Chapter 9: The Resurrection of
the Body and Life Everlasting
INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Free write on how the passage with the description of the Last Judgment
(cf. Mt 25:31–46) relates to the truth that “at the evening of life, we shall be
judged on our love” (CCC 1022).
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
BASIC QUESTIONS
 What is eschatology?
 What are the two judgments?
KEY IDEAS
 Eschatology is the branch of theology that deals with the end of the
world.
 There are two divine judgments for man: each soul’s Particular Judgment
immediately upon death followed by entry into Heaven, Purgatory, or
Hell; and the General Judgment of all souls when Christ returns in glory,
unites us with our bodies, and publicly judges each person for his or her
thoughts, words, deeds, and omissions.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why is every person destined to die?
Death is a consequence of Original Sin, which is inherited.
What are the Last Things?
The Last Things are death, judgment, resurrection, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory,
and the end of time. They are objective truths, taught in Scripture and
reaffirmed by the Church, about what happens at the end of our lives and the
end of the world.
What is eschatology?
The word eschatology is derived from the Greek eschaton, meaning end, and it
refers to the branch of theology that studies the end of the world.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Think/Pair/Share using the following question:
 How should a Christian respond to the statement, “When you die, you
are dead forever”?
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why should each person be concerned about death?
The moral state of the soul at death determines how he or she will spend
eternity.
Why is death a positive thing?
Christ became incarnate and died for the sins of all, and if a person is faithful to
the end of his or her earthly life, then death will mark the beginning of eternal
life.
How is the human being unique among earthly creatures?
A human being consists of a human body and an immortal soul, endowed with
reason and free will.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is death?
Death is the separation of the body from the soul.
Why do Christians respect the corpse?
The body of the deceased deserves respect and dignity because it was
created by God and was a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Is cremation permissible for a Christian?
Yes, as long as it is performed for the right reasons, i.e., not to deny the
resurrection of the body or the immortality of the soul.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Work with a partner to write and answer three Focus Questions regarding
the sidebar, “Do Unbaptized Babies Go to Limbo?”
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the Particular Judgment?
It is the immediate judgment of a person by God when his or her soul
leaves the body at death.
In terms of salvation, what ends at death?
The possibility of merit, demerit, or conversion ceases at death.
Extension: An action deserving of reward is meritorious. An action
deserving of punishment is demeritorious. Conversion means repenting
of evil deeds.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What does the reality of death reveal about how each life should be
led?
A person should make the best possible use of his or her earthly life by
employing God-given gifts to do his will so as to enjoy eternity with him
in Heaven.
What is a good death?
It is to die in the grace of God.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What are the two judgments?
The two judgments are the Particular Judgment for those who die before
Christ returns in glory, and the General Judgment that takes place for all
souls at the end of the world.
What are the three possibilities for a soul’s state after Particular
Judgment?
They are Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Does the hope of Heaven distract the Christian from earthly
responsibilities?
No. It makes the Christian more urgent in his or her earthly responsibilities.
Extension: The hope of Heaven reminds each person that how he or she fulfills
earthly responsibilities helps to determine his or her eternal reward.
Why is the Church and each Christian a “pilgrim”?
The Church and each individual Christian is a pilgrim because the final
destination of the Church as a whole and each Christian on earth will only be
reached in Heaven.
When will the Kingdom of God come in glory?
The Kingdom of God will come in glory when Christ returns at the end of time.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the resurrection of the body?
When Christ returns, he will raise the bodies of the dead, both good and evil,
and reunite each with its respective soul.
How will human bodies be different after the resurrection?
Bodies will become immortal, taking on a spiritual form, and the bodies of the
just will be glorified.
Why is it appropriate that a body and soul be reunited?
Just as on earth a person performs good or evil with both body and soul, so too
throughout eternity, both body and soul will be rewarded or punished together.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
When will the end of the world occur?
Nobody knows when the end of the world will occur. It is known only by
God.
What should be the consequence of this uncertainty?
We must be ready for Christ’s return at any moment.
When did most of Christ’s disciples in the early years of the Church
probably think he would return?
They probably thought Christ would return within their own lifetimes.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why did they think his return was imminent?
(1) Mankind’s broken relationship with God had been healed and
salvation history had been fulfilled. (2) Jesus said that the end of the
world would be soon.
What did Jesus actually mean about the world coming to an end
soon?
He meant the Old Covenant had been fulfilled and Jerusalem would soon
be destroyed. Extension: The Romans did, in fact, destroy Jerusalem
AD 70.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the Parousia?
It is the Second Coming of Christ, when “He will come again in glory / to
judge the living and the dead” (cf. Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed).
What are some other names for the General Judgment?
Other names include the Last Judgment, the Final Judgment, and the Universal
Judgment.
What does it mean to say Christ will come in glory?
When Jesus returns at the end of the world, God’s majesty, wisdom, justice,
mercy, and final victory will shine forth for all to see.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What will happen at the General Judgment?
The virtuous will be invited into the Kingdom of Heaven; the wicked will
enter Hell; all creation will be renewed; and the Church will be perfected.
Is the General Judgment a “retrial” for those who died before the
end of time?
No. God will publicly confirm their Particular Judgments, which were
rendered at the moment of each person’s death.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Perform a focused reading of CCC 1040 based on the following
question:
 What will be the most important “Revelation” at the General Judgment
and why?
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT




Study Questions 1-10 (p. 219)
Practical Exercise 2-3 (p. 220)
Workbook Questions 1-16
Read “Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory” through “Conclusion”
(pp. 210-216)
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
CLOSURE
Write a paragraph that explains what happens to the body and soul at the
time of death and what happens to them at the end of time,
distinguishing between the Particular and General Judgments.
