“Do we know we are getting into heaven?”
In several forums such as here:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=7575136&posted=1#post7575136
and also in private talks, and even on my weekly regular-table, I was asked:
Do you actually think you are getting into heaven?
I always answer with a firm
YES – because I am absolutely convinced of this, and that’s not just my mere hope, but it’s stated in the Holy Bible! The glorious thing is; – this doesn’t just go for me, but for all of us – every Christian on earth!
Now; how do we know this? And why isn’t this just a mere hope?
Simply because - when a friend tells us something, then we don’t just hope that it’s true, but we KNOW it’s true what he said. And how much more than a friend is Jesus Christ, who told us in John 11,25: He who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live!
So; it’s not the question if we get into heaven, but
- To believe or not to believe -
That is the question!
When we do, we are saved. And that’s all there is to it - because Jesus said so.
Now; to believe is no guarantee not to sin. Hence; to many that will mean purgatory or Limbo (which the same, as hell is neither of the “two”) will be set before heaven to many of us – instead of entering heaven for eternity in the first place.
Some seem to think as stated in the mentioned thread; that purgatory always is where we all have to go before getting into heaven. That’s of course not so! Obviously Jesus forgave the good thug on the cross his sins, and the dying Jesus said to him: “Yet today you will be together with Me at my father’s”!
Jesus did not say; ok, I’ll send you to limbo for a while, but CU in heaven later then.
This word of Jesus is of great joy for all of us, as we from here on know, that there is no “R.I.P.” and “sleeping” until doomsday, but we’ll see God right after we die. All will, for all will be judged immediately after death. R.I.P (rest in peace) means, that we wish that this person who died, now is without any worries and so “rests” in the peace of God in His kingdom. Though we will not at all actually sleep, but we’ll be as awake as we never had been before in our lifetime, with much more awareness and perception and capabilities then even before on earth!
But what do we have the glorious institution of the Roman Catholic Catechism for, which summarizes for us in simple language all of our Church’s teaching. And about the question of “WHEN” – immediately or not before doomsday - the RCC tells us under number 1023 - 1051 as well as several New Testament texts do, that there is IMMEDIATE judgement before Christ right after our death and hereafter we IMMEDIATELY enter either Limbo, Heaven or Hell. Never Limbo in any case, - but EITHER one of the three.
Simply trust in God and live the joy of belief Jesus Christ gave us!
Yours
Bruno
