6.5 the four last things

• what are the four last things?

  death

  judgement

  heaven

  hell
• what do Christians believe about their death?

  they are judged by God and sent to either heaven or hell
• how does belief in the four last things help a Christian?

  encourages Christians to live good lives that are committed to God
• death


  • death is a transition to a new phase of life
  • not somethings to fear
  • start of the eternal life without the limitations of the earthly body
  • soul continues to live on
  • soul is judged by God and sent to Heaven or hell
  • at the final judgement the body and soul will be reunited in a perfect form
• judgement

  • after they die they will be judged by God
  • consider everything a person has done in their life time
  • moment of truth when people have to accept responsibility
  • also judge themselves in the light of Gods love
  • Jesus died so all people could be saved therefore Christians believe Gods judgement will be merciful
• Heaven

  • judged favourably by God, they will enter Heaven
  • heaven is the state of eternal happiness in the presence of God
  • God removes all cares and worries
  • God wants all people to join him in Heaven, respects peoples free will therefore people have to choose to accept God in order to enter Heaven
• hell

  • judged unfavourably they will enter hell
  • hell is the state of eternal separation from God
  • God does not send people to hell ; people send themselves by not accepting God
  • in hell people are aware of what they have thrown away
  • exist in a state of frustration and anger at themselves