In response to Zargabaath, I know that I was a little puzzled by why they awoke from crystal sleep after only a few hours. When they were waking up I was figuring that they would be waking up a few centuries later and we'd see what progress civilization had made. I was a bit disappointed because it seem a little strange to wake up so fast.

I know what they were doing. They were trying to provide a happy ending for the remaining party members rather than having them be strangers in a strange land centuries later, which I think would have been far more interesting and emotional.

But after the ending I came to his rationale. Ragnarok that was trying to be created by the fal'Cie Bart (something something long) was supposed to be only one person. He only needed one to do it, Ragnarok had that power. Unfortunately, something in Fang weakened or the Goddess stepped in centuries ago before it could be finished, I forget the exact details. But needless to say there was enough power in Ragnarok with one person becoming Ragnarok to kill Orphan.

However, what actually happened was two people became Ragnarok, two l'Cie who at this point were significantly stronger than the last time it all happened. So the Ragnarok that was created this time around was at the very least twice as strong, but I suspect the power increase was significantly more than just being twice. As a result of that jump in strength Ragnarok gained probably what would be considered near god-like powers.

So as a final gift to their friends that survived, they gave them back their life and chances to live a normal life. So making use of Ragnarok's god-like powers, Fang and Vanille pulled them all out of crystal sleep as their last act. It was their gift to them after saving the world.

Is it a little Deux Ex? Probably so, but that is the way that I saw it happening. I find it quite unlikely that the Goddess decided to step down and grant the party a life after everything that happened because she felt sorry for them.

As for civilization surviving. During Fang and Vanille's time they were able to make a living. I suspect most of the monsters that roam Pulse now were available back then as well. It was pretty clear that there used to be some great civilizations on Pulse before the fal'Cie screwed everything. So you just find the right place to build a home and I think civilization will survive.