Apocalypse pays. Remember all the idiots spending huge amounts of $ for generators and food and other supplies prior to year 2000? Unscrupulous shysters know that pushing Armageddon gets people to lose their rationality and open their wallets. It’s a very effective control mechanism.
Just remember this when you're in the dark eating the family dog. I'll have my rations and electricity. We were taught in the Girl Scouts to "Be prepared".