Purgatory**HELP!**

[praise_Him]

1 Cor 3:15.

If we look at the whole chapter of 1 cor 3 we see that it is addressing the issue of church planting. Paul specifically talks about evangelists and pastors and their roles.

“1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God that is given to me, as a wise architect, I have laid the foundation: and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon”.

Paul had laid the foundation for the church in Corinth and Apollo had built on the foundation Paul had laid as we clearly see if we read the chapter from the beginning to verse 10. So it can clearly be seen that when Paul is referring to building he is referring to the building of churches.

“1Co 3:11 For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid: which is Christ Jesus.
1Co 3:12 Now, if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble: “

Here we see Paul referring to the kind of building the pastors and evangelists would do. Gold silver for the pure humble and Godly who follow God’s will and wood, hay, stubble etc. for the building of ones own ideas. Instead of following what God had revealed.

“1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be manifest. For the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire. And the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any mans work burn, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire. “

Every pastors work would be manifest at the “day of the Lord” What is the “day of the Lord? When is the day of the Lord?

“Mal 4:1 For behold the day shall come kindled as a furnace: and all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall set them on fire, saith the Lord of hosts, it shall not leave them root, nor branch.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name, the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings: and you shall go forth, and shall leap like calves of the herd.
Mal 4:3 And you shall tread down the wicked when they shall be ashes under the sole of your feet in the day that I do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
Mal 4:4 Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, the precepts, and judgments.
Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elias the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful DAY OF THE LORD.”

“2Pe 3:10 But the DAY OF THE LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

 

[praise_Him]

“Rev 22:11 He that hurteth, let him hurt still: and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is just, let him be justified still: and he that is holy, let him be sanctified still.
Rev 22:12 Behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to render to every, man according to his works.”

As we can see anything bad will be burned. If a pastor builds a church on faulty theology his work will be destroyed at the judgement day but if his motives were sincere he will barely escape the fire. It is very clear that there is NO reward until Christ returns! Which agrees with 1 cor 3:13 which says at the day of the Lord all works will be manifest. This makes it an impossibility for this passage to mean there is a purgatory because this is clearly in reference to a FUTURE event!

“ Ecc 12:14 And all things that are done, God will bring into judgment for every error, whether it be good or evil.”
Note it says “WILL BRING” not has brought… future event!

“Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: “

“2Co 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”

“Joh 5:25 Amen, amen, I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Joh 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself, so he hath given to the Son also to have life in himself.
Joh 5:27 And he hath given him power to do judgment, because he is the Son of man.
Joh 5:28 Wonder not at this: for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God.
Joh 5:29 And they that have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life: but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment”.

“Rev 22:12 Behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to render to every, man according to his works.”

Note both the wicked and the righteous receive their reward when Christ comes again! Not before, nowhere in scripture do we see precedence that the reward is given before the judgement. That doesn’t even make logical sense. As we can see to use 1 cor 3 as a key text for purgatory is taking it out of it’s context! God bless!

 

[Linkowski]

Originally Posted by **VociMike **
Then you must believe that you are perfect and without sin and without inclination to sin at the moment you die. If you died right now, are you perfect, without sin and without any inclination to sin? If you are not, you cannot enter heaven without being made so. There are no sinners or wanna-be sinners roaming about in heaven. God’s making one thus perfected is purgatory. Why this great objection to God finishing up the work of our perfection at the time of our death? I repeat, why this great objection? I simply cannot fathom the resistance to it. Why be so afraid to acknowledge this final mercy of God?

1. Hebrews 10:14 KJV 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

What does this mean?

1. Who are those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

Revelation 21:27 KJV 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

1. What is the meaning of this passage?

John 13:7-10 KJV 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

1 Corinthians 15:17 KJV 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

The Catholic teaching seems to teach that we are always in our sins…that we are still stained at death…but, if we are written in the Book of Life…we will enter into heaven.

I have been perfected forever, washed, forgiven, justified, am being sanctified and will be glorified.

Romans 8:30 KJV 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

 

[VociMike]

1. Hebrews 10:14 KJV 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

What does this mean?

1. Who are those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
   <…big snip…>

I would like you to answer my simple question. Are you at this moment without sin, and without any inclination to sin? A simple YES or NO will do. Please do not do the inscrutable thing by quoting scripture without commentary; simply answer “YES, I am now without sin and without any inclination to sin”, or “NO, I am not now without sin and without any inclination to sin”. I await your answer.

After that we can talk further.

 

[Linkowski]

I would like you to answer my simple question. Are you at this moment without sin, and without any inclination to sin? A simple YES or NO will do. Please do not do the inscrutable thing by quoting scripture without commentary; simply answer “YES, I am now without sin and without any inclination to sin”, or “NO, I am not now without sin and without any inclination to sin”. I await your answer.

After that we can talk further.

I have been perfected by the sacrifice of Christ through faith…

Hebrews 10:14 KJV 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

This is justification…a legal declaration that I am righteous only my righteousness is God’s righteousness. I am in the process of sanctification through the Word of God and by the Spirit of God and am being conformed to the image of Christ. Once washed, I now only need foot washings regularly but am CLEAN EVERY WHIT. If in Christ, we are freed from the penalty of sin. But, we can still sin - but it is not charged to us…

Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

 

[VociMike]

I have been perfected by the sacrifice of Christ through faith…

Hebrews 10:14 KJV 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

This is justification…a legal declaration that I am righteous only my righteousness is God’s righteousness. I am in the process of sanctification through the Word of God and by the Spirit of God and am being conformed to the image of Christ. Once washed, I now only need foot washings regularly but am CLEAN EVERY WHIT. If in Christ, we are freed from the penalty of sin. But, we can still sin - but it is not charged to us…

Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

You’re being evasive. Please select one:

a) I am now without sin, and without any inclination to sin.

b) I am not now without sin, and without any inclination to sin.

 

[Linkowski]

You’re being evasive. Please select one:

a) I am now without sin, and without any inclination to sin.

b) I am not now without sin, and without any inclination to sin.

Who is being evasive - I explained to you very clearly what my standing is…I have God’s righteousness and have been perfected. Practically speaking I still sin and am still inclined to sin but this sin is not charged to me…I am dead to the law and in Christ and sin cannot be imputed to me. Shall we sin that grace may abound???

Romans 6:1-2 KJV 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Don’t get this idea that I am saying that now I can go around and sin all I want…we are called to be holy…

1 Peter 1:15 KJV 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

The true fact of the matter is that you are being evasive by answering my clear questions with a question and not dealing with the scriptures head on** by answering each and every one.**

 

[Odell]

I have been perfected by the sacrifice of Christ through faith…

Hebrews 10:14 KJV 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

This is justification…a legal declaration that I am righteous only my righteousness is God’s righteousness. I am in the process of sanctification through the Word of God and by the Spirit of God and am being conformed to the image of Christ. Once washed, I now only need foot washings regularly but am CLEAN EVERY WHIT. If in Christ, we are freed from the penalty of sin. But, we can still sin - but it is not charged to us…

Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

does this mean we are freed from the sins we comit they are not held aginst us? Is this what you are trying to say? God does not hold it against us and therefore we are not punished for our sins? Is this true is this what you believe because it is not the Catholic teaching.

 

[JonathanKinsman]

Who is being evasive

You are, Linkowski, you are changing the discussion with your proof texting on your personal view of salvation.

• I explained to you very clearly what my standing is…I have God’s righteousness and have been perfected. Practically speaking I still sin and am still inclined to sin but this sin is not charged to me…I am dead to the law and in Christ and sin cannot be imputed to me. Shall we sin that grace may abound???

So under the Linkowski view [a mixture of NT scriptures out of context and referring to OT practices and beliefs by the Jews], one can SIN and SIN and SIN (and be “inclined to sin”) but that ol’ Sin just bounces off you 'cause [through some magic words] you now “have God’s righteousness and have been perfected.”

Wow.

Excuse me folks while I go and re-do my federal income tax forms…

Pax Christi

 

[VociMike]

Who is being evasive - I explained to you very clearly what my standing is…I have God’s righteousness and have been perfected. Practically speaking I still sin and am still inclined to sin but this sin is not charged to me…

Fine, we now have an answer, so we can talk about how purgatory relates to that answer.

If you now sin and incline to sin, how can you possibly in your present state be allowed into heaven? Are sinners (not former sinners, but sinners) and those who incline to sin allowed into heaven?

FYI, I didn’t answer your questions because they don’t pertain to the subject at hand, that of purgatory.

 

[Odell]

Link you said
.I am dead to the law and in Christ and sin cannot be imputed to me. Shall we sin that grace may abound???

