Dr.

Brant Pitre

Death and the Particular Judgment

Introduction
1. World-View: The Five Ultimate Questions
a. Who are we?
b. Where do we come from?
c. What is the problem?
d. What is the solution?
e. Where are we going? What is the ultimate destiny of the world?
2. Eschatology: study of the “end” (Gk eschaton) (cf. Ratzinger, Eschatology)
a. Personal Eschatology: study of the “end” of life
b. General Eschatology: study of the “end” of time and history
3. Traditional Designation: The “Four Last Things”
a. Death, Judgment, Hell, Heaven
b. The “Penny Catechism”
4. The Seven Last Things:
a. Death, Judgment, Heaven, Purgatory, Hell, Resurrection, New Creation
b. The New Catechism: section on “Resurrection and Life Everlasting” (Creed)

Death
1. Pope Benedict on Death in the Modern World: self-contradictory (p. 69-71)
a. Hides it away (modern medicine)
b. Glorifies it (modern television and movies)
c. Ultimately, still fascinated by it (e.g., Modern Literature)
2. What is Death?
a. The End: person ceases to exist; no hope after death (Sadducees; Nihilism)
b. Passing Away: spirit/soul departs, but to where? (Greeks)
c. Reincarnation: soul leaves one body to take up another (Hinduism; Hollywood)
3. Biblical Definition of Death
a. The end of earthly life
b. The separation of the soul from the body
c. Mystery of Death: Separation (CCC 1005-1007; Eccl 12:1,7)
d. No Reincarnation (CCC 1013)

The Separation of the Soul from the Body (CCC 362-68)

1. Human Being: both a soul and a body
2. The Soul: the human “life” or “person” (Hb nephesh; Gk psyche)
3. The Body: animated by a spiritual soul
4. Unity of the Two: the Soul is the “form” of the Body
5. The Soul is immortal
6. The “Soul” and the “Spirit”

1 www.BrantPitre.com
Dr. Brant Pitre

The Origin of Death

1. Death is a consequence of sin (CCC 1008)
a. God did not make death: it was “contrary to his plans”
b. God made Man immortal; he would have lived forever had he not sinned (Vat II)
2. God’s Command not to eat the Fruit (Gen 2:17; 3:3; 3:19)
3. God did not make death (Wis 1:12-15; 2:23-24) (cf. Evolutionary Worldview)
4. Where does death come from? Original Sin (see CCC 400, 402-406)

Death in the Old and New Covenants

1. Death in the Old Testament: often very pessimistic
a. The dead do not praise God (Ps 6:5)
b. Sheol and the depths of the Pit (Ps 88:3-7, 10-12)
c. Man and animals die alike (Eccl 3:16-22)
d. Two Exceptions: Enoch and Elijah (Gen 5:24; 2 Kgs 2)
e. Hope for Resurrection (Job 19:25-27; Isa 26:19; Dan 12:1-2)
2. Death in the New Testament: death is transformed by Christ (CCC 1009)
a. The curse of death is now a blessing (Phil 1:21)
b. Baptism: we participate in Jesus’ Crucifixion and death
(CCC 1010; Rom 6:3-11; Gal 2:20; 6:14-15)
c. Natural Death: is the completion of our participation in the Cross
d. We can now even desire death; face it with hope (Phil 1:23; CCC 1011-12)
e. Preparation for Death (CCC 1014; Hail Mary; St. Joseph)
3. Final Prayer over the Dying Catholic (CCC 1020)

The Particular Judgment

1. Death:
a. Puts an end to the time of accepting/rejecting Christ (CCC 1021)
b. “No repentance for men after death” (St. John Damascene; CCC 393)
2. The Particular Judgment (Heb 9:27; CCC 1021-22)
a. Each Individual
b. Rewarded at the very moment of/immediately after death
c. In accordance with faith and works
d. With regards to the final destiny of the soul
3. Particular Judgment in the Old Testament: Immortality of the Soul (Wis 3:1-10)
4. The Parable of the Poor Man and Lazarus: (Luke 16)
a. Different abodes in “Hell” (Hb, Sheol; Gk Hades) (CCT Art. 5)
b. Realm of the Damned: The Pit (or Gehenna/ “Hell” proper)
c. Realm of the Suffering: The Prison (Purgatory)
d. Realm of the Righteous: Abraham’s Bosom (before Heaven opened by Christ)
5. Particular Judgment in the New Testament
a. Each will appear before the “judgment seat” of Christ (2 Cor 5:7-10)
b. Three Options (CCC 1022)
1. Heaven (permanent)
2. Purgatory (temporary)
3. Hell (permanent)
c. The Intermediate State: destiny of the soul before the resurrection of the dead

