endetiden

Endetiden, in Norwegian usage, refers to the eschatological concept of “the end times” in Christian theology. It describes the period leading up to the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment, culminating in the establishment of God’s kingdom. The term encompasses expectations ofChrist’s return, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth.

Core themes include the Parousia (Christ’s return), the resurrection, the judgment of all people, and the ultimate defeat of evil. Many traditions also speak of signs or events that signal the approaching end, such as tribulation or distress, false prophets and the Antichrist, and cataclysmic changes in creation. Despite these shared elements, Christian interpretations of endetiden vary significantly. Amillennialism interprets the millennium as a symbolic period occurring now, with Christ reigning from heaven; premillennialism expects a future literal thousand-year reign after Christ’s return; and postmillennialism envisions a golden era on earth leading to the return of Christ.

The concept draws on biblical texts from the Gospels (for example, Jesus’ teachings about the end times), the letters of Paul, and the apocalyptic imagery of Revelation. Throughout history, endetiden has influenced Christian ethics, worship, and culture, shaping movements, reform debates, and contemporary prophecy literature. In modern Norwegian discourse, endetiden appears in theological education, sermons, and popular writing, where interpretations range from literal forecasts to symbolic or spiritual understandings of history and human fate.