As Christian believers, we have all had God Moments, those moments when we know that the Holy Spirit is nudging us, telling us to do something a wee bit different than we had planned today. Well, recently I definitely had a God Moment, that time when the Holy Spirit suggested,
"Bill, I want you to write this." No, this was not an inspiration such as the writers of the Bible had; but, inspiration such as all believers have -- whether to write something today, to do something special for another today, to do something special for the Lord today, etc.
What was my recent God Moment? A few weeks ago I received one of my regular magazines from a church whose theology I know is not in line with mainstream Christianity. I receive magazines from this church and several of its sister churches which spun out of the Worldwide Church of God (Herbert W. Armstrong) some years back. Their theology is skewed, but their knowledge of, and writings on, world events in light of the Bible is very good.
In this recent issue there is an article titled
"What Is Hell?" This got my attention for I know that this group of churches believe in annihilationism for all non-believers, and that before the final judgment non-believers are given a second chance to believe. But, after the final judgment all non-believers will just be totally annihilated, gone, no more existence. Both the second chance and the annihilationism are totally against what the Bible teaches (Matthew 25:41,46) and, in a way, their annihilationism aligns with the atheist view that, after this life, there is nothing more. This church does believe in heaven, but, not hell.
When I read their article, I felt that I wanted to write about the Biblical teaching of heaven, hell, and salvation. But, I got busy with other things and let that thought slide to the back burner.
Then, the following week, I received an e-mail from a Christian sister in our church, Ruth. She wrote:
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Hello Brother Bill, Thank you for your e-mails and for your online ministry. I learn from them and I have also shared some of them with my friends (some are Roman Catholic) who I know will be interested and will benefit from what you write. I want to ask a favor. Last weekend, I was with two college classmates from the Philippines. They are Roman Catholic.
They know I'm a Christian and when we were driving, one asked me about purgatory. I told her that it is not in the Bible and that only Christ can save. She also asked about Abraham's Bosom. I wanted to give her some Bible references. But, I couldn't think of them at that time.
And my other classmate said,
"I believe that there is no hell." I told her there is; it's in the Bible. I even asked her where does she thinks Hitler is right now? Then the topic was changed.
Through the course of the day I did share on and off about God's love and Christ's salvation in my life, but did not focus on purgatory and hell. I was wondering if you can give a Biblical explanation of hell and purgatory so that I can share it with them. I know you have lots of writing to do for your ministry, so just do it only when you have the time. Thank you and may the Lord bless you and Ate Dory as you continue spreading His Good News.
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This was my Holy Spirit nudge!
By the way, for my non-Filipino Friends, "Ate" in Tagalog means "older sister" -- a term of respect.
In the Christian community, in the fringe communities, and in the cult and world religions communities -- there are many views of heaven and hell. In this writing, I will focus mostly on hell. When I was much younger and was not yet a Christian, but, still felt that inner urge which God instills in every human being to seek Him -- I wanted to find a church which would tell me there is no hell. Why? Because if there is no hell, then I could go to church on Sunday -- and live like hell the rest of the week.
I found a chaplain, from a major denominational church, at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, who assured me that hell is only a myth. Wow! What a relief! Party time!
I now believe that this was only his own personal view and not that of his denomination; for I have found that most churches who do not believe in hell -- also do not believe in the Trinity. And, his denomination holds a trinitarian belief.
But, the trend which is becoming more prevalent in many Liberal Theology churches, and in the "Feel Good" Theology churches, varies from just not talking about "hell" because it makes folks uncomfortable -- to actually denying that hell is real. The thought of hell sure made me uncomfortable before I was a Christian -- so, I can relate to why many people flock to the "Feel Good" churches. You know the old story -- give God an hour in church on Sunday morning; then, do your own thing the rest of the week.
