Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
The A story told by Jesus through which he teaches and illustrates moral lessons and principles. of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-21) gives humanity an example of what will happen to them after life depending on how they have lived and treated others. The parable gives three warnings:
- not to worship material things
- to help those who are in need
- to listen to the prophets
The parable warns that if these are not followed then an individual will end up in A place or state of torment and punishment for those who have done wrong..
Heaven
Heaven is described as Infinity in which time does not exist, ie forever. in the presence of God, as Heaven is a state of being rather than a physical place. The Catholic Church teaches that Heaven is the ultimate aim for Catholics, so that their soul can be reunited with God and united with Christ.
In the Gospels, Christ often describes and teaches about Heaven using parables, such as the Mustard Seed and the Pearl.
Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
In John’s gospel, Jesus again says that humanity is not to worry and to have faith. If there was no Heaven, then Christ would not have taught about it.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.
Hell
Since God has given human beings The idea that humans are free to make their own moral choices., there must be an opportunity for people to reject God. This is the basis of the idea of Hell.
Hell has traditionally been depicted as a place of eternal fire that symbolises pain and suffering. This is seen as the result of the refusal to accept the happiness that God wants people to share with him. Hell is the opposite of Heaven - it is eternity in the absence of God.
In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man describes Hell as a place of torment.
The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented...
Purgatory
The A group of Christians who accept the Pope in Rome as their leader. Church teaches that after death there is a state of Purgatory. This is a place where some people who have sinned are purified in a 'cleansing fire', after which they are accepted into Heaven. The idea of a purifying fire has its biblical basis in scripture. Corinthians tells of a fire that will save.
For no-one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.
All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation: but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of Heaven.