9.5 The condition of souls in the beyond

9.5 The condition of souls in the beyond continue after their death. Together with the faithful on earth, they belong to the congregation of the Lord, and find themselves in a condition of righteous- ness before God (see 4.2.1.2 and 4.8.2). For these souls, preparing for the re- turn of Christ was the central element of their earthly lives, and the longing for this moment also fills them in the beyond. They were and remain devoted to the Lord, and will experience security and peace. The Wisdom of Solomon 3: 1–3 already mentions the possibility of a con- dition of security: “But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery. And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.” The dead in Christ have access to the word of God. Through this word as well as through Holy Communion administered to them by Apostles (see 12.1.9 and 12.1.3) they receive that which they need for attaining eternal life. There are also reborn souls who pass into the beyond who have not lived according to their faith. In order to rectify their deficiencies they need—as is the case on earth—the grace of God in word and sacrament. Those souls in the beyond who have never heard of the gospel, never ex- perienced forgiveness of sins, and never received any sacraments, find them- selves in a condition of remoteness from God. This can only be overcome by believing in Jesus Christ, accepting His merit, and receiving the sacraments. SUMMARY The term “beyond” refers to all realms, events, and conditions that lie outside of the material world. Often the beyond is equated with the realm of the dead. (9.4) Christ, the “firstfruits” in the resurrection, has conquered death and thereby made it possible for the souls in the beyond to enter into the proximity of God. (9.4) The condition of the souls in the beyond is an expression of their proximity to God, or remoteness from Him, and is the same there as it was during their lifetime. Those who are reborn and who followed the Lord will find them- 353 9 Life after death selves in a state of righteousness before God. Souls who have never heard of the gospel, never had their sins forgiven, and never received a sacrament, find themselves in a condition of remoteness from God. This can only be over- come by believing in Jesus Christ, accepting His merit, and receiving the sacraments. (9.5)