Observed in Latin as apocalypsis, referring to the Greek apokálypsis, interpreted as manifestation or discovery, from the prefix apo-, in the sense of outside or as a distance determiner, based on the Indo-European *apo-, for distancing or from, and the verb kályptein, indicating the action of hiding, making its root in the Indo-European obvious in *kel-, for covering or concealing. In turn, the adjective form apocalyptic can be observed in the Greek apokalyptikós.

Initially seen as a vision or revelation, its appreciation as the end of humanity comes in the mid 19th century, based on the writings of St. John of Patmos, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, and whose work completes the New Testament, under the precise title of Revelation, to which it is commonly referred to as Revelations, dating back to between the first and second centuries, sentencing the Final Judgment.