Fr. Robert Barron offers a short primer on the meaning of "apocalypse":
It is a topic, of course, of some interest to me, and there are several sections in my book, Will Catholics Be "Left Behind"? A Catholic Critique of the Rapture and Today’s Prophecy Preachers (Ignatius Press, 2003), which address many of the historical, theological, and biblical issues related to "apocalypse," including an entire chapter—"A Book of Confusion or Revelation"? (pp. 69-112)—on The Apocalypse. Also see:
It is a topic, of course, of some interest to me, and there are several sections in my book, Will Catholics Be "Left Behind"? A Catholic Critique of the Rapture and Today’s Prophecy Preachers (Ignatius Press, 2003), which address many of the historical, theological, and biblical issues related to "apocalypse," including an entire chapter—"A Book of Confusion or Revelation"? (pp. 69-112)—on The Apocalypse. Also see:

On the first of February, a vacation to warm, tropical Apokalupsis sure does sound inviting! :-)
Posted by: Howard | Monday, February 01, 2010 at 06:50 AM
He makes a great point; don't panic.
How many Christians talk about end-times incessantly to the point that they almost experience what Jesus talked about, men dying of fright. That is one good reason why we don't know nor are we supposed to know the day or the hour.
And we as Christians have even greater reason not to panic, because revelation does let us know not exactly when but how it all comes out. Christ wins. His kingdom conquers. The Apocalypse of John or perhaps the entire Bible should have a "spoiler alert" on the front. It contains the ultimate "spoiler" of all time; it gives away the ending of the world.
Posted by: LJ | Monday, February 01, 2010 at 11:02 PM