In Instigators of the Apocalypse, author
Kevin Timothy O’Kane sets out to prove how those with false interpretations of
the Book of Revelation influenced wars and revolutions in the history of
Western civilization. A monumental work indeed by O’Kane, and it is nigh
impossible to encapsulate in this short review all that he manages to cover in
his book. How does one go about condensing the history of Christian eschatology
and how it has played out in the political arena and subsequently the battlefield?
The author takes us right back to the beginning of Christianity in order to
take us forward, covering decisive moments in history such as the Crusades, the
Reformation, the conquest of the
Americas, the Inquisition, and various revolutions including the American Civil
War. The time span is centuries, and the litany of carnage and destruction is depressing.
The history of the early Christian church is one of Roman oppression, divisive
factions and sub-factions, and a large number of arguments over the literal or
spiritual meanings behind much in the Bible; however, most were strongly
focused on the divinity or lack thereof of Christ, and the literal or
figurative meaning in the Book of Revelation. When would the end of days and
the new millenium come, and who would be the Anti-Christ?
The ideal of the predicted ‘New
Jerusalem’ has permeated religious belief down the centuries, even to modern
times. Interestingly, the manipulation of various so-called Christian and
Muslim prophecies spawned what can only be described as ‘disinformation’ that
was used to serve various political purposes, and with dire consequences. This
is such a turning point because the church, impatient for results, ultimately
eschewed Jesus Christ’s message of peace and submission in the face of
oppression, and turned to more violent means to achieve the final days.
Ironically, once the subject of persecution, Christianity morphed into an
excuse for the Crusades, which had bloody and tragic consequences. Subsequently,
Islam, already conquering from the 7th century with jihad as its
diktat, was as brutal and destructive, and conversion by the sword the order of
the day. Jerusalem, what it meant and has come to symbolise historically and
theologically, is a key point in this drama. One is left saddened and
astonished at the madness that prevailed when both Christians and Muslims were
gripped by a religious fervour that defied all sense, all morality, all true
belief as would form the basis of any faith. Even more sadly, nothing has
changed because the actions of ISIL in the modern day Middle East chaos seem to
herald a return to those days of carnage in the guise of divine sanction. The
territorial skirmishes between Palestine and Israel have focused attention once
again on an age-old issue; possession of Jerusalem, I feel, more than anything
else. The Palestinian denial of Israel’s right to exist and the intention to
wipe out this nation also echoes the past. Current warfare between the Arab
nations, based on their own religious schisms between Sunni and Shia sects and
sparked by the unrest in Yemen, rings warning bells, given the extent of the various
nations’ military might.
This is a complex topic, and possibly
theology students would whiz through this book. However, the author masterfully
achieves what he sets out to do and that is make his theory comprehensible to
the lay person, or the ordinary reader interested in Christian eschatology and
the role it has played in politics, both then and now. The author enlivens the
facts by introducing key figures in this vast and sweeping historical
landscape, some familiar, some not, and brings their own personal stories to
life. His excellent and succinct writing style allows the reader to fully
absorb a large number of complicated facts, but at the same time appreciate the
‘story’ behind the history. I was astounded by the far-reaching effects of
charismatic leaders over the centuries, and how in many cases a single man’s
opinions, beliefs and ambitions have shaped history and the political landscape
today, in many cases with negative consequences. Tragically, faith, which brings comfort,
solace and strength to millions around the world, can be twisted to wreak havoc
and, with today’s access to modern weaponry, threatens to plunge the world into
destruction. A fictional section of the book’s final chapter sounds a warning
note. There are detailed end notes for the serious biblical scholar to refer
to, testimony to the amount of research put into this fascinating, well
constructed, very readable and thought provoking work. Five stars.
