THE FOUR LAST THINGS ---- DEATH, JUDGMENT, HELL and HEAVEN IV. Some Other Torments of Hell.

catholictradition.org ^ | FATHER MARTIN VON COCHEM, O.S.F.C.

[GonzoII]

THE FOUR LAST THINGS ---- DEATH, JUDGMENT, HELL and HEAVEN
FATHER MARTIN VON COCHEM, O.S.F.C.

Father Martin von Cochem was born at Cochem, on the Moselle,
in the year 1625, and died at Waghausel in 1712.

“Remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.”

HOLY REDEEMER LIBRARY

Nihil Obstat: Thomas L Kinkead,  Censor Liborium
Imprimatur: Michael Augustine --- Archbishop of New York (New York October 5, 1899)

Copyright, 1899, by Benziger Brothers

PART III. ON HELL.

IV. Some Other Torments of Hell.
 
IT is the opinion of many that some of the reprobates will be doomed among many other intolerable pains, to endure a most fearfully intense cold.

The venerable Bede relates the following anecdote of a man whose name was Trithelmus. This man was dangerously sick, and one night he was thought to be dead. The next morning he recovered consciousness, to the astonishment of all who were with him, and rose from his sick bed, saying that God had granted him a prolongation of days, in order that he might lead a different life to that which he had hitherto led.

After dividing his property amongst his children, and giving a portion of it to the poor, he entered upon an excessively different mode of life. Shutting himself up in a small tent beside a river, he spent his days and nights in weeping. In winter time he plunged up to the throat into the icy waters of the river, and then, shivering and benumbed by the cold, he immersed himself in hot water, a proceeding which caused him such agony that he could not restrain his cries.

When questioned as to the reason of his strange conduct, and how he could possibly bear the sudden alternations of extreme heat and extreme cold, he replied: "I have seen worse things than that." "What didst thou see?" the others asked him.  And he replied: "I have seen how the unhappy souls in another world are cast out of a raging fire into icy cold, and from icy cold back into the burning flames. When I realize what they have to endure, I count my slight sufferings as nothing."

This anecdote, related by so grave and holy a man as venerable Bede, shows how terrible indeed are the torments of Hell.

Christ speaks to us of the darkness of Hell in these solemn words: "Bind his hands and feet and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. xxii. 13). Our Lord speaks of the darkness of Hell as exterior darkness, the most appalling, the most fearful that can be. A traveller who has lost his way in a forest and is benighted, feels a nameless terror coming over him.

Now there is a land which is covered with the shadow of death, where no order, but an eternal horror reigns. That land is Hell. An oppressive gloom weighs upon the lost; an indescribably terrible darkness prevails.

In this world sick people dread nothing more than the night, because the time seems to pass so slowly to them, and their pain seems doubly wearisome. They count the hours, and each one appears as long as the night. What will it be for the denizens of Hell, where thick darkness holds sway, and night never gives place to daylight?

In this horrible darkness the damned lie helpless as blind men, or as those who have had their eyes cruelly put out. They see nothing, for the acrid smoke stings their eyes, and the poisonous fumes of sulphur destroy their sight. We know how dense this smoke is from the account given by St. John: "To him (Satan) was given the key of the bottomless pit (Hell). And he opened the bottomless pit; and the smoke of the pit arose as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke of the pit" (Apoc. ix. 2). And again: "They shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, and the smoke of their torments shall ascend up forever and ever; neither have they rest day or night" (Apoc. xiv. u.)

These are indeed terrible threats, and this prophecy foretells in the plainest terms what will be the fate of those who are servants of sin and of the devil. They shall be tormented with fire and brimstone to such a degree that the smoke of their torment shall ascend forever and ever. O fearful words! O torture inexpressible!

Consider, O misguided sinner, what thy feelings would be if thou wert confined for one single day in this dark and noisome dungeon. Thou knowest how disagreeable pungent smoke is to the eyes and nostrils ; in fact, no one can remain in it for a quarter of an hour without being asphyxiated and half blinded. If this is so on earth, what will it be in Hell?

The existence of the damned is more like death than life; it is a living death, an everlasting, unlimited torture and misery. And since we are told that the smoke of their torment goes up forever, it follows of necessity that complete darkness must prevail in Hell. In connection with this subject, venerable Bede relates the experiences of the man Trithelmus (of whom mention has already been made) whilst he lay in a trance, and was supposed to be dead. On recovering consciousness, amongst other things he narrated the following: "I was conducted by a being clothed in shining garments through a country quite unknown to me, until we came to a region enveloped in thick darkness, that made me shudder with fear and horror. I could distinguish nothing but the figure of my guide. As we penetrated deeper and deeper into this obscurity, I perceived in the midst of the darkness an abyss of immense extent filled with smoke and a lurid glare, the sight of which caused my hair to stand on end with terror. From this abyss proceeded piteous wailing, which sounded as if a number of men and women were being put to cruel torture and death.

"But the worst was that my guide vanished, leaving me alone in this terrible spot. I cannot describe the agonized apprehension that took possession of me; in vain I looked around in the hope of finding succour or solace. The terror I felt was so great that I thought I should have died.