I am affraid you do not understand what it means to be free from the law

Ill let Christerpher West explain this to you

[Christopher West Book Theology of the body for beginners pg 40]
“Most people look at Christian morality-especially sexual morality-as an oppressive list of rules to follow. How far this misunderstanding is from the living morality proclaimed by Christ! The Gospel dosen’t give us more rules to follow. The Gospel is meant to change our hearts so that we no longer need the rules(see cathichsm 1968) To the degree that we experince this change of heart we experience freedom from the law(Rom7;Gal 5) not freedom to break the law; freedom to fullfill it.”
"Heres an example of what freedom from the law looks like: Do you have any desire to murder your best friend? This may seem like an odd question, but it actually demonstrate the point. Assuming you do not, then you dont need that comandment. Thou shall not murder thy best friend. Because you have no desire to break it. To this extent you are free from the law. In other words, you don’t experience this law as an imposition because your heart conforms to it.

before original sin the human heart comformed to Gods. that is what Christ came back for to show us how to conform our will to his. and the Church is there to help

one last thing
When we allow Chist into our hearts we no longer need the law because we no longer desire to break them. What law do you still need? What teachings of the Church still feel like a burdan or impostion to you? Perhaps the problem isn’t the law or the Church, but with your “hardness of heart” dont throw away the law surender your disordered desires to Christ and let him transform them.

 

[Linkowski]

Romans 7:1-6 KJV 1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2** For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.** 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

You see…she cannot be CHARGED as an adulteress because her husband died. Let’s cut to the chase here…what does this scripture mean??

Romans 4:8 KJV 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

What does this mean???

Romans 8:1 KJV 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:33 KJV 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

You twist the interpretations to fit your doctrine. AND DENY THE WORD OF GOD. THAT LAST ENTRY WAS A VERY AWFUL AND BLATANT TWISTING OF A SCRIPTURE PASSAGE.

 

[Linkowski]

So under the Linkowski view [a mixture of NT scriptures out of context and referring to OT practices and beliefs by the Jews], one can SIN and SIN and SIN (and be “inclined to sin”) but that ol’ Sin just bounces off you 'cause [through some magic words] you now “have God’s righteousness and have been perfected.”

Wow.

Excuse me folks while I go and re-do my federal income tax forms…

Pax Christi

Cut to the heart, huh…?

Acts 7:54 KJV 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

I get a lot of that here (insults) over clear passages of scripture. You read that last posting I just made - that passage of scripture is crystal clear!

 

[Mannyfit75]

Romans 7:1-6 KJV 1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2** For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.** 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

You see…she cannot be CHARGED as an adulteress because her husband died. Let’s cut to the chase here…what does this scripture mean??

Of course while her husband is dead, she is free to marry. Further down the passage that if she be called an adultress if she lives with another man.

Romans 4:8 KJV 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

What does this mean???

This passage means that a man is blessed when he lives in righteousness.

Romans 8:1 KJV 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:33 KJV 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

What does this have to do with the Purgatory?

You twist the interpretations to fit your doctrine. AND DENY THE WORD OF GOD. THAT LAST ENTRY WAS A VERY AWFUL AND BLATANT TWISTING OF A SCRIPTURE PASSAGE.

Don’t make false accusation against the Catholic by calling it denying the Word of God. You have become a liar by calling us that we twist Scripture.

 

[Linkowski]

Of course while her husband is dead, she is free to marry. Further down the passage that if she be called an adultress if she lives with another man.

This passage means that a man is blessed when he lives in righteousness.

What does this have to do with the Purgatory?

Don’t make false accusation against the Catholic by calling it denying the Word of God. You have become a liar by calling us that we twist Scripture.

Good night.

 

[guanophore]

Psa 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

Christ has already ransomed them by paying the debt of sin with his blood on the cross. All that remains is the “washing of the feet” the removal of any remaining impurities so that the justified may enter the Holy Place.

 

[guanophore]

.why is a stop on the way to being with the Lord not mentioned?

It is difficult for us to understand this, trapped in our space time mindset.  God is not.  I don't know if it can even be rightly considered a Stop.  It is more like a state, during which purification takes place.

All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven" (CCC 1030).

catholic.com/library/purgatory.asp

 

[Church_Militant]

From the standpoint of these scriptures…why is a stop on the way to being with the Lord not mentioned?

It is. 1st Corinthians 3:13 Every man’s work shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work burn, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

Philippians 1:23 KJV 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Nowhere in Catholic teaching is it asserted that God is not present in Purgatory. My own personal belief is that His presence is likely to be the very reason and instrument for that purification, but that’s just me.

 

[praise_Him]

If we look at the whole chapter of 1 cor 3 we see that it is addressing the issue of church planting. Paul specifically talks about evangelists and pastors and their roles.

“1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God that is given to me, as a wise architect, I have laid the foundation: and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon”.

Paul had laid the foundation for the church in Corinth and Apollo had built on the foundation Paul had laid as we clearly see if we read the chapter from the beginning to verse 10. So it can clearly be seen that when Paul is referring to building he is referring to the building of churches.

