about The End of Life

Hebrews 9:27– “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

THE END OF LIFE (DEATH)

ROME SAYS

Catechism Of The Catholic Church:

1020- “The Christian who unites his own death to that of Jesus views it as a step towards him and an entrance into everlasting life.  When the Church for the last time speaks Christ’s words of pardon and absolution over the dying Christian, seals him for the last time with a strengthening anointing, and gives him Christ in viaticum as nourishment for the journey, she speaks with gentle assurance.”

1021- “Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ.  The New Testament  speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith.  The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul–a destiny which can be different for some and for others.”

1022- “Each man received his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ:  either entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification or immediately, -or immediate and everlasting damnation.”

1023- “Those who die in God’s grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live forever with Christ.  They are like God forever, for they ‘see him as he is,’ face to face.”

1030- “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.”

1035- “The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity.  Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, ‘eternal fire.’  The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.”

1037- “God predestines no one to go to hell; for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end.  In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God , who does not want ‘any to perish, but all to come to repentance,”.

THE BIBLE SAYS

This statement is making reference to one of the seven sacraments called the Last Rights or Anointing of the Sick.  As with the other six sacraments, this too is a supposed means of obtaining grace or favor in the sight of God.  The dying Catholic makes his last confession to the priest; is anointed with holy oil; and receives the Eucharist for the last time.  Having confession heard for the last time and receiving the Eucharist immediately before death is completely foreign to the New Testament.  For instance, the apostle Paul states the following in 2 Corinthians 5:8- “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  Again in Philippians 1:23, Paul demonstrates his confidence that he would immediately enter into heaven to be with the Lord when his life was over, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”   The Bible makes it quite clear that every one who by grace through faith and nothing else  has asked Christ to be their Savior, has eternal life and will never come into condemnation.  For instance we read in Romans 8:1-2- “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

We whole heartedly agree that death puts an end to any opportunity for a person to accept or reject God’s grace.  We also agree that a man’s faith is the basis for where he will spend eternity.  However works have absolutely to do with his destiny.  When presented with the Gospel, all men have a decision to make.  When a person by grace through faith plus nothing asks Jesus Christ to forgive him of his sins and to be his Savior, the Bible clearly states he has eternal life.  Works can never save.  Galatians 2:16- “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not be the works of the law:  for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”  

Galatians3:11- “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident:  for, The just shall live by faith.”

Ephesians 2:8-9- “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Titus 3:5- “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”  Finally St. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:9- “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”  

The Bible speaks of only two destinies after death.  All who by grace through faith alone have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior will immediately enter into heaven upon death.  On the other hand, all who have refused God’s offer and free gift of eternal life, will immediately upon death be cast into hell.  We need no purification or to spend any time in Purgatory.  There is no such place as Purgatory.  (See link to Purgatory on Home page.)    We agree that all who are cast into hell will experience everlasting damnation and will suffer torment for all eternity.  In Luke 16, the rich man was immediately in torment in hell when he died.  In his own words, “for I am tormented in this flame.”   

It is completely foreign to the Word of God that a true Christian has to achieve a state of holiness before being allowed to enter into the joy of heaven.  At the moment of salvation, we are not only declared righteous in the sight of God, we also receive all the holiness necessary to enter into heaven immediately after death.  Ephesians 4:24- “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  Romans 6:22- “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”  Hebrews 12:10- For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he [Christ] for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”  The apostle Peter sums it up thusly in 1 Peter 2:9- “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” )

Yes, hell is a real place and its consequences are for eternity.  However, it certainly is not dying in the state of mortal sin that condemns a soul to hell.  Rather, dying without having trusted Christ’s finished work on Calvary and having accepted Him by grace through faith alone as their personal Savior, is what condemns a soul to the flames of hell.  Ephesians 1:7- “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Romans 3:24- Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

Hebrews 9:12, 28, 10:10, 14-“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” 

Amen, God predestines no one to go to hell.  Certainly a willful turning away from God’s grace and offer of eternal life and persistence in a life of rebellion and sin will send a soul to hell.  However, once again, it is not an unconfessed mortal sin; rather a refusal to accept God’s free gift of eternal life by grace through faith and nothing else that sends a lost soul to hell.  Certainly, it is not the  Eucharistic liturgy and daily prayer that gets the attention of God; it is the prayer of a lost sinner by faith asking for forgiveness and salvation that gets His attention.