"When I looked down into the black abyss, I was afraid lest I should fall into it, and be lost, body and soul. For with the lurid flames that rose not of the abyss there came burning sparks that fell back into it with a deafening noise, besides masses of sulphurous smoke -like clouds that seemed as if they might at any moment sweep me down with them into the depths of the fiery gulf. These were all lost souls which were driven upwards like sparks from burning logs by the force of the underground fire.

"God alone knows what I suffered; a cold sweat broke out all over me. Whilst I stood there in this agony, not knowing which way to turn, there sounded from far above my head peals of laughter, and mingled with the laughter bitter weeping and howling. As this noise came nearer, I saw a number of devils who had with them five helpless souls whom they were persecuting and tormenting. The devils were in exultation, mocking and laughing; the souls were in despair, uttering lamentations and cries of poignant anguish. Imagine what my feelings were when I heard their cries, and observed that the accursed devils were coming nearer and nearer.

When they came close up to me, I was so over powered with terror that I thought I should have fainted, and I believe if God had not strengthened me, I should have died there and then.

"For the demons glared at me with their fiery eyes in so alarming a fashion, and the poor souls called on me so pitifully for help, that I was divided between fear and compassion, and my heart was as if it must break. When the souls had been driven past me, they were precipitated into the depths of the abyss by the evil spirits with such violence that Heaven and earth seemed to tremble, and such a cloud of sparks flew upwards that I was afraid they would cover me. Finally, to my great grief and alarm, a number of evil spirits approached me, breathing rage and fury, and making as if they would drag me down with them into the black abyss.

"Then in abject terror I wept and wailed and implored help from some quarter; for in this dense darkness I beheld nothing but mocking devils, the yawning gulf and leaping flames, and knew not whither to turn for deliverance.

"When my distress was at its height, my guide reappeared; he rescued me from my enemies, and conducted me out of that dark, foul, horrible place. He told me moreover that I was to return to my body, and that I was to make known to as many as possible of my fellow-men, the existence of this land of terrible darkness."

In addition to the sinister obscurity that prevails in Hell, caused by the stifling smoke that rises in dense clouds from the lake of brimstone, there is the presence of frightful demons who increase the pain and torment of the damned.

We read in the legend of St. Anthony the Hermit, that the demons frequently appeared to him under various forms, plaguing and frightening him in indescribable ways. Sometimes they took the shape of wild beasts, lions, bears, dragons or savage dogs; at other times they appeared in human form, that of fierce-looking men, beautiful women, or monsters of hideous aspect. Sometimes they beat and maltreated him so barbarously that they left him half dead; sometimes they caused him such terror by their strange spectral apparitions, that had not God and his Angel guardian come to his aid, he would have incontinently expired.

Now if they did all this to a man of Saintly life, over whom they had no rightful power, what will they not do in Hell to the ungodly sinners who are completely at their mercy?

Doubtless these diabolical spectres, assuming the shape of wild animals, will fall upon the wretched sinners and mishandle them shamefully. This will be a fresh misery for them. No one can imagine what new terrors and torments the ingenuity of these spirits of Hell will devise to harass the damned and pour out on them their devilish malice.

If thou dost fear this darkness, and all the horrors attending it, see that thou fear the works of darkness, whereof Christ says: "Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved" (John iii. 20). 

But if thou lovest darkness, and seekest the dark ness that thou mayst sin with greater impunity, it will be no act of injustice on God s part to cast thee into everlasting darkness, and at thy death to say to the devils: " Because throughout his life he has loved darkness and the works of darkness, bind his hands and his feet and cast him into the exterior darkness, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Would that all obdurate sinners could see this, and consider the frightful torments which await the careless and indifferent. For in that wherein we have sinned we shall also be punished. And as in our own day there are so many tepid and negligent Christians who have not the slightest zeal for religion or religious exercises, we bid them beware lest they be one day cast into Hell-fire at the command of Him who calls Himself a jealous God, and who is alone to be feared because He can " destroy both body and soul into Hell."

Wherefore consider, O cold and careless Christians, what a fate is before you. Truly, were you to reflect upon these frightful torments, you would at once enter upon a new life. Instead of being tepid, sluggish, lax, cold Christians, you would quickly become zealous, active, scrupulous, fervent servants of God.

Away, then, with all tepidity, all indifference in the great business of our salvation. Whosoever thou art who readest this, resolve to fulfil thy duties as a Christian with all earnestness. Approach the sacraments more frequently than thou hast done hitherto; hear Mass more frequently than hitherto, be more instant and fervent in prayer than hitherto.  Think more often of God and of the last things. Thus thou wilt surmount the indifference, the coldness that has crept over thee, thou wilt make God thy friend, the hope of eternal felicity will rise up within thee and become a blessed certainty. God grant that by His grace it may be so with thee and with me!

www.catholictradition.org/Classics/4last-things3d.htm

[ScubieNuc]

I don't have much time tonight to comment, but when you really look at the scriptures describing Hell or the Lake of Fire (which I never said don't exist) it says that the FIRES are eternal it doesn't say that sinners will be kept alive, being burned for ever and ever and ever....

