Eschatology is defined as the part of theology concerned with the death, judgment, and final destiny of the soul and of humankind. The word itself is derived from two Greek words: eschatos meaning “last,” and logos meaning “word.” It can literally be translated as “last word” and is often called the doctrine of the last things. But is Revelation giving us the doctrine of the end—or the beginning?
When I read Revelation, I can’t help but notice that while the end of this age is described within the book, there is also the beginning of a new age: the eternal reign of Christ. For those whose names are written in the Book of Life, this will be an eternal reign with Christ where there will be no more sorrow, no more tears, and no more pain. We will see Christ fully and be glorified with Him, sharing in the eternal reward He earned for His people.
“They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
— Revelation 22:4–5
On the other side, those who are not in Christ—whose names are not found in the Book of Life—will spend eternity separated from God under His righteous and crushing judgment.
We are talking about thousands of years of human history versus eternity. For each person, we are talking about decades of life on this earth versus an eternity that has no end. With that in mind, I find it difficult to frame Revelation as simply a book about “the end.” It is, instead, a book about the beginning—the beginning of Christ’s eternal reign.
This beginning is ushered in by the return of Christ, the defeat of Satan, and the judgment of every person who has ever lived. This judgment will come to all and will result in one of two verdicts: guilty or not guilty. Only those whose sins have been forgiven through faith in Christ will receive the “not guilty” verdict. And there are only two sentences: eternal damnation or eternal life. Revelation describes the beginning of these two destinies for every man and woman—forever under the wrath of God or forever sharing in the eternal life won by Christ on the cross.
Revelation does describe the end of this age, but it describes the beginning of a much longer one. What a fearful thought for those who are not in Christ, and what a comforting thought for those who are. Two sides of the same coin—eternity in hell or eternity with Christ.
As you read, reflect on this reality: the age that is ending is but a moment compared to the age to come.
[11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. [12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. [13] And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. [14] Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. [15] And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
— Revelation 20:11–15
