Jews in heaven?

[MrZetterlund]

In the Gospel, it reads “the only way to the Father is through me”. But the jews dont beleave in jesus as our savior,they beleave he was a profet, nothing more…doesent that kind of say “all jews are not going to heaven because they dont beleave jesus is God?” along with other religions such as islam…when the Gospels were written, how do we know that the authors wernt infouneced to attack the jews because the apostols didnt care for the jews because of what they did to jesus. though jesus sufferd by a Roman…it was they jews who wantes him killed…

When the Pharresies accused Jesus of “casting out demons with the help of demons!” (which we know is ridiculous,) Jesus said in response, “Who ever blasphemes the son of man shall be forgiven,” Because future generations and others would be ignorant of his miricals and reject him out of ignorance. But he continued to say, “But whoever blasphemes the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven him in this generation or the next.” So when you rebuke Middle-eastern Muslims for supporting the war, or Jews for showing them why their not as “orthodox” as the real standards of the Law of Moses, and can only be justified through Christ Jesus, yet they curse Jesus despite reason, they are held to the same standard as us.

 

[Thoma25]

I am constantly amazed at the number of people who seem preoccupied with OTHER people’s salvation. You must all be saints. I, OTOH, have enough to do to keep my OWN feet on the straight & narrow.

The concern with other people’s salvation is an excellent virtue, and is at the heart of authentic evangelization. Jesus was not mistaken when he sent his Apostles and Disciples throughout the world, to baptize and teach them to observe all that he had commanded; and if it were not for zealous missionaries such as the Apostle Paul, we most likely wouldn’t be living our lives as Catholics today. However, if we presume the falsehood of universal salvation and the modernist notion of religious relativity (an idea condemned as a grave heresy), and we allow other people through no fault of their own to live and die in their error, then we are in some way responsible for their condemnation.

Generally speaking, this isn’t a matter of “being preoccupied with other people’s salvation,” but of understanding the nature of salvation and the Magisterium’s guidance on that topic. We’re seeing an erosion of faith and Catholic culture precisely because of this apathetic lack of catechesis. The solution to these problems is, of course, proper understanding of the Absolute (not relative) Faith and our Church’s teaching. If we don’t understand the conditions of salvation in general, then how can we persevere in our salvation in particular? And, if we hold that we should consider only our own salvation, or that others can achieve salvation perfectly well without Christ, then we reduce Jesus’ injunction of world-wide evangelization, as well as his Passion for the sake of the New Covenant, to a meaningless absurdity.

 

[CatholicLife]

Doesn’t Jesus tell the Jews that they don’t worship God in John 8: 42-47?

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? Because you cannot bear to hear my word. You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe me. Can any of you charge me with sin? If I am telling the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not listen, because you do not belong to God.”

 

[nickybr38]

I am constantly amazed at the number of people who seem preoccupied with OTHER people’s salvation. You must all be saints. I, OTOH, have enough to do to keep my OWN feet on the straight & narrow.

… are we here only for our own personal journeys?

Or are we here to help guide others to the Father?

Personally the concern that others might be damned to Hell burdens me greatly and leaves me overwhelmed with sadness at times, as I’m sure it does others. I can’t imagine going about life concerned only with my own salvation and caring not if my family and friends are in communion with God.

 

[choy]

don’t forget that the righteous followers of God, which were the Jews, went to Limbo when they died. after Jesus died on the Cross, he descended upon Limbo, preached the good news to those in waiting, broke them out of their prison and lead them to Heaven

so these Jews did go to The Father through Jesus Christ

 

[catharina]

I’d like to think the title of this thread is a joke - but I know better.

If there were no Jews in heaven, then why would Jesus want to be there?
His closest friends and ALL of his human family were Jewish.
Why would He ever want to be any place there are no Jews???

 

[NeedImprovement]

From EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I :

"…Look with favor on these offerings
and accept them as once
you accepted
the gifts of your servant Abel,
the sacrifice of Abraham
our father in faith,
and the bread and wine
offered by your priest Melchisedech…"

 

[JohnAlexander]

There is no salvation outside of the Church. The source of our salvation is Jesus Christ.

It does not follow that you have to be a Catholic to be saved. I don’t understand why people are confused by this. People are just not able to think rationally.