2 www.BrantPitre.com
Dr. Brant Pitre

Heaven

Introduction
1. The Intermediate State: destiny of the soul before the Resurrection of the Dead
2. Confusion about the Intermediate State
a. Immortality of the Soul: not the ultimate hope of Christianity (Ratzinger, 104)
b. All souls will be reunited with the body in the Resurrection (John 5:)
c. Purgatory will cease to exist at the end of time

Heaven in the Bible

1. Indescribable: not as much to say as we would like (CCC 1027; 1 Cor 2:9)
2. Heaven: can mean “sky” or “dwelling of God” (Hb shamayim; Gk ouranios)
3. Ancient Judaism: Three “Heavens”
a. 1st Heaven: The Sky
b. 2nd Heaven: The Realm of the Stars
b. 3rd Heaven: The Realm of God (2 Cor 12:1-5)
4. The Life of the Trinity: in the “bosom” of the Father (John 1:18)
5. Being with Jesus (Phil 1:23; 1 Thess 4:17)
6. Perfect Self-Knowledge (Rev 2:17)
7. Perfect Knowledge of God (1 Cor 13:12; 1 John 3:2)
g. The Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 8:11-12)
h. The Heavenly Temple (John 14:1-7)
i. “Paradise” (Gk paradeisos) (Luke 24:43)

Heaven in the Catechism (CCC 1023-1029)

1. Perfect Communion: with the Most Holy Trinity and the Saints (cf. CCC 260)
2. Supreme Happiness: fulfillment of deepest human longings
3. Being with Jesus: heaven is “to be in Christ”
4. Perfect Self Knowledge
5. Perfect Knowledge of God: The Beatific Vision (CCC 1028)
6. The Kingdom of God: to “reign” with Christ forever

The Heaven Controversy (CCC 1023; Ratzinger 136-38)

1. Martin Luther: “soul sleep” between death and the final resurrection
2. Modern Theologians: “resurrection” happens at the moment of death
3. Pope Benedict XII (Benedictus Deus 1336 A.D.)
a. Heaven has been opened since the Ascension
b. Souls in Heaven enjoy unmediated Beatific Vision now
3. They will be reunited with their bodies at the Resurrection of the Dead

3 www.BrantPitre.com
Dr. Brant Pitre

The Heavenly Mass

1. The Heavenly Mass (Revelation 4-5)
a. Priests/Elders (Gk presbyters) in White Robes with Crowns
b. Candles (“seven torches of fire”) and a Crystal Floor around the Throne
c. Angels and Music: singing “Holy, holy, holy!” (Lat Sanctus)
d. Kneeling: The People fall down in worship, singing Hymns
e. Scripture: A Sacred Book (the “Scroll” no one is worthy to open)
f. The Lamb of God: standing as if Slain
g. Incense: “The Prayers of the Saints” offered by Angels and Saints
l.“Amen”: fall down again in worship
2. Where do we go in the Mass? To Heaven (Heb 12:18-24)

4 www.BrantPitre.com
Dr. Brant Pitre

Purgatory
Confusion about Purgatory
1. Is Purgatory real? Does the Church still teach it?
2. Where is Purgatory in the Bible?
3. Who goes there?
4. Will the souls there be saved?
5. Is the fire of Purgatory the same thing as Hell?
6. How does one avoid Purgatory?

Purgatory in the Catechism (CCC 1030-32)

1. All who die in a state of grace imperfectly purified undergo purification
2. These souls are “assured of their salvation”
3. Purgatory is entirely different from the punishment of Hell
4. Purgatory is an infallible doctrine of the Church (Councils of Florence and Trent)
5. Based on Prayer, Fasting, Alms, Indulgences for the Dead (cf. CCC 1371)
6. Why don’t people believe in Purgatory anymore? Lack of Understanding of
a. The Nature of Sin: nobody sins, only make “mistakes”! (see CCC 387)
b. Mortal vs. Venial Sin
c. Satisfaction and Penance

Mortal vs. Venial Sin (CCC 1852-64; 1 John 5:16-17)

