Eschatology. No, not some sort of digestive disorder, but a technical term meaning, “Doctrine of Last Things”. Some folks get wound up debating ‘Signs of the Times’ and Prophecy. I’m not one of them; but since it is prominent in the Bible, it matters. Besides, it concerns how the world will end, thus kind of a big deal.
I can write this in a way that will not cause your eyes to glaze, brain to melt, and head to explode. Ready? There are four popular explanations how the world will end. See which seems most reasonable.
Explanation #1: No End.
The First Law of Thermodynamics: the total energy of an isolated system is constant; energy can be transformed from one form to another, but can be neither created nor destroyed. In other words: it never ends.
Explanation #2: Slow End.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics: The total entropy (disorder and decay) of the universe is continually increasing. Astrophysicists almost universally believe the universe had a beginning, commonly known as “The Big Bang”, and is slowly decreasing its expansion. Sooner or later, it will fizzle out.
Explanation #3: Bad End.
Law of the Jungle: We finally blow ourselves up. Lord knows we’ve tried.
Explanation #4: God’s End.
Primary Law from the Law Giver: God who created the universe is in control and has the last say. In that plan, He gave His Son to redeem His fallen creatures (because sin messed up this world, e.g. starvation, oppression, corruption, and pollution). He will restore all of creation. Christ will return and create a new Heaven and earth, judge the righteous and the wicked, and with His redeemed saints, reign forever.
Simple, huh? No End, Slow End, Bad End, God’s End.
Which offers you the most hope and meaning?