If you are a Jew, a Buddhist, a Hindu, a Mormon, etc. and you are saved, you are not saved on account of your Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism or Mormonism, you are saved on account of Jesus Christ. That you don’t recognize Jesus Christ is irrelevant.

Does anyone really think God is stupid? That God doesn’t know what is in our hearts? That God is unfair? What about the millions of people who lived before Jesus Christ or even before the covenant with Abraham? God knows what is in our hearts and judges us accordingly.

Adam & Eve, the first true human beings, damaged the relationship between humanity and God. Jesus Christ repaired the damage. Jesus, being God, is not limited by time. The repair exists at all points in time, including the past.

So why be Catholic? The Catholic Church is like a map. The road that leads to heaven was built by Jesus Christ. Life is a lot easier if you use the map. But even if you don’t you can still get to heaven if follow the road. You might not know that Jesus Christ built the road but it is still His road and it is the only road to heaven. You will probably get off the road and suffer many hardships along the way.

 

[catharina]

There is no salvation outside of the Church. The source of our salvation is Jesus Christ.

It does not follow that you have to be a Catholic to be saved. I don’t understand why people are confused by this. People are just not able to think rationally.

**If you are a Jew, a Buddhist, a Hindu, a Mormon, etc. and you are saved, you are not saved on account of your Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism or Mormonism, you are saved on account of Jesus Christ. ** Lovely. That you don’t recognize Jesus Christ is irrelevant.

Does anyone really think God is stupid? That God doesn’t know what is in our hearts? That God is unfair? What about the millions of people who lived before Jesus Christ or even before the covenant with Abraham? God knows what is in our hearts and judges us accordingly.

Adam & Eve, the first true human beings, damaged the relationship between humanity and God. Jesus Christ repaired the damage. Jesus, being God, is not limited by time. The repair exists at all points in time, including the past.

**So why be Catholic? The Catholic Church is like a map. The road that leads to heaven was built by Jesus Christ. Life is a lot easier if you use the map. But even if you don’t you can still get to heaven if follow the road. You might not know that Jesus Christ built the road but it is still His road and it is the only road to heaven. ** **Lovely again. ** You will probably get off the road and suffer many hardships along the way.

 

[CradleCath]

… are we here only for our own personal journeys?

Or are we here to help guide others to the Father?

Personally the concern that others might be damned to Hell burdens me greatly and leaves me overwhelmed with sadness at times, as I’m sure it does others. I can’t imagine going about life concerned only with my own salvation and caring not if my family and friends are in communion with God.

My reply was addressing the question “Are there Jews in heaven?” Of course, the souls of my family & friends are a “concern” to me. Right now, I have a Brother who is in the last stages of a dreadful disease. He has been in the hospital since Mar. 17, & is on a dialysis machine, breaths through a tracheotomy tube & has had a colostomy, heart surgery & part of his pelvic bone removed. Some nights I can’t sleep because I do not know if he is in Communion with God. He was raised Catholic & left the Church many, MANY years ago. I’ve done all I can do, I think…asking him to go to Mass with me, approaching him about calling a priest to administer the Last Rites…all to no avail. So, now I just pray.

The poster I answered was referring to a WHOLE RACE/RELIGION that does not know that their Messiah has already come to earth & died for their Salvation. I do not believe that He will condemn a race/religion as a whole, but that He will judge **each of us **on both our opportunities to know Him & our faithfulness to His Commandments.

I believe in invincible ignorance, I believe in Baptism of Desire & of Blood & the necessity of praying for those who have been misled & decieved throughout their lives…those who do not know the truth that is Catholicism.

Meanwhile I pray for my own guidance, that Christ & His Mother will keep me on the right path. I pray for wisdom, that God may put the right words in my mouth concerning my Brother & those like him…who have somehow lost their way. But, to sit & ask if "there are any Jews in Heaven…no, I don’t do that.

 

[choy]

I’d like to think the title of this thread is a joke - but I know better.