1. Different Kinds of Sins
2. Mortal Sin: grave matter, with full knowledge and deliberate consent (CCC 1861)
a. Loss of sanctifying grace; destroys our relationship with God
b. Exclusion from the Kingdom of Heaven
c. Eternal Death of Hell
3. Venial Sin: transgression in a less serious matter (see St. Thomas, CCC 1856)
a. Weakens charity; damages (does not break) our relationship with God
b. Disorders our affections/attachments
c. Hinders growth in virtue
d. Merits Temporal Punishment for Sin
e. Predisposes us to commit Mortal Sin

Satisfaction and Penance (CCC 1459-60)

1. Satisfaction: making just reparation for sin
2. Penance: suffering with Christ through prayer, fasting, service, etc.
3. Penance happens both during life and after death

Purgatory in the Bible

1. Prayers for the Dead: atonement for sin after death (2 Macc 12:39-45)
2. Suffering “fire” in this life (1 Pet 1:3-7)
3. Being Saved “as through fire” (1 Cor 3:10-17)
4. Different Kinds of “Beatings” (Luke 12:4-48)
5. Parable of the “Prison” and Paying Debts (Matt 18:23-35; 5:21-26)

5 www.BrantPitre.com
Dr. Brant Pitre

Hell

Why the Hell?

1. “How could a loving God ever send anyone to Hell?”
2. The Modern World: Hell does not exist (Materialism)
3. Total Annihilation: the damned are destroyed by God; cease to exist (various sects)
4. Origenism: Hell is not eternal; in the end, even the damned will be saved (moderns)

Hell in the Catechism

1. The Definition of Hell (CCC 1033-1037)
a. We cannot be united with God unless we freely love him
b. We cannot love him if we sin gravely against him or others (1 John 3:14-15)
c. Dying in Mortal Sin without repenting and accepting God’s love
d. Hell: the state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God
e. The Real Issue: Denial of Free Will (CCC 1730, 1731-42)
2. The Reality of Hell (CCC 1034-1036)
a. Jesus speaks frequently of Hell (“Gehenna”: 11 times in Gospels; once in NT)
b. The Church has infallibly taught the reality and eternity of Hell
c. Chief Punishment: “Eternal separation from God”
d. Hell is a Call to Responsibility and Conversion
3. Hell and Predestination (CCC 1037)
a. God predestines no one to go to Hell (cf. Calvinism, “Double Predestination”)
b. God desires all people to be saved (2 Pet 3:9; 1 Tim 2:3-4)

Hell in the Bible

1. Hell in the Old Testament
a. Sheol: realm of all the dead (Ps 31:17; Ezek 32:21, 27) (Gk Hades; Lat infernum)
b. The Pit: the lowest region of Sheol; place of the damned (Ps 16:10; Rev 9:1-11)
c. Gehenna: “valley of Hinnom,” east of Jerusalem (Aramaic)
1. A Place of Child sacrifice to Molech (2 Kgs 23:10; 2 Chron 28:3, 33:6)
2. Cursed by God through Jeremiah (Jer 7:31-34; 19:2-9)
3. Became a garbage/sewage dump: a place of perpetual burning
d. The Place of the Unquenchable Fire (Isa 66:24)
2. Jesus and Hell
a. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory (Mark 9:42-50)
b. Punishment of Both Soul and Body (Matt 10:26-33)
c. How many people will go to Hell? (Matt 7:13-14)
d. The Outer Darkness: Many are Called but Few are Chosen (Matt 22:11-14)

6 www.BrantPitre.com
Dr. Brant Pitre

The Last Judgment

The Last Judgment

1. Two Judgments:
a. The Particular Judgment: each individual judged at death
b. The Universal Judgment: all people judged at the end of time
2. The Last Judgment: three Key Stages
a. The Second Coming of Christ
b. The Resurrection of the Dead
c. The Final Judgment
3. Why will there be a Last Judgment? Isn’t it redundant? (CCC 1039-40)
a. Ultimate Consequences of our actions revealed
b. Ultimate Meaning of all creation and history revealed

The Second Coming of Christ

1. The Catechism on the Second Coming (see CCC 668-679)
a. The Conversion of all Israel
b. The Great Tribulation and the Antichrist
c. The Glorious Advent of Christ
d. The Last Judgment and Victory over Evil
e. Jesus’ Prophecy of the Second Coming (Matt 24:36-44)

