Church of Elijah the Prophet (1647-50), interior, west gallery, fresco of the Last Judgement (1715-16), Yaroslavl', Russia

Title, date, and place from photographer's inventory.
Number assigned by photographer: yaro025.
Credit line: Brumfield photograph collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
General information about the Brumfield photograph collection is available at: loc.gov
Forms part of: Brumfield photograph collection.

The Last Judgment refers to the final judgment by God of all people, both the living and the dead, at the end of time. The Last Judgment will occur after the second coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world. On that day, the dead will rise and be judged according to their deeds, with those who have lived a virtuous life being rewarded with eternal life in heaven and those who have lived a wicked life being punished with eternal death in hell. Christ is typically shown as the judge, seated on a throne, with the dead rising from their graves to be judged. The imagery is often intended to evoke a sense of awe and fear, as well as to inspire believers to lead a virtuous life and to prepare for the day of judgment.

The concept of the Last Judgment is significant for several reasons. It provides a clear understanding of the ultimate consequences of one's actions and underscores the importance of living a virtuous life. It also serves as a reminder of the ultimate authority of God and the ultimate accountability of all people. The belief in the Last Judgment is a key part of the Christian faith and is seen as providing comfort to believers, as it offers the promise of eternal life in heaven, and justice for those who have suffered in this life.