Eschatology

[Green Gaia]

Eschatology literally means the study of the eschaton, the times of the end, 'last things', or 'end times.' In Zoroastrianism, Christianity and in Norse heathen theology, eschatology is a theology concerning the end of the world, as predicted in the prophecies of these faiths, and as recorded in their sacred texts. It can also be the study of general afterlife concepts of other religions, especially the western monotheistic faiths. In this broader sense, eschatology can refer to the messiah, a messianic era, the afterlife, and the soul in religions which have such beliefs.

The word is derived from Greek eskhatos meaning last, furthest, remote, with the root ex — "out of";

As far as we know, Zoroastrianism, by 500 B.C, had a fully developed concept of the end of the world as being devoured by fire, and is thus the oldest eschatology we know of.

 

[Watcher]

Was there a question in that? How about the Mayans/Aztecs/Olmecs? Their calander's doomsday is set at December 12, 2012, the winter solstice. Ah! Let's hope they're wrong!

 

[Green Gaia]

Nah, no question from me. Just leaving it open to comments and discussion.

 

[Wes]

No real need for discussion from Christianity on the 'end times', most thoughts are based upon the book of Revelation which was never intended to be a book for the future. It was a letter to the church's saying to hang in there. The only other verse's you can go to are the ones where Jesus speaks of the end times but most of the time there he is speaking of himself and he hasn't shown up yet...doesn't look to hopefull does it.

 

[jewscout]

Well in the coming of the Messiah (or Moshiach in hebrew) the entire world will know of the One G-d and the nations of the world will send representatives to Jerusalem and each nation will have representatives accept the nation of Yitzak (Issac or the Hebrews) for their representative will be G-d Himself. The Moshiach will come either when the world is in total disaray or when the world is totally good. Now in some jewish readings that i've looked into there will infact be 2 moshiachs, one from the house of Joshua and the other from the house of David, a military and spirtual leader respectively. First, when prophecy returns to Israel, the prophet Elijah (i think it's Elijah i can't remember) will foretell his/their coming. Now the nations of the earth will turn their swords against Israel and the Moshiach from the House of Joshua will lead the Jewish people in a military struggle against the enemies of Israel. After he has defeated them then the moshiach from the house of David will come and lead the Jewish people spiritually. Then the third and final temple will be built on the temple mount (it's supposed to descend from heaven). Then Israel will be the center of power in the world and all people will know that there is One G-d, HaShem. Of course this doesn't mean that all people will become Jews since you don't need to be Jewish in the Jewish faith to get into the "World To Come".
I'm not too woried about when that's going to happen cause the Jews are commanded to follow the Laws forever and ever in all ages, even the Messianic one.
Until then...:jiggy:

 

[Wes]

sounds all like a fairy tale to me

 

[bandgeek500]

there was a bishop from the dark ages that experienced a revalation and named every pope from then to the end of the world. there are two more popes after this one.