Eschatology - the part of theology that is concerned with the end times and includes the issues of death, final judgment and future history.Yipe! I do not even want to guess how many theories and ideas are out there when it comes to eschatology. It seems that the more speculative a branch of theology is the more sure people are that their opinions are true. Right now the theories of the end of the world abound from tomorrow to next year (2012) to whenever. There always seems to be some nut on the street corner with a 'the end is near' sign.
However, in theology this is part of the discussion and it also includes doctrines such as heaven, hell and final judgment as well. If it involves the future and the Scriptures, it is eschatology. Just keep your head down when you ask opinions about all of the above.
Time lines abound for the end times and the discussion about final judgment includes such things a purgatory, hell, heaven, the nature of the soul after death. Is the final judgment annihilation or permanent torment by fire. The discussion goes on and on and on.
Here though is the real kicker: nobody but God himself probably knows anything about this and he does not really say much but: "keep you nose clean, do what I tell you and wait till I return". Bottom line this is the only real motivation of even looking at the subject of eschatology: one of expectation, hope and facing the final mystery.
Next: Anthropology
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