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What subjects are included in religious eschatology?

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Fresco The Last Judgment by Michelangelo covers the west wall of the Sistine Chapel, depicting Christ at the center surrounded by angels and human figures in dramatic poses. — eschatology The Second Coming as depicted in “The Last Judgment,” fresco by Michelangelo, 1536-41, on the west wall of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Palace, Vatican City.

Religious eschatology, often defined as the doctrine of the "last things," encompasses a wide range of concepts regarding the ultimate destiny of individuals and the cosmos. While originally a Western term focused on Jewish, Christian, and Muslim beliefs, the study of religion applies these themes broadly across various cultures and traditions.12

Key subjects included in religious eschatology are:

Individual Destiny: This includes beliefs regarding the immortality of the soul, resurrection, and the afterlife. Depending on the tradition, this may involve reincarnation and the cycle of samsara, or an eternal state in heaven, hell, or purgatory.134
Judgment: Many religions feature a Last Judgment, where the thoughts, words, and deeds of individuals are evaluated by God, gods, or cosmic laws like karma.5
Cosmic End-Time: This involves conceptions of the end of history or the world, such as the destruction of the current order, the messianic era, and the eventual restoration or transformation of the universe.124
Theodicy: Eschatology often addresses the problem of theodicy—the vindication of divine justice in the face of suffering and evil.2