A few quick points/questions.
Sorry, Hebrews says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and then the judgement.”
There is no need to apologize. This has no bearing on the existence of Purgatory. Does the existence of Purgatory contradict that men die once or that there is a judgment following death? Or do you mean that all there is after death for the human soul is eternal judgment so Purgatory (along with the beatific vision) is excluded?
I think what you mean is that purgatory would count as an additional judgment so it would be impossible for St. Paul to speak of “the judgment.” However, everyone agrees there are two discrete acts of judgment anyway, the particular and the general, which are really just different declarations of the same judgment. Secondly, the concept of purgatory corresponds well with the image from Matthew because after the sentence is pronounced (particular judgment), the prisoner serves the sentence (purgatory) and after he has done his time, is released from prison.
And these verses seem crystal clear that there is no need for futher cleansing when it comes to our standing and salvation. But Jesus said few would find the way to life, so most will not see the truth of the FINIISHED work on the cross, and will never be saved:
“First he [Jesus] said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them’ (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we HAVE BEEN made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
”…nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
‘This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.’ Then he adds:
‘Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.’ And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”
This is not a proof of the doctrine of “imputed righteousness.” It is easy enough to say that God forgives only sins that have been committed. After all, future sins, because they are future, do not exist yet, and how can something be forgiven when it doesn’t even exist? St. Paul says also in Hebrews 10:
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,
wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Here we see Paul speaking of the possibility of damnation even for those who have been sanctified. If this is the case, I have a hard time seeing how Hebrews 10:14 can be a proof of eternal security.
I Cor 3 is not talking at all about someone being burned. He is using a metaphor about what we build with our life and service, and about rewards, not punishment. What we “build” in this life will be examined just like gold is examined with fire. The things that born again people have done through faith in Christ will produce eternal reward. All the rest will be burned up, but God’s child, of course, will be save.
I do not think St. Paul’s image of fire fits as well with your explanation as if he is speaking of purgatory. He says in v. 15 that, “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss.” If this is merely a metaphor for the judgment of the Christian’s deeds, then it is hard to see how he is suffering a loss other than the loss of pride over one’s earthly works. If this is reference to purgatory, then we can take it to be speaking of a burning up of remaining earthly attachments like the burning up of someone’s material possessions in a house fire.
Notice it doesn’t say they will be saved THROUGH fire, but “AS ONE”…
The Greek is better represented in the New American Standard Bible: “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so AS through fire.”
Does the word “as” always indicate that a statement is intended only as pure metaphor? John 1:14 reads: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory
as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Does this mean that Jesus not actually the only Son from the Father, but only metaphorically speaking?