Eric,
God is the God of everything: the afterlife, the present life, and everything in the past. Nothing exists without God sustaining it in its existence.
Heaven and Hell are the two everlasting destinies from which each of us on Earth must choose. When we choose to love God and neighbor, we choose Heaven. When we choose selfishness, we choose Hell.
Certain sins which are mortal [sins] bring immediate death to the soul, pointing us to an eternity of Hell if we do not sincerely repent and ask God's forgiveness. That is why Christ established the Sacrament of Confession. Jesus on the Cross paid the price so that reconciliation with God may be possible; but we also must cooperate with His Grace — the divine Life He offers us — in order to love Him and avoid sin.
Peace,
Paul
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