Apocalypse vs. Cataclysm — What's the Difference?

An apocalypse (Ancient Greek: ἀποκάλυψις apokálypsis, from of/from: ἀπό and cover: κάλυψις, literally meaning "from cover") is a disclosure or revelation of great knowledge. In religious concepts an apocalypse usually discloses something very important that was hidden or provides what Bart Ehrman has termed, "A vision of heavenly secrets that can make sense of earthly realities".

A violent upheaval that causes great destruction or brings about a fundamental change.

Apocalypse Abbr. Apoc.(Bible) The Book of Revelation.

A violent and sudden change in the earth's crust.

Any of a number of anonymous Jewish or Christian texts from around the second century BC to the second century AD containing prophetic or symbolic visions, especially of the imminent destruction of the world and the salvation of the righteous.

A devastating flood.

The end of the world, especially as described in one of these texts.

A sudden, violent event.

A great catastrophe that results in widespread destruction or the collapse of civilization

(geology) A sudden and violent change in the earth's crust.

A prophetic disclosure; a revelation.

A great flood.

A revelation, especially of supernatural events.

An extensive overflow or sweeping flood of water; a deluge.

(Christianity) The unveiling of events prophesied in the Revelation; the second coming and the end of life on Earth; global destruction.

Any violent catastrophe, involving sudden and extensive changes of the earth's surface.

(Christianity) The Book of Revelation.

A sudden violent change in the earth's surface

A disaster; a cataclysmic event; destruction or ruin.

An event resulting in great loss and misfortune;

One of a numerous class of writings proceeding from Jewish authors between 250 b. c. and 150 a. d., and designed to propagate the Jewish faith or to cheer the hearts of the Jewish people with the promise of deliverance and glory; or proceeding from Christian authors of the opening centuries and designed to portray the future.

Specifically, the revelation delivered to St. John, in the isle of Patmos, near the close of the first century, forming the last book of the New Testament (called Revelation or the Apocalypse).

Anything viewed as a revelation, especially one that is highly significant for the person receiving it; a disclosure. Often used of a realization or revelation that changes a person's goals or style of life.

The final battle between good and evil, as foreseen in Saint John's Apocalypse; the time when God conquers the powers of evil, attended by cataclysmic cosmic events, and sometimes thought of as the end of the world; an Armageddon.

A cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil

The last book of the New Testament; contains visionary descriptions of heaven and of conflicts between good and evil and of the end of the world; attributed to Saint John the apostle