Consummation and the New Creation

God brings history to its fullness in Christ

This stage presents the final horizon of Salvation History. After the apostolic mission, the Church lives in hope, proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments, and awaiting the glorious coming of Christ. History is not a closed cycle nor a meaningless succession: it has its origin in God and journeys toward its fullness.

The book of Revelation contemplates the definitive victory of God, the wedding of the Lamb, the judgment, the defeat of evil, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the new heaven and the new earth. The first creation, wounded by sin, will be renewed in Christ. God will dwell with His people, will wipe away every tear, and will make all things new.

You will learn to

Understand that Salvation History has a final fullness.

Recognize the risen Christ as Lord of history.

Identify Christian hope in the glorious coming of Christ.

Understand the meaning of the final judgment.

Recognize the resurrection of the dead as Christian hope.

Identify the book of Revelation as a book of hope.

Understand the meaning of the wedding of the Lamb.

Recognize the heavenly Jerusalem as an image of definitive communion.

Understand the new heaven and the new earth.

Discover the new creation as the fullness of the first creation.

How this stage is organized

Main narrative

Revelation 1; 5; 19–22

You will come to know the vision of the glorious Christ, the victorious Lamb, the wedding of the Lamb, the judgment, the defeat of evil, the heavenly Jerusalem, the river of living water, the tree of life, and the new heaven and the new earth. You will also recognize the final plea of the Church: “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Doctrinal understanding

Hope · Judgment · Resurrection · Eternal life

You will grasp that Christian hope includes the glorious coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, eternal life, and the new creation. The judgment will manifest the truth of history and of each life. Eternal life will be definitive communion with God. Salvation reaches the whole person and all of creation.

Scripture in depth

Prophets · Apostolic letters · Revelation

Other biblical texts prepare this final hope. Isaiah announces a banquet for all peoples and new heavens and a new earth. Daniel speaks of the awakening of the dead. Saint Paul presents the risen Christ as the first fruits and all creation awaiting its liberation. The second letter of Peter speaks of new heavens and a new earth where justice dwells.

Fulfilled in Christ

The definitive Kingdom · The new creation · Communion with God

Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of history. In Him all things were created and in Him they will be brought to fullness. The mission of the Church journeys toward this consummation: the definitive victory over sin and death, the renewal of creation, and the full communion of God with His people. Salvation History reaches its culmination in Christ, when God will make all things new.

Choose a mode

Path mode

Move step by step, in the recommended order.

Review mode

Shuffled questions to review and gauge your progress.

Group mode

A moderated session, reserved for catechists and teachers.