well, not really new. Fear has always been a key element of any religion. But now many abondoned god but put the pure being-afraid-of-the-future in place. Now one might have no hope of being raised again but a great choice of dangers to be afraid of. The climate change, terrorists, my neighbor – everything is worth of spending some sorrows on it.
Some use this fear smart as it enables some to control others. Preach security and protection and one is on the safe side. Promise hope and many will listen.
Of coures: NOBODY can see the future. Not the best experts are able to predict how everything will be. We are not even able to predict what tomorrow will bring. The present is already far to complex to be sure of the next thing, the future is beyond all knowledge. People who pretend that they know the future are not better than the ones who pretend that they have a direct line to god.
It is the present one needs to be afraid of. It is the present one can interact with. It is the present that prepares the future which will become true as it happens.