If there were no Jews in heaven, then why would Jesus want to be there?
His closest friends and ALL of his human family were Jewish.
Why would He ever want to be any place there are no Jews???

heaven is the rightful place of Jesus, He is God
and for anyone, why would the condition being in heaven rest upon family, friends and other loved ones? if being with God in heaven is not enough, then there’s something wrong with your understanding of what heaven is. yes, we want everyone to be there and pray for everyone to be there, but the reason why we’re there is so that we can be with God

 

[chosen_people]

It may be of interest to note that after years of intense negotiations, Israel is on the verge of signing an agreement with several Protestant sects under which Jews will be allowed to enter heaven on the condition that they do not attempt to join the country club.

 

[Lycorth]

In the Gospel, it reads “the only way to the Father is through me”. But the jews dont beleave in jesus as our savior,they beleave he was a profet, nothing more…doesent that kind of say “all jews are not going to heaven because they dont beleave jesus is God?” along with other religions such as islam…when the Gospels were written, how do we know that the authors wernt infouneced to attack the jews because the apostols didnt care for the jews because of what they did to jesus. though jesus sufferd by a Roman…it was they jews who wantes him killed…

Any Jew can go to Heaven so long as he or she believes in Christ, receives baptism, and assents to all dogmatic Church teachings - the same as anyone else.

 

[catharina]

heaven is the rightful place of Jesus, He is God
and for anyone, why would the condition being in heaven rest upon family, friends and other loved ones? if being with God in heaven is not enough, then there’s something wrong with your understanding of what heaven is. yes, we want everyone to be there and pray for everyone to be there, but the reason why we’re there is so that we can be with God

I was being quite sarcastic. Sorry you missed that.

In fact I hoped to address the underlying anti-semiticism still held by some “Christians.”
Maybe you’re unaware of the anti-semiticism still promoted by some in subtle ways?

 

[PilgrimToChrist]

This is just my personal opinion but as the Jews are God’s Chosen People - I think it’s fairly obvious where they’re going.

Assuming they turn from their infidelity.

Considering all the bad stuff they got into in the Old Testament and yet were STILL forgiven… I think they’ll be okay.

Also, that’s assuming they ask for forgiveness.

 

[Lycorth]

Assuming they turn from their infidelity.

Also, that’s assuming they ask for forgiveness.

Amen. God does not play favorites anymore. The “chosen” status does not apply any longer.

No one gets into Heaven on a free pass because of their ethnicity. This is the New Covenant.

 

[palmas855]

I agree. Jesus, and the apostles, clearly loved those who were Jews, in that they all were, Jesus was, Mary was, and thousands of early Christians were.

Interesting though is how by the end of the first century the Church was overwhelmingly pagan converts. To most Jews of the time, and even today for that matter, the idea that Jesus, a crucified criminal in their minds, was the Messiah, was seen as being flat out ridiculous. Most early Christians saw themselves as the true embodiment of Judaism and the Jews as being betrayers of their own faith. Numerous letters and treatsies from that era remain and more or less completely shatter the idea that the early Church and the Jews had much in common and co existed peacefully from the earliest times… In fact by the fourth century Jews were almost unaimously seen as little better than demons on earth. Read ,Adversus Judaeos by no less a figure in the Church than Saint John Chrysostom to see how the early Christians felt about the Jews.

That is the truth that many don’t want to recognize.

 

[PilgrimToChrist]

It is true, the Jews ARE God’s Chosen People-even to this day.

Rom 9:1-8:

I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost: That I have great sadness, and continual sorrow in my heart. For I wished myself to be an anathema from Christ, for my brethren, who are my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongeth the adoption as of children, and the glory, and the testament, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises: Whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ, according to the flesh, who is over all things, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Not as though the word of God hath miscarried. For all are not Israelites that are of Israel: Neither are all they that are the seed of Abraham, children; but in Isaac shall thy seed be called: that is to say, not they that are the children of the flesh, are the children of God; but they, that are the children of the promise, are accounted for the seed.

Yet, we Gentiles have Joined them (as God’s Chosen).

Not all of Israel but the elect:
Rom 11:5:

Even so then at this present time also, there is a remnant saved according to the election of grace.

But those who rejected Christ as the Divine Messiah are broken off, but if they convert, they will be grafted back on:
Rom 11:20-23:

… because of unbelief they were broken off. But thou standest by faith: be not highminded, but fear. For if God hath not spared the natural branches, fear lest perhaps he also spare not thee. See then the goodness and the severity of God: towards them indeed that are fallen, the severity; but towards thee, the goodness of God, if thou abide in goodness, otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

2 Covenants with the Same God.
A Covenant is a Covenant.

We’re just under the New Covenant, Jesus Christ.

