Eschatology

Introduction

Eschatology is a branch of theology concerning the final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity. This concept is commonly referred to as the "end of the world" or "end times". The word arises from the Greek ἔσχατος eschatos meaning "last" and -logy meaning "the study of", and first appeared in English around 1844.

Etymology and Usage

The term "eschatology" comes from two Greek words meaning "last" (ἔσχατος) and "study" (-λογία), and it is the study of 'end things', whether the end of an individual life, the end of the age, the end of the world or the nature of the Kingdom of God. Historically, it has been used to refer to the biblical study of the destiny of the world and mankind, and includes such topics as life after death, the end of the world, the last judgment, the promise of the coming kingdom of God, and the ultimate purpose of the world.

In World Religions

Christianity

Christian eschatology, a major branch of study within Christian theology, deals with "last things". Topics include death and the afterlife, Heaven and Hell, the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the rapture, the tribulation, millennialism, the end of the world, the last judgment, and the new heaven and new earth in the Book of Revelation.

Islam

In Islam, eschatology is often referred to as the branch of Islamic theology that studies Yawm al-Qiyāmah (the Day of Resurrection) or Yawm ad-Dīn (the Day of Judgment). This is believed to be the final assessment of humanity by Allah, with annihilation of all life, resurrection, and judgment.

Judaism

In Judaism, eschatology is the area of theology and philosophy concerned with events that will happen in the end of days and related concepts, such as the Messianic Age and the resurrection of the dead.

Hinduism

Hindu eschatology is linked in the Vaishnavite tradition to the figure of Kalki, or the tenth and last avatar of Vishnu or Shiva named Kalki, who will come on a white horse to end the current Kali Yuga.

Buddhism

Buddhist eschatology, within the traditional Buddhist scriptures, relates to the degeneration of the Dharma over time, the arrival of Maitreya Buddha, and the ultimate destruction of the world system.

Modern Eschatology and Apocalypticism

Modern eschatology and apocalypticism, both religious and secular, involve the violent disruption or destruction of the world; whereas Christian and Jewish eschatologies view the end times as the consummation or perfection of God's creation of the world, often[citation needed] the end of this age is viewed as a time of retribution and judgment.