Eschatology

Question 1

What is the paschal candle? (3)

Answer 1

• Is large candle that has important role in a number of church services, particularly the easter vigil
• Represents the risen christ
• It is used to help celebrate and share in Jesus’ resurrection

Question 2

Other uses for the paschal candle (2)

Answer 2

• Baptisms - when a person is baptised, they are given a candle that is lit from the paschal candle this shows the person has been filled with the light of Christ
• Funerals - the paschal candle is lit to show the deceased person has joined Christ in the resurrected life

Question 3

What does the paschal represent? (3)

Answer 3

• The candle represents the risen christ
• The five grains of incense represent the five wounds Christ received during his crucifixion
• The Alpha and Omega symbols show Christ is eternal

Question 4

How does the last Judgement reflect Catholic beliefs about Jesus (4)

Answer 4

• Christ is the central figure in the painting - emphasising his importance as the judge of all
• The wounds from his are still visible - shows that Jesus came to glory through obedience and suffering
• Christ’s right hand is raised - reflecting the parable of the sheep and goats, in which Jesus promises good will be on his right and the wicked on his left
• Here Christ is raising those on his right up to heaven

Question 5

How does the last judgement reflect catholic beliefs (3)

Answer 5

• People are rising from their graves showing that all people will be raised up for judgement on the last day
• People are shown moving towards hell with a sense of despair
• Hell is seen as a dark place - reflecting the idea that the light of Christ can’t reach people who have rejected God

Question 6

What is a Tombstone (2)

Answer 6

• Is large carved stone that is placed over a person’s grave

* It indicates the location of the person’s grave, so it can be treated with respect

Question 7

Features of Tombstones (3)

Answer 7

• Often inscribed with the letters ‘R.I.P’ - a prayer expressing hope that the person is in heaven, enjoying the peace and happiness of eternal life
• Catholic tombstones shaped like a cross - indicates a person believed in Jesus and expresses the hope they will be resurrected with Jesus to eternal life
• Some catholic tombstones have an angel carved on them - reflects the belief that all people have their own guardian angel, who takes care of them during their life and this angel will present them to God to be judged

Question 8

Momument

Answer 8

Is a structure that is built to remember an important person or event

Question 9

Features of monuments (2)

Answer 9

• In the past, some wealthy christians were buried in (highly decorated coffins with the Chi-Rho symbol on them - is a reminder of the belief that Jesus died so everyone would be able to experience eternal life in heaven
• In the middle ages monuments were often decorated with skeletons and other symbols of decay - Reflects the belief that no matter how important or wealthy a person is, they face death and God’s judgement just like everyone else

Question 10

Features of a Remembrance garden

Answer 10

• Are designed to be areas of peace and beauty - helps mourners to reflect on the person who has died is now hopefully present
• Are quiet, reflective spaces - helps people to mourn for their loved ones in peace in a place where they feel close to them as this is where their bodily remains are at rest

Question 11

Remembrance gardens

Answer 11

Is an outside area where the ashes of people have been cremated can be kept

Question 12

Eschatology

Answer 12

Is the study of what will happen at the end of time

Question 13

Two ways according to Paul a resurrected body is different from an earthly body (3)

Answer 13

• The resurrected body will live for ever “it is imperishable”
• The resurrected body will be sinless and perfect “raised in glory”
• The resurrected body will be powerful and strong “raised in power”

Question 14

What are the four last things (4)

Answer 14

• Death
• Judgement
• Heaven
• Hell

Question 15

Death - four last things (5)

Answer 15

• For christians death is a transition to a new phase of life
• Death is something not to fear because it is the start of eternal life without limitations of the earthly body
• While the body dies the soul continues to live on
• The soul is judged by God and sent to heaven or hell
• At the end of time at the final judgement, the body and would will be reunited in a perfect form

Question 16

Judgement - four last things (5)

Answer 16

• Catholics believe that after they die they will be judges by God
• God will consider everything a person has done during their lifetime
• This is the moment of truth when people have to accept responsibility for all their actions
• Some catholics believe that while God judges them they also judge themselves in the light of his love
• Because jesus died so all people could be saved Christians believe God’s judgement will be merciful

Question 17

Heaven - four last things (4)

Answer 17

• If people are judged favourable they will enter heaven
• Heaven is the state of eternal happiness in the presence of God
• In heaven God’s love removes all cares and worries
• God wants all people to join him in heaven but he also respects people’s free will - this means people have to chose to accept God inmorder to enter heaven

Question 18

Hell - four last things (4)

Answer 18

• If people are judged unfavourably they will enter hell
• Hell is the state of eternal separation from God
• Christians believe God doesn’t send people to hell; people send themselves by not accepting God
• People in hell are aware of what they have thrown away, and exist in a state of frustration and anger at themselves

Question 19

What is purgatory? (2)

Answer 19

• Seen as cleansing process, where the effects of sin are removed so the person can feel happy in the presence of God
• Catholics believe the process of purgatory can be quickened with the help of prayers from those who are still alive

Question 20

What do catholics believe the two types of judgement after are? (2)

Answer 20

• Particular judgement

* Final judgement

Question 21

What is particular judgement? (3)

Answer 21

• Happens immediately after a person dies
• When God judges someone on a personal, individual basis - this means they are judged on all the actions they took during their life
• Results in the person going to heaven, hell or purgatory

Question 22

What is final judgement? (3)

Answer 22

• Happens at the end of time
• Christ will come in glory at the end of time and judge the whole of creation
• After this happens, the reign of God will be established and everything made perfect - those who have been judged favourably by God will stay with him forever in this perfect creation

Question 23

Other christian beliefs about the afterlife (3)

Answer 23

• All christians denominations believe in the resurrection and in heaven
• Many Christians don’t believe in purgatory - as they believe that after judgement, people will either totally accept God and go to Heaven or totally reject God and go to hell
• Some christians believe judgement doesn’t happen immediately after death - instead all people wait in their graves for the second coming of Christ

Question 24

Two points from Julian of Norwich about the cosmic reconciliation (2)

Answer 24

• The first phrase reflects Christian teaching that sin is necessary because God has given humans free will. If people are able to make free choices for or against God then sin has to exist
• But “all shall be well” because sin will be defeated and all things made perfect at the end of time. The whole of creation will be brought together in harmony and reconciled with God

Question 25

How do prayers and actions at Catholics funerals express beliefs about an afterlife (2)

Answer 25

• The readings of the mass focus on the effects of Christ’s resurrection. John11:25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life…everyone who lives and believes in me will never die - this reflects the belief that Christ’s death snd resurrection made life after death possible
• As the coffin is blessed the congregation says ‘may angels lead you to paradise and with poor Lazarus of old may you enjoy eternal life’ - this expresses the hope the deceased will spend eternity in heaven