The Apocalypse – the end of the world
Many Christians believe that the world as we know it will come to an end in the Meaning ‘unveiling’ or ‘revelation’. In Christianity, it is used to refer to God’s final and complete destruction of the world. The final book of the Bible, Revelation, sets forth a vision of what will happen at the end of the world.. The Earth will give way to a new world – the A kingdom where God's rule will be accepted and followed. Those in this kingdom will experience righteousness, peace and joy., which will be a place of peace and happiness where the faithful and righteous will be granted eternal life.
The last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, explains what might happen when the world ends. It contains lots of dramatic and disturbing imagery, including a seven-headed beast. Many Christians understand these descriptions as A comparison made without using 'like' or 'as', eg 'sea of troubles' and 'drowning in debt'.. Some people believe that the Book of Revelation is an expression of its author’s anger at the To oppress or harass with ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs. of Christians in the Roman Empire.
Parousia – the Second Coming
Jesus himself explained that he would return. In the The teachings of Jesus and the apostles. of John, before his arrest and Roman method of execution by nailing someone to a cross, often until they die of asphyxiation; used on Jesus and many others., Jesus comforts his A person who follows and learns from someone else.: Do not let your hearts be troubled … I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:1–3)
At the For Christians, when Jesus went up to Heaven 40 days after he rose from the dead. of Jesus, angels explain to his disciples, This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:11)
Early Church beliefs about the Apocalypse
The early Church and even Jesus’ disciples firmly believed that he would return to make his final judgement shortly after he had ascended into Heaven. Jesus had said to his disciples: Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man [Jesus] coming in his kingdom (Matthew 16:28)
St Paul told two of the early Christian communities that some of them would live to see the return of Jesus and the end of the world. The belief that the Apocalypse could happen soon made it urgent for these early Christians to follow God’s laws and spread Jesus’ message.
The Day of Judgement
Many Christians believe that all The spiritual part of a human being. It is believed by many that the soul is eternal. will be judged by God at the end of time. This is referred to as the The last day, when God judges all of humanity according to how they have lived.. Those who are judged as worthy will have a place in Heaven, but those judged not to have lived good enough lives will go to Hell.
In the A story told by Jesus through which he teaches and illustrates moral lessons and principles. of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31–46), Jesus explains the idea of The Last Judgement, a time of judgement by God of all humanity.. The sheep represent all those who have helped people in need and followed God’s laws. They have earned a place in Heaven. In contrast, the goats represent those who have been unkind or selfish and not followed God’s laws. God will say to these people: Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41)
Some Christians believe that souls are judged individually as soon as the body dies. This is called personal judgement. Others believe that all souls must wait until the Day of Judgement, when all people who have ever lived and died will be judged together.
Question
Which book of the Bible tells Christians about the Apocalypse?
The Book of Revelation.