The wide path

[De_Maria]

Matt 7:13: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14: For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Most understand the wide way to be the way to hell.

However, I believe Christ is also warning us about purgatory, whose punishments are almost as bad as those in hell, but only temporary.

Right reason will tell us that few people will wind up going straight to hell, just as few people will wind up going straight to heaven. Then that means that most people will go to purgatory first, then to heaven.

What say you?

Sincerely,

De Maria

 

[puzzleannie]

De Maria:

However, I believe Christ is also warning us about purgatory, whose punishments are almost as bad as those in hell, but only temporary.

the punishment of purgatory is of an entirely different order than that of hell. Hell is complete, eternal banishment from the presence of God, total embracement of evil, and full recognition of what one has lost by this choice, and when our bodies are restored, eternal pain. Purgatory is just that, a purifying fire, in union with the sufferings of Christ and all the saints, and all who have gone before, in union with the whole Church in heaven and on earth, with the prospect of the beatific vision and of coming in the presence of the Lord in a state of perfection.

I agree that it is highly unlikely that any adult who has lived for any length of time (longer than 5 minutes) has escaped sin and would not welcome the opportunity for perfect cleansing in purgatory.

 

[De_Maria]

puzzleannie:

the punishment of purgatory is of an entirely different order than that of hell. Hell is complete, eternal banishment from the presence of God, total embracement of evil, and full recognition of what one has lost by this choice, and when our bodies are restored, eternal pain. Purgatory is just that, a purifying fire, in union with the sufferings of Christ and all the saints, and all who have gone before, in union with the whole Church in heaven and on earth, with the prospect of the beatific vision and of coming in the presence of the Lord in a state of perfection.

I agree that it is highly unlikely that any adult who has lived for any length of time (longer than 5 minutes) has escaped sin and would not welcome the opportunity for perfect cleansing in purgatory.

All you have said is correct. But it is not God’s will that we go to purgatory. It is His will that we go to heaven. It is only His great mercy that permits those who die in an imperfect state of grace to be purified in purgatory so that they might enter heaven.

Sincerely,

De Maria

 

[thistle]

De Maria:

All you have said is correct. But it is not God’s will that we go to purgatory. It is His will that we go to heaven. It is only His great mercy that permits those who die in an imperfect state of grace to be purified in purgatory so that they might enter heaven.

Sincerely,

De Maria

But the chances of many being perfect when they die are slim so purgatory is the likely first stop for those who are saved!

 

[trogiah]

Matt 7:13: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14: For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Most understand the wide way to be the way to hell.

However, I believe Christ is also warning us about purgatory, whose punishments are almost as bad as those in hell, but only temporary.

Right reason will tell us that few people will wind up going straight to hell, just as few people will wind up going straight to heaven. Then that means that most people will go to purgatory first, then to heaven.

What say you?

Sincerely,

De Maria

As you suggest the wide path leads to destruction which, though very unpleastant, is not same thing as eternal damnation. So, we need not despair if we find ourselves on the wide path, but it seems like we should get off it as soon as we see the way off it.

Peace

-Jim

 

[Todd_Easton]

Matt 7:13: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14: For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Most understand the wide way to be the way to hell.

However, I believe Christ is also warning us about purgatory, whose punishments are almost as bad as those in hell, but only temporary.

Our desire should be to strive for holiness in this life as to make a visit to Purgatory unnecessary but, since everyone who enters Purgatory eventually enters heaven, Purgatory leads to life not destruction.

 

[dkward2]

Hell is complete, eternal banishment from the presence of God, total embracement of evil, and full recognition of what one has lost by this choice, and when our bodies are restored, eternal pain

I agree with you, except the pain part. I think you have rightly figured the phrase eternal destruction for what it rightly means. It means being destroyed with no hope of resurrection.

If one is destroyed (does not exist), how can someone suffer eternal pain?

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death…

The wages of sin is not being tortured for forever in a fire. In Jerimiah 32:33, the LORD is angry with Israel for burning their children alive. The LORD says that the practice never entered into his mind. Furthermore, if you read the OT, God punishes people by killing them. He does not torture them for their sins.

Rev 20:13-15
*And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. *

This paints a clear picture. After those who are in hell are resurrected, death and hell are cast into the lake of fire. Furthermore, anyone whose name is not found in the Book of Life is cast there as well. The Bible calls this the second death.

Hell is being used to hold those who are dead. When it’s usefulness is gone, it is eternally destroyed (never to return). The same goes for those not found in the Book of Life. Just as death and Hell cannot be tortured for eternity, (they aren’t even living things), neither will we be.

Rejoice, “for God is love”. Love does not imply torture for all time!

Job 8:3-4
*Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;*

Be even happier, because God is a God of justice. Justice does imply an eternity of torture for a lifetime of sin. Consider carefully what kind of person or being would torture someone for an **INFINITE ** period of time.

I would propose that it is more likely that Hell was a powerful persuasion tool used to bring people to the church and raise $$. If you think the church is above it, simply think on indulgences.