eschatology

• what is the paschal candle?

  a large candle that has an important role in a number of church services

  —> easter vigil
• what is the easter vigil?

  service that takes place the night before easter sunday

  —> resurrection of jesus is celebrated
• during the easter vigil, after the sun sets the priest lights a fire, what does this represent?

  the light of christ rising from the tomb, destroying the power of sin and death through his resurrection
• during the eater vigil, the priest traces the design of the alpha and omega symbols with his hand, what does this represent?

  alpha and omega symbols aways appear on the paschal candle

  —> they show that christ is eternal
• during the easter vigil, the priest inserts five little holders, each containing a grain of incense, into the candle, what does this represent?


  the five wounds that christ received during his crucifixion
• what other places is the paschal candle used?

  baptisms and funerals
• how is a paschal candle used at a baptism?

  when they are baptised, they are given a candle that is lit from the paschal candle

  —> shows the person has been filled with the light of christ
• how is the paschal candle used at a funeral?

  the paschal candle is lit to show the deceased person has joined christ in the resurrected life
• in the last judgement painting, why is it significant that christ is central?

  emphasises his importance as the judge of all
• in the last judgement painting, why is it signifant that christ's right hand is raised up?

  reflects the parable of the sheep and the goats

  —:> which jesus promises the good will be on his right and the wicked on his left
• in the last judgement painting, what is the significance of mary being naked in the original?

  it shows that during the last judgement, everyone is equal before god
• in the last judgement painting, what is the significance of showing people moving towards hell?

  hell is shown as a place of darkness, which reflects the idea that the light of christ cannot reach the people who have rejected god
• what are the three memorials for the dead?

  tombstones

  
  

  monuments

  
  

  remembrance gardens
• why do some catholic tombstones have an angel carved on them?

  reflects the belief that all people have their own guardian angel, who takes care of them during life

  
  

  this angel will present them to god and ask for a merciful judgement
• why are some tombstones shaped like a cross?

  indicates a person believed in jesus

  
  

  expresses the hope that they will be resurrected with jesus to eternal life
• what is a monument?

  a structure that is built to remember an important person or event
• the the middle ages, monuments were often decorated worh skeletons and symbols of decay, what does this mean?

  reflects the belief that no matter how important or wealthy a person is, they gave death and god's judgement like everyone else
• what is a rememberance garden?

  an outside area where the ashes of people who have been cremated can be kept
• remembrance gardens are designed to be areas of peace and beauty, what does this mean?

  helps mourners to reflect on the peace and beauty of heaven, where the person who died is now hopefully present
• remembrance gardens are quiet, reflective spaces, what does this mean?

  helps people to mourn for their loved ones in peace in a place where they feel close to them, as this is where their bodily remains are at rest
• what does the bible suggest the end of time will he signified by?


  cosmic disasters

  
  

  sun darkening

  
  

  stars falling from heaven
• what will happen after the end of time is signalled?

  the son of man (jesus) will come the judge the whole of creation

  
  

  the end of the current world order will lead to the creation of a new one

  
  

  the reign of god will be established
• what did jesus' resurrection teach chrisitans about life after death?

  life continues after death in the presence of god
• what did early christians believe about resurrection?

  jesus' resurrection meant the end of the world would happen shortly

  
  

  all people would they be resurrected snd taken up into the presence of god
• what does christians now believe about resurrection?

  christians realised that they have to live in the life of the resurrection whilst they are still alive on earth

  —> means following jesus' teachings and resisting the temptation to sin
• what does st paul compare the earthy and resurrected body to?

  paul compares the relationship between the earthy body and the resurrected body to a seed and the plant that grows from it

  —> they are the same thing, but they are also different
• give two ways in which, according to st paul, a resurrected body is different from an earthly body

  a resurrected body will live forever "it is imperishable"

  
  

  a resurrected body will be sinless and perfect "it is raised in glory"
• what are the four last things?

  death

  
  

  judgement

  
  

  heaven

  
  

  hell
• what is death? (four last things)

  transition into a new phase of life—> not something to fear because it is thestart of eternal life without the limits of the earthly body

  body dies but soul lives on
• what is judgement? (four last things)

  after they die, they will be judged by god where he will consider everything a person has done during their lifetime

  
  

  their soul is judged
• what is hell? (four last things)

  a state ofeternal separation from god

  christians believe people send themselves to hell for not accepting god
• what is heaven? (four last things)

  eternal state of happiness in the presence of god

  god’s love removes all care and worries
• what is purgatory?

  place between heaven and hell

  
  

  it's a cleansing process, where the effects of sin are removed so the person can feel happy in the presence of god
• why do many christians not believe in purgatory?


  they believe that after judgment, people will either totally accept god or totally reject god
• what is particular judgement?

  happens immediately after a person dies

  it is when god judges them on a person basis, judge on all of their actions throughout their life

  results in a person going to heaven, purgatory or hell
• what is final judgement?

  happens at the end of time

  
  

  god comes down and judges the whole of creation

  
  

  after this happens, the reign of god will be established and everything will be made perfect
• what does the story of the rich man and lazarus tell?

  tells the story of what happens to a rich man and a poor man in the after life
• in the parable of the rich man and lazarus it teachings that:

  showing love and kindness to others will lead people to heaven

  how is this shown?by not showing kindness and love to lazarus, the rich man went to hell
• in the parable of the rich man and lazarus it teachings that:

  wealth can make it easier to forget the needs of others

  how is this shown in the parable?the rich man‘feasted sumptuously ever day’but didn’t share any with lazarus—> he didn’t use his wealth to help others and went to hell
• in the parable of the rich man and lazarus it teachings that:

  hell is a place of torment where people are cut off from any relationship with god

  how is this shown in the parable?shown by the the rich man pleading for some water, he is‘in agony in these flames’