Eschatology

Eschatology (Hindi: मरणोत्तर-विद्या or अन्तविद्या or परलोकविद्या ; /ˌɛskəˈtɒlədʒi/ (listen) ऍस्कटलॉजी ; Template:Etymology) deals with beliefs and expectations regarding the conclusion of the current age, human history, or the world itself. Various world religions, both Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic, predict an end of times characterized by a culmination of negative global events. The notion that the end of the world is near is referred to as apocalypticism and has been embraced by followers of both mainstream religions and doomsday cults. Within mysticism, eschatology often symbolizes the end of ordinary reality, leading to a reunion with the divine. While many faiths view eschatology as a prophesied future event documented in sacred texts or folklore, others envision concepts of renewal or transformation following significant occurrences. Notably, the Christian tradition provides a vivid depiction of a new earth, particularly in Chapter 21 of the Book of Revelation.

The Abrahamic faiths generally uphold a linear cosmological perspective, with their end-time narratives emphasizing themes of transformation and redemption. In Judaism, the phrase "end of days" pertains to the Messianic Age, which encompasses the gathering of the exiled Jewish diaspora, the arrival of the Messiah, the resurrection of the righteous, and the world to come. Christianity views the end times as a period marked by tribulation before the second coming of Christ, who will confront the rise of the Antichrist and his false prophets, ultimately establishing the Kingdom of God. In later Islamic traditions, distinct hadiths outline the Day of Judgment, heralded by the emergence of the Masīḥ ad-Dajjāl and followed by the return of ʿĪsā (Jesus), who will defeat the false Messiah. This victory will lead to significant events culminating in the sun rising from the west and the onset of Qiyāmah (Judgment Day).

In contrast, Dharmic religions typically embrace cyclical worldviews, viewing end-time eschatologies as processes involving decay, redemption, and rebirth, although some traditions maintain that transitions between cycles can be relatively uneventful. In Hinduism, the end times are marked by the arrival of Kalki, the final avatar of Vishnu, who will end the current Kali Yuga and initiate a new cycle of regeneration. Buddhism teaches that after 5,000 years, the Buddha's teachings will fade into obscurity, followed by chaos. It prophesies the emergence of Maitreya, a bodhisattva who will revive the Buddha Dharma, leading to the ultimate destruction of the world by seven suns.

Since the 18th century, with the advent of deep time concepts and calculations regarding the Earth's age, scientific discussions around end times have also examined the universe's ultimate fate. Theories such as the Big Rip, Big Crunch, Big Bounce, and Big Freeze (or heat death) have emerged. Additionally, social and scientific commentators express concerns about global catastrophic risks that could potentially lead to human extinction.