Currently, a major controversy is flying all over the cyberworld because of a book written by Rob Bell, pastor of the Mars Hill Church of Grandville, Michigan. The book is
"Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Has Ever Lived." And, while, in many interviews Rob Bell denies being a Universalist (everyone goes to heaven) -- his own promotional video makes it clear that he does not believe nor teach that non-believers are destined to spend eternity in hell, nor that salvation is found only through Jesus Christ. http://vimeo.com/20272585
In this video Rob Bell tells us that, if Jesus saves us from hell -- that means that Jesus is saving us from God. And, as Rob Bell says,
"What kind of God is that?" Apparently Rob Bell and I do not read the same Bible; for in my Bible Jesus Christ tells me,
"I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6).
Can a person be saved without having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? In 1 John 5:12 we read,
"He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God -- does not have the life." What is
"the life" this verse is talking about? It is eternal life in the presence of God. And, this Scripture verse is clearly telling us that anyone who does not have the Son, Jesus Christ; who does not have a personal relationship with the Son, Jesus Christ --
does not have eternal life with God. What else is left? Only eternal life in hell.
How can a person have a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ? Jesus Himself tells us,
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).
In the Jewish culture of Jesus' day, the most intimate thing a person could do with friends was to dine with them. Jesus is telling everyone,
"If you will open the door of your heart, I will come in and dine with you. I will be your very intimate Friend." But, He cannot open the door of your heart.
Picture a door with no door knob on the outside; the only way to open that door is from the inside, within you. However, when you do open the door of your heart and invite Him to come in, He will not hesitate. From that moment, you will
have eternal life in Christ (John 6:47).
All a non-believer has to do to have eternal life in Christ -- is to acknowledge Him, believe that He came, died, and resurrected to make salvation and eternal life available to you. Believe that Jesus Christ is patiently waiting, waiting to be invited into your heart, into your life, to be your very Best Friend -- and then, invite Him to come in.
Is it really that simple? Yes! If a person will sincerely open his/her heart and invite Jesus Christ to come in -- the Holy Spirit will indwell and seal this person (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30) until the day of redemption, i.e., for eternity. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that no one can earn eternal life in Christ through personal works, i.e., they cannot be righteous enough to earn entry into heaven (Isaiah 64:6). Yet,
all can have eternal life in Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us salvation is a "gift" from God, a gift freely given to all who will, by grace, through faith -- believe and receive His gift. Yes, it is that simple.
John 10:27-28,
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." That is His promise to all of us who believe. All we have to do is, by grace, through faith -- believe, open the door, and invite Him to enter.
What happens to all people who choose to deny God, to deny Jesus Christ? What happens to all the people who have chosen to worship false gods in the many world religions which deny God, Jesus Christ, and the need to have a relationship with Him for salvation? In denying God; all of these people have chosen to condemn themselves to spend eternity outside the presence of God.
If not in the presence of God; then, what eternal destination is available to all who have chosen to spend eternity outside His presence? The only other eternal destination is hell. There is no other. Is God sending all those people to hell? No. They are sending themselves to hell by denying God and refusing His gift of eternal life.
Many Liberal Theology churches are teaching that there is no hell, that a loving God would not send anyone to eternal hell. For some reason, they cannot seem to understand what the Bible teaches -- that God sends
no one to hell. Heaven or hell is a personal choice every person must make, individually. Everyone who goes to hell -- does so because this was his/her own personal choice.
The Unitarian Universalist church, a cult church, teaches that everyone, regardless of how you have lived, will eventually go to heaven. This is called Universalism, i.e., universal salvation, and denies the existence of hell. The basis for this belief is found in secular humanism and in personal worldly desires (much as I had before I was a believer and when I was looking for a "no hell" church). This teaching has absolutely no Biblical support.
We know that our Roman Catholic Friends believe in purgatory. What is purgatory? Is it real? Is it Biblical?
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Excerpts from the Roman Catholic apologetics and evangelization web site, Catholic Answers tell us:
PURGATORY ( http://www.catholic.com/library/Purgatory.asp )
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a
"purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven," which is experienced by those
"who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified" (CCC 1030). The purification is necessary because, as Scripture teaches, nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27) and, while we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us, specifically venial sins and the temporal
punishment due to sins already forgiven.
