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the series of events that is connected with the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the world
as constituting general eschatology, — an eschatology in which all men are concerned. The
subjects that call for consideration in this division, are the return of Christ, the general
resurrection, the last judgment, the consummation of the Kingdom, and the final condition of
both the pious and the wicked.
2. INDIVIDUAL ESCHATOLOGY.
Besides this general, there is also an individual, eschatology that
must be taken into consideration. The events named may constitute the whole of eschatology
in the strict sense of the word, yet we cannot do justice to this without showing how the
generations who have died will participate in the final events. For the individual the end of the
present existence comes with death, which transfers him completely from the present into the
future age. In so far as he is removed from the present age with its historical development, he is
introduced into the future age, which is eternity. In the same measure in which there is a
change in locality, there is also a change of æon. The things touching the condition of the
individual between his death and the general resurrection, belong to personal or individual
eschatology. Physical death, the immortality of the soul, and the intermediate condition call for
discussion here. The study of these subjects will serve the purpose of connecting up the
condition of those who die before the parousia with the final consummation.
Individual Eschatology
I. Physical Death
The Scriptural idea of death includes physical, spiritual, and eternal death. Physical and spiritual
death are naturally discussed in connection with the doctrine of sin, and eternal death is
considered more particularly in general eschatology. For that reason a discussion of death in
any sense of the word might seem to be out of place in individual eschatology. Yet it can hardly
be left out of consideration altogether in an attempt to link up past generations with the final
consummation.
A. THE NATURE OF PHYSICAL DEATH.
The Bible contains some instructive indications as to the nature of physical death. It speaks of
this in various ways. In Matt. 10:28; Luke 12:4, it is spoken of as the death of the body, as
distinguished from that of the soul (psuche). Here the body is considered as a living organism,
and the psuche is evidently the pneuma of man, the spiritual element which is the principle of
his natural life. This view of natural death also underlies the language of Peter in I Pet. 3:14-18.
In other passages it is described as the termination of the psuche, that is, of animal life or living,
or as the loss of this, Matt. 2:20; Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9; 14:26; John 12:25; 13:37,38; Acts 15:26;
20:24, and other passages.[Cf. Bavinck, Bijb. en Rel. Psych., p. 34.] And, finally, it is also