Like in every generation in the past 2000 years, we (including myself) have a fascination with echatological matters. Despite the numerous apocalyptical texts (with of course John's considered Biblical), and the numerous references Jesus Himself made, it is still Paul's understanding of the end times that is perhaps the most discussed. It is not uninteresting that Paul's letters include descriptions that have palpable tension within itself. Most theologians agree Paul drew on his understanding of end times from the Jewish texts he was familiar with as the outstanding Jew he was. However removed eschatology can seem to our everyday lives, Paul had to deal with early church communities who contained people who were literally quitting their jobs in anticipation of Jesus' imminent return.
Fast forward 2000 years later. A literal return of Jesus has still not occurred. If we try to ignore the path of self-destruction humans seem to be on, it is an interesting question whether so much time will pass that humans will literally evolve to a more sophisticated being, before the end of humanity.
I haven't fully grasped the theological implications that go along with this question, but this is a much less science-fiction question than what is often discussed now, that is, the theological implications if we find complex life on another planet.
My knee-jerk reaction is it doesn't really matter that much if we actually evolve further, but much more relevant is would evolution contain some sort of move to a higher love state than what humans are capable now? This would seem likely to me, since we would expect to evolve to be more Christ-like, more like God.
I would be interested to here from others on this topic, because it is a point that I think should be discussed more than it is now.