This is called “dual covenant theology” and is false. The Old and New Covenants are one covenant, fulfilled in Christ:
Mt 5:17-18:

Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.

As Scripture explains, He came unto His Own, and they knew Him not.

Correct, the Jews (as a whole) rejected Christ as Messiah.
Jn 8:19:

Neither me do you know, nor my Father: if you did know me, perhaps you would know my Father also.

and also:
2Cor 3:13-16:

And not as Moses put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel might not steadfastly look on the face of that which is made void. But their senses were made dull. For, until this present day, the selfsame veil, in the reading of the old testament, remaineth not taken away (because in Christ it is made void). But even until this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. But when they shall be converted to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.

Good Friday Prayer for the Jews:

Let us pray also for the [faithless - pre-1960] Jews: that our God and Lord would remove the veil from their hearts: that they also may acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ.
…
Almighty and everlasting God, Who drivest not away from Thy mercy even the Jews: hear our prayers which we offer for the blindness of that people: that acknowledging the light of Thy truth, which is Christ, they may be rescued from their darkness. Through the same our Lord. Amen.

The Old Covenant, without Christ, is not salvific; the New Covenant, with Christ, saves ~ there is a dramatic difference.

St. Paul writes about this several times, one example:
Gal 2:16:

But knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

(cont.)

 

[PilgrimToChrist]

(cont.)

In the Divine Mercy In My Soul Diary, to Sister Faustina-it was explained that God’s Mercy is extended to each soul at its Judgement (as soon as the person dies).

If the soul accepts God’s Mercy-no matter what the Religion or lack of in the world-it is “saved.” Thing is, when that person sees its soul ~through God’s Eyes~ what they did, said and how they acted towards others in their lifetime.

I’m not sure what quote you are thinking of, she does say this:

+The Lord’s Promise: The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.

and again:
ibid:

When I entered my solitude, I heard these words: At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same. When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, God’s anger is placated, unfathomable mercy envelops the soul, and the very depths of My tender mercy are moved for the sake of the sorrowful Passion of My Son.

Oh, if only everyone realized how great the Lord’s mercy is and how much we all need that mercy, especially at that crucial hour!

That is to say, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, like the Rosary, First Fridays, and other devotions, is aimed at least in part, at the grace of final penitence. As we say in the Hail Mary, “pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death”.

Rather than an abundance of grace given at death, that is the time when the devils attack fiercely, trying to entice the soul to sin and despair of God’s mercy. We must pray for these graces at the point of death because they are crucial for our salvation. The grace of final penitence is not given to everyone, as you infer, but rather as a result of much prayer and devotion regarding this end and a constant memento mori.

St. Faustina writes concerning a Jewish woman:
ibid:

This day is so special for me; even though I encountered so many sufferings, my soul is overflowing with great joy. In a private room next to mine, there was a Jewish woman who was seriously ill. I went to see her three days ago and was deeply pained at the thought that she would soon die without having her soul cleansed by the grace of Baptism. I had an understanding with her nurse, a [religious] Sister, that when her last moment would be approaching, she would baptize her. There was this difficulty however, that there were always some Jewish people with her. However, I felt inspired to pray before the image which Jesus had instructed me to have painted. I have a leaflet with the Image of the Divine Mercy on the cover. And I said to the Lord, "Jesus, You yourself told me that You would grant many graces through this image. I ask You, then, for the grace of Holy Baptism for this Jewish lady. It makes no difference who will baptize her, as long as she is baptized.

After these words, I felt strangely at peace, and I was quite sure that, despite the difficulties, the waters of Holy Baptism would be poured upon her soul. That night, when she was very low, I got out of bed three times to see her, watching for the right moment to give her this grace. The next morning, she seemed to feel a little better. In the afternoon her last moment began to approach. The Sister who was her nurse said that Baptism would be difficult because they were with her. The moment came when the sick woman began to lose consciousness, and as a result, in order to save her, they began to run about; some [went] to fetch the doctor, while others went off in other directions to find help.

