The Theology of the Afterlife: Heaven and Hell

Patristic theology, and traditional teachings of Orthodoxy from the Church fathers of apostolic times to the present. All forum Rules apply. No polemics. No heated discussions. No name-calling.
Post Reply
User avatar
Maria
Archon
Posts: 8428
Joined: Fri 11 June 2004 8:39 pm
Faith: True Orthodox Christian
Jurisdiction: GOC
Location: USA

The Theology of the Afterlife: Heaven and Hell

Post by Maria »

After the Final Judgment at the end of the age, when Christ will come to judge the Living and the Dead, there will be a Hell.

The Holy Hierarch St. John Chrysostom
'It is a sea of fire—not a sea of the kind or dimensions we know here, but much larger and fiercer, with waves made of fire, fire of a strange and fearsome kind. There is a great abyss there, in fact, of terrible flames, and one can see fire rushing about on all sides like some wild animal. … There will be no one who can resist, no one who can escape: Christ’s gentle, peaceful face will be nowhere to be seen. But as those sentenced to work the mines are given over to rough men and see no more of their families, but only their taskmasters, so it will be there—or not simply so, but much worse. For here one can appeal to the Emperor for clemency, and have the prisoner released—but there, never. They will not be released, but will remain roasting and in such agony as cannot be expressed.'[Homilies on Matthew 43[44].4]

'For when you hear of fire, do not suppose the fire in that world to be like this: for fire in this world burns up and makes away with anything which it takes hold of; but that fire is continually burning those who have once been seized by it, and never ceases: therefore also is it called unquenchable. For those also who have sinned must put on immortality, not for honour, but to have a constant supply of material for that punishment to work upon.' [An Exhortation to Theodore After His Fall- Letter I].

St. Cyril of Jerusalem
'We shall be raised therefore, all with our bodies eternal, but not all with bodies alike; For if a man is righteous, he will receive a heavenly body, that he may be able worthily to hold converse with angels; but if a man is a sinner, he shall receive an eternal body, fitted to endure the penalties of sins, that he may burn eternally in fire, nor ever be consumed.' [Catechetical Lectures 18:19]

St. John the Theologian (the Lord's Apostle)
'And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.' [Revelation 14:11]

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

Matthew
Protoposter
Posts: 1812
Joined: Sat 21 January 2012 12:04 am

Re: The Theology of the Afterlife: Heaven and Hell

Post by Matthew »

Lord Preserve us from that fire! Grant us grace to struggle and gain the victory.

User avatar
Luke
Member
Posts: 173
Joined: Sun 17 January 2016 10:25 pm
Faith: Orthodox
Jurisdiction: Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco

Re: The Theology of the Afterlife: Heaven and Hell

Post by Luke »

Good posts! Thank you.

Luke

Post Reply