LIFE AFTER DEATH (Part II)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

LIFE AFTER DEATH (Part II)

As the Holy Fathers of the Church teach, the light of heaven and the fire of hell ARE THE SAME THING: THE PRESENCE OF GOD. A PERSON WHO HAS SPENT THEIR LIFE IN TOTAL DARKNESS, AND THEN SUDDENLY STEPS OUT INTO A BRIGHT LIGHT, WILL FIND THAT LIGHT INTOLERABLE AND EXCRUCIATING. A PERSON WHOSE EYES ARE ADJUSTED TO THE LIGHT, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILL EXPERIENCE THAT VERY SAME LIGHT AS SOMETHING JOYOUS AND PLEASANT. SO IT IS WITH THE LIGHT OF GOD.

HELL, THEN, IS NOT A MANIFESTATION OF GOD’S HATRED OR LACK OF FORGIVENESS, BUT RATHER HIS ABSOLUTE RESPECT FOR HUMAN FREEDOM, WITHOUT WHICH LOVE — AND THEREFORE HEAVEN — WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.

THE THREE-DAY PERIOD (DAYS 1-3)

Immediately after separation from the body, the soul retains its earthly memories and consciousness. Traditionally, during the FIRST TWO TO THREE DAYS, THE SOUL IS GRANTED A DEGREE OF FREEDOM AND OFTEN LINGERS NEAR FAMILIAR EATHLY PLACES, SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY GUARDIAN ANGELS.

THE TOLL HOUSES AND PARTICULAR JUDGMENT (DAYS 3-40)

On the third day, the soul is led by Angels into the spiritual realm and begins a journey that involves encountering a series of "toll houses" (spiritual trials).

. Spiritual Trials: The soul is tested by demonic forces regarding specific
sins and passions committed throughout its life.

. Particular Judgement: After successfully passing these trials, the soul
is brought before God to worship Him and is shown the various
dwelling places of both the righteous and the damned.

. The Fortieth Day: By the 40th day, a "PARTICULAR JUDGMENT" takes
place, assigning the soul its temporary dwelling place (Hades or Paradise)
until the Second Coming of Christ.

Our Lord’s Resurrection conquered death and sin for us. Now, we can have Eternal Life through Him (John 11:25; 3:14-16; 4:14; 6:40, 47-58;14:1-6) and be with Him again in Paradise (Luke 23:42-43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-23). For Orthodox Christians, salvation means THEOSIS (DEIFICATION) becoming free of sin and UNITING WITH GOD. It is an ongoing process that takes our entire earthly lives, and sometimes extends into life after death. Through the grace of God we can become what Christ is by nature.

Living in the community of the Church and partaking regularly of the Mysteries (Sacraments), and especially the Divine Eucharist, is one of the most important ways we can experience God’s grace and His energies and distance ourselves from sin. Also, important is cultivating PRAYER OF THE HEART" ("THE JESUS PRAYER": "LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER"), PRAYER THAT NEVER CEASES, AND LIVING A LIFE OF SIMPLICITY, SINCERITY, AND DEVOTION TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD.

If the Christian believer participates in the life of the Holy Orthodox Church, PRAY, FAST, REPENT, FAST, CHARITY, AND BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, he/she will progress on a path toward theosis (deification) and UNION WITH OUR CREATOR. [Resources: Saint Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral and Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain)

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in Christ’s Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George