The Resurrection of the Dead in the Catechism

1. The culmination of the Creed (CCC 988)
2. Based on Christ’s Resurrection (CCC 989)
3. Resurrection of the Body, not just the Soul! (CCC 990)
4. The essence of the Christian faith and hope (CCC 991)
5. The stumbling block of the Resurrection (CCC 996)
6. The Resurrection of the Dead: 4 key Questions (CCC 997-1001)
a. What is rising? (CCC 997)
b. Who will rise? (John 5:25-29)
c. When will the Dead Rise? (1 Thess 4)
d. How do the Dead Rise? (1 Cor 15)

The Resurrection of the Dead in the Bible

1. The Resurrection of the Dead at the Second Coming (1 Thess 4:13-18)
a. Problem: Are the dead lost?
b. The Dead in Christ shall rise first
c. We will be caught up together with Christ and the Blessed
d. Is this the “Rapture”? (No: not in the Protestant sense)

7 www.BrantPitre.com
Dr. Brant Pitre

The Resurrection of the Dead in the Bible (continued)

2 .The Necessity of the Resurrection to Christian Faith (1 Cor 15:12-19)
3. What will the Resurrected body be like?
a. Like Jesus’ Risen Body (CCC 645)
b. Which he now has in Heaven (CCC 663)
c. The Dogma of Mary’s Assumption, soul and body (CCC 966)
4. Paul on the Nature of the Resurrected body (1 Cor 15:35-50)

The Old Body The Risen Body

1.Perishable/Mortal 1.Imperishable/Immortal
2. Dishonorable 2. Glorious
3. Weak 3. Powerful
4. “Soulish” (psychikos) 4. “Spiritual”
5. “First Adam” 5. “Last (Gk eschatos) Adam”
6. Man of Dust 6. Man of Heaven
7. Mortal 7. Immortal

5. Qualities of Risen Body (Catechism of the Council of Trent 11)

a. Immortality
b. Impassibility (cf. the bodies of those in Hell)
c. Brightness (cf. the transfiguration; not all equal)
d. Agility (not bound by space and time)
e. Subtility (subjection to the Spirit)

The Final Judgment

1. The Catechism on Last Judgment
a. Will take place after the Resurrection
b. Christ will Judge the World (CCC 678)
b. Chris has earned this right by his Cross (CCC 679)
2. Jesus on the Last Judgment
a. The Parables of the Weeds and the Dragnet (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43)
b. The Parable of the Dragnet (Matt 13:47-50)
c. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matt 25:31-46)
3. The Kingdom of God: God will be “all in all” (1 Cor 15:20-28)
4. How Now Do We Live?
a. Living in light of the Resurrection (CCC 1004)
b. Living in light of the Final Judgment (CCC 1041)

8 www.BrantPitre.com
Dr. Brant Pitre

The New Heaven and the New Earth

The Hope for the New Creation

1. Many Christians do not know about the New Creation
2. Many have a semi-Gnostic view of salvation
a. Gnosticism: saw creation as inherently evil; salvation is non-bodily
b. Hope for Man’s Soul
c. No Hope for Man’s Body (much less the universe)
3. The True Christian Hope
a. Immortality of the Soul
b. Resurrection of the Body
c. “Restoration” of All Creation (Gk apokatastasis; cf. Acts 3:21)

The Catechism on the New Creation (CCC 1042-47)

1. The Coming of the Kingdom in its Fullness: the New Creation (CCC 1042-43)
2. A New Universe: the heavenly Jerusalem (CCC 1044)
3. The Perfection of Man (CCC 1045)
4. The Perfection of the Cosmos (CCC 1046-47; Rom 8:18-25)

The Bible on the New Creation

1. The Old Testament Prophecies of the New Creation
a. The New Eden (Isa 65:17-25)
b. The New Jerusalem (Isa 66:7-14, 22-23)
2. Jesus speaks of the New Creation (Matt 19:28)
a. The “Re-genesis” (Gk palingenesis)
b. The disciples will rule over Israel (cf. Adam)
3. The New Heaven and Earth (2 Pet 3:8-13)
a. The End of the Old World: destruction by Fire
b. The Beginning of a New World: the “day of God”
4. The Book of Revelation:
a. The Final Judgment: the Destruction of Satan and His Angels (Rev 20:11-15)
b. The New Heaven and New Earth (Rev 21:1-8)
c. The New Temple/Jerusalem (Rev 21:9-27)
c. The New Eden (Rev 22:1-5)

9 www.BrantPitre.com