As his most thoroughly worked piece, Cardinal Ratzinger refers to his eschatology, which is presented here in a new edition of the 6th expanded edition from 1990. The importance of this work to him even today is best demonstrated by the fact that Pope Benedict takes the time to clearly highlight the key points of the discussion surrounding his position in a detailed new preface. This work by Joseph Ratzinger, first published in 1977, undoubtedly belongs to the standard theological texts. Even after 30 years, the theological density, the independence of reflection, and the depth of the solutions offered for questions about death and the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the dead, the second coming of Christ, the Last Judgment, hell, purgatory, and heaven continue to impress. Eschatology retains its significance as a foundational theological work as well as an important one.