eschatology
Study of endings
Eschatology is the branch of theology concerned with the final events of history—death, judgment, heaven, hell, and the ultimate destiny of humanity.
Christian eschatology focuses on the Second Coming of Christ and the end times; other religions have their own frameworks for how existence concludes.
The term extends beyond religion to any systematic thinking about ultimate endings: The film's eschatology imagines humanity merging with artificial intelligence.
Eschatological beliefs have shaped movements throughout history, from medieval millenarianism to modern apocalyptic cults.
Surprising disclosed truth
- apocalypseTotal civilizational collapse
- visionAbility to see
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
- seerOne who envisions futures
foretelling · signs · portents · harbinger · fulfillment · prophetic · millenarianism · postmillennialism
Prophesied ultimate conflict
- end-timesProphesied concluding era
- raptureOverwhelming ecstatic feeling
- tribulationState of great distress
- cataclysmViolent, large-scale disaster
destruction · annihilation · catastrophe · millennium · antichrist · beast · seals · trumpets
Sky or bliss
- hellUnderworld of suffering
- purgatoryPlace of temporary suffering
- resurrectionRevival from death
- paradiseIdeal, blissful place
nirvana · limbo · underworld · hereafter · afterworld · reincarnation · immortality · eternity
Settlement of accounts
- tribunalJudicial decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
retribution · accountability · punishment · reward · damnation · salvation · atonement · redemption
Predetermined course of events
- providenceDivine protective care
- predestinationDivinely predetermined fate
- predeterminationDecision made in advance
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
Cessation of life
- dyingCeasing to live
- finitudeState of being bounded
- transienceBrevity of existence
- impermanenceQuality of not lasting
cessation · passing · end · inevitability · terminal · deathbed · burial · cremation
revelation
Surprising disclosed truth
- apocalypseTotal civilizational collapse
- visionAbility to see
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
seer · foretelling · signs · portents · harbinger · fulfillment · prophetic · millenarianism · postmillennialism
Armageddon
Prophesied ultimate conflict
- end-timesProphesied concluding era
- raptureOverwhelming ecstatic feeling
- tribulationState of great distress
cataclysm · destruction · annihilation · catastrophe · millennium · antichrist · beast · seals · trumpets · bowls
heaven
Sky or bliss
- hellUnderworld of suffering
- purgatoryPlace of temporary suffering
- resurrectionRevival from death
paradise · nirvana · limbo · underworld · hereafter · afterworld · reincarnation · immortality · eternity · salvation
reckoning
Settlement of accounts
- tribunalJudicial decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
absolution · retribution · accountability · punishment · reward · damnation · salvation · atonement · redemption · penance
fate
Predetermined course of events
- providenceDivine protective care
- predestinationDivinely predetermined fate
- predeterminationDecision made in advance
teleology · consummation · fulfillment · telos · restoration
death
Cessation of life
- dyingCeasing to live
- finitudeState of being bounded
- transienceBrevity of existence
impermanence · cessation · passing · end · inevitability · terminal · deathbed · burial · cremation · funerary
eschatologycosmogony
Study of universal origins
first things · creation narrative · genesis · creation myth · theogony