Defination for some of my Non-Catholic Christians brothers and sisters and a refresher for Catholics. What does PURGATORY refer to; Purgatory is a state of purfication where souls are expiated, they attain full repentences from sins and any remaining remanence of sins or uncleanliness, prior to entering Heaven.
"Nothing unclean shall enter Heaven" (Rev 21:27)
Purgatory assists all by transitioning self love into love of GOD.
"At death one's soul goes to heaven, if it is completely fit for heaven; to purgatory, if it is not quite fit for heaven, but not worthy of condemnation; on to HELL, if it is completely unfit for heaven" (Karl Keating - Catholicism & Fundamentalism).
Every soul will go to Heaven, this may come as a shock for some to believe. But, after all souls are expiated from their sins and are worthy for heaven; and go through the purification process and leave purgatory. Purgatory will cease to exist.
"There will remain only Heaven and Hell" (Karl Keating).
Before, I go any further; I want to take this opportunity to discuss judgements. Yes, there are two types of judgments. First, there is the immediate judgement after death, one undergoes what is called the particular or individual, judgement.
"We are judged instantly and receive our reward, for good or ill" (Karl Keating)
"Second judgement in other words when the last people have died there will come the general judgement to which the BIBLE refers. In it all our sins will be revealed" (Karl Keating).
"I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny" (Luke 12:59)
Catholic Church is generally accused of inventing "Purgatory"; but they don't have any supporting date to back up their argument as to when did the invention took place of the doctrine of Purgatory.
Christians in the first century were extremely conservative people. Belief in Purgatory would be considered a great change, if it had not been believed from the beginning.
"They must have understood that the oral teaching of the Apostles, what Catholic call Tradition, and the Bible not only did not contradict the doctrine but endorsed it" (Karl Keating)
Now lets focus as to what does the Bible say about "Purgatory". Born again/Bible Christians claim Bible only talks about HEAVEN and HELL - "WRONG AGAIN".
BIBLE speaks clearly and plainly about the THIRD PLACE commonly referred as LIMBO OF THE FATHERS, where the just who died after Redemption were waiting for heaven to be opened to them (I Peter 3:19). This place was neither Heaven or Hell.
Non Catholics say that the word "Purgatory" cannot be found in the Scripture. True, but that's hardly the point. There is no mention of Trinity, yet this doctrine is taught.
"Likewise, Scriptures teaches that Purgatory exists, even if it does not use that word it (I Peter 3:19) refers to a place other than Purgatory" (Karl Keating)
Yet, there is another verse that supports that existence of "Purgatory"
"He will be the loser; and yet he himself will be saved, though only as men are saved by passing through fire" (I Cor 3:15)
Simply purification from sins is not through Hell (Fire) and Heaven has no suffering fire. So, the scripture is referring to the THIRD PLACE of purfication "Purgatory".
Here's another verse, but unfortunately some of you might have difficulty finding this verse, as it does not exist in the NEW KINGS JAMES VERSION Bible. As for Martin Luther who removed seven books of the Bible (see my article "WHY CATHOLIC BIBLES ARE BIGGER". This verse is found in Maccabees - (2 Macc 12:46). This verse talks about praying for the dead.
"It is holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they might be loosed from their sins" (2 Macc 12:46).
Interesting; prayers are not needed for souls in Heaven, and there is no escape from Hell. That means some people must be in a third place, at least temporarily.
Hope my friends this helps. Pray for me and I'll pray for you and let's pray a special pray for all our loved ones who have gone before us. That GOD may purify them of their sins and call them into his grace in Heaven. - GOD BLESS
Reference:
Catholicism and Fundamentalism - Author Karl Keating.
