The Apocalypse of Human Evolution
The Future of Humanity Through the Lens of Anthroposophy, Terrence Howard as Divine Messenger, and the Emergence of AI
Modern humans have a glorified Hollywood version of the Apocalypse, a scenario involving societal chaos via alien invasion, zombie infection, mega volcano eruption, or earth-shattering asteroid. Some random and major event rears its ugly head unexpectedly with great urgency with a 24-hour window to solve the crisis. An unlikely hero emerges to save humanity from their demise. These stories fool us into believing that this is what the end looks like, while we fail to see that the real Apocalypse has been sitting at our doorstep since the dawn of time.
The real Apocalypse is the evolution of the human spirit that takes place over millennia. Our actions as a society determine its outcome. We are currently sitting at a precipice of discovery and transforming what it means to be human. This is the age of the Consciousness Soul. We have developed our intellectual faculties to the point where the average person has access to an abundance of information and we are connected to more individuals than ever before. We can argue that information can be corrupt and social media has created echo chambers, but these are obstacles to overcome and inevitable hinderances to our evolution due to a misuse of technology. It is not a finite reality that we are beholden to exist within.
We begin to understand the complexities of the Apocalypse when we practice the art of observing nuances in the collective consciousness, such as how individuals react to new and profound information that challenges conventional attitudes and beliefs. An example is the recent reaction, or rather feedback, that we have witnessed following Terrence Howard’s appearance on Joe Rogan. In my collective observations online, I noticed a great deal of individuals championing Howard’s efforts and praising his bold stance on his understanding of Christ and the cosmos. Others continued to adhere to convention and the status quo, holding steadfast to the proven methods of individuals that have laid the groundwork and developed the doctrine of finite scientific facts, a formula that has served our interests for the last five centuries. But in the grand scheme of our long and accepted version of history, the scientific methods we currently employ are newly evolved concepts if compared to the astrological knowledge of those in ancient Egypt or the verbal storytelling of various indigenous tribes throughout the world. Even with the later two examples, we have interpreted these historical narratives from our limited and conventional perceptions, adhering to “the science”, perhaps with the interference of a watchful propaganda machine that has also existed for millennia.
The Apocalypse is flowering directly in front of our eyes, but its nuances are seen through a spiritual lens that is beyond our senses. If we listen closely, we notice the power of a single message illustrating this reality:
Terrence Howard
“Are you familiar with Khalil Gibran?”
Joe Rogan
Yes.
Terrence Howard
“He wrote a book. He wrote The Prophet in 1923, but he wrote another book called Sand and Foam. In that book, he told a story of a man who had been away from his family for four months, working, and he was excited to come home. And as he was coming home, he knew that the mountain, when he saw the mountain, that he would be able. He was close to home. So, his five senses started having a conversation. And his eyes say, I see a mountain, I see a mountain, I see a mountain. And so, the ears perked out and said, I don’t hear a mountain. The nose sniffed and said, I don’t smell a mountain. The tongue tasted the air, I don’t taste a mountain. And the other four senses started speaking among themselves, and they came to the conclusion that there must be something the matter with the eye because they couldn’t perceive it. But all of these things, we’ve been misled just because we’ve been fooled by our senses. Our eyes see 0.05% of the entire electromagnetic wave. We’re blind cosmically, but we judge everything by what we see. And they’ve done that with science for so many years.” (The Joe Rogan Experience, 2024, ep. 2152)
Charles Kovacs was an Austrian Edinburgh-based Waldorf school teacher and author who wrote The Apocalypse in Rudolf Steiner’s Lecture Series (Kovacs, 2013) which lays out the seven seals of the Apocalypse according to Rudolf Steiner and provides a detailed description of their spiritual significance in humanity’s evolution. As I have discovered in my fifteen years of Anthroposophical study, Rudolf Steiner’s lectures illustrate, with extraordinary insight, the current and historical events as they have materialized at a societal level. Steiner was a seer who understood with an intuitive energy the whole of our existence and our evolution through the ages from a spiritual, physical, and linguistic understanding. It amazes me how no one outside of Anthroposophical circles mention his name but it’s no surprise that his character has been questioned by those who wish to bury his ideas or those who find it difficult to comprehend his philosophy. In the same breath, I hear pieces of Anthroposophy repeated by many, whether they are aware of Rudolf Steiner’s existence or not. Despite being dismissed or forgotten as a notable historical personality in our current society, his spiritual science permeates our collective consciousness. Ironically, this might be exactly what he intended.
