When the ‘End of the World’ shapes the world today

Dr Raj Singh
In the West Asia War, America and Israel are not on the same page when it comes to the “truce” with Iran. The two countries waged this unpopular war for their hidden but different ambitions.
While America’s interest is in saving its petro-dollar economy by securing Hormuz, Israel’s interest is something very different – annexing the Southern Lebanon purely guided by the “End-time belief” of creating Greater Israel as the Gateway to a New World. This less obvious and absurd-looking agenda of Israel is one of the many such beliefs in various faiths, making people willing to fight and even die.
Let us begin with a simple question.
What if some of today’s wars are not just about land, power, or money, but about how different groups imagine the end of the world ?
This may sound strange at first. But when we look closely, many global conflicts are not only political - they are also deeply connected to religious ideas about the future of humanity.
These ideas are called eschatological beliefs.
And if we ignore them, we miss what is really driving many conflicts.
What is Eschatology in Simple Words?
Eschatology means beliefs about the “end times” - how the world will end, who will win, and what the final order of the world will look like.
Different civilizations have their own versions:
* Some believe in a final battle between good and evil
* Some believe in a messiah who will return
* Some believe in a perfect world after destruction
* Some believe their people have a special role in this final chapter
These beliefs are not just religious stories.
They shape how people think, vote, fight, and govern. That is the part we usually don’t see.
Why This Matters Today
When we look at world politics, we often hear simple explanations:
* “This war is about oil.”
* “This conflict is about territory.”
* “This is about power or ideology.”
All of these are true.
But they are not the full story.
Behind many of these visible reasons, there are deep beliefs about destiny, prophecy, and divine purpose.
And these beliefs can make people:
* Refuse compromises
* Take extreme risks
* Justify violence
* Believe they are part of a “larger mission.”
That is where eschatology becomes powerful and dangerous.
Case 1: The Idea of a Global Caliphate and ISIS
Let us take one example many people have heard of - ISIS.
ISIS was not just a terrorist group.
It was driven by a very specific end-times belief:
* It wanted to establish a World Caliphate - a global Islamic rule
* It believed this would lead to a final battle between believers and non-believers
* It even chose locations like Syria because they appear in certain prophetic traditions about the final war
For ISIS fighters, this was not just politics. It was destiny.
That is why many of them were ready to die.
They believed they were part of the final chapter of history.
Even after ISIS lost territory, the idea did not die.
Because beliefs are harder to defeat than armies.
Case 2: The “Greater Israel” Vision
Now, let us look at another example - Israel.
Within some sections of Jewish religious thought, there is a belief that:
* The land of Israel is divinely promised
* A future era will come where Israel is restored to its full Biblical boundaries
* This is sometimes referred to as the idea of “Greater Israel.”
Not all Jews believe this in the same way.
But for some groups, this belief is very strong.
This subtly affects politics:
* Land becomes sacred, not negotiable
* Settlements are seen as part of a divine plan
* Giving up territory feels like betraying God’s promise
Now, the conflict is no longer just about borders.
It becomes about faith versus compromise.
Case 3: Russia and the “Third Rome”
Let us move to Russia.
There is an old idea in Russian history called the “Third Rome” belief:
* First Rome fell
* Second Rome (Constantinople) fell
* Moscow is the Third Rome, the last defender of true Christianity
This belief creates a powerful narrative:
Russia is not just a country.
It is a civilizational protector.
In modern times, this idea blends with Nationalism.
It can shape how leaders and people see conflicts:
* Wars are framed as defending civilization
* Opponents are seen as threats to moral order
* Compromise becomes morally difficult
Again, what looks like geopolitics may actually be tied to deep historical beliefs about destiny.
Case 4: Iran and the Return of the Mahdi
In Iran, many follow a branch of Islam called Twelver Shiism.
A key belief here is:
* A hidden leader called the Mahdi will return
* He will bring justice after a period of chaos
This belief is not fringe. It is central to the religious system.
In politics, this can create:
* A sense of long-term struggle
* A willingness to endure hardship
* A belief that history is moving toward a divine conclusion.
This does not mean Iran’s leaders act irrationally.
But it does mean their worldview includes more than just strategy; it includes destiny.
Case 5: Jerusalem - Where All Beliefs Collide
If there is one place where all these beliefs meet, it is Jerusalem.
This city is sacred to:
* Jews
* Muslims
* Christians
And each group connects it to its end-times vision.
For example:
* The Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa is sacred in both Islam and Judaism
* Some believe future events of the “end times” will happen there
So when tensions rise in Jerusalem, it is not just local politics.
It is like touching a global nerve of belief.
That is why even small incidents there can trigger large reactions.
Case 6: A Mirror Closer Home: Manipur
Now, let us come closer to Manipur.
At first glance, our conflicts seem very different.
They are about:
* Land
* Identity
* Security
* Historical grievances
But if we look deeper, we see something similar.
Each community carries its own story of survival and destiny:
* A fear of cultural extinction (revivalist campaigns)
* A belief in historical injustice and the arrival of a new beginning (Nongpok Thong Hangba)
* A sense of rightful ownership over land (ancestral land, Yelhoumee, etc.)
These may not be religious “end-time” beliefs in the strict sense.
But they function in a similar way.
They create:
* Emotional certainty
* Moral rigidity
* Deep suspicion of compromise
In such a situation, even a small incident - a fight in a market, a rumour, a local clash-can escalate into something larger.
Because it connects to a bigger narrative already present in people’s minds.
We have seen this before.
A single spark becomes a community conflict - not because of the event itself, but because of the stories behind it.
The Hidden Mechanism : How Beliefs Influence Politics
Let us simplify how these beliefs actually influence real-world decisions.
1. They make land sacred
If land is part of a divine plan, it cannot be easily negotiated.
2. They create “chosen roles”
People believe they are part of a bigger story.
3. They justify extreme sacrifice
Dying in a war becomes meaningful, even honourable.
4. They make compromise look like betrayal
Peace deals can feel like giving up on destiny.
5. They turn time into a countdown
People start thinking: “The final moment is near.”
A Less Obvious Truth
Here is the deeper insight - the one we often miss.
Modern conflicts are not purely rational.
They are a mix of:
* Economics
* Power politics
* Identity
* And beliefs about the future of humanity itself
When leaders or communities believe they are acting in a cosmic story, their decisions change.
They may take risks others would avoid.
They may reject solutions that seem logical.
Because for them, the issue is not just survival.
It is purpose.
Why This Makes the World More Dangerous
Eschatological thinking can be stabilizing in some cases.
But in conflict situations, it can become risky.
Why? Because it:
* Reduces flexibility
* Encourages absolutism
* Makes conflicts feel final, not temporary
* Turns opponents into “enemies of destiny.”
When two sides both believe they are part of a divine plan, conflict becomes very hard to resolve.
What Should We Watch Going Forward?
Instead of falling into conspiracy theories, we should watch simple signals:
* Are leaders using religious or destiny-based language?
* Are sacred places becoming political flash- points?
* Are conflicts being framed as good vs evil, not negotiation vs compromise?
* Are people being told they are part of a final struggle?
These are signs that eschatology is at work.
Conclusion: Beyond the Obvious
The obvious explanation of world conflicts is:
* Power
* Resources
* Strategy
But beyond the obvious, there is something deeper.
There are stories people tell themselves about how the world will end, and who will shape that ending.
These stories matter.
They influence decisions in ways we do not always see.
And in a world already full of tension, they can push conflicts toward extremes.
Understanding this does not mean we accept it.
But it helps us see the world more clearly.
Because sometimes, the battle is not just for land or power - it is for the future that people believe is already written.