Church Words #31: Eschatology – What Does This Mean?

Encore post: Some days, our world can be quite unpleasant. Sickness, pain, suffering, grief and death are often a part of our life. Wars and rumors of wars shout at us from every television, computer and cell phone. One person shooting another, collapse of bridges, decay of our morals and rule of law, tornados, hurricanes, ice storms — everything seems out to get us. So it is no wonder we worry about when it will all end. When and how will our days come to an end? When will the end of the world come? What’s next for all of us?

In theology, this subject is known as Eschatology. The word comes from the Greek word ἔ̣σχατον (Last, final; last things) and means the study of last things. It covers both the last things for you and me (the end of our time) and the last things for the world (the end of all things) Because God is the cause of both end of things, there is much we cannot and will not understand. We should expect this: God is our creator and we are creatures. Although we are redeemed by the blood of Christ, adopted as his children in Holy Baptism, have a New Adam or New Eve living within us, we still struggle with our Old Adam or Eve. So, anything that involves him or describes him will be beyond our understanding. Death, heaven and hell, the Second Coming of Christ — all these things — are filled with such subjects.

So, as we consider such things, there are some things to keep in mind. First, is God knows all this. Second, God does not leave us to figure it all out. He sent his prophets, evangelists and apostles through whom he spoke to us. They recorded these words in Holy Scripture. These words are trustworthy above all things. He tells us in it what we can know about last things. Sometimes these things don’t fit together according to human logic. When truths seem contradictory, we believe both are true, trusting in the God who loves us and gives us both truths to comfort us and lead us to everlasting life.

Rev. Robert E. Smith
Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, Indiana

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