English Bantam
Heaven – The Goal of Our Conversion Journey
After we have drawn our last breath, our heart stops beating, our brain ceases to function, and our body is growing cold, we begin our final stage of our conversion journey, the stage that leads to Heaven. If the countless number of persons who have had near-death experiences are correct, Betty J. Eadie, Melvin Morse, and Raymond Moody all list traits/stages of the near-death experience: “a sense of being dead” (Morse). My life is changed but not ended. “A sense of peace and painlessness” (Morse), “Out-of-Body Experience” (all three), “Tunnel experience” (Eadie). We travel at an accelerating speed toward a pinpoint of light. “People of Light” (Morse, Moody), “Being of Light” (all three), and “Life Renew” (all three).
The Supreme Being of Light, Jesus for Christians, radiates total love and understanding so pleasant the near-death experiencer doesn’t want to leave it. If this is a true experience for the dead, then we have already begun to experience Heaven.
The Life Review in the presence of the Supreme Being of Light consists of the near-death experiencer reviewing his entire life, every single thought and action passes before him in an instant of time. He is saddened by the hurtful things he did but is glad to get it all out. The Being of Light helps him to put all the things of the person’s life into perspective. None of the persons interviewed by the three authors cited, report being condemned by him.
This Life Review can be seen as a combination of the Particular Judgment (a review of our lives immediately after death) and Purgatory where there is also a life review and some sort of purification (sorrow for sinful acts) that is a necessary final step before entering Heaven because we must be completely purified before we attain the Beatific Vision – see God face to face. Sadly, those who go through the Particular Judgment that precedes Purgatory, and have not repented serious (mortal) sins still on their soul, condemn themselves to everlasting separation from God in what is commonly called Hell. Habitual patterns of unrepentant serious sins lock the gates of Heaven for those who die in this state.
Most theologians today believe that because God is not only just but preeminently compassionate, merciful, and loving that the population of Heaven is much greater than that of Hell.
So, what is Heaven like after we lucky ones pass through the pearly gates?
After decades of pondering this question and reading countless accounts of life in Heaven, this is what I believe.
First, Heaven is flooded with the most brilliant light that emanates from the Being of Light, God himself, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is called in our creed “Light from Light.” Though the light is brilliant it does not hurt us in any way. Rather, we are infused with a profound sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment. We’re home at last!
Our friends, relatives, some of whom we never knew in our earth lives are there to greet us. Time stops. We are now existing, in an eternal “now.” We are surrounded by love and beautiful music praising God for all He has done for us for his own sake.
Because we are still finite beings we are infused with instant knowledge but our knowledge is not complete! Why? Because we are in the presence of the Infinite so we really go on learning forever. Faith and Hope are no longer needed because we have achieved our goal. But Love never ends in the presence of Our Beloved God who is all in all.
Because of our belief in the “communion of saints”, we can also intercede before our Jesus for those still on earth (the church militant) still fighting the battle of salvation. We can also intercede for the souls in purgatory that their time there will be shortened. Finally, those still living their earth lives can pray to us in Heaven to intercede with God for them. Our communion of saints will no longer be necessary when this world ends. On the last day, the bodies of both the just and unjust will rise again. Then Jesus will come for the Final Judgment of every person who ever lived. Our risen bodies will be reunited with our souls that have been in Heaven or Hell awaiting this day. For those whose souls have been awaiting the Final Judgment in Heaven, they will be resurrected as fully human again to eternal life while those souls who have awaited the day in Hell will return body and soul from where they came.
Finally, after this Judgment the universe itself will be renewed. Yes, the visible world will be transformed, restored to its original state before the sin of Adam and Eve. We don’t know how the universe will be transformed. We only know through scripture that it will be transformed and it will be a place “in which happiness will fill and surpass all the desires of peace arising in the hearts of men.” (Catechism, par. 1043, p. 273)
Bibliography:
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, English Translation for U.S.A., Liguori Publications, Mo. 1994, par, 1043, p. 273.
- Melvin Morse, Closer to the Light, New York: Ivy Books, 1990, pp. 49, 85, 130.
- Betty J. Eadie, Embraced by the Light, California: Gold Leaf Press, 1992, p. viii, 51.
- Raymond Moody Jr., The Light Beyond, New York: Bantam Books, 1989, p. 13, 139.
About the Author
Dr. Bernard J.Fleury’s lifelong interest in History from the perspective of the people who lived it is evident in A Bee in His Bonnet, Print, Kindle E-Book, Audio Book, on website: http://www.greatgeneration.net. His firm belief in the synthesis of faith and reason (theology and science) as two aspects of a single reality-The Light – God, is clearly evident in his book Called into Life by the Light, Print, Kindle E-Book, Audio Book, on website: http://www.intolifebylight.com.
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