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Purgatory
One of the
tougher teachings of the Catholic Church is the
teaching of Purgatory. Many say it isn't even in
scripture but it actually is!
2 Macc 12:46 Thus he made atonement for the
dead that they might be freed from this sin.
Now if there
is no Purgatory then when we die we are judged
and either remain in hell for eternity or in
heaven for eternity. In hell there is no hope of
salvation, you are dead and you suffer eternal
hell. If you lived a good life and followed the
gospels then you have a shot at heaven. Once in
heaven you have attained eternal life, folks can
pray for you but it won't change anything as you
are already saved in heaven.
With this in
mind why pray for the dead at all? If they are in
hell you can't help them, they are there for
eternity. If they are in heaven you can't help
them anymore either as they have already attained
the highest level possible. 2 Maccabees is of
course Old Testament writings and thus pre-Jesus
and pre-heavens gates being opened for us during
his ultimate sacrifice which brings up another
good point, where were all these Old Testament
folks going upon death?
Mt 12:32 And whoever speaks a word against
the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever
speaks against the holy Spirit will not be
forgiven, either in this age or in the age to
come.
1 Cor 3:11-15 for no one can lay a foundation
other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus
Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation with
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or
straw, the work of each will come to light, for
the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed
with fire, and the fire (itself) will test the
quality of each one's work. If the work stands
that someone built upon the foundation, that
person will receive a wage. But if someone's work
is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the
person will be saved, but only as through fire.
For
further reading
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