Jesus left clear teachings on how our salvation will culminate, and the other New Testament writers picked up and repeated his words. However, this teaching seems to have been relegated in the Church, which implies a considerable risk for those of us who claim to be believers in Christ. Although by faith and the sacraments we already participate in the salvation offered to us by Christ, our salvation is not yet complete. Sin still has some power over us and we are not yet resurrected. The same is true of the whole of humanity: Christ came to save it from failure and frustration, but this work has not yet been consummated.
The Church clearly conveys Jesus’ teaching: He will return in glory, and that return will mark the collapse and the end of the created world. Jesus puts it bluntly: “After the great tribulation, the light of the sun will go out, the moon will not shine, the stars will fall from heaven, and the whole universe will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds with great power and majesty”. This event, known as the second coming of Christ, will give fullness to his saving work. It is a fundamental promise of our faith, which assures us that the salvation we already experience, both personally and universally, will reach its fullness only through Jesus Christ.
This world is not our permanent abode, and our efforts should be focused on living with the hope of eternity.
The collapse of the universe reflects the Christian conviction that our definitive dwelling place is not this world, but God himself. This world, although created by God, is transitory. Phenomena such as climate change, earthquakes, deforestation, hurricanes, pollution and the extinction of species are signs of its vulnerability and expiration. Although caring for it is part of our responsibility as stewards of creation, this world is not our permanent abode, and our efforts should be focused on living with the hope of eternity.
In the teaching of the Church, the coming of Christ and the collapse of the universe will precede another great event: the resurrection of the dead. As the prophet Daniel announces: ” That shall be a time of trouble, such as was not since the beginning of the world. Then your people will be saved, all those who are written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to everlasting punishment”. Both Jesus and Daniel describe times of tribulation, which throughout history have manifested themselves in various persecutions against Christians. Jesus did not promise continued well-being or unlimited prosperity, but warned, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”
“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.”
The great tribulation and distress are an exhortation to perseverance. After the dark times the sun of God will shine, and with the resurrection of the dead we will be called to judgment. This final judgment is not external, but a manifestation of the truth of our lives before God. As the Gospel of John teaches: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it”. However, there will be salvation for those who accepted the light and condemnation for those who rejected it.
Finally, judgment will give way to the Kingdom of God. Creation will reach the fullness for which it was designed. Those whose lives have been an achievement of God’s mercy will reach fulfillment in Him and live in heaven. Conversely, those who have rejected truth and light will find frustration and darkness, what we know as hell.
“Heaven and earth may cease to exist, but my words will not cease to be fulfilled.”
In this end, time will cease and we will live in eternity, which is not an endless duration, but fullness in God, without space or time. As Jesus warned: “Heaven and earth may cease to exist, but my words will not cease to be fulfilled”. Therefore, let us strive to be part of that final glory, letting this longing for eternity illuminate our present and give meaning to our days.