J
Jason_Diebolt
Guest
Can you describe Purgatory?
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O
oneGODoneCHURCH
Guest
I will give it a try, but this in no way can be taken as the offical teaching of the church.
Nothing that is unclean can enter in to heaven. At the momeont of death you are in a state of grace, but there is the stain of sin still upon you purgatory is the place or state that you enter for the removal of that stain so that you may enter into heaven. It is a temporary state and unlike Heaven and Hell will nolonger exsist after the final judgement.
I tend to think of it like this I stole money from a bank, but returned it I am still guilty of that crime and would still need to serve my time in jail for doing so.
Nothing that is unclean can enter in to heaven. At the momeont of death you are in a state of grace, but there is the stain of sin still upon you purgatory is the place or state that you enter for the removal of that stain so that you may enter into heaven. It is a temporary state and unlike Heaven and Hell will nolonger exsist after the final judgement.
I tend to think of it like this I stole money from a bank, but returned it I am still guilty of that crime and would still need to serve my time in jail for doing so.
G
Gregory_I
Guest
We are all on a journey toward God, becoming more like him day after day, if our hearts are so disposed. 2 Cor. 3:18 "
New International Version (©1984)
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
New Living Translation (©2007)
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
English Standard Version (©2001)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
New International Version (©1984)
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
New Living Translation (©2007)
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
English Standard Version (©2001)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
B
Battle_Warrior
Guest
Read the book “Hungry Souls” written by Gerard J.M. Van Den Aardweg. It has pictures of burnt objects touched by souls from purgatory.
G
Gregory_I
Guest
We are all on a journey toward God, becoming more like him day after day, if our hearts are so disposed.
2 Peter 1:4 "“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
This Transformative process is called Theosis, the divinization of man, the making of man into the true image and likeness of God. It is analagous to sanctification, being made holy, but slightly more specific.
Now, some of us in this world will attain the fullness of what Christ has intended for us spiritually.
These are the Saints.
Some of us will not.
We began a journey, and our destination is Christ; so some of us must journey beyond death, being ever changed into the image and likeness of the Son of God.
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (I Cor 13:9-12).
We see the distance between the mortality of our life, and the immortality to come. We see that a change is coming for those who are not complete in Christ.
What is the nature of this change? WE do not fully know. WHat we do know is that change often implies pain.
1 Cor. 11:32 “But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.”
Heb. 12:6 “FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”
And we also know that we receive what we deserve:
Gal. 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.”
So we know that we are called to be transformed into Christ. And we know that Journey begins NOW. And we know that part of that journey can entail pain, and correction. But we also know that our Growth DOES NOT CEASE WITH THE VISION OF GOD.
1 Corinthians 15:41 “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.”
2 Cor. 3:18 " But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
SO Our life and death flow together into a journey toward the City of God.
Purgatory is the outskirts. And we will either cross them in this life, or after, for the Journey does not alter its course, and God does not cut corners.
But though these outskirts may at times be barren wastelands, take comfort, your fr4iends are with you, and praying for you, and Christ will deliver you in time.
“2 Maccabees 12:44-45. For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”
Purgatory is an infinitesimal point on the path to ever growing holiness.
2 Peter 1:4 "“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
This Transformative process is called Theosis, the divinization of man, the making of man into the true image and likeness of God. It is analagous to sanctification, being made holy, but slightly more specific.
Now, some of us in this world will attain the fullness of what Christ has intended for us spiritually.
These are the Saints.
Some of us will not.
We began a journey, and our destination is Christ; so some of us must journey beyond death, being ever changed into the image and likeness of the Son of God.
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (I Cor 13:9-12).
We see the distance between the mortality of our life, and the immortality to come. We see that a change is coming for those who are not complete in Christ.
What is the nature of this change? WE do not fully know. WHat we do know is that change often implies pain.
1 Cor. 11:32 “But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.”
Heb. 12:6 “FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”
And we also know that we receive what we deserve:
Gal. 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.”
So we know that we are called to be transformed into Christ. And we know that Journey begins NOW. And we know that part of that journey can entail pain, and correction. But we also know that our Growth DOES NOT CEASE WITH THE VISION OF GOD.
1 Corinthians 15:41 “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.”
2 Cor. 3:18 " But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
SO Our life and death flow together into a journey toward the City of God.
Purgatory is the outskirts. And we will either cross them in this life, or after, for the Journey does not alter its course, and God does not cut corners.
But though these outskirts may at times be barren wastelands, take comfort, your fr4iends are with you, and praying for you, and Christ will deliver you in time.
“2 Maccabees 12:44-45. For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”
Purgatory is an infinitesimal point on the path to ever growing holiness.
M
mark_a
Guest
I’m not sure it’s even a place or thing. Maybe it’s more of a condition of one’s soul.
S
Student09
Guest
Yes, I’ve been there on a number of occasions and it was just dreadful.
Oh no wait, that was St. Lydwine that went there, not me.
We know that it is a place of purification. Purification is usually painful; certainly it is in this life, so it makes sense that it would be so in Purgatory as well. I don’t see it as a negative thing - it’s really a place of mercy -, but I do want to avoid going there if I can.
Beyond that, we can only speculate.
Oh no wait, that was St. Lydwine that went there, not me.
We know that it is a place of purification. Purification is usually painful; certainly it is in this life, so it makes sense that it would be so in Purgatory as well. I don’t see it as a negative thing - it’s really a place of mercy -, but I do want to avoid going there if I can.
Beyond that, we can only speculate.
C
Chatter163
Guest
G
Gregory_I
Guest
You gotta be kidding me…lol.
F
FCEGM
Guest
St. Catherine of Genoa’s “Treatise on Purgatory” is instructive:
cfpeople.org/apologetics/page51a013.html
D
Don9of11
Guest
I have heard Purgatory described in this way. It is like a hospital. When people are seriously sick or need surgery, etc… they go to the hospital to be healed. During your stay you can suffer because of the pain of your illness or surgery, in this analogy the sickness is your sins. But just as in hospitals you can have visitors who come to console you, cheer you up and pray with you, but you can’t go home with them until you are completely healed. 
J
JerrySeibert
Guest
Great explanations.
The Hospital example really makes sense. I will have to use that idea when I’m asked next.
The Hospital example really makes sense. I will have to use that idea when I’m asked next.
G
Gregory_I
Guest
Except, our relationship in Christ is always deepening, even after the beatific vision, so The Hospital analogy is good, but we are sort of infinitely going home.
S
Shin
Guest
There’s a book by Rev. F.X. Schouppe that describes Purgatory about as thoroughly as you’ll ever find.
Priceless book really.
D
dconklin
Guest
I have heard it described as a refiner’s furnace. Our souls are like gold. The Precious Body and Blood are only placed in fine gold - because gold is for Kings. Before it is ready for Church use, the gold has to be refined by heating it up and burning away the dirt (sin). The gold (our souls) is tough and does not burn. It only gets cleaner.
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