Aren't we awaiting Christ's return and THATS when everyone will be judged and decided upon who is going to Heaven or not? So if we are awaiting Christ's return, what is happening to all those that have passed? At funeral masses we are told that they are joining Christ in Heaven, but if we are awaiting His return, wouldn't that mean they are all really in Purgatory and thats where all of us are headed?
2006-06-22 06:10:46 · 31 answers · asked by katie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes we are awaiting Christs return. A christian will not be judged for their sins, Christ took that punishment already on the cross. Christians will be rewarded for what they have done for God while they were here on earth.
At any funeral the preacher usually try's to avoid saying bad things about the deceased. Even if they were a really bad person, there is no value in bringing it up at the funeral. The family already knows and it is in bad taste. There is no purgatory, the Bible teaches heaven or hell as the two choices. Christs return on earth is to establish his kingdom here for 1000 years.
1 The Christians will be judged during the great tribulation and rewarded according to what they did. 1 Cor 3:8-17, 2 Cor 5:10,11 Romans 14:10 This talks about the judgment of believers for the works that they have done while on earth..
2 The unbelievers are judged in Revelation 20:11-15 and it is a formality to show them that they did not obey God. This judgment will happen after the 1000 year reign of Christ and the unbelievers will be brought from hell and judged and sent to the lake of fire.
You do not wait for Christs return to know that you have eternal life, you need to decide while here on earth and learn to live in the kingdom of God here and now..
2006-06-22 06:14:50 · answer #1 · answered by † PRAY † 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, but this isn't true. (It would be nice if we had to do nothing but believe in God to get to Heaven). It doesn't work that way. You have to follow the Christian (traditional Catholic) faith in order to get to Heaven. You have to follow Christ in action. This is where the heresy of Protestantism doesn't jive. According to this Protestant heresy, any satanist should achieve Heaven because if he believes in Satan, he also believes in God. He has faith that Christ existed.
There are two judgements. There is the judgement when we die (based on our earthly lives and influence on others) and then there is the Final Judgement which will not be pretty. Protestants have made up lies about the "Rapture" and other ridiculous nonesense. In the Bible it says these days will be of extreme pain and agony and they will be shortened for the sake of the just. The end of the world is not something to look forward to. Anyhow, while we will stay in Heaven or Hell, our sentence or reward will be different based upon how our life on earth influenced others by the end times.
For example, say a man wrote a wicked book and then died. He went to Hell because he blasphemed Our Lord. Well, then at the Final Judgement, it was found that because of his book 1000s were influenced to lead bad lives. Because of that greater influence, his torment in hell becomes even worse than it was before.
Or say a just woman had 10 children she raised as good Catholics. Then she died and went to Heaven for her sacrifices and love. Well at the Final Judgement, it may be found that those 10 children went on to have many more children or become priests and sisters to serve God. Her reward would be even greater because of that good influence she left behind her.
2006-06-22 13:23:11 · answer #2 · answered by oremus_fratres 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Judgment isn't for the believer, (we already asked for forgiveness in this life) but for the sinner, they will be at the great white judgment throne of God.
2. we are awaiting Jesus' return. those who have passed away, will go to meet the Lord first. (the dead in Christ shall rise first) their bodies will be glorified at that point, right now they are in heaven in spirit form (no body) those of us that are alive, will be caught up to meet him in the sky.. states the Bible. then we go to the marriage feast. IN HEAVEN. the unbelievers are not going to be raptured, only the believers. the unbelievers will remain and face the tribulation.
3. there is no such thing as purgatory, it is NOT in the Bible nor does it suggest that there is a purgatory. the Bible says (absent from the body is present with the Lord) I suppose that God is in purgatory too right now? lol! think about it. that is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard.
2006-06-22 13:20:33 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Poetic1♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be absent in the flesh is to be present with the lord (whether you believed in Christ or not). Some are in torment because they suffer with the knowledge that they lost the race.
Christ comes to end this age of flesh. Final judgment doesn't take place until after the millennium. Satan will be released one last time to tempt God's children after Christ's return and before final judgment.
2006-06-22 13:33:51 · answer #4 · answered by Automation Wizard 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Purgatory is a Catholic thing. I am Lutheran and we believe that the soul of a person goes to heaven or hell depending on their faith or lack there of. When Christ returns, our souls will be in a perfect heavenly body.
2006-06-22 13:16:30 · answer #5 · answered by mama_wizard 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
When Christ returns those who remain alive and are in Christ will receive a glorified body and rise to be with the Lord also.
There will be two judgements. The great white throne judgement for those who rejected Jesus. The bema seat is where the saints of God will be judged according to their works for the crowns and jewels they will receive. Those in Christ will not be judged for sin because that was the point of Jesus death, burial and resurrection....Jesus took our judgement and our punishment.
2006-06-22 13:17:17 · answer #6 · answered by Lady Di-USA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wrong thing about purgatory is that it is said that it is purifying you from the sins commited before death and the more you pay the more prayers you get. That teaching you can not find in the Bible.
Remember the 2 thieves who were crucified with Jesus, Jesus said to one who believed on Him, "you shall be with me in paradise" so they are not in heaven yet but in paradise where they are also waiting for the second coming.
2006-06-22 13:16:28 · answer #7 · answered by *♥£öVe§♥* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian you are still going to Heaven. You will be judged then when you die. Jesus is going to come again and judge all of those people who have not died and i think he's going to judge those who have died. (not quite sure) But if you are a Christian you go right to heaven when you die. Your soul does. Try reading Revelations in the Bible. This should tell you I believe.
2006-06-22 13:14:25 · answer #8 · answered by middlebabysara 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they are resting in the grave awaiting the resurrection.
It will be like a continous door way for them. They won't remember how long they have been alsheep.
Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth. So they will all be resurrected back to this earth when all violence and wicked people are gone. The earth will be a paradise.
2006-06-22 13:15:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think there is a heaven now that everyone goes to and it is great and fantastic and all that stuff but when Christ comes to earth everyone will go up to a super heaven and no one will be on earth any more if you aren't saved at the time he comes you don't get to be with him forever in heaven, thats why its important to know Christ now because it could happen at any time
2006-06-22 13:15:13 · answer #10 · answered by bob_marley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