved from the doom of Armageddon. It never had anything to do with a comparison between three days in a fish, and three days in a tomb.

Bronze lion from Nineveh (Public domain image)

So, what can we do about this?

The solution is amazingly simple, and can be broken down into a 3 step method…

The First Step is to doubt the impending doom of Armageddon. Just as belief has the power to transform reality, doubt has the power to disable transformation. If we continue to believe without doubt in the prophecies of doom, we will transform our reality into this doom. Conversely if we cease to believe in the “end times”, then we’ll render inoperative the transformative powers which would contribute to bringing the tribulations about. By sowing the seeds of doubt, we can begin the process of saving ourselves from Armageddon. However, if this strategy is to work, this doubt must be widespread and pervasive. It must be felt far and wide, in order to have enough impact. Therefore, I would encourage anyone who reads this article to tell as many others as can be told, about the concepts dealt with herein.

Spread the word; “Doubt the end is near.”

Doubt it with a vengeance!

Doubt it with every breath!

Doubt it when you eat!

Doubt it when you pray!

And if you can manage it, even Doubt it when you sleep!

If enough of humanity can collectively doubt Armageddon, then together we can take the first step toward fulfilling the sign of Jonah, and avoid cataclysm. But this doubt is not enough by itself. It’s merely the first step in the three-step approach.

The Second Step is to believe in a positive alternative. We must believe that we deserve to have a different fate than tribulations. With this we can begin to change our own karma from the negative to the positive. Then collectively we can make a far better future for ourselves; a future with positive anticipation, not one that simply gives in to the doom. Simultaneously, we can use both the power of doubt, and the power of belief to our advantage. We must doubt the negative, and anticipate the positive in its place. Believe not in Armageddon; instead believe in a future of peace and harmony. And if enough of us believe in that, we can make it so.

Mandala of Peace on Earth by Bill M. Tracer Studio

And then take The Third Step; that is to turn our doubts in the negative and beliefs in the positive into action. This is the most important step toward fulfilling the sign of Jonah, and it means changing our ways; to heal a dying Earth and battered Humankind. It means to be a part of bringing about a peaceful world community with respect for the human rights of all people, and with respect for our Mother Earth. It means actively seeking to heal those parts of the Earth, where we have done harm to the ecosystems. It means ending the wars! It means rebuilding that which has been torn down. It means actively changing our lifestyles to expand responsible use of natural resources, no longer squandering them. It means growing our use of alternative energy supplies, including solar, and wind. It means melting away the borders that divide us, and seeing ourselves as citizens of the Earth, one people united worldwide and someday beyond. It means finally and truly loving your neighbor as yourself, and it means stepping up to the realization that ALL people are included as our neighbors. For it to be genuine, no one can be excluded.

Jonah preaching to the Ninevites, by Gustave Dore (d. 1883) (Public domain image)

The Key is in the Permanence of Change

When Jonah delivered God’s message to the Ninevites, he predicted the devastation of their culture if they did not repent, and change their behavior. They did repent, and were spared the destruction, at that time. But the ultimate end of their story illustrates that any change of action must be ongoing. Any such change, by necessity, has to be permanent and full time. The Ninevites did not make a permanent alteration to their ways. Their repentance was sadly temporary. In time they returned to their old ways and a few generations after the time of Jonah, their culture was wiped off the face of the Earth. Now, all that is left of them are bad memories, very little crumbling ruins, some poorly constructed incomplete reconstructions, and a few small relics. Is this to be our fate?

It doesn’t have to be!

Like the Ninevites had, we now have a choice. Either outcome is open to us. We can alter the path we walk, and begin to clean up the mess we’ve made thus far, or do nothing and idly watch as the four horsemen run us down. Let’s choose change, and bypass Armageddon.

Albrecht Dürer, The Revelation of St John: The Four Riders of the Apocalypse, 1497-98 (Public domain image)

Never forget:

Doubt Armageddon,
Believe in a positive alternative, and
Act on those Doubts and Beliefs with permanent change!