heaven, hell & purgatory

• Heaven


  The ultimate end and fulfilment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness
• Heaven


  • A place where an individual experiences absolute joy and happiness
  • A place all Christians strive to end up
• Jesus: 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'
• Jesus: 'My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?'
• Jesus' description of heaven implies that there is enough room in heaven for all of those who repent
• Hell


  The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity
• Hell


  • Immediately after death, the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell
  • Such individuals suffer the punishments of hell, an 'eternal fire'
  • The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom only man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs
• Hell & eternal punishment


  • The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
• Purgatory


  A stage of purification; a place in which they will be cleansed of their sins
• The word 'purgatory' is never explicitly mentioned in the Bible but is hinted at at points
• Corinthians 3:15: 'He himself will be saved, but only as through fire'