Early Christian Beliefs About the Last Things

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Direct teaching

67. These things, then, I have set shortly before you, O Theophilus, drawing them from Scripture itself, in order that, maintaining in faith what is written, and anticipating the things that are to be, you may keep yourself void of offense both toward God and toward men, looking for that blessed hope and appearing of our God and Saviour, when, having raised the saints among us, He will rejoice with them, glorifying the Father.

Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh Direct teaching

Now, forasmuch as the seasons of our entire hope have been fixed in the Holy Scripture, and since we are not permitted to place the accomplishment thereof, as I apprehend, previous to Christ's coming, our prayers are directed towards the end of this world, to the passing away thereof at the great day of the Lord — of His wrath and vengeance — the last day, which is hidden (from all), and known to none but the Father, although announced beforehand by signs and wonders, and the dissolution of the elements, and the conflicts of nations.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

Wherefore He shall, at His second coming, first rouse from their sleep all persons of this description, and shall raise them up, as well as the rest who shall be judged, and give them a place in His kingdom.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

And then shall the Lord come, and all His saints with Him, with a great concussion above the clouds, with the angels of His power, Matthew 16:27 in the throne of His kingdom, to condemn the devil, the deceiver of the world, and to render to every one according to his deeds.

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

and in the fourth instance He shall come as the Judge of the living and the dead, whose glory the whole creation will not be able to endure.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

...ees. Be consoled, you who are cowardly in heart. Be strong. Do not fear. Look, our God shall return judgment. He Himself shall come and shall save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall hear. Then the lame man shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb shall be eloquent.” Since the prophet says that at God's coming these would be the signs that come to pass, let men acknowledge either that Christ is the Son of God, at whose coming and by whom these wonders of healing were performed; or else, overcome by the truth of Christ's divinity, let them rush into the other heresy. Refusing to confess Christ to be the Son of God, and God, let them declare Him to be the Father. For, being bound by the words of the prophets, they can no longer deny that Christ is God. What, then, do they reply when those signs are said to be about to take place at the coming of God, and yet were shown at the coming of Christ? In what way do they receive Christ as God? As God the Father, or as God the Son? If as the Son, why do they deny that the Son of God is God? If as the Father, why do they not follow those who seem to hold blasphemies of that kind? Unless

Matthew 24:30 Background

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Revelation 1:7 Background

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

Matthew 25:31 Background

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Matthew 16:27 Background

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Revelation 22:12 Background

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.

Matthew 24:14 Background

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Direct teaching

...to treat this subject fairly, and who want to make an intelligent judgment about whether there is a resurrection or not, first to consider carefully the force of the arguments that help prove it, and what place each one holds — which is first, which second, which third, and which last. In arranging these, they should place first the cause of the creation of human beings — that is, the purpose of the Creator in making man. Then, as is proper, they should connect with this the nature of the human beings so created. This is not because that nature is second in order, but because we are not able to judge both at the same time, even though they are most closely connected by nature and are equally strong in relation to the subject before us. Now from these proofs, as the primary ones, and as drawn from the work of creation, the resurrection is clearly shown. Even so, we can also gain conviction about it from arguments taken from providence — that is, from the reward or punishment due to each person according to just judgment, and from the end of human existence. For many, when discussing the resurrection, have rested the whole case on the third argument alone, thinking that judgment i

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Direct teaching

... after. I mean the reward or punishment due to each person according to righteous judgment, and the final purpose of human existence. Of these, I put first the one that naturally comes first, and so I will examine the argument about judgment first. I will state only one thing beforehand, for the sake of the principle that belongs to the matters before us, and for the sake of order. It is this: those who admit that God is the Maker of this universe must also attribute to His wisdom and justice the preserving and caring for all that has been created, if they want to remain consistent with their own principles. With this view, they must hold that nothing, either on earth or in heaven, is without guardianship or providence. On the contrary, the Creator's care reaches everything alike, invisible and visible, small and great. For all created things need the Creator's care, and each one in particular according to its nature and the purpose for which it was made. Still, I think it would be a useless effort to go through the whole list now, or to distinguish the different cases, or to mention in detail what is suitable to each nature. At any rate, man, of whom we are now speaking, needs