Two Judgments: When we die, we undergo what is called the
particular, or individual, judgment. Scripture says that
"it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27). We are judged instantly and receive our reward, for good or ill. We know at once what our final destiny will be.
At the end of time, when Jesus returns, there will come the
general judgment to which the Bible refers, for example, in Matthew 25:31-32:
"When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." In this general judgment all our sins will be publicly revealed (Luke 12:2–5).
Augustine said, in
"The City of God," that
"temporary punishments are suffered by some in this life only, by others after death, by others both now and then; but all of them before that last and strictest judgment" (21:13). It is between the particular and general judgments, then, that the soul is purified of the remaining consequences of sin:
"I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper" (Luke 12:59).
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Underline emphasis in the excerpts above are mine. In the excerpt above CCC 1030 is short for
"Catechism of the Catholic Church 1030" which deals with The Final Purification, or Purgatory.
Biblically, there are several problems with the teaching of purgatory found in these Catechism excerpts.
First, is the claim that although we are forgiven -- we must still be purified, or cleansed, in purgatory through our own works or through the prayers of others. Yet, to the sinful thief on the cross who believed, Jesus said,
"Today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43) Jesus doesn't tell him that after he spends time in purgatory, he will be forgiven, cleansed, and can then enter into Paradise. No, Jesus tells the repentant thief,
"Today you will be with Me in Paradise!"
And, in John 19:30, Jesus declares,
"It is finished." What is finished? His work of salvation has been finished; there is no more to be done. After His declaration of completion -- all who will, by grace, through faith, believe and receive His finished work
HAS salvation into eternal life in Christ.
And, in John 17:4 (nkjv), in Jesus' intercessory prayer for His disciples, and for us, He prays to the Father,
"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." His work of atonement, His work of salvation, was finished. The rest is up to each of us individually -- to accept or to reject that wonderful "gift" of eternal life.
1 John 1:7 tells us,
". . . the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
1 John 1:9 tells us,
". . . He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Since we have these promises of His cleansing for
all who, by grace, through faith, have believed and received Him -- why would anyone need further cleansing or purging in a place called purgatory?
Second, is the misinterpretation, or the taking out of context Luke 12:59 to imply that this verse is speaking of suffering more in purgatory to gain purification.
In this Scripture passage found in Luke 12:54-59 Jesus is telling the gathered multitude of Jews (using an analogy familiar to them in their agricultural community) that they can tell from the clouds and the winds what kind of weather they will have -- but, cannot even recognize when their promised Messiah (the great Divider from Luke 12:49-53) has come into their midst.
Then, using their familiarity with judges -- He speaks of their practice of taking an opponent for judgment before a magistrate -- when they themselves still owe such a debt to God. And, because of this debt, they will be thrown into prison, i.e.,
spiritual prison. And, they will not be allowed out of that
"spiritual prison" until they have paid the debt which their Messiah came to pay for them; a debt which they cannot pay even though it might only be equal to a widow's mite, a penny, or a cent.
The Greek word for the "cent" found in Luke 12:59 is
"lepton" which is, according to Strong's Concordance,
"a small brass coin, worth about a 1/5 of a cent." In other words, for such a small debt their eternal lives will be thrown away -- when their Messiah had come to
"pay in full" all their debt and set them free into eternal life with God.
This, I believe, is a much more accurate understanding of Luke 12:59 than to say that it means that all
"not quite forgiven" believers will have to spend time in purgatory to be forgiven for a debt which He has already
"paid in full." It Is Finished!
Third, is their description and timing of the two judgments -- Particular Judgment and General Judgment.
The Catechism excerpt above sees the Scripture passage of Matthew 25:31-32 as the
General Judgment, or final judgment. Yet, the judgment in this passage, which Jesus calls the
"Sheep and Goat Judgment" (verse 32), happens at Christ's Second Coming when He will sit on His throne, the throne of David in Jerusalem, (verse 31) to establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth for 1000 years. This cannot be the final judgment for He still will reign on earth for 1000 years. The final judgment happens at the end of His 1000 year Millennial Reign (Revelation 20:4) and is called the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
This Catechism excerpt tells us regarding the
Particular Judgment,
"We are judged instantly and receive our reward, for good or ill. We know at once what our final destiny will be."
