Could be a "Test Area" after death?

[devonsams]

Hello, I would like to know, if after our death, just before our judgement, that could be some “Test Area” where God could test us, and force to make a decision, that we didn’t make?

For example, I was an atheist until age 20, and used to dislike the Church, but then at 21 I met and really knew, the Catholic Church and I converted, and now I’m a Roman Catholic.

But what if I died when I was 19? or 18? This time I used to hate the Church, and I’d go to hell? If I died that time, God would test me, to change my mind, after my death, before my judgement? Then I could change my mind?

Thanks.

 

[R_C]

This life is the test area, as far as we know The Scriptures tell us (and the Church teaches) that God has written with the New Alliance His law into our hearts, thus nobody is truly excused from not doing the right thing…

Remember that God knows us perfectly. Your story is wonderful, and I don’t think it is a good idea to reason with "what if"s. However, my reasoning in your case is this: God does not impose things on us, therefore there was something in the depth of your heart that allowed you to recognize the truth when you found it. Remember the days when the Lord walked among us? Some of his disciples just needed a look, a word, to leave everything behind and follow Him. Others heard His word, saw His miracles, and still did not follow Him, and some even hated Him unto death. What if you had died before formally entering the Catholic Church? The infinitely merciful God would have revealed Himself to you and shown you that special thing that was in your heart.

God does not condemn any of His children to be eternally separated from Him. That’s exclusively our choice. Sometimes we are not aware of that choice…sometimes we do not need to change our mind, only to find what we are ready to receive and yet we cannot see for some reason…

 

[yellowantphil]

But what if I died when I was 19? or 18? This time I used to hate the Church, and I’d go to hell? If I died that time, God would test me, to change my mind, after my death, before my judgement? Then I could change my mind?
Thanks.

I don’t know about a test area, but perhaps you had invincible ignorance before learning about the Church. I suppose it would depend on whether you formerly rejected God and his Church out of ignorance or misunderstanding, or whether it was because of pride and rebellion. God knows the heart and judges justly—that’s all I know.
Luke 12:47-48 NAB:

That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

 

[devonsams]

What I mean is that, God could give me more 2 years in a parallel universe to make a decision?

By the way, how is the Judgement of God? Is that a place? Where our souls are in this judgement? Thanks.

 

[St_Francis]

What I mean is that, God could give me more 2 years in a parallel universe to make a decision?

Nope, this *is *the test area.

 

[St_Francis]

What I mean is that, God could give me more 2 years in a parallel universe to make a decision?..

Nope, this *is *the test area. This *is *the alternate universe. This *is *where we make our decisions.

I don’t know if this explanation will help you; it’s what I told my children about people who have never even heard of the Name of Christ or the Gospel. There is still something in us which calls us to God. And some choose to follow it, but not being Catholic, not having that knowledge, not having the grace of the sacraments, it is *much *harder (OTOH, less will be expected…). And a person may go towards that call of God, not knowing anything except that It is good. And he loves Who is calling him.

And if this person would have been baptized had he known God wanted that, he would have done that. And if he had known the truths that God wants us to believe, he would have believed them. To me, that person has a sort of Baptism of Desire (which occurs at death) and would be able to enter the Gates of Heaven.

No one (including people who *really *know the Faith) I have told this to has said that it is wrong, but I did come up with this explanation on my own, so maybe it’s that and a quarter will get you a (small) cup of coffee… but to me it covers all that I know about what the Church teaches on this subject.

 

[bzkoss236]

What I mean is that, God could give me more 2 years in a parallel universe to make a decision?

By the way, how is the Judgement of God? Is that a place? Where our souls are in this judgement? Thanks.

By definition and our understanding of God and the universe, a ‘you’ in a parallel universe wouldn’t be you. It would be someone that looked and maybe even acts just like you, but he would have a soul and consciousness independent from yours.

And I’m not entirely sure what you are asking in your questions in the quote… could you clarify?

 

[DavidFilmer]

According to the doctrine of the Catholic Church, your ultimate fate is determined at the moment of your death, and nothing can change that. If you die in a state of Grace, you go to heaven (perhaps with a layover in purgatory). Otherwise, you go to hell. There are no exceptions.

Christian Baptism places us in a state of Grace. Mortal sin removes us from this state. Sacramental Confession can restore us to this state.

The Church recognizes the POSSIBILITY that some people might attain a state of Grace (while living) without the Christian Sacraments (ie, invincible ignorance). The Church has NO IDEA how this might work (ie, what criteria are required), and we do not know if even one person has ever attained salvation in this manner.

In your “former life,” you might have been able to attain salvation in this extraordinary(ie, not ordinary) manner. But, as I said, not even the Church can say for sure (and the probability could be quite small). The Church can and does say that Christian Baptism (perhaps augmented by Absolution) is 100% effective in achieving salvation.