Which biblical passages should I read to study eschatology comprehensively?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

To understand eschatology from the Coptic Orthodox perspective, one must look at both the Old and New Testaments as a unified revelation of Christ’s victory. Our Church relies heavily on the Septuagint (LXX) and the full canon of Scripture, including the Deuterocanonical books like Wisdom and 1 Maccabees, which provide essential context for martyrdom and the resurrection.

Here are the primary biblical references categorized by theme:

1. The Signs of the End and the Second Coming

Our Lord provided a clear "Apocalypse" regarding the end of the age and the destruction of the temple, warning against deception:

• Matthew 24 & 25: The "Olivet Discourse." It details the signs of the end, the coming of the Son of Man, and the parables of readiness (the Ten Virgins and the Talents), concluding with the Great Judgment.
• Mark 13 & Luke 21: Parallel accounts focusing on vigilance.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18: Describes the Lord’s descent from heaven and the meeting of the saints in the air.
• 2 Peter 3:7–14: Discusses the "Day of the Lord," the dissolving of the elements by fire, and the promise of a "new heaven and a new earth."

2. The Nature of the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation

The Coptic tradition is very straightforward about the emergence of a literal lawless one who will deceive many, especially those who have rejected the True Faith:

• 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12: St. Paul describes the "man of sin" and the "son of perdition" who sits in the temple of God.
• 1 John 2:18, 22: Mentions the spirit of the Antichrist already at work through heretics who deny the Father and the Son.
• Daniel 7, 11, & 12: Prophecies concerning the "little horn" and the time of unprecedented trouble. St. Cyril of Jerusalem and other Fathers link these directly to the end times.

3. The General Resurrection and the State of the Soul

We believe in the literal resurrection of the body, a core tenet of our Faith:

• 1 Corinthians 15: The "Resurrection Chapter." St. Paul explains the necessity of the resurrection and the nature of the glorified body.
• John 5:25–29: Christ speaks of the hour when the dead will hear His voice—those who did good to the resurrection of life, and those who did evil to the resurrection of condemnation.
• Job 19:25–27: A vital Old Testament witness: "And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God."
• Wisdom of Solomon 3:1–9: A beautiful description of the souls of the righteous being in the hand of God, where no torment shall touch them (found in the Orthodox Bible).

4. The Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is the liturgical and prophetic heart of eschatology. About three-fourths of its 404 verses refer back to the Old Testament (such as Ezekiel's vision of the Temple and Daniel's beasts).

• Revelation 1: The vision of the glorified Christ.
• Revelation 4–5: The heavenly liturgy (the basis for our own service).
• Revelation 11–13: The two witnesses and the beast.
• Revelation 20: The defeat of the devil and the Great White Throne Judgment.
• Revelation 21–22: The New Jerusalem and the eternal dwelling of God with man.

5. Old Testament Prophetic Shadows

• Ezekiel 37: The vision of the dry bones, symbolizing the resurrection of the faithful.
• Isaiah 65:17–25: The promise of new heavens and a new earth.
• Zechariah 14: The day of the Lord and the living waters flowing from Jerusalem.

A Note on Reading These Texts

As taught by St. Basil the Great and our Alexandrian Fathers, we must approach these scriptures with a "vigilant heart and sober thought." We do not try to calculate dates, as Christ taught it is impossible to know the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36). Instead, these writings are meant to encourage the faithful to persevere through persecution and to look through the darkness of the present age toward the ultimate victory of Christ and His Bride, the Church.