For example, during his first term as U.S. president, Ronald Reagan spoke of “Armageddon,” saying: “I find myself wondering if​—if we’re the generation that is going to see that come about.” Afterward, however, he downplayed the matter, insisting that he never said that “we must plan according to Armageddon.”

Even Ronald Reagan was moved to comment: “I don’t know if you’ve noted any of those prophecies lately, but, believe me, they certainly describe the times we’re going through.”