Christian theology

==Eschatology==
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[[File:Michelangelo&nbsp;- Cristo Juiz.jpg|thumb|Detail from the [[Last Judgement]] by [[Michelangelo]]]]
{{Main|Christian eschatology}}
[[Eschatology]] (derived from the Greek roots ἔσχατος "last" and λογία "discourse," "study") is the study of the end of things, whether the end of an individual life, the end of the age, or the end of the world. Broadly speaking, it is the study of the destiny of man as revealed in the [[Bible]].

Eschatology is concerned with the [[afterlife]], beginning with [[death]] and the personal [[judgment]] which follows the death of the individual, and which is followed by the destination of [[heaven]] or [[hell]]. (In Catholic theology, heaven is sometimes preceded by [[purgatory]].) Eschatology also concerns itself with events which are said to happen at the end of this age: the [[Second Coming|return of Jesus]], the [[resurrection of the dead]], the [[Rapture]], the [[Tribulation]], and following these things, the Millennium, or thousand years of peace, which has been interpreted both literally and symbolically. Finally, eschatology concerns itself with the [[Eschatology|end of the world]] and its associated events: the [[Last Judgment]]; the banishment of Death, Hades, and Satan and his followers to the Lake of Fire; and the creation of a new heaven and earth. [[Millennarianism|Millenarianists]], [[Millerism|Seventh Day Adventists]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], and other recently founded sects have been influential in the modern development of these doctrines, though their roots are biblical.

Eschatology is an ancient branch of study in Christian theology, with study of the "last things" and the [[Second Coming of Christ]] first touched on by [[Ignatius of Antioch]] ({{circa|35}}–107 AD), then given more consideration by the Christian apologist in Rome, [[St Justin Martyr|Justin Martyr]] ({{circa|100}}–165).<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.academia.edu/36639639 |title=Philippe Bobichon, Millénarisme et orthodoxie dans les écrits de Justin Martyr |journal=In Mélanges Sur la Question Millénariste de l'Antiquité À Nos Jours, Martin Dumont (Dir.) &#91;Bibliothèque d'Étude des Mondes Chrétiens, 11&#93;, Paris, 2018, P. 61-82. |access-date=23 March 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414075605/https://www.academia.edu/36639639/_Mill%C3%A9narisme_et_orthodoxie_dans_les_%C3%A9crits_de_Justin_Martyr_ |url-status=live |last1=Bobichon |first1=Philippe }}</ref> Treatment of eschatology continued in the West in the teachings of the influential theologian of Roman North Africa, [[Tertullian]] ({{circa|160}}–225), and was given fuller reflection and speculation soon after in the East by the master theologian, [[Origen]] ({{circa|185}}–254).<ref>Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson, eds. ''Ante-Nicene Fathers''. (16 vol.) Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1994. The writings of Ignatius and Justin Martyr can be found in Vol. 1; Tertullian, in Volumes 3–4; and Origen, in Volume 4.</ref>

[[Martin Luther]], [[John Calvin]], and other 16th-century reformers wrote long tracts about the End Times, but interest in eschatology dwindled after the Reformation until the late 19th century, when it became popular in the Reformed, Pentecostal, and Evangelical sects. It was increasingly recognized as a formal division of theological study during the 20th century.

The second coming of Christ is the central event in Christian eschatology. Most Christians believe that death and suffering will continue to exist until Christ's return. Others believe that suffering will gradually be eliminated prior to his coming, and that the elimination of injustice is our part in preparing for that event. Needless to say, there are a variety of viewpoints concerning the order and significance of eschatological events.

===Approaches to interpretation===
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* The ''[[Preterism|Preterist]]'' approach (from the Latin ''praeteritus'' "gone by") seeks parallels between ''Revelation'' and the events of the 1st century, such as [[Herod the Great|Herod]]'s attempt to [[Massacre of the Innocents|kill the infant Christ]], the struggle of Christianity to survive the persecutions of Judaism and the [[Roman Empire]], the [[Siege of Jerusalem (AD 70)|fall of Jerusalem]] in 70 AD, the [[Abomination of Desolation|desecration of the temple]] in the same year, and the growth of Christianity from a sect within Judaism to an independent religion.
* The ''[[Historicism (Christian eschatology)|Historicist]]'' method takes a broader historical approach and seeks parallels between ''Revelation'' and the major people and events of history, especially those which have had a direct effect on [[Israel]] and the Church.
* The ''[[Futurism (Christian eschatology)|Futurist]]'' method approaches ''Revelation'' as chiefly referring to events that have not yet come to pass but will take place at the end of this age and at the end of the world. The main focus is the return of Christ. 
* The ''[[Idealism (Christian eschatology)|Idealist]]'' model, also known as ''Spiritualist'' or ''Symbolic'' model, approaches the images of ''Revelation'' as symbols representing larger themes and concepts, rather than actual people and events. It sees in Revelation an allegorical representation of the ongoing struggle of the forces of light and darkness, and the ultimate [[triumph of good over evil]].