We had better have that issue resolved
BEFORE we die. There is no reason to wait until we have died -- to know if we are going to heaven or to hell. We CAN KNOW today if we are saved and have eternal life, eternal security, in Christ.
What does Scripture teach us about Eternal Security?
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life" (John 6:47). Also, in John 3:16,
". . . but HAVE eternal life." And, in John 3:36,
"He who believes in the Son HAS eternal life. . ." In John 5:24,
". . .he who hears My voice, and believes Him who sent Me, HAS eternal life."
How can there be any doubt that if one, by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8), believes and receives Him (John 1:12) -- he/she
HAS eternal life assured, through the personal promises of Jesus Christ. What can be more certain than,
"He (she) who believes HAS eternal life"?
Every Christian believer can KNOW, in this life, that he/she
has eternal life in Christ. There should be no doubt; for in doubt, how can there be eternal security in Christ? Always keep Romans 8:1 in mind and in your heart,
"There is therefore now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." A person who, by grace, through faith, has believed --
HAS eternal life in Christ.
What does Scripture teach us about our moment of our mortal death?
2 Corinthians 5:6-8,
"Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord -- for we walk by faith, not by sight -- we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."
Philippians 1:22-23,
"But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better."
These Scripture passages clearly tell us that, when a believer dies --
he/she is with Christ, is home with the Lord. After our last breath in this mortal body; our next breath will be in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
But, if believers who die must first go into purgatory, and, if those Scripture passages above are true -- then, Jesus Christ will have to be in purgatory also, for us to be with Him. And, we know that is not true.
Jesus Christ ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11), is sitting at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 8:1, 10:12, 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22), is our only mediator between man and God (1 Timothy 2:5), and is continually interceding for all believers before the Father (Romans 8:34). Jesus Christ is not in purgatory; nor do we go to purgatory.
Some may ask,
"Then, why did Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) not go directly into heaven -- but, instead they went into Hades?"
Yes, that is true -- for when Jesus taught about Lazarus and the rich man, He had not yet gone to the cross to buy our pardon, nor had He resurrected to assure our resurrection into eternal life. At that point people who died in faith did not go directly into heaven; but, like the Old Testament saints, went instead into the Bosom of Abraham, i.e., the Paradise side of Hades.
We read in Luke 16:19-31 that the rich man died and went into Hades/Torment, while Lazarus went into Hades/Paradise, which we also call the Bosom of Abraham. And, we read that there was no way for either to cross to the other side. Because Jesus Christ used Lazarus' name, we know that this is a true story and not a parable.
Study all of His parables -- and you will find a lesson wrapped around local customs and lifestyles, i.e., agriculture, local prejudices such as the Jews and the Samaritans, local dining habits, etc. -- but, in these parables, you will find no personal names. The story of Lazarus and the rich man is a true story.
Jesus told us,
"I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). The Old Testament saints believed and looked forward to their Messiah. Upon their deaths, those who, by faith believed, went into Paradise, Abraham's Bosom, to await their Messiah. During His earthly ministry and until His death and resurrection, the same was true of all New Testament believers who died.
Yet, when He resurrected and led the captives, the saints in Paradise, free (Ephesians 4:8) and into heaven -- it can clearly be said that they were entering heaven
through Jesus Christ. Since then, all believers, upon mortal death, immediately enter the presence of God
through Jesus Christ. It can truly be said -- once we breathe our last breath in this mortal body, our next breath will be in the presence of our God.
When Christ died on the cross, He told the repentant thief,
"Today you shall be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Christ went into Hades/Paradise for three days, the thief went with Him. When He departed Hades/Paradise, He took those faithful believers, Old Testament believers, pre-resurrection New Testament believers who were in Paradise, and that thief who believed on the cross -- into heaven with Him (Ephesians 4:8).
