by Brandon Jubar

As I stared into the eyes of this Christian Rock guitar player and finished my profession of faith, I suddenly felt relaxed. Despite a few interruptions and the occasional roll of the eyes, he had basically let me speak.

It had all started with a simple question: "What do you believe? If you've been a Catholic all your life, you must be able to share with me your understanding of our Savior."

The question had caught me off guard -- but my answer been a surprise as well. The Nicene Creed -- the profession of faith we recite every week -- had been flowing from my mouth before I realized it. Only this time it seemed to mean a bit more.

I had made it through the entire Creed, and my voice rang with conviction as I spoke the final words: "...and the life of the world to come."

What Happens When We Die?

At the moment of our death, Jesus Christ will pass judgment upon us. Though the New Testament most often speaks of the final judgment, it also makes it clear that we will be rewarded (or punished) immediately upon our death.

A truly holy person will be welcomed immediately into heaven. Paul writes to the people of Philippi, "I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better..." Phil 1:23

A person who dies in mortal sin -- and has refused to repent and be reconciled with God's love -- will remain separated from God. Being excluded from the presence of God through one's free choosing is what we call "hell".

So the holy go to heaven, and the evil go to hell -- but what happens to everyone else?

Does the Church Still Teach "Purgatory"?

In order to live for eternity in the presence of the Lord, we need to be pure. The Church teaches that many souls will need to be purified before finally reaching heaven, and scriptures refer to a cleansing fire. "The work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire." 1 Cor 3:13, 15

Purgatory was not "invented" be the Catholic Church. The belief dates back to the early Church, and is supported in Scripture as well as Apostolic Tradition. It was defined and more fully explained at the Councils of Florence and Trent -- but the belief had existed since the beginning.

Purgatory is understood to be the final purification necessary before certain souls are allowed to enter heaven. The purifying fire of Purgatory is also understood to be completely different from the eternal fires of hell.

The Last Judgment

At the end of time, Jesus Christ will come again. He is the King of the living and the dead, and he will sit in judgment on the last day. The New Testament is very clear on this, and it is one doctrine that is universally agreed upon by Christians.

Those souls who are worthy will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and live for eternity in the presence of the Lord. Catholics believe that the purifying fires of purgatory prepare us for judgment day. We also believe that the prayers and sacrifices of the living can be offered up for those souls in purgatory, to help atone for their sins.

The World to Come

At the end of time, after Christ has made his final judgment, the righteous will reign with him forever. They will be reunited -- body with soul -- in a new, glorified body. The scriptures speak of the universe being renewed as "new heavens and a new earth".

This new universe will bring everything together at last. Christ will rule the heavens and the earth, the living and the dead. He shall reign in glory for all eternity.

Life Applications:

Have you ever tried to explain "Purgatory" to anyone?

If you were to die today, where do you think your soul would go? Why?

If you knew that you were going to die in six months, what would you do differently?

Copyright 2002 by Brandon Jubar
This article has been provided by ParishWebmaster.com