'Good Omens' Finale Explained: What Is the Second Coming & How Did the End of the World Happen?

Seven years after its premiere, the adaptation of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's novel Good Omens has come to an end. The ending was marred by scandal – Gaiman was accused of sexual violence and was unable to participate in the production.

Instead of a full third season, Amazon Prime Video released a single hour-and-a-half-long episode. Though rushed, it still contained touching moments.

What Is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

In the first season, Aziraphale and Crowley prevented an apocalypse that could have been caused by the Antichrist. In the second season, a new threat emerges: the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. According to biblical texts, the First Coming marked the birth of the Son of God.

The Second Coming, however, is associated with the end of time. Jesus will return in glory and power, triggering the Last Judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. This return must be witnessed by everyone in the world.

In the third season, Aziraphale tries to soften the Second Coming by convincing his fellow angels that the apocalypse can be avoided. Instead of the end of time, he wants to usher in universal happiness.

Jesus was reborn as a kind and compassionate man. It would have been easy for Aziraphale to convince him to work together, but something went wrong in Paradise. Someone stole the Book of Life and used it to erase the archangel Metatron. Amid the chaos, Jesus came to Earth to help people find happiness.

How Did the End of the World Happen?

Jesus brought light and warmth, in line with the biblical tradition of combating evil. However, Aziraphale's plan was failing – the thief of the Book of Life started destroying angels in an attempt to cause an apocalypse.

Aziraphale and Crowley discovered that the Archangel Michael had stolen the Book. Throughout her eternity, she had maintained balance and order in Paradise by strictly following the divine plan, yet no one thanked her for her efforts.

When Aziraphale imagined that he could undo millennia of her work, Michael became enraged. She decided to orchestrate Armageddon herself and began wiping out entire countries, burning the pages of the Book of Life in eternal flames, but she did not establish a new kingdom on Earth.

Aziraphale forgave Michael, but she burned the entire book anyway, consumed by guilt and despair. The duo only managed to save the page featuring Aziraphale's bookstore.

Why Did Aziraphale and Crowley Ask God to Create a New Universe?

At the bookstore, Aziraphale and Crowley encountered God and Satan – the four of them were the only beings left in the universe. Their conversation with God made it clear that all events were part of their plan, at least partially.

Instead of praying to God to return their world, Aziraphale and Crowley asked them to create a new one. Instead, they asked them to create a new one without heaven and hell, God and the devil, but with free will. Impressed by the sacrifice of the angel and demon, God agreed.

They consciously gave up immortality, knowing they might never meet again. In the new universe, they became humans without memories of their past lives.

They met again at a bookstore and continued their conversation at a restaurant. The familiar angels and demons had gathered there in human form, and Michael had found peace as a bartender.

The lyrical ending speaks to Aziraphale and Crowley's endless love for humanity – they lived among mortals and tried to protect them from threats. They themselves resembled humans, thus earning the right to become human.

The entire third season consists of major plot lines that should have been given their own episodes. Even in its rushed form, however, the finale delivers an original message and makes the final scene heartfelt.