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Josh316
Guest
Sorry if this has been asked before but what happens to the souls in hell after God ultimately triumphs over the devil after the second coming of Christ?
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Reepicheep
Guest
The souls in Hell remain in Hell.
Forever.
Forever.
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ConstantineTG
Guest
Hell is a state of eternal separation from God.
I guess the word “eternal” says it all
I guess the word “eternal” says it all
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Josh316
Guest
I thought I heard somewhere that hell and everything within would be destroyed? Hmm, must have imagined it. I guess I already knew the answer then but thanks for your posts.
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DavidFilmer
Guest
You surely heard that somewhere. It is a popular theological opinion in some circles which maintains that a “merciful God” would not permit an eternal punishment.
This particular opinion has never been endorsed by the Church.
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tuscany
Guest
Seems like it should be called a theo-il-logical opinion. It shoots the theory of free will out on it’s ear. If people choose hell, God, merciful though He is, will not take your free will away from you and force you to love Him. You make the choice to be separated from God, and that is what you get for eternity.
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clmowry
Guest
I do not believe the Church has made a definitive pronouncement on the subject.
I know that it is taught that there is a hell. Hell is eternal. Many people will go to hell. Hell is very unpleasant. The chief source of the unpleasantness is separation from God.
I don’t think that the Church has taught, however, that those who go to hell will definitely exist in the same state forever. i.e. Annihilation or some other change in the nature of the separation could take place.
If the Church has made a pronouncement on the subject, does anyone have a reference?
Chuck
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Dan-Man916
Guest
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hamburglar
Guest
What about the bodies of the souls in Hell?
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Reepicheep
Guest
After the General Judgment, our bodies will be reunited with our souls, to share our judgment. Those in Heaven will enjoy forever the bliss of Heaven, in their bodies. Those in Hell will suffer forever the torments of Hell, in their bodies.
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clmowry
Guest
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Elizabeth2
Guest
Catechism of the Catholic Church
1305 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.
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
God doesn’t choose Hell for them–they choose.
I have mentioned it before, but in the instant after you die, but before your soul leaves your body, it would be theoretically possible for our Lord to give a person “one last chance”. I know that because of this certain Franciscans taught that no one is in Hell.
It is possible, though, that serious sin “blinds” a soul to this last appeal from our Lord…or that a life of habitual sin actually cause some to say NO to God. Which is so sad.
We do know that there will be a Final Judgement, which would seem to be a tad pointless, ie, if a person makes the choice at the moment of death, what would be the point of a Final Judgement, unless it could change the previous judgement? Anyone have an explanation, please?
I have mentioned it before, but in the instant after you die, but before your soul leaves your body, it would be theoretically possible for our Lord to give a person “one last chance”. I know that because of this certain Franciscans taught that no one is in Hell.
It is possible, though, that serious sin “blinds” a soul to this last appeal from our Lord…or that a life of habitual sin actually cause some to say NO to God. Which is so sad.
We do know that there will be a Final Judgement, which would seem to be a tad pointless, ie, if a person makes the choice at the moment of death, what would be the point of a Final Judgement, unless it could change the previous judgement? Anyone have an explanation, please?
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Ridgerunner
Guest
An interesting article. It’s not so very different from what St. Therese of Lisieux wrote, but from a different aspect. She said all in hell are volunteers. They have a moment of utter clarity. The true nature of all their sins is clear to them. The true nature of forgiveness and God’s love is clear to them. That fogiveness and love are intolerable, by their decision, because their crystal clear decision is to love themselves forever rather than God. It’s the same pride that drove Lucifer to spend eternity worshipping himself, knowing full well how defective that is. God’s love and forgiveness are, for that reason, a torment; an affront to an overweening pride.
She also maintained that all in purgatory are volunteers. They feel no offense at God’s love and forgiveness, but feel themselves unworthy to be in the full presence of God and wish to purge themselves of the vestiges of self centeredness. How that happens, she does not say, though she acknowledges it would be unpleasant in some manner. One could expect that.
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clmowry
Guest
Yep. I got that.
“Eternal separation from God" and “eternal fire” does not preclude annihilation or specify what other form the suffering of hell might take for a given individual, or specify that the suffering will be consistent for all time, or what happens after the 2nd coming [How does a resurrected body exist in hell] etc.
I don’t think the Church has anything to say on these subjects [Divine Revelation has not provided any of these specifics].
Chuck
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
That is so awesome. It just makes sense. We are fallen, with imperfect knowledge/intellect/will. God, who is Love, would surely take that in to account, and give us a chance sans our earthly limitations.
How lost would a soul have to be to with complete knowlede reject a loving God, though? The thought of it literally sends shivers up my spine.
