Not good enough for Heaven?… Too good for Hell?…
What about Purgatory?

Does the Bible say anything about “purgatory”? Protestants generally have ignored the doctrine of “Purgatory” as a place for the purification of the dead in preparation for Heaven. Protestants claiming that all are now on trial believe that at death all must be ushered at once into either everlasting heaven of bliss or a hell of eternal torture. Yet others say there is some sort of “Intermediate State” after death before going to Heaven.

A “Temporary” Hell

Roman Catholics, on the other hand, have for centuries taught that all but martyrs and saints go to this “temporary hell” before Heaven. Augustine (A.D. 354-430) apparently believed that the same fire that tortures the sinful in hell also is used to purify the saved in Purgatory. But prayers offered with indulgences purchased on behalf of these dead—shortened their time in Purgatory.

But the Papacy was not the first to invent such a “purgatory” after death. In ancient Greece a concept of purgatory was taught by the very chief of its philosophers—Plato who maintained of those judged after death some must “proceed to a subterranean place of judgment, where they shall sustain the punishment they have deserved.” Virgil describes the tortures of these of whom few are “cleansed.” In Egypt the idea of “purgatory” was believed—but could be offset by prayers interposed by their priests.

Although through the centuries the Papacy taught that the inhabitants of Purgatory are systematically tortured with fire, recently there has been some modification. In July 1999, Pope John Paul II described hell to be “More than a physical place, hell is the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy.” So does that make Purgatory more a state of a tortured mind to have sins expiated—rather than an actual place?

Heaven—a “Hospital”?

In any case, people with compassion and “breadth of mind” have a dilemma trying to account for many good people who are “unsaved” going to an eternity of torture. Is Heaven then itself a purgatory—a great hospital or reform school for the treatment of ignorance of Jesus Christ, moral diseases and deformities? Or is it possible for those whose character is not notoriously bad (but too good to be tortured) automatically and instantly upon death be healed in heaven?

Not so. Character is a matter of growth, a development. Of course, character may grow rapidly or grow slowly—but grow it must. Does an acorn ever spring into an oak tree in an instant? Or was ever a human being born fully developed either mentally or in character?

In any case—before granting everlasting life—the common sense of mankind acknowledges the necessity for purgation. The Scriptures clearly teach the doctrine. The way of salvation actually is accomplished in two steps. First is redemption through the precious blood of Christ—justification through faith in his redemption. Then purgation or the cleansing from sin and uncleanness—thus perfecting holiness.

Christians Must Purge Themselves

All those who call upon the Name of Jesus to become his followers must then purge themselves of sin to the best of their ability.

“The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity…If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Tim 2:19-21

A Christian must keep himself purged continually by applying for the blood of Christ. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb 9:14) But if he/she accumulates “spots” of sin on their robes (Eph. 5:27; 2 Pet. 3:14), they may have to go through special “tribulation” to be saved “so as by fire.”

Fire Symbolic—not Literal

“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Cor 3:11-15 NAS

Thus while faithful Christians in their daily lives have their faith tried as “gold in the fire”—less careful Christians do not allow the earthly dross of their lives be destroyed by their fiery trials. They still try to serve both “God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24) and are “double minded” (James 1:8). “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6,7) Those who do not learn from their trials—instead of being the Bride of Christ—become the “great multitude” of Revelation who must have their spotted and soiled “robes” forcefully washed and purged in tribulation.

“What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? …These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Rev 7:13-14

So the principle of purgation for Christians in their walk on earth is certainly a scriptural one! But people who claim to be Christians are actually few—compared to earth’s billions through history—and now. What about the world of unbelievers and unchristian governments, organizations and corporations? How will the angelic announcement be fulfilled: “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people”? How will the prayer ever be answered, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”?

The Bible Purgatory of the Millennium

The long-promised reign of Christ and his glorified Bride during the world’s 1000-year Kingdom on earth—the time for correction in righteousness—is the true Purgatory of the Bible!

Those who have tried to do good by their lives will have it easier! Those who have abused others and have wicked characters will have it harder during this Purgatory. Even so, some might not attain a cleansed and righteous character. But during the 1,000 years when Satan is bound, none will be temped and deceived by him. The vast majority will learn to love and prefer righteousness.

“And he [Jesus] laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more…”

Man’s “Day of Judgment” is actually a thousand years! It is the time for the purging out of old habits, a time of probation—not just a quick sentencing. Those who refuse to be purged under these ideal circumstances with every advantage will not be tortured as many believe. They will be simply cut off from life. Fire is a figure of destruction, not torture. “The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.” (Psalm 145:20).

“But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:7,8

During this Thousand Years, the great deceiver and “god of this world” Satan (2 Cor. 4:4) will be “bound” in order to “deceive the nations no more” (Rev. 20:2,3). People will have a fresh opportunity to learn righteousness. “…When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:9

Does that mean that it does not matter what people say or do in this life—if they are having a “second chance” in this Judgment Day? First of all, it will be their First Real Chance—and it does matter what they do in this life. “And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment” (Matt 12:36 NAS). They will have to undo any injury—small and great—that they have done to others. Those who were murderers will have to face their murdered victims—and prove their repentance. By this process, their characters will be reshaped. For some it will be a very emotionally painful Purgatory, yes! But not with fire!

On the other hand, those noble who have done good deeds in this life—especially to God’s people will be especially rewarded. “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you he shall not lose his reward” (Matt 10:41-42).

Thus God has prepared a Purgatory—a school of discipline—which will favor the development of good characters…after which all will be tested (Rev. 20:7,8). It’s called God’s Kingdom—when His will is “done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Purgatory Tribulation Severe at the Beginning

This Purgatorial Age will be specifically severe at its beginning when Christ begins his rule over the nations with a “rod of iron” (Rev. 2:26,27). First his rule of iron will be upon governments, financial giants, oppressive systems—particularly those of civilized Christian nations. They have enjoyed many advantages and opportunities above those of non-Christian lands and are correspondingly more responsible. The purgatorial flames of righteous judgment will consume the evil systems and false principles and theories of the world—political, religious and financial.

But then after this shaking, man’s eternal desire for “peace on earth” finally will come. “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come” (Hag. 2:7). All men are “groaning” waiting eagerly for something better to bring that peace—they really do not know how or what. But they are waiting for the completion of the Church. “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:19, 22). When God through His Son Jesus and Jesus’ Bride, the Church, bring life, instruction, discipline and purging to earth’s billions—the people will say, This is what we have been waiting for! Death will be swallowed up in victory…

“…and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces. . And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isaiah. 25:8, 9.

“Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of thy name: and deliver us,
and purge away our sins,
for thy name’s sake.” Psalm79:9

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