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Supporting witness

Yet equity is wanting to the judgment, if the being is not preserved in existence who practiced righteousness or lawlessness: for that which practiced each of the things in life on which the judgment is passed was man, not soul by itself.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Direct teaching

Our Lord and Master, in His response to the Sadducees, who claim there is no resurrection and therefore dishonor God and diminish the law, indicated a resurrection and revealed God by saying to them, "You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." Regarding the resurrection of the dead, He says, "Have you not read what God spoke, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?" He added, "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him." Through these arguments, He clearly showed that He who spoke to Moses from the bush, declaring Himself as the God of the fathers, is indeed the God of the living. For who is the God of the living except He who is God, with no one above Him? This is the same God whom Daniel the prophet proclaimed when King Cyrus of Persia asked him, "Why don't you worship Bel?" Daniel answered, "Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who established heaven and earth and has dominion over all flesh." He also said, "I will adore the Lord my God, because He is the living God." Hence, the One whom the prophets adored as the living God is indeed the God of the living; and His Word

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness

... say these bodies can't receive life. But if the present temporary life, which is so much less than eternal life, can still manage to enliven our mortal bodies, why shouldn't eternal life, which is much more powerful, enliven the flesh, which has already interacted with and been used to sustaining life? For that the flesh can truly share in life is shown by the fact that it is alive; for it lives on as long as it is God’s will for it to do so. It is clear, too, that God has the power to give life to it, since He grants life to us who are alive. And, therefore, since the Lord has the power to infuse life into what He has created, and since the flesh is capable of being made alive, what remains to prevent its sharing in incorruption, which is a blissful and eternal life granted by God?

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Direct teaching

...hat these are exactly the things the Lord wanted to teach the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection of the flesh. For this was the opinion of the Sadducees. That is why, after inventing the case about the woman and the seven brothers, so that they might cast doubt on the resurrection of the flesh, the Sadducees came to Him also, as it says in Matthew 22:23, who say that there is no resurrection. Now if there had been no resurrection of the flesh, and only the soul were saved, Christ would have agreed that their opinion was right and excellent. But instead, He answered and said, "In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven," Matthew 22:30, not because they have no flesh, but because they neither marry nor are given in marriage, and are from now on incorruptible. And He speaks of our being near the angels in this respect: just as the angels in heaven, so we also in paradise, no longer spend our time in marriage feasts or other celebrations, but in seeing God and cultivating life under the direction of Christ. For He did not say that they shall be angels, but like angels, being, for example, crowned, as it is writ

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

...e that these are the very things the Lord wanted to teach the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection of the flesh. For this was the opinion of the Sadducees. So, after they made up the case about the woman and the seven brothers in order to cast doubt on the resurrection of the flesh, the Sadducees came to Him, as it says in Matthew 22:23, who say that there is no resurrection. Then, if there had been no resurrection of the flesh, and only the soul were saved, Christ would have agreed that their opinion was right and excellent. But instead, He answered and said, "In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven," Matthew 22:23, not because they have no flesh, but because they do not marry or are given in marriage, and from now on are incorruptible. And He speaks of our being near the angels in this respect: just as the angels in heaven, so we also in paradise spend our time no longer in marriage feasts or other celebrations, but in seeing God and living life under the direction of Christ. For He did not say they shall be angels, but like angels, being, for example, crowned, as it is written, "with glory and honor," d

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in Him, should have everlasting life; and I will raise him up in the last day." John 6:40 As far as possible in this world, which is what he means by the last day, and which is preserved until the time when it will end, we believe that we are made perfect. Therefore He says, "He that believes in the Son has everlasting life." John 3:36 If, then, those who have believed have life, what remains beyond the possession of eternal life? Nothing is lacking in faith, since it is perfect and complete in itself. If anything is lacking in it, it is not wholly perfect. But faith is not lame in any respect. Nor after our departure from this world does it make us who have believed, and who have received without distinction the earnest of future good, wait. But having in anticipation grasped by faith what is future, after the resurrection we receive it as present, so that what was spoken may be fulfilled: "Be it according to your faith." Matthew 9:29 And where faith is, there is the promise. And the consummation of the promise is rest. So that in illumination what we receive is knowledge, and the end of knowledge is re

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

but the second, when, according to prophecy, He shall come from heaven with glory, accompanied by His angelic host, when also He shall raise the bodies of all men who have lived, and shall clothe those of the worthy with immortality, and shall send those of the wicked, endued with eternal sensibility, into everlasting fire with the wicked devils.

Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh Direct teaching

Inasmuch, however, as (a resurrection) is proclaimed for the last time, it is proved to be a bodily one, because there is no spiritual one also then announced.

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Supporting witness

Then, a little later, he says: "If, then, Origen, you claim that the resurrection of the body, changed into a spiritual body, is to be expected only in appearance, and if you present the vision of Moses and Elijah as very strong proof of this, saying that they appeared after they had departed from this life, keeping the same appearance they had from the beginning, then the resurrection of all people will be in the same way. But Moses and Elijah rose and appeared in this form you speak of before Christ suffered and rose. How then could Christ be proclaimed by the prophets and apostles as the first begotten of the dead? For if Christ is believed to be the first begotten of the dead, He is the first begotten of the dead because He rose before all others. But Moses appeared to the apostles before Christ suffered, having this form in which you say the resurrection is fulfilled. Therefore, there is no resurrection of the form without the flesh. For either there is a resurrection of the form, as you teach, and then Christ is no longer the first begotten of the dead, since souls appeared before Him having this form after death; or He is truly the first begotten, and then it is completely i

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

Then, after a little while, he says: “If, then, Origen, you maintain that the resurrection of the body, changed into a spiritual body, is to be expected only in appearance, and you present the vision of Moses and Elijah as a very strong proof of it, saying that they appeared after they had departed from life, with no different appearance from what they had from the beginning, then the resurrection of all men will be the same. But Moses and Elijah rose and appeared in this form of which you speak before Christ suffered and rose. How then could Christ be proclaimed by prophets and apostles as the first begotten of the dead? For if Christ is believed to be the first begotten of the dead, He is the first begotten of the dead because He rose before all others. But Moses appeared to the apostles before Christ suffered, having this form in which you say the resurrection is fulfilled. Therefore, there is no resurrection of the form without the flesh. For either there is a resurrection of the form, as you teach, and then Christ is no longer the first begotten of the dead, since souls appeared before Him in this form after death; or He is truly the first begotten, and it is completely imposs

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...y one may receive according to his desert. For God, says the Scripture, "will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12:14 This resurrection was not believed by the Jews, when of old they said, "Our bones are withered, and we are gone." To them God answered and said, "Behold, I open your graves, and will bring you out of them. And I will put My Spirit into you, and you shall live. And you shall know that I the Lord have spoken it, and will do it." And He says by Isaiah, "The dead shall rise, and those that are in the graves shall be raised up. And those that rest in the earth shall rejoice, for the dew which is from You shall be healing to them." Isaiah 26:19 There are indeed many and various things said concerning the resurrection, and concerning the continuance of the righteous in glory, and concerning the punishment of the ungodly, their fall, rejection, condemnation, shame, eternal fire, and endless worm. Isaiah 66:24 Now, if it had pleased Him that all men should be immortal, it was in His power. He showed this in the examples of Enoch and Elijah, while He did not allow them to have any experience of

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Supporting witness

But if each of these things belongs to man by nature, and he requires food for his life, and requires posterity for the continuance of the race, and requires a judgment in order that food and posterity may be according to law, it of course follows, since food and posterity refer to both together, that the judgment must be referred to them too (by both together I mean man, consisting of soul and body), and that such man becomes accountable for all his actions, and receives for them either reward or punishment.

Cyprian, Connection to Matthew 25:31 Supporting witness

Then shall they also answer and say, Lord, when saw we Thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and have not ministered unto Thee? And He shall answer unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have not done it to one of the least of these, ye have not done it unto me. And these shall go away into everlasting burning, but the righteous into life eternal."

Novatian, Connection to Revelation 20:11 Direct teaching

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the sight of the Lord's throne: and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is (the book) of life: and every one was judged according to those things that were written in the book, according to their own works."

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

For He has determined at the last times to pass judgment on the living and the dead, concerning which judgment I shall speak in the last book.

Archelaus, Connection to Matthew 25:46 Supporting witness

But what reply is that righteous Judge and King represented as making to them? "Depart from me into everlasting fire, ye workers of iniquity."

