Quote:
Originally Posted by BVidlar  Odd thing is, the word “Purgatory” is not found in the Bible. |
neither is the teaching.
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
There is some sort of judgment that happens right after death. The story of the rich man and Lazarus attests to that. No part of any teaching of Jesus can be or alude to a lie. If the words came out of His mouth, they are the truth. Period.. There is a rich man in Hades who knew Lazarus and is suffering this very minute and would give all he ever had to come back right now for a second chance. And this poor soul will still be there when Jesus returns and he already knows what His eternal fate is going to be.
I believe from the account of Lazarus and the rich man, we get an image of what to expect upon our mortal deaths. I know every soul shall stand before the judgment seat. I don't know if this will happen upon our deaths or if it will happen on the last day. But it will happen. Many people I respect greatly teach that we will be judged at death and the final day will be more of sentencing process where the lost will see the saved in their glory before the throne of God before being forever cast into the outer darkness described as the lake of fire and I tend to agree with that assessment.
As for purgatory....
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done , whether it be good or bad.
Paying particular attention to the two words "his body". Now......
Hebrews 4:9-10
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works , as God did from his.
There are no more works after death. Those who die saved and are at rest are not working any works of righteousness. Those who die lost aren't either.
and finally,
John 5:28-29
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Putting what we learn from each of these scriptures together,
We are going to be judged for the things done in our bodies.
Those who have died do not have the opportunity to work anymore.
And all will be resurrected to their respective destinies based on what they have done.
Now I just don't see how anyone can stick a purgatory in there where people can be absolved of sin in any way prior to the final day. It just won't fit.
I think we better get this right the first time. Ain't no second chances after the lights go out on this life. Eternity is too long to get it wrong. Let's do it all (Ephesians 6:13) and let's do it right (Matthew 15:9).