First to make a point; allow me to be a smart-alic…
Purgatory can be found right next to the terms “protestant and bible”
The point is that not every term in use today is actually in the bible; in the form we are seeking it to be. BUT that it no way takes away from their reality.
In order to get a good understanding of the Doctrine of Purgatory one must know a bit more about:
God’s Nature
Divine Justice
God’s amazing desire to save as many souls as possible
The natures of sin & the temporal punishment due to them
Each worthy of an in depth explanation, but impossible because of the wisely limited space.
So here are the passages that affirm the absolute need in Divine Justice for Purgatory:
Rev. 21: 27 “But nothing unclean shall enter it, nor any one who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Mt. 5: 26 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.
Matt.5: 48 “You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Heb. 2: 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.
1John.3: 2 to 3 “Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
1 Cor. 3: 13-14 “each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done if the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, [Purgatory] though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
2nd. Cor. 7:1 “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God
Eph. 1: 4-8 “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us.
Ps18:30 “This God – his way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him…
**What is Purgatory:
**
Its a stepping stone on the way to heaven for those who die w/o Mortal sin on their Souls; but who have venial sins and or the TEMPORAL Punishment that ALL sins accrue, and which even when sins are Confessed and Forgiven; remain as a debt that MUST be repaid in order to be made PERFECT, a requirement to enter into heaven.
ALL sins have “public” nature; meaning a effect on the Church, on others and on society in general.
Take for example adultery, swearing in public, theft and gossip. EACH in its own way effects others besides the sinner. This effect is called “The Temporal Punishment” due to sin. ALL sins accrue a similar debt.
Even Confession does NOT remove or repay this debt which MUST be paid to enter in to heaven. the Beatific Vision.
So Purgatory acts kind of like a “Soul-wash”; making a sole perfect to enter into God’s Presence. This debt can be repaid while on earth in a number of ways.
Indulgences [another separate topic]
Good works
Prayers and sacrifices offered up as well as other way’s.
So this is the short story. GREAT querstion:thumbsup: