The end is not the end. For the Christian, the doctrine of the last things is not a story of fear, but of hope. The Spirit who regenerates us will also raise us, renew creation, and bring all things to consummation. In this final episode of The Deep Magic, we look at the Christian hope that death is not the last word — Christ is.

We begin with the intermediate state, where Scripture assures us that to be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:1–8; Phil. 1:23). We then consider the return of Christ, not as symbol or metaphor, but as the visible and glorious consummation of God’s redemptive plan — the great hope of the church. From there, we turn to the resurrection and judgment, exploring some contemporary challenges to the doctrine. Finally, we explore the promise of a new heaven and new earth, a creation renew ...