The answer
- After death a person goes to either Paradise or Hades where he awaits judgment at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Who will judge the living and the dead. Only then will a person go to the Kingdom of Heaven or to hell.
- Redemption means to buy back, to pay a ransom. Its theological meaning is that our Lord Jesus Christ by dying on our behalf, has freed us from slavery to sin. Our Redeemer has purchased our deliverance by offering Himself as payment for our redemption (Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19). This occurred the minute He had died on the Holy Cross. This redemption is universal in the sense that its advantages are freely offered to all. However it is limited in the sense that it is effective only with respect to those who meet the conditions of salvation announced in the Holy Bible. For such people it is effectual in that they receive forgiveness of sins and the power to lead a new and holy life. If they do not lead that holy life and death comes, there is no turning back. Therefore we have to be always ready.
Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)