eschatology

The nature of resurrection

* The ^^Church teaches Christ will return at the end of the world,^^ the dead will be raised and people will receive ‘heavenly’ new bodies.
* God will judge everyone and make a new heaven and a new earth.
* The Nicene Creed professes: ^^“We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.”^^

The nature of Judgment

* The Catechism teaches that when people die, ^^they are judged by God:^^ “Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death.”
* Corinthians : “^^For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ … whether its good or bad “^^

divergent belief about the nature of judgement

* Judgement is ^^based on your actions whilst alive.^^ However, ^^Evangelical Protestants believe judgement is also based on your beliefs^^ - only Christians can access Heaven.

The nature of heaven

* Corinthians : ^^‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.’^^
* Heaven is a place of eternal peace with God: Revelation: ‘^^He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.’^^
* Catechism: “^^Those who die in God’s grace and friendship and are perfectly purified will live for ever with Christ.”^^

The nature of Hell

* Those who have lived evil lives and ^^totally rejected God’s will go to Hell. This is permanen^^t. Catechism: ^^“To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love means remaining separated from Him for ever by our own free choice.”^^
* Catechism: ^^‘The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God.’^^

The nature of purgatory

* Those ^^who die imperfect, needing more forgiveness and healing, will go to purgatory to be purified of their sins before entering Heaven.^^ This is a temporary state
* Catechism: ^^‘…after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of Heaven.’^^
* Purgatory is only believed by catholics as it is not in the bible

Why is belief in life after desth important

* Belief in judgement, Heaven and Hell provides an ^^incentive to live a good moral life^^
* Lives are affected as ^^Catholics try to love God through worship and prayer.^^
* Lives are affected as ^^Catholics try to love their neighbours, serving others.^^
* Belief in life after death ^^gives life meaning and purpose, and a sense of justice.^^