I still say it's Boy who Cried Wolf. We keep hearing about the Apocalypse, and nothing happens... sooner or later something is going to happen, inevitably. By then, we'll have been trough so many false alarms we won't believe it and we won't be prepared. Do I think that 2012 is the end? Not really... but then again, with some of the leaders in this world, there is a reasonable hint of fear.
I think the point is to always be aware that it could happen. It's not so much a "fear" thing as an understanding that I could die tonight - and am I ready for that (spiritually)? And if I don't die, that's fine, because I'm set for when I do. This is where faith comes in. Please indulge me a minute as I quote a song by Ray Hildebrand:
"If I live, well praise the Lord.
If I die, well praise the Lord.
If I live or die, my only cry will be
Jesus in me, praise the Lord."
As you said, there's a fear that no one will believe it when we're REALLY up against the end. The tragedy of that would be people dying without being ready spiritually. So I agree that it's good to be a little concerned about the end- but not to stop there. To examine your heart & life & relationships and make peace with the fact that one day, it's going to happen, and am I ready?