I see this as an extended metaphor for
The Fall of Man
An extravaganza drenched in blood and flames
For surely humanity is on that path again
With Islamic Terrorists wanting to use WMDs
To power a time machine surrounded by promised virgins
That will never appear
Throwing the world back a thousand years

Then there are fanatical Evangelicals
Wanting the Jewish state to rebuild the temple
Bringing on Armageddon
Believing this destruction of most life on earth
Ending civilization as we know it
Will send the worthy to a better place
Maybe they are right—
Maybe oblivion is a better place "for them"

However, the "survivors" will be stuck in reality
Struggling to claw back to the top
Taking another thousand years—maybe

What we don't know
Is the crazy ones will be there too
Doing it all over again