Steiner believed that the future would be inherited by those who shed the “I”, in turn developing as guides for humanity without the hubris of status and title that would assume their authority without merit. This weeds out the charlatans and the narcissists. Even in Terrence Howard’s case, his influence on humanity is not that of a well-known actor, but as an unassuming messenger and spiritual “Rosicrucian” initiate whose insight is beyond his publicly perceived title and status. It removes the preconceived notions that one might have in the projection of personality by throwing a glitch in the matrix.
Steiner’s lectures on the Apocalypse unpack the Book of Revelation and its influence on humanity from a spiritual scientific perspective. The seven seals of the Apocalypse coincide with Steiner’s belief that human life passes through seven evolutions throughout the course of time. A death and rebirth, or resurrection until man’s final ascent uniting earth with the cosmos — what is known as the Trinity or the Christ.
Whether we notice or not, human beings are on a path to spiritual initiation. If we look at even the past ten to twenty years, we see an increase in the development of our soul life with an emphasis on mastering our thoughts, emotions, and hedonistic impulses. Our growing interest in life coaching and mentors, and our impulse, particularly in the Western World, towards exploring religious and meditative practices facilitates this journey. These are not random, isolated individual and group interests. They are forces beyond our recognition that are driving our collective consciousness in this direction.
The process of self-realization guides us through the development of what Steiner calls “sense-free thinking” that leads us to realize our true potential, freeing us from our physical form to make way for spiritual development, creating a clairvoyant and altruistic society to ensure our ultimate union with the cosmos.
We must be mindful of how we orchestrate our collective will. There are forces that threaten this journey by the misuse of technology that could render us obsolete creating a spiritually dead and Borg-like planet. We are here for a reason. We must not devalue our purpose and our divinity.
Steiner’s Apocalypse lecture series was given in Nuremburg in June of 1908, a fitting venue that echoes the spiritual war we are facing in the name of individual freedom versus an increasing surveillance state, together with the events of the last four years that have left us questioning the narrative and the underlying corruption that continues to reveal itself.
Apocalyptic Symbolism: The Four Beasts
Steiner outlines four group souls referenced in The Book of Revelation as “beasts” — Lion, Eagle, Bull, and Man. These four spiritual forces guide humanity to their divine right of passage: the first three signifying a carnal spirit and physical embodiment of nations. These three opposing forces represent the international spiritual impulses that drive our geopolitics, culture, and systems of belief. The Eagle represents the West — an emphasis placed on individuality and personal property. The Bull represents the East — an impulse towards groupthink and collective efforts. The Lion represents Europe or the international center — where the forces of power and position reign culturally. The later often being the center of societal unrest and heightened conflict between nation states as we witness in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa. The fourth spiritual force and unifying soul of Man is realized when the opposing forces reconcile their differences through faith in a higher spiritual communion. Once we understand that we are all seeking the same peace from different perspectives, we will understand the solution.
It is important when exploring Anthroposophy that we look beyond our limited perceptions that have formed our societal outlook. This is a calling to heal out wounds and seek connection to our fellow human beings through understanding and forgiveness. We must also see that to understand, debate and the free will of discussion that originates within our hearts is an integral part of gaining knowledge without preconceived notions or judgements. Cancel culture and censorship hinder our path to spiritual development. We cannot come to a place of forgiveness if our knowledge of another’s experience is limited or taken only from a single perspective. We must learn to listen and weigh the options instead of holding steadfast to our static opinions.
