Eschatology is the study of the end times and final destiny of humanity. The word comes from the Greek eschatos, meaning last. It is the study of last things. Death. Judgment. Heaven. Hell. The return of Christ. The resurrection. The new creation. Eschatology is the doctrine of the future. It is also the doctrine of the present. It shapes how we live now. It gives hope. It gives urgency. It gives perspective.

Eschatology is controversial. Christians disagree about the millennium. Premillennialism. Postmillennialism. Amillennialism. They disagree about the rapture. Pre-tribulation. Mid-tribulation. Post-tribulation. They disagree about the timing of Christ's return. They agree on the fact. Christ will return. The dead will be raised. The judgment will happen. The kingdom will come. The new heaven and new earth will be created. God will dwell with his people. He will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death. No more mourning. No more crying. No more pain. That is the hope. That is the promise. That is the end.

Eschatological themes

• Second coming: Christ will return.
• Resurrection: the dead will be raised.
• Judgment: all will stand before God.
• Heaven: eternal life with God.
• Hell: eternal separation from God.
• New creation: new heaven and new earth.

Eschatology is not just about the future. It is about the present. It tells us that history is going somewhere. It tells us that evil will not win. It tells us that God is in control. It tells us that our labor is not in vain. It tells us to be ready. It tells us to be faithful. It tells us to hope. The end is not the end. The end is the beginning. The beginning of the world to come. The beginning of eternal joy. The beginning of the presence of God. That is eschatology. That is the last thing. That is the first thing. That is the goal. That is the hope. That is the end.