And so the patient was left alone, and Sister baptized her, and before they had all rushed back, her soul was beautiful, adorned with God’s grace. Her final agony began immediately, but it did not last long. It was as if she fell asleep. All of a sudden, I saw her soul ascending to heaven in wondrous beauty. Oh, how beautiful is a soul with sanctifying grace! Joy flooded my heart that before this image I had received so great a grace for this soul.

Oh, how great is God’s mercy; let every soul praise it. O my Jesus, that soul for all eternity will be singing You a hymn of mercy. I shall not forget the impression this day has made on my soul. This is the second great grace which I have received here for souls before this image.

Oh, how good the Lord is, and how full of compassion; Jesus, how heartily I thank You for these graces.

Now this is not to embrace Feenyism, saying that water baptism (in the Catholic Church) is an absolute necessity. It is a normal necessity, but is not absolute. I have discussed elsewhere the issue of catechumens and the Church’s consistent teaching that they are numbered among the baptized by reason of desire even if they have not yet received the fullness of the sacrament.

Nevertheless, by the merits and piety of this great saint, we can say (with the certainly accorded private revelation) that she was able to save the soul of this Jewish woman by her faith and prayers and by the discussions she had with her leading up to her death to predispose her to God’s grace.

(cont.)

 

[PilgrimToChrist]

(cont.)

God is Love. Jesus explained the “New Commandment” of Love-to Love each other as He loved them.

Love your Neighbor as yourself.

God is Love, yes, but He also is perfectly just. Hell does exist and sinners do go there to be tormented for all eternity because of their sins ~ a single thought can damn a soul to eternal punishment because it is a crime against the infinite and perfect God. All of us deserve Hell and would go there if it weren’t for grace:
St. Teresa of Avila:

Some considerable time after our Lord had bestowed upon me the graces I have been describing, and others also of a higher nature, I was one day in prayer when I found myself in a moment, without knowing how, plunged apparently into hell. I understood that it was our Lord’s will I should see the place which the devils kept in readiness for me, and which I had deserved by my sins. It was but a moment, but it seems to me impossible I should ever forget it even if I were to live many years.

Love your neighbors, yes, but do so by praying for them and converting them to God. Loving people doesn’t always mean being “nice” to them, it is not focused entirely on human relationships, but rather in relation to God.

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta taught:
motherteresathecaseforthecause.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html

***“It does not matter to me what religious path a person chooses to follow. Inspired by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, my resolve is to help the Christian be the best Christian they can be… to help the Muslim or Sikh to be the best Muslim or Sikh they can be… to help the Buddhist or Pagan be the best Buddhist or Pagan they can be… and to help the atheist, agnostic, or deist to be the best atheist, agnostic or deist they can be.”

Mother Teresa taught:

“I’ve always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic” (Mother Teresa: The Case for The Cause, 29).

“I convert you to be a better Hindu, a better Catholic, Muslim, Jain, or Buddhist” (Mother Teresa: The Case for The Cause, 4).***

And she was wrong.

Saint Padre Pio told his friend Maria Pyle to leave her (Baptist) mother alone, when she was trying to convert her to Catholicism. He said she was at peace with God.

I do not know the source of this anecdote. It is in “Padre Pio: The True Story”, written by Lutheran minister C. Bernard Ruffin, but the copy on Google Books is missing the footnotes for that chapter (limited preview). Without further information, I cannot comment. Assuming this anecdote is true, it must be taken in context – St. Padre Pio was given the grace to read peoples’ souls and he could have read her soul and understood that she was in a state of grace. That does not mean it is applicable to every Baptist or every non-Catholic, only that specific individual. Formal membership in the Catholic Church is the ordinary means of salvation, but that doesn’t restrict God from working outside of those means, especially if there are people like Padre Pio praying for them.

***If they were in danger of losing their souls—wouldn’t Mother Teresa or Padre Pio want to convert them? After all, that was a HUGE part of their life! Saving Souls!!!

I prefer not to speculate on individual peoples’ intentions.

However—In the Catholic Faith, we have the Promise of the “Fullness of the True Faith.” The lion’s share of the Truth.

For the purpose of salvation. It is possible for a Protestant or even a non-Christian to be saved, it is just very difficult, much more difficult than it is for a faithful Catholic.
Mt 7:13-14:

Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!

– END –