The End of the Age: Three Perspectives

[WisdomSeeker]

I would wager that, aside from the canonical gospels, the Revelation to John is probably the book of the Bible that warrants the most fascination. Having recently revisited these scriptures in my personal studies, I must admit that the utter richness of the imagery used to depict Revelation's narrative in combination with the sheer scope of the unfolding apocalyptic events makes for a pretty enthralling read. A many-horned beast that rises from a churning sea. Four horsemen tasked with delivering horrific judgments to mankind. The coming of Christ and the conclusion of the age. I see why theologians and the simply faithful alike can spend their entire lives poring over the text. Revelation is, without detracting from the seriousness of the subject matter, an epic of the highest order.

 

It's also pretty sobering. The book encompasses the White Throne Judgment which of course describes the ultimate destination of each and every soul that has existed, exists, and will exist. As I understand what is written, the fate of these beings is fairly straightforward. Those found to have met the requirements of salvation are said to join God as citizens in an eternal kingdom free of sin and defect. Those who have not met these requirements find themselves in a much more troubling fate--cast into the Lake of Fire with Satan, the Beast, and the False Prophet. This fate is likewise eternal.

 

Now, in performing a little secondary research on the matter at hand, I have discovered that my description of the Throne Judgment constitutes the traditional interpretation of events. There are two other perspectives that can be found in the Christian eschatological tradition: universal reconciliation and annihilationism.

 

Briefly, universal reconciliation posits that the punishment leveled in the Lake of Fire is redemptive. Those who have rejected Christ are tormented in the flames for however long is necessary to purge them of sinfulness and refine their hearts to be able to accept the Lord, at which point salvation is granted. It is by far the most optimistic of interpretations.

 

Annihilationism is almost identical to the traditional interpretation in that the punishment in the Lake is just that--a retributive end to the rebellious. There is however a little bit more optimism in that the punished are not subject to eternal, conscious torment in the consuming flames. Rather, they are extinguished as though they never existed.

 

My question for other Christians here on the forum: which view do you subscribe to and why?

[pie2]

So interesting, WisdomSeeker. I would like to study more about this topic. I'd never heard of the term universal reconciliation, and hadn't ever heard the idea of annihilationism.

 

I would say that my head believes in the first scenario (the common Christian understanding of our soul's fate after death).

 

But my heart wants to believe in something more like universal reconciliation. It's obviously a "nicer" idea to grapple with, compared to thinking about some family members and other loved ones who have passed on without ever accepting Jesus, God or anything spiritual. It seems like such a loving God would allow some sort of "out" for those souls who pass on without accepting Jesus.

 

Or, sometimes I think of an idea that kind of combines the two...where a soul is given another chance to accept Jesus into his/her heart (after the physical death of the body).

 

Unfortunately, I don't think there is much scriptural evidence to back those ideas up.