Historical Messages: Seven Epochs of The Collective Consciousness
Steiner outlines seven post-Atlantean epochs that represent spiritual ages that deliver messages to the collective consciousness through time. In the Book of Revelation, they are represented as the seven churches. Each epoch contains a message that forms the evolution of man. They are as follows:
1. Ephesus or Ancient Indian Epoch (7227–5067 BC): This epoch emphasizes our striving for spiritual ascension yet with a dismissal of our connection to the earth body which is necessary for our grounding or foundation on which to rise.
2. Smyrna or Persian Epoch (5067–2907 BC): This epoch signifies our integration with the physical plane of the earth, when agriculture and farming are introduced. Humans begin to utilize the planet for its resources and their spiritual forces hone in on the material world, ownership and possession. There is a spiritual deviation in the middle east and central Asia that should be observed during this epoch, see The Opposition of Iran and Turan.
3. Pergamum or Babylonian/Egyptian Epoch (2907–747 BC): The discovery of astronomy and our connection to the cosmos. This was a significant change in the collective consciousness as humans began to orient themselves with the earth’s movements. It also signifies the discovery of manipulation, also known as magic or alchemy. On one hand this revelation in human consciousness contributed to human progress but on the other hand, when misused, it destroys through an Ahrimanic impulse or evil acts.
4. Thyatira or Greco-Roman Epoch (747 BC — 1413 AD): This epoch signifies the discovery of intellectual thought and a spiritual descent from the cosmos. The collective consciousness begins to focus on the accumulation of knowledge through the five senses and the forming of ideas brought forth through logical thinking. This is the early beginnings of philosophical thought and the development of scientific formulas. It marks a major turning point in human evolution and the beginning of individualism, group identity, and as a result societal discourse.
5. Sardis or Anglo-German Epoch (1413–3573 AD): This epoch signifies the emergence of the consciousness soul (the development of abstract concepts) and a conflict between individualism and community, hence the rise of extreme polarizations in capitalism and communism. We currently sit in the middle of this epoch. This is the age of technological development and an emphasis on materialism that distracts us from the proper application of our discoveries. Like infants, we are learning to speak the language of our divinity, but we are in the stage of babble. The innate tone of the human heart is the key to our harmonization, a finely tuned symphony. We are essentially stuck in an industrialized thought process that no longer serves our ascension. This antiquated thought process is contributing to our perpetual enslavement. We must look beyond what has worked in the past and embrace a new paradigm. We must develop a spiritualized version of our outer reality and learn the language of our hearts through true communion, away from the forced ideals of communistic thinking and the selfish desires of capitalistic venture. This is how we harmonize human life and heal the division. It is in creative thought and free will that we will ascend, uniting our spiritual life with our living experience. German philosopher Goethe termed this the “Ur-Phenomenon”.
Author Charles Kovacs illuminates: “The particular virtue of the consciousness soul is objectivity, the ability to look upon facts without personal bias. It is the feature that has made the progress of modern science possible. If this objectivity is limited to the physical world, it can only lead to a cold, inhumane attitude, which the Apocalypse regards as a kind of death. But if the soul can raise itself to the world of spirit, free of subjective, personal inclinations, prejudices, and assumptions, then objectivity opens the soul to the light of the spirit.” (Kovacs, 2013, pg. 32)
6. Philadelphia or Slavic Epoch (3573–5733 AD): This epoch signifies the unity of individuality and community. This is also the stage in which humans live in harmony with the grounding forces of the earth and the divine forces of the cosmos — earth and spirit. You can view this spirit in da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, illustrating man’s harmony with heaven and earth.
7. Laodicea or American Epoch (5733–7893 AD): This epoch marks the end of human development in the collective consciousness and invites a spiritual entity that places emphasis on ego and competition, perhaps due to the intervention of technology and human exploration of space and our contact with extra terrestrial beings at various stages of evolution as depicted in the fictional series Star Trek. The prediction is made that there will be conflict and upheaval with a small sect of harmonious individuals making a new start perhaps on another planet and/or solar system. But this is conjecture as it is difficult to envision correctly from a 21st century perspective.