What the verses say or imply is that the consequence of Hell fire is eternal. That to me, now clearly means that once a person is destroyed in Hell fire their existence is gone forever. They are essentially eternally separated from God.

I'm not a new Christian. I have debated this topic (being on the side that says Hell/LoF is eternal torment) with many people, including some SDA. But after restudying the Scriptures, annihilation makes more sense with what is actually written in the Bible. (BTW, I'm not a Catholic, so posts on what “church fathers” or “Tradition” holds, has little value to me when compared to the Scripture.)

I'm definitely not saying “Believe me, because I say.” I'm saying study the Scriptures yourself. The link I provided does provide some excellent points based on Scripture.

[GonzoII]

(BTW, I'm not a Catholic, so posts on what “church fathers” or “Tradition” holds, has little value to me when compared to the Scripture.)

They do have historical value in understanding what the Church believed early on, that has nothing to do with your being a Catholic or not. You could just as well say that your German so you hold little value in any history book that claims there was a civil war in the US. in the 19th century, and details the policies of the US. government at that time.

The word destroy does not mean annihilate in this context, what is taught at that link cannot be reconciled with Scripture:

Lk:16:24: And he cried and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.

[ScubieNuc]

I don’t have much time today, either, but the story of Lazarus and the rich man is a parable not a actual event.

Here is a good analysis of that parable:

http://www.jeremyandchristine.com/articles/lazarus.html

[GonzoII]

"I don’t have much time today, either, but the story of Lazarus and the rich man is a parable not a actual event."

A parable if you will, it still relates to the after life and the existence of the soul there and punishment.

[ScubieNuc]

A parable if you will, it still relates to the after life and the existence of the soul there and punishment.

I realize that you probably wont read the link, so let's look at the parable and it's context.

It is the fifth parable in a series of parables starting in Luke 15. These parables are in response to the Pharisees and scribes talking about how Jesus receives sinners and tax collectors.

The first parable is about the lost sheep and how a shepherd will leave the safe 99 to find the one lost sheep. The second parable is about the woman and the ten pieces of silver, and how she cleans house to find the one missing piece. The third parable is about the prodigal son who once was lost but now is found. The fourth parable is about the rich man and his steward who settles his debts for less then what was owed. The fifth parable is about the rich man and Lazarus.

A few interesting things to note:

When Jesus spoke to the groups he spoke ONLY in parables.

Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

The parables all deal with money on some level.

The parables are about the value of the “least of these” over the money value.

Before starting the parable of Lazarus, Jesus states that the “Law and Prophets UNTIL John”.

The Pharisees are not happy with Jesus’s teachings.

After the Lazarus story, you read in Luke 17 about how Jesus heals 10 lepers but only ONE comes back and thanks Jesus. That one was a Samaritan, not a Jew.

The main reason people say that this isn’t a parable is because Jesus uses a name, so let’s look at that name. Lazarus is the Greek word for the Hebrew name Eliezer. What is interesting about that name is Abraham was going to give his inheritance to Eliezer of Damascus (Gen. 15:2-4), but God provided Abraham with his own lineage.

This raises the question as to why Jesus didn’t name the rich man. He does describe the rich man though, so we can analyze what those things tells us. The rich man was dressed in purple and fine linen (cambric). Purple was known as a royal color worn by kings and royalty. Cambric or fine linen was clothing worn by priests (Ex. 28:5, 25:4) and it decorated the Tabernacle (Ex. 26:1). Judah was given the position of ruler of the Jews (Gen. 49:10). Judah also had five brothers from his Leah (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun). Because Judah was the leader of the nation of Israel, Israelites were known as followers of Judah or what we now call Jews.

From this breakdown, we can see that the rich man symbolizes the nation of Israel, including their priests and kings. Lazarus symbolizes those outside of Abraham’s inheritance or Gentiles. This makes sense when you consider who Jesus was talking with and who was upset by it in Luke 15. It also fits in with the other parables dealing with who was lost and what real value is.

One other aspect to look at is, does this story make sense if it reveals an actual event?

Is being wealthy and well dressed a sin deserving Hell?
Is being thrown into the street, being poor, and begging a virtue worthy of Heaven?
If Lazarus ascended into heaven, then doesn’t that contradict Jesus saying that no man has ascended in to heaven in John 3:13?
How many people could actually fit in Abraham’s bosom?
Is the torments the rich man is feeling, physical? If so, how does he see through the flames? People on fire close their eyes. How does the rich man talk coherently about saving his brothers or being tormented, or wanting water from Lazarus’s finger tip? If you are burning up, what good is moisture on the tip of a finger? Why not cry to have your skin or eyes drenched?
Why does the rich man go to hell without a day in court?
How does the rich man recognize Abraham? If the rich man recognizes Abraham how would he have “heard” Moses (who lived hundreds of years after Abraham)?

When you look at the totality of actual events would be like and the context of the story, it becomes clear that it is a parable telling of value and the fallen state of Abraham’s descendants.

[GonzoII]

I’ll let you have the last word, thanks for the replies.