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==Origin==
[[Greek]] ''eschatos'' last, farthest
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1844]
==Definitions==
*1: a branch of [[theology]] concerned with the final events in the [[history]] of the world or of [[humankind]]
*2: a [[belief]] concerning [[death]], the end of the world, or the ultimate [[destiny]] of humankind; specifically : any of various Christian [[doctrines]] concerning the [[Second Coming]], the [[resurrection]] of the dead, or the Last Judgment
==Description==
'''Eschatology''' is a part of theology concerned with what are believed to be 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 time".
The word arises from the Greek ἔσχατος/ἐσχάτη/ἔσχατον, ''eschatos''/''eschatē''/''eschaton'' meaning "last" and -logy meaning "the [[study]] of", first used in English around 1550. The [[Oxford English Dictionary]] defines eschatology as "The department of theological [[science]] concerned with ‘the four last things: [[death]], [[judgment]], [[heaven]] and [[hell]]’."
In the [[context]] of [[mysticism]], the phrase refers [[metaphorically]] to the end of ordinary [[reality]] and reunion with the [[Divine]]. In many religions it is taught as an existing [[future]] event prophesied in sacred texts or folklore. More broadly, eschatology may encompass related concepts such as the [[Messiah]] or Messianic Age, the end time, and the end of days.
[[History]] is often divided into "ages" (Gk. [[aeons]]), which are time periods each with certain commonalities. One age comes to an end and a [[new age]], where different realities are present, begins. When such [[transitions]] from one age to another are the subject of eschatological [[discussion]], the phrase, "end of the world", is replaced by "end of the age", "end of an era", or "end of life as we know it". Much [[apocalyptic]] [[fiction]] does not deal with the "end of time" but rather with the end of a certain period of time, the end of life as it is now, and the beginning of a new period of time. It is usually a [[crisis]] that brings an end to current reality and ushers in a new way of living, [[thinking]], or being. This crisis may take the form of the [[intervention]] of a deity in history, a [[war]], a change in the environment, or the reaching of a new level of [[consciousness]].
Most [[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. For example, according to ancient Hebrew belief, life takes a [[linear]] (and not [[cyclical]]) path; the world began with God and is constantly headed toward God’s final goal for creation, which is the world to come.
Eschatologies vary as to their degree of [[optimism]] or [[pessimism]] about the future. In some eschatologies, conditions are better for some and worse for others, e.g. "heaven and hell".[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology]
[[Category: Religion]]
[[Category: History]]
==Origin==
[[Greek]] ''eschatos'' last, farthest
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1844]
==Definitions==
*1: a branch of [[theology]] concerned with the final events in the [[history]] of the world or of [[humankind]]
*2: a [[belief]] concerning [[death]], the end of the world, or the ultimate [[destiny]] of humankind; specifically : any of various Christian [[doctrines]] concerning the [[Second Coming]], the [[resurrection]] of the dead, or the Last Judgment
==Description==
'''Eschatology''' is a part of theology concerned with what are believed to be 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 time".
The word arises from the Greek ἔσχατος/ἐσχάτη/ἔσχατον, ''eschatos''/''eschatē''/''eschaton'' meaning "last" and -logy meaning "the [[study]] of", first used in English around 1550. The [[Oxford English Dictionary]] defines eschatology as "The department of theological [[science]] concerned with ‘the four last things: [[death]], [[judgment]], [[heaven]] and [[hell]]’."
In the [[context]] of [[mysticism]], the phrase refers [[metaphorically]] to the end of ordinary [[reality]] and reunion with the [[Divine]]. In many religions it is taught as an existing [[future]] event prophesied in sacred texts or folklore. More broadly, eschatology may encompass related concepts such as the [[Messiah]] or Messianic Age, the end time, and the end of days.
[[History]] is often divided into "ages" (Gk. [[aeons]]), which are time periods each with certain commonalities. One age comes to an end and a [[new age]], where different realities are present, begins. When such [[transitions]] from one age to another are the subject of eschatological [[discussion]], the phrase, "end of the world", is replaced by "end of the age", "end of an era", or "end of life as we know it". Much [[apocalyptic]] [[fiction]] does not deal with the "end of time" but rather with the end of a certain period of time, the end of life as it is now, and the beginning of a new period of time. It is usually a [[crisis]] that brings an end to current reality and ushers in a new way of living, [[thinking]], or being. This crisis may take the form of the [[intervention]] of a deity in history, a [[war]], a change in the environment, or the reaching of a new level of [[consciousness]].
Most [[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. For example, according to ancient Hebrew belief, life takes a [[linear]] (and not [[cyclical]]) path; the world began with God and is constantly headed toward God’s final goal for creation, which is the world to come.
Eschatologies vary as to their degree of [[optimism]] or [[pessimism]] about the future. In some eschatologies, conditions are better for some and worse for others, e.g. "heaven and hell".[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology]
[[Category: Religion]]
[[Category: History]]
