In 1850, a Chinese Christian convert Hong Xiuquan proclaimed himself leader of a new dynasty, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He and his followers marched against the ruling Qing dynasty
Christianity with Chinese characteristics
Hong, a disappointed civil service examination candidate influenced by Christian teachings, had a series of visions and believed himself to be the son of God—the younger brother of Jesus Christ—sent to reform China. He soon gained mass support and captured major Chinese cities like Nanjing and Beijing
20 million people lost their lives in the 14-year conflict, one of the bloodiest civil wars ever. Even European soldiers took part in the conflict which ended in a victory for the Qing dynasty
Apocalypse now
How is this relevant now? Eschatology—the study of end days—is a part of Islamic and Christian theology. And there is currently a group called the Islamic State which takes the end days claims seriously. However, some scholars are under the mistaken impression that the IS is not “motivated by this religious twaddle”