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Can't We Just Sort It All Out In Purgatory? Feb 28 2010
"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." - Hebrews 9:27
It would be nice if we could sort it out in purgatory, but there's a big problem with that idea. The idea of purgatory is not found in the Holy Scriptures. It's a concept found in the Apocrypha - Jewish books of sacred writings - that were never believed to be on the level of Holy Scripture. Some may ask, "What's purgatory?" One definition is to be in "limbo" after you gie.
So, what does Scripture say happens when we die? The above-referenced scripture, Hebrews 9:27 says, "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." God makes a judgment on whether we'll spend eternity with Him in Heaven or spend eternity separated from Him in Hell. There's no in between holding zone. When we die, it's one or the other.
So, what would it take for God to make the judgment that we deserve eternal life in Heaven with Him? Two ways:
1. Be perfect. Which is bad news - only one man has been perfect and it ain't you.
2. Believe in the perfect man who gave His life for every single sin in your life and mine. Jesus is that man. He paid the penalty for our sins, so that if we trust Him as our only hope of being judged by God to receive eternal life - we'll pass.
If you died today, what judgment would it be? Heaven or Hell?
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4 Comments
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Yes, report it NevermindI am not a theologian, but I thought that this subject was addrssed in the New Testament.
Paul in 1Thessalonians 4, seeks to reassure the brethren that those who die before the second coming will be raised first. Raised from what? It would appear that we are in some form of suspended state and that we are all raised together at the second coming.
Also, in The Revelation of Jesus Chist, John seems to be saying the same kind of thing when referring to the saints that have gone before.
Not that this can be known, but it is interesting to contemplate their meaning. As far as a believer is concerned the effect will be "instantaneous" we will die, and the next thing we will percieve will be judgement. There is no mention of a period of purgatory.
Just thinking out loud. Have a blessed day.
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Yes, report it NevermindI grew up Southern Baptist and married into a Catholic family.
To hear Purgatory explained by a priest is not nearly as controversial as some people make it out to be. Purgatory IS judgement. It's judgement for believers to prepare them for Heaven. That doesn't sound so bad. I don't know of anyone personally who in their current state is worthy of Heaven.
Today's devotion says that the concept of Purgatory is not mentioned in the Bible...but neither is the Trinity. And I doubt anyone would be so bold as to claim that the concept of the Trinity is untrue just because it's not explicitly mentioned in Scripture.
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Yes, report it NevermindIt's absolutely right that none of us are worthy of heaven through our own efforts,so that's why God sent His Son Jesus as the worthy Lamb that died for our sins so we might be worthy through His ultimate sacrifice when we accept His gift by accepting Christ as Savior and Lord of our life so our sins will be covered by the shedding and sacrifice of His blood.
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Yes, report it Nevermind"And I doubt anyone would be so bold as to claim that the concept of the Trinity is untrue just because it's not explicitly mentioned in Scripture."
I would.