Human beings must contend with evil to realize their divine nature. Adversity and conflict are inevitable forces that facilitate our rebirth. The conflict and societal unrest that we see today reflects the juxtaposition of these spiritual forces fighting for our energy. As one pushes the other pulls, back and forth. We must transform our sloppy spiritual sparring into a smooth choreographed dance. When we master the rhythm of our nature we learn the language of our divinity.
The Four Horsemen
Each epoch coincides with The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the horse being the symbol of human intelligence as it evolves through the ages. The first horse represents the physically focused first epoch in which humans are preoccupied with survival (digestion) and procreation, systems regulated by the moon, hence the white silvery color of the horse. The second horse is red and signifies the rhythmic system directly related to blood circulation and breathing. The second epoch unites humans with the organic forces of nature and a newly developed intelligence. The third horse turns towards the sense-world, abandoning the development of spirit which falls into the darkness, hence the black horse. The fourth horse is pale signifying a dead or latent intelligence that is preoccupied with only that which is perceived through the five senses — objects and things.
The fifth epoch is without a symbolic horse, which symbolizes the guidance of a higher force. In the fifth epoch humans enter the consciousness soul that begins with the development of intellect through education but falls into the evil hands of industrialization, automation, and propaganda. It takes on an inhuman form that leaves the human element out of the equation or views the whole of humanity as abstracted cogs in a machine or a commodity to be bought and sold at whim. Through this system, humans are essentially viewed as “useless eaters” (sound familiar?) if we do not demonstrate value from an industrial standpoint. This is the spirit of the antichrist. The age in which we find ourselves. With the emergence of artificial intelligence, the urgency to preserve our humanity and realize our divinity is critical to our survival. An awakening is on the horizon, but the antichrist has infiltrated every facet of our society.
“Find the peace of God in you and show it, shine through it, push it and take up your stake take up your stake and be the Messiah…,” a wise message given to us by Terrence Howard. (The Joe Rogan Experience, 2024, ep. 2152)
Our awakening happens and the antichrist fails when we speak our truth in communion with our divine spirit. We must speak from our hearts for the betterment of humanity, or we become enslaved in darkness.
The Gesture
Steiner illustrates that all life moves with a gesture to signal a prayer or asking the divine to awaken the forces of consciousness. He uses a flower as an example and how it gestures towards the sky and opens to receive the sun. He breaks this down into four stages or evolutionary forces: first the form, second the energy that embodies the form, third the gestures that guide the form, fourth the living being or spirit that lives within the form, i.e. the human self. The human self is also known as “the gap”, but it is not a void, it is the soul spirit or divine being created by three evolutionary phases. This process also describes the process of human evolution — form, life, consciousness or what Christians call the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three forces make up the Trinity.
Terrence Howard explains the similarities between plants and humans: “I have a picture showing hemoglobin and chlorophyll, and you’re going to notice that the hemoglobin has the same exact combination of carbon and hydrogen that we have. The only difference they have is the center of theirs is magnesium, and the center of ours is iron. That’s the only difference. You put a cephalopod up there, it would be copper. The same interaction of chem. So where does consciousness occur?” (The Joe Rogan Experience, 2024, ep. 2152)
Steiner explains, as we are well-aware, that humans breathe in oxygen, a life-giving force, and breathe our carbon dioxide, a life-destroying force. Paradoxically, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, that which we breathe in. This process of photosynthesis is possible through a plant’s exposure to the sun. Steiner claims that in the future as human’s evolve and learn to harness the energy of the sun, that we will be able to break up our own carbon dioxide and release oxygen through conscious effort. Perhaps this answers Howard’s question? If so, this means that humans could learn to harness the full power of their divine spirit, also referred to as the Holy Grail.
The key to our divine development is uniting knowledge with lived experience. We must embody that of which we know fully. Knowledge is a corpse unless it is infused into our lived experience, demonstrated in our actions, permeating our spirit. “To be or not to be, that is the question.” (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
We have a great responsibility in our midst to learn to harness the energy of the divine spirit so that we can control our destiny. When we absolve ourselves of this responsibly, we leave it in the hands of wayward spirits.
