Jesus and the Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell

This book focuses on Jesus, the four last things, and their relevance for our lives. He has much to teach us about these things. Jesus faced death with courage and was raised to new life by the power of his heavenly Father. He descended into hell and reached out to those who had alienated themselves from God. He promised to return at the consummation of time to judge the living and the dead and to establish the fullness of his kingdom. He lives forever in the house of his Father, hoping to draw all people to himself and make all things new. The book reminds us that, for Jesus, the four last things are just a prelude to the first things. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He teaches us to put last things first and first things last. ""Father Dennis Billy, CSsR, provides a profound reflection on the last things in this important book. Deeply rooted in Scripture and the Catholic tradition, Father Billy sheds light not only on the theology of the last things but also on the spiritual implications of the mysteries that lie beyond our earthly lives."" --Robert Fastiggi, Professor of Systematic Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, Michigan ""'Putting last things first' captures the essence of Jesus and the Last Things: Death, Judgement, Heaven, Hell. Father Dennis Billy offers a refreshing and creative reflection on themes that are rooted in the Creed but somehow largely ignored in contemporary spirituality. Avoiding the extremes of fear and presumption, this book offers a balanced approach to the last things that faithfully presents official church teaching and that surely will have an effect on how we live in the present moment."" --Donna Orsuto, Professor, Pontifical Gregorian University ""As master spiritual director and theologian, Fr. Dennis Billy guides us through a reality of utmost interest to believers: What is the afterlife? In his gentle writing and piercing intellect he brings us to the heart of the matter in promoting salvation as relational and personal, involving both the mystery of our free choice and God's own compelling and mysterious love who is the Christ. Use this book in prayer and in adult faith formation discussions . . . faith will increase!"" --James Keating, Institute for Priestly Formation, Creighton University Dennis J. Billy is an American Redemptorist of the Baltimore Province and professor emeritus at the Alphonsian Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. He is currently a fellow of the Graduate Theological Foundation in Mishawaka, Indiana, and serves there as the Karl Rahner Professor of Catholic Theology. The author of many books and articles, he is also very active in his order's retreat apostolate and in the ministry of spiritual direction.