Eschatology In The Drama Of Divine Omnipotence

Résumé

This paper is an investigation into the meaning of divine sovereignty and omnipotence in relation to eschatology. Both the Bible and theology make clear that following the decisive divine intervention at the Parousia, individuals will experience God's retributive judgment that takes them either to Heaven or to Hell. The questions, which could be asked in relation to the eschatological realities, are similar to the ones which believers ask in relation to the suffering of the righteous in history. Could God, all sovereign and omnipotent, allow his beloved though sinful creatures to be swallowed up by evil at the end of time? Since God's final victory over evil had already been won in the event of Jesus Christ, is the final damnation of some not a contradiction to the idea of divine sovereignty and omnipotence? What is the meaning of Hell in relation to the universal relevance of Christ's death and resurrection? Like Abraham, the question is asked if the Lord would sweep away the place and not forgive it for the sake of the righteous who are in it (Gen 18:22-33).