The Time of the End: Millenarian Beliefs in UlsterThe onset of the third millennium has stimulated worldwide interest in all theories connected with the end of time, and resulted in a wave of apocalyptic speculation. Here the history of millenarian ideas in the north-east of Ireland is traced. The events of 1641 and 1798, as well as more recent periods of disturbance, have all been interpreted as signs of the imminence of the last days. On each occasion biblical analysis and popular fears have merged in a reading of contemporary struggles as part of a more universal confrontation between good and evil. Millenarian ideas have proved powerful enough to inspire and sustain the vulnerable, and sufficiently adaptable to survive repeated miscalculations and the bad press of violent extremists. |
Common terms and phrases
amongst anti-Catholicism Antichrist apocalyptic speculation Belfast Telegraph belief biblical prophecies Catholic Catholicism Christ Christian Examiner CHRISTOPHER HILL Church County Down Belfast DAMIAN THOMPSON David Hempton Dublin earth eighteenth century eschatology evangelical Evangelical Protestantism events of 1641 example Experience Belfast faith Famine fears have merged Gillespie and Myrtle God's Gortin Hempton Hempton and Myrtle Hill and Vivienne history of millenarian Ian Paisley imminent include Myrtle Hill Ireland is traced Kingdom Linen Hall Library Lord Messiah millenarian ideas millennial ideology Millennium Myrtle Hill eds north-east of Ireland Northern Ireland occasion biblical analysis Oxford Paisley particularly PATRICK O'FARRELL preached preacher press of violent prophetic Protestant Protestantism Protestantism in Ulster Queen's University Belfast Quoted Radicals Raymond Gillespie reading of contemporary Rebellion in County Revelation Second Coming sects sermons STEVE BRUCE survive repeated miscalculations sustain the vulnerable Synod of Ulster theological tradition Ulster United Irishmen universal confrontation University Press violent extremists Vivienne Pollock widely on Irish