Why is man different from all other creatures?
He is the only one who exists by the unity of the spirit and the body together.
According to Bishop Youannis, a) what is heaven? and b) what is earth?
a) Heaven is the sublime world above in the universe that God has created.
b) Earth is the lower part of the universe --human dwelling for sinners and cursed due to man's sin.
What book do we find out most of what we know about heaven? Who wrote this book?
Revelation by St. John
What does "angel" mean?
“messenger sent to convey a message”
Bishop Youannis asserts that no man can escape death. Who are the two men that must return to earth to die as martyrs?
Elijah and Enoch
God placed _____ in the heart of man, making him long for Heaven.
eternity
Name a) the number of heavens there are and b) what they are.
a) 3
b) the atmosphere, outer space, Paradise
What is the difference between the old, first heaven and the new, second heaven?
First heaven = place of angels; Satan used to enter it to complain about believers
New/Second Heaven = place of saints; Satan will not be able to enter
True or False: angels were created prior to the world's formation.
True.
How is the spirit different from the soul?
The spirit is the immortal element of man while the soul is the live essence/vital strength in a living being.
In other words: "The soul is the substance of life and it exists in the blood (Lev 17:11). Humans and animals have souls. As for the spirit, it is the breath of God that He breathed into Adam, and it exists only in humans. Animals have souls only but no spirits." (Taken from SUSCopts)
Name two Old Testament examples of people of God being "sojourners."
Jacob and David
Name 2 of 3 examples of living creatures in nature that demonstrate transformation as a proof of heaven.
Possible Answers:
1. Silkworms
2. Leaves
3. Seeds
Interpret the following verse: “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.” Revelation 20:11
The present heaven and earth will disappear, and the new heaven and new earth will arise. The current heaven and earth in their materialistic states will be restored and renewed so that God can redeem his original creation, bringing it into union with Himself.
True or False: angels are absolute spirits.
False. We believe angels are spirits, yet also have spiritual bodies as well.
Name 4 of the 6 examples of resurrections in the New Testament.
Possible Answers:
1. Jesus
2. Lazarus
3. Widow of Nain's Son
4. Eutychus
5. Tabitha
6. Jairus' daughter
Name 3 of the 6 parables in Matthew 13 that Jesus used to describe to us our relationship with heaven.
Possible Answers:
1. the parable of the sower
2. the wheat and the tares
3. the mustard seed
4. the leaven hidden by the woman in the measure of flour
5. the hidden treasure in the field
6. the net thrown out in the sea
What are the 5 proofs of heaven? (Hint: we had an acronym!)
Name 4 of the 8 descriptions about heaven according to what St. John saw and wrote in the book of Revelation.
Possible Answers:
Name the 3 ranks of angels in order.
1. Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones
2. The Lords, Authorities, Dominions, and Powers
3. The angels and archangels
What are the 3 wrong beliefs about what happens after death?
1. A Heretical Opinion: both righteous and evil spirits will sleep until Judgment Day
2. Judgment Immediately After Death: Roman Catholic belief
3. Purgatory: those who die without repenting can alleviate torture/purification fire in Purgatory by prayer
Name the 5 points of "Constant Touch With Heaven" in order for man to stay in contact with heaven.
1. Eagerness for Heaven
2. The Prayers
3. The Offerings
4. The Intercessions of the Angels and Saints
5. Prayer for the Departed
What does Bishop Youannis consider the most beautiful heavenly manifestation to be? And what year?
The apparition of Virgin Mary in Zeitoun on top of the church named after her. It began on April 2, 1968 and continued for months after.
It was accompanied by many healing miracles and marvelous wonders to the sick, both Christians and non-Christians.
Bishop Youannis lists off 9 things that can and can't be found in heaven. Name 4.
Bishop Youannis gives us 7 facts about the devil. Name 3.
1. has material power: diseases, insanity, deformities; destroys possessions (Job!)
2. has psychological power: shame, deceit, misery, betrayal (David and Judas)
3. aims to make chaos: divides and kills people, causes divisions, destroys homes
4. is persistent, relentless and stubborn: think of Jesus’ temptation on the mountain
5. his trickery and mysterious ways: makes man fall and be haughty yet hides
6. his deception: misleads people into committing sin – “father of liars"
7. his alert/watchful attitude: will fight in wakefulness or sleep; doesn’t cease
Bishop Youannis mentioned 3 views that the Orthodox church holds about the possibilities of where Paradise is. Describe 2 of the views.
Possible Answers:
1. Paradise is where Adam and Eve were before being expelled; was once on earth before it was lifted up into heaven (recall St. Paul called it the third heaven)
2. Paradise was in heaven and is still there
3. Paradise was on earth and still is on earth, but it has a spiritual existence we can’t see