What Happens When You Die?

I always wondered why the martyrs cried out for revenge...they were in God's presents and it was mandatory that they forgive....I cannot imagine St. Steven crying out for vengeance, he saw Christ as he was being stoned...

Vengence is a human emotion, while still alive on earth I could understand it, but not their being in God's presents.

We, on our present life, 
Knew that the stars were right. 
That if you are the first to go, 
You'll leave a sign to let me know, 
Tell me so. 
Please, carry the Lantern lights.

The Rolling Stones - "The Lantern". I've always thought this was about asking a friend to contact you after he dies. I've been waiting for my friends who were 'first to go' to contact me, but so far nothing.

I can think of two reasons. One of which, the anger of those who committed atrocities wasn’t realy just against that one individual martyr, but against God.

Second, the martyrs knew that such atrocity committers would keep on killing and torturing many others.

As for souls being tormented in Hell now, that would be ridiculous to have the punishment before the trial. The Great White Throne judgement will be an event that all will participate in. It hasn’t happened yet so nobody should be in Hell at this time except for the usual suspects (Satan and fellow demons).

If what you say is true, what are we to make of the story of Lazarus and the rich man?

I re-iterate that - regardless as to whether one thinks it's a parable, an allusion, a metaphor, etc. - it would fall flat on its face among listeners who recognized that its primary premise - the image of a sinner suffering torments in the Hereafter, a sinner who begs to warn his relatives still on Earth, i.e., obviously long before Judgement Day - was nonsense.

NO instructive story can include major elements - e.g. "Herbert Hoover with his finger on the nuclear button," etc. - which are patently ridiculous.

Ergo: Christ believed - and his listeners accepted as plausible - that, after death, punishment and rewards are immediately meted out.

Regards,

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