History was finite and contained within comprehensible limits. It began with the Creation and was scheduled to end in a not indefinitely remote future with the Second Coming, which was the hope of afflicted mankind, followed by the Day of Judgment. Within that span, man was not subject to social or moral progress because his goal was the next world, not betterment in this. In this world he was assigned to ceaseless struggle against himself in which he might attain individual progress and even victory, but collective betterment would only come in the final union with God.
The passage presents a viewpoint on history that sees it as having defined beginnings and ends, framed within a religious context. It suggests that history commenced with the Creation and is expected to conclude with the Second Coming, which provides hope for humanity. This timeline implies that human existence is not geared towards social or moral advancement; rather, it focuses on spiritual preparation for the afterlife, particularly through individual struggles and personal growth.
According to this perspective, while individuals may strive for personal victories in their lives, broader societal improvements are secondary to the ultimate goal of union with God. The narrative emphasizes that true collective progress is deferred until the Day of Judgment, which reinforces the idea that the present world serves primarily as a testing ground for individual souls rather than a place for achieving lasting social change.
