# XXXII explained — Festus

> Chapter companion for Festus by Philip James Bailey.

## What happens

On the Millennial Earth, saints and angels converse with Festus about the perfected state of the world, the coming judgment, and the ultimate union with God. Festus expresses contentment with the renewed earth, while the Archangel offers to show him the hidden realms of death and the underworld, leading them to pass through a mountain.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Redemption

The chapter describes the end of pain, woe, and death, and the redemption of earth through Christ's reign.

### Mortality and Immortality

Festus and the angels discuss the passing of mortal life and the immortal, perfected state of the soul.

### Divine and Human Relationship

The communion between earth and Heaven, and the union of man with God, are central themes.

## Character check-ins

### Festus

Festus converses with angels and saints, reflects on the perfected earth, and agrees to explore the hidden regions with the Archangel.

### Angels

Angels speak of the earth as Eden, the descent of Faith, Hope, and Love, and the coming judgment.

### Love

Love (as a Grace) descends to earth, rejoices in the communion of earth and Heaven, and speaks of divine origin and happiness.

### Faith

Faith describes the history of faith on earth and the coming resurrection of the dead.

### Hope

Hope reflects on the sweetness of earth and its history from creation to the incarnation.

### Archangel

The Archangel explains the mediate state between earth and Heaven, offers to show Festus the underworld, and leads him through the mountain.

## Key lines

> The earth hath God Remade, and all its elements refined, Fit for sublimer Being.

God has remade the earth, purifying everything for a higher existence.

_Festus describes the renewed, perfected state of the world._

> Nor pain, nor toil of mind or frame, nor doubt, Nor discontent, nor enmity to God, Disturb the steady joy the spirit feels.

No suffering, mental effort, doubt, dissatisfaction, or hostility to God disrupts the spirit's constant joy.

_Festus reflects on the absence of all negative experiences in the millennial state._

> Between the two extremes Of earth and Heaven there lies a mediate state— A pause between the lightning lapse of life And following thunders of eternity.

Between earth and Heaven there is an intermediate state, a pause between the swift passage of life and the thunderous arrival of eternity.

_The Archangel explains the transitional state after death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/festus_se/chapters/xxxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/festus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/festus_se/chapters