Under the Earth, Phil. 2:10 and Rev. 5:3

  • Thread starter Thread starter slybry
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

slybry

Guest
What does “under the earth” refer to in Phil. 2:10 and Rev. 5:3. Most Protestant translations/explanations are the underworld or hell, but I’ve heard several Catholics call it Purgatory. My NAB doesn’t shed any light on this matter.
 
slybry said:
What does “under the earth” refer to in Phil. 2:10 and Rev. 5:3. Most Protestant translations/explanations are the underworld or hell, but I’ve heard several Catholics call it Purgatory. My NAB doesn’t shed any light on this matter.
Click to expand...
Hello! 🙂

When looking at Phillipians 2:10, you must realize that in Sacred Scripture whenever ‘heaven and earth’ are mentioned, it is to mean the entire universe. By mentioning the underworld, it simply means that nothing escapes Christ’s dominion. He rules over it all. In Revelation, it is to have the same meaning.

Look at this page and see the different interpretations from the original text.

I would like to give some simple definitions of words that you may be interested in judging by your post.
SHEOL
Click to expand...
The Hebrew word for hell, corresponding to the Greek Hades. At first a vague, gloomy place in which departed souls lived, gradually it was looked upon as a place of terrible punishment for unworthy souls. The lesson is vividly taught in the New Testament that Sheol is the destination of souls dying in sin. Luke speaks of the “torment in Hades” (Luke 16:23). The letter to the Hebrews warns of “the dreadful prospect of judgment and of the ragin fire that is to burn rebels” (Hebrews 10:27). Revelation describes “the fire and brimstone in which they will be tortured in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb, and the smoke of their torture will go up forever and ever” (Revelation 14:10-11).
Click to expand...
PURGATORY
Click to expand...
The place or condition in which the souls of the just are purified after death and before they can enter heaven. They may be purified of the guilt of their venial sins, as in this life, by an act of contrition deriving from charity and performed with the help of grace. This sorrow does not, however, affect the punishment for sins, because in the next world there is no longer any possibility of merit. The souls are certainly purified by atoning for the temporal punishments due to sin by their willing acceptance of suffering imposed by God. The sufferings in purgatory are not the same for all, but proportioned to each person’s degree of sinfulness. Moreover, these sufferings can be lessened in duration and intensity through the prayers and good works of the faithful on earth. Nor are the pains incompatible with great peace and joy, since the poor souls deeply love God and are sure they will reach heaven. As members of the Church Suffering, the souls in purgatory can intercede for the persons on earth, who are therefore encouraged to invoke their aid. Purgatory will not continue after the general judgment, but its duration for any particular souls continues until it is free from all guilt and punishment. Immediately on purification the soul is assumed into heaven. (Etym. Latin purgatio, cleansing, purifying.)
Click to expand...
ABRAHAM’S BOSOM
Click to expand...
Term used by St. Luke (Luke 16:22) to describe the abode of the just persons who died in the Old Testament, before they were admitted to the beatific vision. In patristic literature it often means heaven. It implies a return of Abraham’s spiritual descendants to the embrace of the earthly father of all the faithful.
Click to expand...
All definitions thanks to CatholicReference.net

Peace be with you! 🙂
 
“Under the Earth” has to refer to purgatory and not Hell because in Hell no one would care to bow before Jesus.
 
Jerry-Jet said:
“Under the Earth” has to refer to purgatory and not Hell because in Hell no one would care to bow before Jesus.
Click to expand...
I believe in Purgatory, but I have never for a second thought that “under the Earth” referred to Purgatory. How do you figure? Is Purgatory underground? If anything, this refers to Hell: where they will bow to Christ (not willingly of course).
 
Technically Hell, lake of fire will not exist until after the Judgement in Matthew 25:46. At this time the wicked are in sheol as described in Luke 16. Thus those under the earth are the wicked in sheol.
 
Daniel_Marsh said:
Technically Hell, lake of fire will not exist until after the Judgement in Matthew 25:46. At this time the wicked are in sheol as described in Luke 16. Thus those under the earth are the wicked in sheol.
Click to expand...
That’s exactly what I actually meant to say, word for word. 😊
 
There’s a big difference between being “Under the Earth” and underground.

The souls in purgastory would joyfully bow before Jesus.

The damned in Hell aren’t capable of doing it because they hate Jesus! Jesus could force them to bow but doesn’t–that’s why they’re in Hell in the first place!
 
Jerry in hebrew thought the word earth does not mean a planet, it simply means “land” or “dirt”. So, saying one is “under the earth” is saying that one is “under the land” or one is “under the dirt”.

Also, one can not overlook biblical cosmology, you will see that shoel was placed under the land.

aarweb.org/syllabus/syllabi/g/gier/306/commoncosmos.htm
 
Was Paul writing or thinking in Hebrew when He wrote “Earth”?
 
So where has the Catholic Church stated that Purgatory is in the ground?
 
I see those who are under the ground as the wicked like in luke 16, not the righteous. So asking if the church has viewed purgatory being under the ground is irrelavant. I believe the righteous, goes to heaven. Paul, says something like “to depart and be with Christ”.

Philippians 1:23
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

Do you really believe that Jesus is suffering in purgatory?
 
I believe the bible when it says that nothing that isn’t perfect will be allowed into Heaven and many who are called righteous are not perfect and can’t enter Heaven until they get that way!

Jesus didn’t command us to “Be ye perfect” if that was impossible.

Luther’s Dung covered with the righteousness of Jesus is really saying that Jesus less powerful than satan and can’t transform people to perfection.

I believe the all powerful Jesus is powerful enough to do that and that purgatory is part of that process!

If you don’t believe in purgatory–don’t worry–one day you will–remember Jesus said “you will not get out of that prison until you have paid the final penny”!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top