I’ve been reading a lot about heaven and hell lately. This is the extent of my current understanding. It has given me peace of mind and clarity, but also a peaceful sense of urgency. I hope it inspires the same feelings in you too.
The Church teaches that heaven and hell aren’t actually “places” but permanent conditions of the soul that we carry into the new earth—contrary to what I have ever previously believed. I can’t be the only person that recalled hades from Hercules when considering what hell might be like…
At the Last Judgement, all of creation will pass away and in the same instant be reborn in total perfection—something reminiscent of the Big Bang. We’ll be raised in glorified bodies, with our souls as they are — but no more repentance or healing. Whatever condition our soul is in, that’s what we remain in forever, while God’s glory is revealed in everything. No more medicine, just the everlasting condition.
For those in Heaven, their souls loved and served God above all, so eternity is pure joy.
For those in Hell, their souls may have known God, but chose to love themselves more. So their souls ache with constant desires for earthly pleasures — addictions, validation, comforts — things that true love for God would have burned away.
That’s why it’s torment: God pours out only love, but their soul doesn’t want love — it wants its old cravings. So the addict never gets a fix, the attention-seeker never gets attention, the lazy soul never finds rest.
God still remains good and loving, desiring everyone’s salvation. But if He forced it, He would take away our free will, which is what makes us His image. So when we choose self over God, we aren’t just choosing convenience — we’re choosing Hell.
So, study the medicine, and learn to take it now. By clearing out the clouds within ourselves, we allow the sun to shine on others.