Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 12/14/2005

Question
What I have been taught is that as Catholics we have hope in that one day we will be returned to live in heaven. The passage seems to indicate that once we die we cease to exist.

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Followup To
Question -
The passage reads......

So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens [be] no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

This seems to contradict what I have been taught regarding what happens when we die ?


Answer -
         Peace
dear Tony,
   What have you been taught? What do you understand the verse is about? What translation of Bible are you using ?Perhaps you were taught not clearly or wrong. You may be misunderstand the passage.

         In Christ the King,
         george  

Answer
         Peace
dear Tony
  You were taught correctly, we will rise again when Christ returns. It looks like you read the verse to fast.
The part I put in quotes, seems to be a word you missed:
riseth not: "till" the heavens [be] no more.

We believe we will recieve a personal judgement at the time of our personal death, then when Christ returns we will be rised to glory or damnation for all creation to know.

Below is another translation of the same verse, it might be more clearer for you.

12 So man lies down and does not rise [to his former state]. Till the heavens are no more, men will not awake nor be raised [physically] out of their sleep.

In this translation, former state means that soul and flesh wont be united until Christ returns in Glory.


         your servant in Christ
         george