Eschatological Virtue Obsolescence
The doctrine that all virtues — patience, obedience, suffering, desires — are instrumental and therefore temporal, ending in heaven when the conditions requiring them no longer obtain (1 Corinthians 13:8-13: prophecy and knowledge pass away; Revelation 21:4: no more mourning, crying, or pain); only divine will and love enter eternity because they alone participate in the divine nature itself (1 John 4:8: God is love; Isaiah 40:8: God’s word stands forever); the soul must therefore die in this life to all that will not accompany her into eternity, even surrendering holy desires, as Christ on the cross surrendered his longing to suffer more for love. (E)
Anchors: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13; 1 John 4:8; Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 40:8 — Appearances: 15. Full Registry entry.