Why there is going to be the Last Judgment

[@OrthodoxTalks]

The Last Judgment is possible even if our life is God's gift and we're free to use it the way we want. This video is my contemplation on what we are going to be judged for even when our life is a gift from God. I would appreciate your input on the topic.

[@Orthodox_Living]

Thank you for your gift of love and knowledge of the Orthodox faith!

[@bigbobbybig2459]

Thank you Father, as a Catechumen in the Orthodox church this has been one of the points I haven't fully understood. You helped me a lot! My baptism will hopefully be in the end of Febuary.

[@OrthodoxTalks]

May the Lord guide you on your paths!

[@tamarazinguer2786]

A Living Word for living people about a Living God for whom everyone is alive.

[@Tibbert]

Trying to live each day to please God is something i strive to do!

[@sfappetrupavelandrei]

I'm using the same representation of 3 stages of life to explain that Hell is not a place made by a sadistic God. The way in which we develop in the woomb some organs useful in the next stage (like eyes to see, ears to hear, etc.), we also need some spiritual organs to develop for the 3rd stage of life. Hell is the equivalent of being blind or deaf or other medical issues that can't be fixed for the next life. So it is not that God harms us, it is our own lack of proper development of our spiritual organs that it is translated as Hell after death.

[@OrthodoxTalks]

Thank you for sharing! Very interesting!

[@Terri7665]

I like this anology! Lord have mercy 🙏☦️

[@nathansmith8183]

Father, did the Holy Fathers speak about the effect of the fall on our lives, and who God originally meant us to be? This is to ask whether God’s creative intention was for life to have three stages?

[@OrthodoxTalks]

Actually very many Holy Fathers speak about the effect of our fall into sin and they agree that sin is something that separates us from God. The incarnation of the Son of God was needed to heal the result of sinning. So, I would say, that God does everything to make us whole again (salvation). These three stages of life are only for us to comprehend and to attend to. God is the source of life. He needs no stages. In His eyes life is one. It is us, who undergo changes in order to be healed, made whole again as we were supposed to be back in the Garden.

[@stavrouladeessegloria]

May we all have your blessings Father Ivan☦️ So what we have read in the scriptures about God's wrath it wasn't true and merely as the consequences of living not according the purpose of life?

[@OrthodoxTalks]

When we read Scripture we have to keep in mind that although it is inspired by God, but written by the people for the people of their time. They used expressions and figurative speech that was understood during their time. In order to deliver the truth they had to use those words that could be understood by their listeners. St. John Chrysostom wrote that When you hear the words: “rage and anger” in relation to God, then do not understand anything human by them: these are words of condescension. The Divine is alien to all such things; It is written this way in order to bring the subject closer to the understanding of cruder people. The purpose of life is to be in union with God forever.

[@stavrouladeessegloria]

@@OrthodoxTalks So the sins are so powerful enough already to harm the sinner without any punishment from God. Is that why in the Divine Liturgy the priest says "the dreadful judgement"?

[@OrthodoxTalks]

Sin is “missing the mark” or the point of our existence. We were created to be in union with God. Sin breaks this union. But God doesn’t stop loving us and gives us all kinds of opportunities to reunite with Him. We call the last judgment “dreadful” because at that moment some people will loose these opportunities and won’t be able to change. No way back after that! That’s the fear of all fears!

[@stavrouladeessegloria]

@@OrthodoxTalks Glory to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour both now and forever ☦️ Thank you very much for your patience and explanation, Father Ivan. Forgive me a sinner, an unworthy servant of God. And may we all have your blessings ☦️

[@OrthodoxTalks]

@stavrouladeessegloria nothing to forgive here. I just hope I was clear enough. May the good Lord bless us all.