1. The Two Ends of the World
(pp. 204-210)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Free write for a few minutes on something you found hard to understand
from this lesson to clarify the issue in question.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Discuss what Christ’s parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus (cf.
Lk 16:19-31) implies about the nature of Heaven and Hell.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
BASIC QUESTIONS
 What is Heaven?
 What is Purgatory?
 What is Hell?
KEY IDEAS
 Heaven is the state of eternal happiness with God in which a person shares
in God’s divine life and enjoys the Beatific Vision.
 Purgatory is a state of final purification after death but before entrance into
Heaven for those persons who die in God’s friendship but who were only
imperfectly purified on earth.
 Hell is the state of eternal punishment for a person’s unrepentant mortal
sins and rejection of God.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is Heaven?
Heaven is the state of everlasting life in which people share in full
communion with God and enjoy perfect happiness.
What is the Beatific vision?
The Beatific Vision is the immediate vision of God enjoyed by those in
Heaven. According to the Catechism, no. 1024, what is the relationship
between happiness and Heaven? “Heaven is the ultimate end and
fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme,
definitive happiness” (CCC 1024).
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How does one reach the state of Heaven?
One reaches Heaven either by dying in the full graces of God or being
purified of the temporal punishment due to sin in Purgatory.
What are the “mansions” in Heaven to which Christ referred
(Jn 14:2)?
They are the various full capacities of happiness the blessed in Heaven
enjoy. Each of the blessed possesses happiness to his or her fullest
capacity, although some people will have greater capacity than others due
to their more perfect cooperation with grace during their earthly lives.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Can we imagine what Heaven is like?
No. “‘No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him’” (1 Cor 2:9).
What are some scriptural images of Heaven?
Scriptural images of Heaven include life, light, peace, a wedding feast,
wine of the kingdom, the Father’s house, the heavenly Jerusalem, and
paradise.
How does Heaven make suffering on earth worthwhile?
It is worthwhile to endure an earthly life of intense trial and suffering if it
is for the good of salvation and everlasting happiness in Heaven.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Work with a partner to complete the following table about the positive and
negative dimensions of Purgatory.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is Purgatory?
Purgatory is a state of purification for those persons who die in God’s friendship
but who either have the stain of venial sins or owe temporal punishments due for
sins already forgiven.
How is Purgatory unlike Heaven and Hell?
Purgatory is unlike Heaven and Hell in that it is temporary and will end when the
last souls leave it to enter Heaven.
Why is it good to pray for the souls in Purgatory?
It is good to pray for the souls in Purgatory because prayers can hasten their
entrance into Heaven.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Complete the following table summarizing evidence for the state of
Purgatory in the Bible.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is Hell?
Hell is the state of everlasting suffering and separation from God.
What causes souls to experience the state of Hell?
Hell is a consequence of dying unrepentant of mortal sin and refusing the
love and mercy of God.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the chief punishment of Hell according to CCC 1035?
“The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom
alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created
and for which he longs” (CCC 1035).
How can a good God condemn people to Hell?
Those in Hell have rejected God’s love and mercy, and God honors their
free choice, which is itself his gift to them. Hell is, therefore, a selfexclusion from everlasting communion with God in Heaven.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Work with a partner to compose bullet-point list of various
images of Hell.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the Book of Revelation?
The Book of Revelation is a cryptic and prophetic view of what will be
accomplished with the Second Coming of Christ.
What are two keys to understanding the Book of Revelation?
Two keys to understanding the Book of Revelation are (1) examining the
historical setting in which it was written, and (2) viewing it in terms of the
Mass and the heavenly liturgy.
Who wrote the Book of Revelation?
St. John, one of the Twelve, wrote the Book of Revelation.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What catastrophic events did the Jews experience after AD 67?
A new Roman governor brutally persecuted the Jews in Judea and
provoked a failed Jewish revolt that culminated in the deaths of thousands
of Jews, mass enslavements of the survivors, and the complete
destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
What happened to the Jewish Christian inhabitants of Jerusalem?
It is thought they largely escaped to the town of Pella.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How is the Book of Revelation structured like the Mass?
From the earliest times, the Christian liturgy consisted of a Liturgy of the
Word (Scripture readings and a homily) and the Liturgy of the Eucharist
(bread and wine changed into the Body and Blood of Christ). The Book
of Revelation consists of two parts that reflect these elements of the
Mass.
What is the “Penitential Rite” of the Book of Revelation?
Like the Mass, the Book of Revelation begins with a call to repentance.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What are the “readings” of the Book of Revelation?
The “readings” of the Book of Revelation are the letters to the seven
churches.
How is the Liturgy of the Eucharist present in the Book of
Revelation?
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is present in the Book of Revelation
through (1) the image of the Lamb who was slain but who is now
resurrected; and (2) the image of the wedding feast that follows the
victory over the great dragon, the beasts, and the harlot.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How is the Blessed Virgin Mary pictured in the Book of Revelation?
She is the “woman clothed with the sun” (Rev 12:1) whose Son the great dragon
(Satan) seeks to devour.
Although Christ’s victory is assured, what does the Book of Revelation
reveal about the dangers of sin?
Those who choose not to stay faithful to the Lamb risk being seduced into sin by
the beasts.
How is Christ portrayed at the end of the Book of Revelation?
Christ promises to return soon to repay everyone for his or her deeds, thoughts,
words, and omissions.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
 Study Questions 11-16 (p. 219)
 Practical Exercises 1, 4-5 (p. 220)
 Workbook Questions 17-22
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
CLOSURE
Write a paragraph comparing and contrasting Heaven, Purgatory,
and Hell.
2. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
(pp. 210-216)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Work with a partner to explain what St. Ambrose meant when he declared,
“Death is, then, no cause for mourning, for it is the cause of mankind’s
salvation.”
THE END