As I’m sure you’ve probably heard by now, the world is ending tomorrow. Actually according to the pamphlet I was handed the other day by the marching crowd in midtown Manhattan, the real end of the world will happen in five months on October 21. Tomorrow is simply the date of the Rapture when Jesus Christ is scheduled to return, take the true believers off to Heaven and then kick off the apocalyptic festivities with a massive earthquake that will eventually take out the rest of the sinners by Halloween. Which is too bad because I was thinking about going on vacation this summer. At least the beaches won’t be crowded. (And yes, it’s pretty much guaranteed that I won’t be one of Jesus’ draft picks.)

Now I’m not one to criticize someone’s religious beliefs, but it’s not the first time someone’s predicted the end of the world (2012 anyone?) and last I checked we’re still here. And it’s a good thing too because I think we would all feel pretty dumb if we had been working in an industry that’s all about planning for possible disasters and we failed to account for the biggest risk of all. At the very least, I’m sure we could have put those insurance premiums to better use.

Even the insurers could have profited, according to a post I wish I wrote by Laura Mazzuca Toops over at PropertyCasualty360.com. As she wisely pointed out:

If you think the Japan earthquake and Mississippi flooding presented problems with the manufacturing supply chain, consider the business implications of some 2 billion people worldwide just up and disappearing one day–whether by Rapture, alien abduction or just going on a short visit to see Elvis, Jim Morrison and Tupak. If this isn’t an opportunity to market business interruption coverage, I don’t know what is.

Also:

Property-casualty coverage should be selling like hotcakes, considering the accidents and other disasters that will inevitably happen when the Chosen are snatched from behind the wheel (and the “act of God” exclusion could let insurers off the hook for many of the sure-to-be massive claims).

The End of Days has also brought out the entrepreneurial spirit in some enterprising individuals. For a fee, one company will take care of your pets after you’ve been “raptured” while another will send previously written emails from you to your heathen loved ones who are left behind after you’ve been saved. After all, just because the world’s ending doesn’t mean you can’t make a buck before you go.

So hopefully, when tomorrow rolls around, you’re one of the lucky ones. If not, I suggest you kick back, relax with the cold beverage of your choice and maybe you’ll get to watch some amazing fireworks.

Personally, I think we’re in the clear, but you never know. Either way, I’ve got my soundtrack, courtesy of Medeski Martin & Wood. See you next week?