Nietzsche uses analogy of Heraclitus

Heraclitus was a mythical greek figure who was punished to role a rock up a hill that always rolled back down for eternity. Nietzshe uses this analogy with religion, because he believed that religion was futile. Nietzshe states that "[man] gives rise to an interest, a tension, a hope, almost a certainty, as if with him something were anouncing and preparing itself..."(85). Nietzsche believes that man prepares himself during this life to gain eternal life. He mentions the Heraclitus analogy to imply that this effort is futile. Nietzshe does this because he was an athleist and because he was against all religion.