es·cha·tol·o·gy 
(ĕs′kə-tŏlə-jē)
(ĕs′kə-tŏlə-jē)n.
1. The branch of theology that is concerned with the end of the world or of humankind.
2. A belief or a doctrine concerning the ultimate or final things, such as death, the destiny of humanity, the Second Coming, or the Last Judgment.
[Greek eskhatos, last; see eghs in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + -LOGY.]
es·chat′o·logi·cal (ĭ-skăt′l-ŏjĭ-kəl, ĕs′kə-tə-lŏj-) adj.
es·chat′o·logi·cal·ly adv.
es′cha·tolo·gist n.