As far as to what suffering the souls in Purgatory undergo: can you imagine having perfect knowledge/will/intellect and having to watch your sins one by one, with all the “ripples” they caused in your life, the lives of your loved ones and the lives of literally everyone that lived after you? That would be hugely painful, I think.
I believe your post, but can you give me a link?
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Elizabeth2
Guest
Will there be anyone in hell??
The words of Jesus: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” Matt 7:13-14
How will they suffer??
The words of Jesus: “Just as weeds are collected and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The son of man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evil doers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” Matt 13:40-43
The words of Jesus about the Last Judgement: "Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food…And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life”. Matt 25:41,46
Will it be forever???
Jesus’ words: “And if your eye casues you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown itno Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:47
It seems pretty clear that it’s forever. If people in hell are exterminated (when would that be? at what point? Jesus never said that would happen) and if that were to happen then the fire wouldn’t be eternal would it?
The Catholic Catechism has more paragraphs on hell than the one I quoted and they give reference to other documents in the foot notes. I think the Church has spoken definitively on this, It seems pretty clear, but the Church has never said that a particular person is in hell. Many of the saints have spoken of the reality of hell, and Mary when she appeared to the children at Fatima said that there were souls in hell.
It’s a horrible thought and I can’t really bear to think of it. But if this life is a preparation for the next, then when you think of some of the terrible things that people do to one another. EWTN just ran a series on the persecuted Church around the world today: Children 3 and 4 years old being thrown into a house then set on fire. Christians having molten lead poured over them as they sang hymns, because they wouldn’t renounce their faith. If people are so cruel and have no compassion for their fellow human beings how would they suddenly at death be able to relate to a loving God?? If their hearts are so hard??
At Fatima Our Lady taught the children a prayer to be said at the end of each decade of the Rosary. “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven especially those most in need of your mercy.”
The words of Jesus: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” Matt 7:13-14
How will they suffer??
The words of Jesus: “Just as weeds are collected and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The son of man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evil doers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” Matt 13:40-43
The words of Jesus about the Last Judgement: "Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food…And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life”. Matt 25:41,46
Will it be forever???
Jesus’ words: “And if your eye casues you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown itno Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:47
It seems pretty clear that it’s forever. If people in hell are exterminated (when would that be? at what point? Jesus never said that would happen) and if that were to happen then the fire wouldn’t be eternal would it?
The Catholic Catechism has more paragraphs on hell than the one I quoted and they give reference to other documents in the foot notes. I think the Church has spoken definitively on this, It seems pretty clear, but the Church has never said that a particular person is in hell. Many of the saints have spoken of the reality of hell, and Mary when she appeared to the children at Fatima said that there were souls in hell.
It’s a horrible thought and I can’t really bear to think of it. But if this life is a preparation for the next, then when you think of some of the terrible things that people do to one another. EWTN just ran a series on the persecuted Church around the world today: Children 3 and 4 years old being thrown into a house then set on fire. Christians having molten lead poured over them as they sang hymns, because they wouldn’t renounce their faith. If people are so cruel and have no compassion for their fellow human beings how would they suddenly at death be able to relate to a loving God?? If their hearts are so hard??
At Fatima Our Lady taught the children a prayer to be said at the end of each decade of the Rosary. “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven especially those most in need of your mercy.”
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PAboy57
Guest
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for taking the time to post the truth from the Bible. I don’t think there is much wiggle room on this subject. When we die we are either going to be in Heaven of hell period. hell is going to be the most terrible environment imaginable – we don’t even have enough intelligence to comprehend how bad it will really be.
There is pure evil in the world and more of it than most people are willing to believe or admit. It is on the news everyday. Judas walked with Jesus for years and saw the miracles and listened to His Word and then allowed satan to enter and turned Jesus over to the authorities. We know what Jesus had to say about him.
We have had the warnings from our Blessed Mother and I don’t think she was joking around. Jesus will send people to hell and it will be more than a few and it will be eternal.
So please get out your Rosary and continue to pray daily. And be good as in following the teaching of the Catholic Church because we want to be the lucky ones to enjoy eternal life with God.
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
There is. But, TBH, I’m worried about me. If the vast majority of the souls are in Hell, then I certainly will be, too. I am not an evil man and try to live a RC life faithful to the teachings of the Church, but I fail: again and again. I would certainly not be in the small minority that makes it in that scenario.
I will continue to live my life as if Elizabeth2 is right, but will continue to pray that Ridgerunner is right.
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hamburglar
Guest
I know that those in Heaven will be reunited with their bodies, I just wasn’t sure about the bodies of those in Hell. Anyone else have any (name removed by moderator)ut on this?
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