tombstones: a large carved stone
that is placed (either lying or
standing) over a burial site
monument: something
that is built to remember
an important person or
even
cremation: the burning of the bodily
remains of a person
remembrance garden: an area designed for the
remains of the deceased, where mourners can
come and reflect in quiet
Eschatology and Life after Death
eschatology: the study of
what will take place at the
end of time
cosmic disasters: frightening events
in the universe that will indicate the
end of time
Jesus said that He will come like a thief in the night [1 Thess
5:2] ; meaning He will come very secretly - no one knows when
He will come.
Christians believe that after death, they
will be judged by God and either go to
Heaven, Hell or Purgatory
Christ will come again and
resurrect the dead
The Four Last Things
Death: Christians believe that our earthly bodies will die but
spiritual lives will live on. Death is inevitable - a transition to a
new phase of our lives - to eternal life without the limitations of
the earthly body.
Judgement: Christians believe that after
death, God will judge us for our temporary life
on Earth. People accept full responsibility for
their actions.
judgement: the belief that God judges a
person based on their actions, and either
rewards or punishes them as a result
Heaven: the state of eternal happiness in the presence of God
Heaven is the place of total eternal happiness in
the presence of God where no forms of sin are
present.
Hell: the state of total separation from God
Hell is the place where we are completely separated from
God - for people who choose to reject God and harden
their hearts to reject God's love and forgiveness.
Purgatory and Judgement
Parable of the Rich man and Lazarus
parable: a story with a religious message;
particularly used for the stories told by
Jesus
Hades: the word used for 'hell' in
Greek mythology; a place of
torment
We learn that Hell is a place of torment -
"outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of
teeth, eternal punishment"
We learn that Heaven is a place of happiness,
"eternal life, banquet"
Cosmic Reconciliation
Jesus came to restore harmony
the time when all things in creation will be
brought together in harmony