“1Co 3:11 For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid: which is Christ Jesus.
1Co 3:12 Now, if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble: “

Here we see Paul referring to the kind of building the pastors and evangelists would do. Gold silver for the pure humble and Godly who follow God’s will and wood, hay, stubble etc. for the building of ones own ideas. Instead of following what God had revealed.

“1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be manifest. For the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire. And the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any mans work burn, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire. “

Every pastors work would be manifest at the “day of the Lord” What is the “day of the Lord? When is the day of the Lord?

“Mal 4:1 For behold the day shall come kindled as a furnace: and all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall set them on fire, saith the Lord of hosts, it shall not leave them root, nor branch.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name, the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings: and you shall go forth, and shall leap like calves of the herd.
Mal 4:3 And you shall tread down the wicked when they shall be ashes under the sole of your feet in the day that I do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
Mal 4:4 Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, the precepts, and judgments.
Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elias the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful DAY OF THE LORD.”

“2Pe 3:10 But the DAY OF THE LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

As we can see the day of the Lord has not happened yet. 1 Cor 3 in no way can be used as a proof text for purgatory due to this. Because it is very specific.
"1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be manifest. For the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire. And the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is. "

Will address 2 Cor 5:8 in a later post. Nowhere in scripture do we see any precedence for the doctrine of purgatory. God bless!

 

[Mannyfit75]

Praise Him,

I think you completely misunderstood. Purgatory does exist.

It is implied much like Trinity.

Consider the following passages.

Matt. 5:26,18:34; Luke 12:58-59 – Jesus teaches us, “Come to terms with your opponent or you will be handed over to the judge and thrown into prison. **You will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” The word “opponent” (antidiko) is likely a reference to the devil (see the same word for devil in 1 Pet. 5:8) who is an accuser against man (c.f. Job 1.6-12; Zech. 3.1; Rev. 12.10), and God is the judge. If we have not adequately dealt with satan and sin in this life, we will be held in a temporary state called a prison, and we won’t get out until we have satisfied our entire debt to God. **This “prison” is purgatory where we will not get out until the last penny is paid.

Matt. 5:48 - Jesus says, “be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.” We are only made perfect through purification, and in Catholic teaching,** this purification**, if not completed on earth, is continued in a transitional state we call purgatory.

Matt. 12:32 – Jesus says, “And anyone who says a word against the** Son of man will be forgiven; but no one who speaks against the Holy Spirit** will be forgiven **either in this world or in the next.” Jesus thus clearly provides that there is forgiveness after death. The phrase “in the next” (from the Greek “en to mellonti”) generally refers to the afterlife (see, for example, Mark 10.30; Luke 18.30; 20.34-35; Eph. 1.21 for similar language). Forgiveness is not necessary in heaven, and there is no forgiveness in hell. **This proves that there is another state after death, and the Church for 2,000 years has called this state purgatory.

Luke 12:47-48 - when the Master comes (at the end of time), some will** receive light or heavy beatings but will live**. This state is not heaven or **hell, because in heaven there are no beatings, and in hell we will no longer live with the Master. **

Luke 16:19-31 - in this story, we see that the dead rich man is suffering but still feels compassion for his brothers and wants to warn them of his place of suffering. **But there is no suffering in heaven or compassion in hell because compassion **is a grace from God and those in hell are deprived from God’s graces for all eternity. So where is the rich man? He is in purgatory.

1 Cor. 15:29-30 -** Paul mentions people being baptized on behalf of the dead, in the context of atoning for their sins (people are baptized on the dead’s behalf so the dead can be raised). These people cannot be in heaven because they are still with sin, but they also cannot be in hell because their sins can no longer be atoned for. They are in purgatory. These verses directly correspond to 2 Macc. 12:44-45 **which also shows specific prayers for the dead, so that they may be forgiven of their sin.

Phil. 2:10 -** every knee bends to Jesus, in heaven, on earth, and “under the earth” **which is the realm of the righteous dead, or purgatory.

2 Tim. 1:16-18 -** Onesiphorus is dead but Paul asks for mercy on him “on that day.” Paul’s use of “that day” demonstrates its eschatological usage (see, for example, Rom. 2.5,16; 1 Cor. 1.8; 3.13; 5.5; 2 Cor. 1.14; Phil. 1.6,10; 2.16; 1 Thess. 5.2,4,5,8; 2 Thess. 2.2,3; 2 Tim. 4.8).** Of course, there is no need for mercy in heaven, and there is no mercy given in hell. Where is Onesiphorus? He is in purgatory.

Heb. 12:14 - without holiness no one will see the Lord. We need final sanctification to attain true holiness before God, and this process occurs during our lives and, if not completed during our lives, in the transitional state of purgatory.