Customer Reviews

After Life: What It's Like in Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is one of the most informative books I have ever read about life after death. The author starts off by educating the reader about Hell, then moves onto Purgatory and Heaven. Hell is worse than anything we could possibly imagine. There is no way to describe the horror of this place, it's just endless torture and misery beyond belief. Many people go straight to Hell when they die, because they are either non-believers or they have been extremely evil in their lifetimes. There is no hope for the souls in Hell, they are lost forever. Purgatory is where most souls go immediately after death, some for a short time, others for many years. The author makes it clear that souls who go to Purgatory have been saved from Hell, but must purify their souls before they go to live with God for eternity. There are many different levels of Purgatory. The lowest levels are closest to Hell, and the souls in this part of Purgatory are among the most serious sinners. At this stage, they cannot even benefit from prayers of the living. One hour in this section of Purgatory is worse than a lifetime of horrible suffering. In the middle stages of Purgatory, there is a depressing gray mist everywhere. Souls here are very lonely. Many long to be with loved ones who are already in Heaven, but they have to wait for that. In this part of Purgatory, souls can benefit from the prayers of the living. The upper level of Purgatory has some light from Heaven, and the only suffering done here is a longing to be with God. It's the final stage of Purgatory. Once the soul has been purified, it goes to Heaven. People who have not committed serious sins in their lifetime may spend a short time in the upper stage of Purgatory before going to Heaven. It is interesting to note, though, that no soul in Purgatory wishes to return to earth. Regardless of how they suffer, they know they are on their way to God. No one wants to face God until their souls have been completely cleansed. Heaven is beyond anyone's expectations. The greatest happiness we could possibly experience here on earth is nothing compared to Heaven. No one on earth could accurately describe what Heaven is like, because there is nothing in the physical world to compare it to. Every moment of our lives counts. No matter what kind of sins we have committed in the past, there is always a chance to change while we are alive. The author emphasized the importance of going to mass and confession, and accepting Jesus and the Blessed mother. However, the most important thing God wants us to do above everything is to love one another. The smallest act of kindness counts for so much in the eyes of God. If we live our lives according to what He wants, there is no end to the boundless joy we will have for eternity.

Having practiced Catholicism my whole life, I was looking for more insight on Purgatory. Since the topic is never discussed in church, etc., I was curious for details. Reading this book has changed my life completely. It talks about the importance of making every minute count on Earth. The book is based on real-life encounters with souls from Purgatory that have visited living people. Based on these visits, you are able to get a clear picture of what Purgatory is like. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. I encourage EVERYONE who believes in Purgatory to buy this book, read it and enlighten others as to the importance of this matter. THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!!

this is one of the best books i have ever read on the afterlife, it gives so much hope to hear the stories in this book, you will never look at life the same.

AS WE ARE ALL SINNERS THIS BOOK ALLOWS US THE GRACE TO PERCEIVE OUR FUTURE BOTH ON EARTH AND THE WORLD TO COME. IT POINTS OUT THAT NO MATTER WHAT OUR PRESENT OR PAST LIFE IS GOOD OR BAD AFTER READING THIS BOOK WE CAN COME TO REALIZE THAT GOD LOVES US ALL. BY TURNING FROM OURSELVES AND TOWARD GOD WE CAN REALIZE THE ONLY THING IN LIFE IS TO KNOW AND LOVE GOD. START TODAY BY PRAYING EVERY DAY FOR THE GRACE TO LEAD A HOLY LIFE. I KNOW THAT I AM.

One of the best and thought provoking spiritual books I have read in my life. Brown gives you things to think about as we interact with people in this life. A must read if you want to improve yourself.

It was a quick easy read. It kept me interested from beginning to end. I Couldn't put it down untill I was finished!

This book is the latest in the 500 year old tradition of scaring people into submission. The bottom line is that neither this author nor any other human being that has ever lived (or died and returned after a near death experience) has any idea what awaits us in the afterlife; because no human being has ever completely died and come back. His quotes from "mystics" and a few saints who claim to have seen purgatory are ridiculously non-credible. He actually directly quotes the Virgin Mary at one point! The book is pure speculation on the author's part but delivered in a self righteous and dogmatic manner reminiscent of some 15th century inquisitor. Purgatory incidentally is never mentioned anywhere in the Bible but is a medieval Catholic invention. This book is strictly the author's personal speculation and agenda with nothing backing it up.

Brown is not preaching from the Catholic Church's teaching on after life matters. None of the visions since the earliest in Christian History (probably St. Paul's which was not written until the 6th century, tough they found a copy of it in the 3rd century) is counted as absolute fact. The only fact we have is that we do not know what the after life is like. Scripture is our only source, as one reviewer notes. But Christian denominations do not agree on which books should be contained in Holy Scripture. The scriptural truth of Purgatory depends on which books you accept in the Cannon, for the most part. The Congragation for the Doctrine of Faith has stated that writing and teaching about heaven should be done without excess detail. I'd say Brown has not held firmly to this teaching of the Church in his descriptions of near-death experiences and visions. I gave the book a two because it does affirm the Church teachings on continuation of the existence of the soul and saints in heaven, and on the teachings of purgatory. But some people will read this book and their images of heaven will be shaped by Brown's opinion rather than sound theology; a bit like imagining heaven is like a Renaissance painter's rendition. Don't rush to criticize the Catholic Church when you find parts of the book obviously far fetched or too detailed. The Church is not teaching according to Brown. It is also interesting to note that while Christians see Christ (or a light they believe to be Christ) during near-death experiences, I've been told Buddhists see Buddha.

Raised a Roman Catholic and educated in Catholic schools through college I have a clear understanding of the belief system that Catholicism is built on. In the past ten years I have read over 50 books on "The After Life" by all of the renown experts. From John Edward and Ruth Montgomery to Raymond Moody, they all have a common message about life after life. They all describe the different stages you go through after each life - the life review, your soul groups, personal guides, the life selection process, etc..

The whole theory of heaven and hell, when analyzed, seems pretty far fetched. it took me a long time to de-program my Catholic thinking to a more realistic belief. There are so many different religions in the world that differ greatly from each other, with the exception of a superior being, that it would impossible for only one to be right and all the rest to be wrong. Biblical stories have man dying in a lake of fire if they don't live life in the image of Jesus. Are you telling me that the other 90% of the world that isn't Catholic are a waste of life when they die? They go to "A" hell or purgatory and do what? Life in eternity in the worst place imaginable or wait in purgatory until you have prayed enough to God? This book is just regurgitating a newer view of the after from a religious perspective. I firmly believe that organized religious beliefs regardless of denomination are a good discipline to life one's life by. Not necessarily that it is THE religious belief system that will grant you entrance to heaven.

As I mentioned before, there are many good book on what really goes on in the after life and how shocked you will all be at the lack of centralized religions. We are the only ones who judge our past lives and do not get condemned for our sins by GOD.

An unbiased and non-religious book for someone who is interesting in what goes on in the after life based on thousands of case studies on past life regression is JOURNEY OF SOULS, by Dr. Michael Newton.

Regardless of your current belief on after life, Newton will give you a different perspective on life after life.

There is Heaven and hell only. Read your bible everyday, prey
3 times a day and ask god to lead you to salvation.