The Sacrificial Lamb
The lamb signifies the vessel into which we pour our sins. Sins are comprised of action and reaction. They result in karma or consequence for our actions. We cannot absolve ourselves of this karma without actions that contribute to a divine purpose. Through our evolution, humans became separate as described in the fourth and fifth epochs. This was necessary for our development of self and the consciousness soul but has now created great discourse and division leading to conflict and violence. This separation is referred to as the Original Sin. The Sacrificial Lamb symbolizes our sacrifice to the responsibility of human life. This will unite us in the form of agape or universal love, or a fully developed empathy. It is both the task of individuals and communities, commitment to community being the foundation of this sacrifice. The use of intellect devoid of divine spirit is intrinsically evil. Humans must use their intellect for the greater good and sacrifice the internal ego, which is the antichrist.
Magic
Magic is the process of manipulation, which can be use for good or evil. When we move our bodies, we use magic as we manipulate our limbs for movement. We also use magic when we manipulate natural resources, and this can mean prosperity or destruction depending on how we utilize these forces. Words are also magic as we weave words together to communicate. Words can also be used to manipulate the public through rhetoric and propaganda. Writers and poets use magic to tell stories and convey ideas. Steiner outlines four forces of magic:
1. Fire — the magic we use to manipulate our resources on the physical plane.
2. Water — the magic we use to manipulate our human form — movement, digestion, energy.
3. Air — the magic we use to manipulate words.
4. Earth — the magic that is necessary to master the complexities of the human body — emotional, spiritual, and physical health and well-being. This is what was referred to earlier as the Holy Grail.
We must be aware that magic is used for evil means and seeks to destroy human life or manipulate it for personal gain, albeit temporary in its nature. This is why we must be cautious of the use of technology and artificial intelligence as it threatens our existence. It carries within it the antichrist, and some might say it is the embodiment of the antichrist as its intelligence is inhuman. We must preserve the divinity of human life by using technology with community in mind.
The Sacrifice of the Self
We live in an age when the idea of sacrificing oneself is a preposterous idea. We believe we are having to give up something to appease someone else or a group of individuals, giving away our freedom, but what we are being called upon to sacrifice are the things that hold us back emotionally, physically, and spiritually. These desires, impulses, and addictions that rule the human psyche are dark entities that serve only to fill a spiritually undeveloped self. They are feeble in nature and will fall away to reveal a still unhealed soul, feeding an unending cycle. The path to initiation is to know oneself, practice self-discipline, and bear responsibility to transform one’s impulses and desires, so that their true nature is awakened — a need for love, community, belonging, health, and purpose. These are the desires that all humans seek to fulfill.
Michael and The Dragon
The archangel Michael is the symbol of the human form imbued with divine spirit. The image of Michael is depicted holding down a dragon, which symbolizes human intellect. This is a visionary sign that we must be disciplined in how we use our intelligence as to not unleash the dark forces of its nature. In the context of the emergence of AI, we must understand the complexities of our nature and use technology responsibly for the greater good of humanity, not for selfish, opportunistic means.
With self knowing comes a finely tuned intuition and a final unity of body and spirit. The human heart being the physical manifestation of the unifying force. This is where human strength lives.
Personality vs Individuality
In the future, personality will no longer serve the human being. The masked ego that humans wear will fall away to make way for the pure individual who contributes to the collective consciousness as a divine messenger. We already experience this phenomenon when we listen to a podcast, a portal for the exchange of ideas and human connection. This form of communication has emerged by divine human intervention in response to the Ahrimanic entities that monopolize the information age. The next step in our evolution is to recreate physical community outside of the inhuman influences of the digital matrix.
The future is up to us. We are the creators.
“The Reason”
I could not understand the war
Until I understood the fight
I could not understand boundaries
Until I understood their fragility
I could not understand God
Until I understood love
I could not understand freedom
Until it was taken away
Understand this!
Rise up to the light
Or we will all fall blindly into the darkness
- The Rainy Day Poet
S. Angell is a published poet, writer, philosopher, and video blogger. She explores various topics, including love, life, death, history, and society from a philosophical perspective. You can find her on Instagram @rainydaypoetess
