Everlasting life or life everlasting or eternal life or Divine Life or Heaven is everlasting communion with God in Jesus Christ in the Church Triumphant.[1][2] Everlasting life begins on Earth in mysticism.[3][4] However, Heaven is not to be confused with the spirit world found in various religions and cults.[5]
Revelation[]
Beatific Vision[]
The Beatific Vision is seeing God as he is - face to face - and, because God is Happiness Itself, it is supernatural happiness. The Beatific Vision begins immediately upon entering Heaven.[6] Christ enjoyed the Beatific Vision from his Incarnation as the God-Man.[7]
Ascension of Christ[]
By his Ascension Christ has ascended past the angels and sits at the right-hand of God. He is the Way to Heaven and has given us hope for salvation, inaugurated his eternal Kingdom, and intercedes for us as our eternal High Priest.[8]
Assumption of Mary[]
After her death, Mary, assumed into Heaven past the angels, stands before Christ to intercede for us as our Mediatrix.[9] She has shown us the way to Heaven, given us hope for salvation,[10] and is the image and beginning of the Church perfected in the world to come.[11]
Assumption of Elijah[]
Because Elijah did not die but was assumed in a chariot of fire into Heaven, he will come again before the Second Coming to witness to Christ unto death.[12]
Angels and Saints[]
There are various choirs of angels in Heaven - Seraphim, Cherubim, the seven Archangels, etc. - who, together with the saints, endlessly praise God.[13]
Theology[]
Paradise[]
The Catholic Church teaches that there is hope for the salvation of the unbaptized in light of Baptism.[14] In popular opinion, unbaptized infants go to Paradise or Limbo of Infants, a place of perfect natural happiness that exists on the edge of Hell.[15]
Notes[]
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a12.htm
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a12.htm#II
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a12.htm#1025
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p2.htm#787
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_world
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a12.htm#1023
- ↑ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08675a.htm
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s2c2a6.htm#659
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p6.htm#969
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p6.htm#966
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p6.htm#972
- ↑ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05381b.htm
- ↑ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm
- ↑ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a1.htm#1261
- ↑ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09256a.htm