What Does The Bible Say About Purgatory?
Purgatory is a religious concept that people who are not quite good enough for heaven are in a place that is ‘in between’ death and the entrance to heaven. The idea of purgatory is that those who are destined for heaven must be ‘purified’ of sins after death before entering heaven. The Bible says that Jesus must cleanse us before we die physically. Purgatory is of Roman Catholic origin and lacking in Biblical basis. In fact, Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we die once then we are judged. In the end, John 5:29 says that those who have done good will receive the resurrection of life, those who have done evil will receive the resurrection of condemnation.
Religions Are Similar
Religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism also tell us that we must achieve something in our death and that there are cycles. This Roman Catholic concept of purgatory is similar as it also puts people into some a of cycle post-physical death. Catholicism has other beliefs that do not match what Jesus teaches and the Word of God (the Bible). You can read about Eight Contradictions Of Roman Catholicism here. Knowing Jesus is not something religious, it is your most important relationship.
Not In Your Bible
In short, there is no mention of purgatory in the Bible. One may confuse purgatory with a place called Abraham’s Bosom that Jesus emptied on His resurrection some 2000 years ago (more about Abraham’s Bosom here). However, Abraham’s Bosom was a place for the righteous and those who loved God before Jesus released them completely from sin and death as no unholy person may approach God. There was nothing that they could do, it was all about what Jesus did for them. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, apart from Jesus we are spiritually dead and cannot be with God when we depart our bodies.
We are told in John 14:6 that Jesus is the only way to God and God’s abode called Heaven. We know from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that sin separates us from God. Isaiah 59:2 tells us that sin separates us from the Almighty God because He is holy. We must walk in the light according to 1 John 1:7, to be with Him after we breath our last breath.
False Teaching
Purgatory is a dangerous false religious concept that negates the work of Jesus on the cross and the decision you must make while your current physical body lives. In the background, all religion is designed by the forces of hell to distract and confuse human beings so that will not make a decision to know God. You must make choices while you are in your body now. As Joshua challenges the people of his time in Joshua 24:15, choose you this day, who you will serve. Choose life or choose death. The choice is yours.
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