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness

...o each person the sense of free will. In keeping with that standard, He also established the law of judgment. To sin is ours, and that we do not sin is God's gift, since our will is formed to choose either to sin or not to sin. And you surely understand this well enough yourself, Manes. For you know that even if you brought together all your disciples and warned them not to commit any transgression or do any unrighteousness, every one of them might still pass by the law of judgment. And certainly, whoever wills may keep the commandments. And whoever despises them, and turns aside to what is contrary to them, will still, without doubt, have to face this law of judgment. For this reason also, certain of the angels refused to submit themselves to God's commandment, and resisted His will. One of them indeed fell like a flash of lightning upon the earth, while others, harassed by the dragon, sought their felicity in intercourse with the daughters of men, and so brought on themselves the deserved sentence of the punishment of eternal fire. And that angel who was cast down to earth, finding no further entrance into any of the regions of heaven, now flaunts about among men, deceiving th

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Supporting witness

and further, from the judgment of their Maker upon them according to the time each has lived, and according to the rules by which each has regulated his behaviour — a judgment which no one can doubt will be just.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

who also will come at the consummation of the world with power and great glory, to judge the quick and the dead, and to recompense to every one according to his works.

Gregory Thaumaturgus, A Sectional Confession of Faith Supporting witness

and now we look for His appearing from heaven in glory for the life and judgment of all, when the resurrection of the dead shall take place, to the end that recompense may be made to all according to their desert.

Aristides, The Apology Supporting witness

So shall they appear before the awful judgment which through Jesus the Messiah is destined to come upon the whole human race.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

And then shall be the judgment, wherein God will do justice, And judge the world again.

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Direct teaching

For in distinguishing the kingdoms that are to rise after these things, he showed also the coming of Antichrist in the last times, and the consummation of the whole world.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

But the voices also of prophets of the world, agreeing with the heavenly, announce the end and overthrow of all things after a short time, describing as it were the last old age of the wearied and wasting world.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

The Antichrist. The Great Events of the Last Apostasy Within the Providence and Intention of the Creator, Whose are All Things from the Beginning.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

... away his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing children in those days. But pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath day. For there will be great tribulation, such as has not arisen from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will arise. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is Christ,’ or, ‘Look, there,’ do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, to lead into error, if possible, even the elect. But take heed. Behold, I have foretold you all things. If, therefore, they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the desert,’ do not go out. ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning flashes from the east and appears even to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of man be. Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. But immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be

Ignatius, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Long Version) Supporting witness

The last times are come upon us. Let us therefore be of a reverent spirit, and fear the long-suffering of God, lest we despise the riches of His goodness and forbearance.

Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness

When the last end shall begin to approach to the world, wickedness will increase;

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

These things have been foretold as about to happen in the end of the world;

Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Supporting witness

Different Opinions Regarding His Theology and Psychology; His Eschatology and System of Metempsychosis;

Ignatius, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Short Version) Supporting witness

The last times are come upon us. Let us therefore be of a reverent spirit, and fear the long-suffering of God, that it tend not to our condemnation.

Hippolytus, Connection to 2 Timothy 3:1 Background

As these things, then, are in the future, and as the ten toes of the image are equivalent to (so many) democracies,

1 John 2:18 Background

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1 Peter 4:7 Background

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

...avenly people. For just as, when everything had been completed that was made for the use of man, at last, on the sixth day, He also made man and brought him into this world as into a home now carefully prepared, so now on the great sixth day the true man is being formed by the word of God. That is, a holy people is being shaped for righteousness by the teaching and commands of God. And just as then a mortal and imperfect man was formed from the earth, so that he might live a thousand years in this world, so now from this earthly age a perfect man is being formed, so that, being made alive by God, he may rule in this same world for a thousand years. But if anyone examines the divine writings, he will find out in what way the end will come, and what outcome awaits the affairs of men. The voices also of the prophets of the world, agreeing with the heavenly prophets, announce the end and overthrow of all things after a short time, describing, as it were, the final old age of the world, worn out and wasting away. But I will add the things that prophets and seers say are about to happen before that final end comes upon the world, gathering and bringing them together from every side.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

the works of their toil shall abound’ obscurely predicts a thousand years.

Revelation 20:6 Background

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:5 Background

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.