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It has become a formality that everyone is automatically whisked to heaven. Purgatory is ignored and the chance that a departed soul might be in hell is no longer part of the equation. Only monsters such as, Hitler and Stalin could possibly be suffering with the fallen angels. Thanks to heretical teachers many people have been convinced that Christ is tolerant of sin, non judgmental, and pluralistic in His view of salvation. People actually believe that Jesus would never allow anyone to be cast down into everlasting torment because He is a God of love. This idea is contrary to the Bible and Church teaching. It is true that Christ loves all of mankind even those in the pit of unquenchable fire. It is also true that He desires all to be saved and to embrace the truth, but the reality is some people because of their pride decide to reject Him and prefer the darkness of sin thus casting themselves into the bowels of hell. "And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil." (Jn 3 :19)
If people would just open up their Bibles and read, they would discover that the Jesus of the Gospels bears no resemblance to the fabrication created by the false prophets of our day. Christ condemned the idea that there are many paths to God. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."(John 14:6) He also forewarns us that there will not be universal salvation of mankind. "The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." (Matt 13: 41- 42) Christ’s teachings are not ambiguous. The rejection of the free gift of salvation offered by Christ through sin or unbelief carries with it a clear a defined outcome.
One needs to understand the magnitude of importance Jesus placed on avoiding damnation. If you were to take a Bible where the words of Christ are highlighted in red, and go through it, one would discover that Jesus spent one third of His ministry on this unpleasant subject. The Catholic Church understanding the significance of this fact has always taught the reality of hell. As a matter of fact, the new Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, 'eternal fire.' 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). Priests, deacons, and religious instructors that are faithful to Christ and His Church unashamedly preach about the doctrine of hell because they love their fellow man as themselves and want everyone to live in God's grace forever. On the other hand, those who remain silent on this subject or deny its existence have instilled a false sense of security and self confidence concerning salvation. This is quite evident in Catholics that have foolishly subscribed to the Protestant concoction that a person can not sin once they believe in Jesus and even if they would sin, no punishment will be due them because they are already saved. The Bible unquestionably denies this counterfeit theology. "I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me."(1 Cor 4 : 4)
If one wants to accept Christ’s gift of deliverance and avoid eternal damnation simply enter into the sole ark of salvation, the Holy Roman Catholic Church, and live a faithful life in accordance to it’s teachings. "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt 16:18) Christ will bring the faithful to everlasting life through His instruments of justification and sanctification, the seven sacraments. In baptism, we are born again, cleansed from all sin, and permanently claimed as a child of God. The sacrament of confession is where Christ lovingly waits to forgive the repentant sinner. Confirmation completes the baptismal promises, places an indelible mark upon the soul, and gives one the strength to endure the struggles of this life. Holy Orders is God’s unique channel of dispensing His sacraments to the faithful. Marriage builds up the kingdom of God through love and procreation. The Holy Eucharist is the source and the pinnacle of the Christian life. "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."(Jn 6:54) The Anointing of the Sick forgives sin, heals the body if it is God’s will, and strengthens the soul for the journey home.
Those who die in perfect communion with Christ through the sanctifying grace of His sacraments will be given the bliss of seeing God in the face, the beatific vision. People that pass on in a state of grace, but still have temporal punishment to atone for will enter heaven only after they have been cleansed in the fires of purgatory. The people who sincerely searched for God and tried to lived a life in accordance to His’ law written upon their hearts but through no fault of their own never heard the Gospel or had the opportunity to formally enter the Church may be lead into communion with the Mystical Body of Christ, the Roman Catholic Church, by the miraculous intervention of God. "He that has my commandments and observers them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him."(Jn14:21) All Catholics must never forget that it would be a miracle for any invincible ignorant soul to be saved, because it is impossible to keep the whole moral law without Christ’s grace bestowed through His sacraments."For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God." (Roman 3:23) Therefore the conversion of the world to Jesus and His Church is paramount so all will have a true hope of salvation. Lastly, those who live an unrepentant life of sin and debauchery and the prideful who choose by their own freewill to reject either Christ or His Mystical Body and sole ark of salvation, the Catholic Church, will not like where they end up."If anyone remains not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and burned." (Jn 15: 6)
If a person chooses not to believe in hell, it does not nullify it’s existence. The denial of this doctrine only calls God a liar and says that the crucifixion was a useless and vain sacrifice. So the next time a faithful Catholic is confronted by a person that makes an absurd statement such as, there is no hell or that everyone goes to heaven because God would never allow anyone to suffer eternal damnation. Just read them Christ’s own words and watch them squirm. "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matt 7:13 -14)
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