Purgatory

Purgatory, What is it and does it exist?

If you are a part of the Catholic Church adhere to and follow false doctrine, yes. If you believe the True Word of God and what it teaches, Absolutely NOT!

Written May 24, 2015

The majority of this teaching comes from Liberty Gospel Tracts and I have added to and revised it a bit. This is in no way an endorsement of some of the website owners beliefs.

No one, and that includes this ministry, is 100% correct on every thing in the Bible, but the Bible is 100% correct. Man adds to the word and interprets in many cases falsely. If it does not line up with scripture, from a Word for Word translation, then you need to toss it out.

It says in the Bible that there only 2 roads. Either you are saved and are on the narrow path going to heaven, or you are on the road heading to hell. So why do Catholics believe in purgatory?

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Notice that it does not say that “few find it, at first; and then many, eventually.” It says, “wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” These verses do not teach a “temporary” destruction, but a “permanent” destruction. There are two roads from which to choose in life. That choice is an eternal one, and must be made while a person is still alive.

2nd Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The Catholic doctrine of purgatory is not based upon the Bible, but upon the teachings of the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha is defined as, “writings or statements of dubious authenticity; books included in the Septuagint and Vulgate but excluded from the Jewish and Protestant canons of the Old Testament”(Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary). So the Apocrypha is made up of religious writings that are not Scripture, but are included in the Catholic bible. As is noted in Webster’s Dictionary, the Jews and the Christians have rejected those books and have not included them in the canon of Scripture.

The Catholics define purgatory: “(Latin, “purgare”, to make clean, to purify) …a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God’s grace, are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.” New Advent

Here we find that they are not teaching what the Bible clearly teaches, that the Lord Jesus Christ, and His shed blood, is the total satisfaction for our sin.

1st John 2:1-5 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

The above verses tell us that the Lord Jesus Christ is the propitiation or satisfaction for our sins, meeting the requirements of the Almighty and absolutely holy God.

2nd Corinthians 5:20-21 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1st Peter 2:21-24 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Catholic doctrine teaches to the contrary of those clear verses, and says Jesus and His sacrifice are not enough to meet the full demand of sin’s punishment, and that purgatory is necessary for a person to complete that on his own: “a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God’s grace, are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.” New Advent

Do you see how that Catholic doctrine clearly teaches that man is responsible to complete the payment for his own sins? That is a works salvation which is a false salvation and false doctrine.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:4-6 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

The Catholic’s belief in purgatory is necessary because of their belief in prayers for the dead. If it is necessary to pray for the dead, then they must be suffering in some way, and still in eternal danger. If the dead are safely in God’s hands in heaven, then why would you need to pray for them?

They get the teaching of prayers for the dead from the Apocrypha — not from the Bible. One of the Apocryphal books is 2 Maccabees, and it says in 12:43-46, “43. And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice TO BE OFFERED FOR THE SINS OF THE DEAD, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection. 44. (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to PRAY FOR THE DEAD), 45. And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. 46. IT IS THEREFORE A HOLY AND WHOLESOME THOUGHT TO PRAY FOR THE DEAD, THAT THEY MAY BE LOOSED FROM SINS.”. New Advent

This very clearly shows that Catholics do not believe that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is enough to satisfy the demands and payment for sin. They believe that man himself must satisfy part of the payment for his sins through suffering after death. That is a works salvation, which makes it a totally false salvation. The Catholic church is thus teaching a false gospel.

Galatians 1:6-9 says, I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

How can so many religious leaders call the Pope a “great man,” when he is leading millions of people astray through a false gospel of works?

The word gospel means, “good news.” But they are going to realize that their gospel is not good news at all, when they die and find out that no amount of good works can save a person. It is either a total trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, or it is an eternity in the lake of fire suffering eternal punishment.

Many in ALL Denominations are going to find out the same thing — only too late.

Matthew 7:22-23 says, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Notice that these people do not stand before the Lord pleading the precious blood of Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation. They stand before Him pleading their OWN WORKS as the basis for entering heaven. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” They stand there telling God WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR HIM.

It is not what we have done for God that saves us — that would clearly be a works salvation (thus, a false salvation). What saves us is what God did for us through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross.

Romans 5:6-12 says, For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

One text in the New Testament is used by the Catholic church to try and teach purgatory. The passage is actually talking about the Judgment Seat of Christ — not purgatory.

1st Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The Catholics write, “While this passage presents considerable difficulty, it is regarded by many of the Fathers and theologians as evidence for the existence of an intermediate state in which the dross of lighter transgressions will be burnt away, and the soul thus purified will be saved.” New Advent.org

Please notice that the Catholic church admits, “this passage presents considerable difficulty” to them and their false doctrine. The reason is that the passage clearly teaches that it is not the Christian who faces the fire, but his works that face it. “Every man’s WORK shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because IT SHALL BE REVEALED BY FIRE; and THE FIRE SHALL TRY EVERY MAN’S WORK of what sort it is.” This has nothing to do with the Christian suffering, but with the works that he has done upon earth. Those works go through the fire to see what sort of works they were.

Were they done selfishly? It is possible to speak before others about the Lord (which is good), but to do it for the limelight and self-glory (that is bad).

1st Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

It is also possible to do great sacrifice — but all for self-glory, and not really for those in need.

1st Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

This is why all of the works of Christians will face the fire.

Some Christians will end up with no rewards in the end.

1st Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s WORK SHALL BE BURNED, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Notice, once again, that it is not the Christian who is suffering in the flames — IT IS HIS WORKS THAT ARE FACING THE FLAMES. And what if all of his works are burnt up at the Judgment Seat of Christ? Does it say that he shall then suffer in the flames himself? No. He shall suffer the loss of rewards, but he shall be saved.

There is no such place as purgatory. It is but another doctrine of devils. It gives mankind the false hope that he can still make things right with God after death. But such is not the case. The deceiver is simply at his old work again. Sadly, many will hold onto the thought that they can still redeem themselves by suffering after death, instead of placing their total faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you go to the store to buy Meat, don't run to the Milk section or the Junk Food aisle looking for it!!

The Meat Section is the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Milk Section is likened to those who will not preach on sin and Hell, just a feel good message, the Social gospel.

The Junk Food Isle is the outright false doctrine AKA the prosperity gospel, name it and claim it, the Hebraic Roots movement and other false teachings!!

Feasting on just Milk and Junk will eventually cause you great harm, you can count on it!!

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