From that moment on, the gates of Hades/Paradise were closed, out of business. In my mind, I see a sign posted on the gate of Hades/Paradise/Abraham's Bosom:
"Moved To New Eternal Location -- Heaven"
Yet, the other side of Hades, Hades/Torment, was, and is still, open for business -- and, unfortunately, doing a brisk business. Those, like the rich man of Luke 16, and
all non-believers who have died -- whether they were just vanilla-flavored non-believers, secularist, atheists, those in the many world religions, those in non-Christian churches, those in New Age and other false and cult religions -- are
all still waiting in Hades/Torment for their resurrection into their eternal mortal bodies for final judgment.
This will happen after the 1000 year Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ on earth. All non-believers will then be resurrected from Hades/Torment into their new eternal, immortal bodies (Revelation 20:5) and will stand before Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment; their final judgment of punishment. From there they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, i.e., hell, for eternity (Revelation 20:11-15).
There
WILL BE two judgments of believers and non-believers as the Roman Catholic Catechism teaches. But, not the two which it teaches. They teach a
Particular Judgment immediately upon death -- when the person discovers his/her final destination. Yet, in their teaching, that person does not get to go into his final destination yet -- for he first has to go into Purgatory for cleansing.
The Bible teaches that all believers who have died in Christ, and all believers still alive, i.e., the universal or worldwide church or body of believers, will be Raptured (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, John 14:1-3, Revelation 4:1), given our immortal bodies, and taken into heaven.
There, all believers will stand before Christ at the
Believer's Judgment, i.e., Bema Seat Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 1 Peter 5:4), a judgment of rewards. Yet, everyone who will be present at the Believer's Judgment will have known
before death that they have eternal life in Christ.
At the Rapture, all believers (those still living and those who have died in Christ), all Old Testament and New Testament saints, will be resurrected into our immortal, glorified bodies when we meet the Lord in the clouds, or in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-53). Roman Catholics do not believe in the Rapture which is taught in these passages -- for it conflicts with their teaching of purgatory.
Let's look at another aspect of the Roman Catholic teaching on purgatory:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a
"purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven," which is experienced by those
"who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified" (CCC 1030).
They teach that we need purgatory to make us clean enough to enter heaven. Yet, Isaiah 64:6 tells us that our righteousness, our works, are like filthy garments in the eyes of God. And, nowhere in Scripture are we told that we can cleanse those filthy garments, our righteousness. Then, how are we to enter heaven since nothing unrighteous, or unclean, can enter heaven (Revelation 21:27)?
No mortal man can ever be righteousness enough to enter God's heaven. So, Jesus Christ covers
all believers with His righteousness;
the blood of Christ becomes our righteousness -- for all who, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, believe and receive His gift of eternal life. Believers do not need the purification of the Roman Catholic Purgatory; for we have the righteous, perfect blood of Christ cleansing us. We are covered by His blood, His righteousness (Romans 3:24-25, 5:9, Ephesians 1:7, Revelation 1:5).
The Roman Catholic Catechism, in the excerpt above, tells us,
"The purification is necessary because. . . there can still be many impurities in us, specifically venial sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven."
This teaches that we still have to receive punishment from God -- for sins which He has already forgiven. Yet, the Bible teaches
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1)
Who is
"in Christ Jesus"?
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12). All who, by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus, have believed -- are
"in Christ Jesus" -- and can rightfully claim the title of
"forgiven sinner."
Romans 5:1,
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Justified means that God has declared believers to be just,
cleansed, because He has imputed, attributed, the righteousness of Jesus Christ to all believers. So, since there is
"no condemnation" -- since we are
"children of God" -- since we have been
"justified" -- we have peace with God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For such forgiven sinners -- there is no more punishment; for our sins, past, present, and future -- have been forgiven. And, we have His promise on this,
"He who believes HAS eternal life" (John 6:47).
Believers will stand before Jesus Christ in the Believer's Judgment (often called the Bema Seat Judgment) which is a judgment, not of punishment, but of rewards. This judgment will occur during the seven year Tribulation when all believers have been raptured into heaven. During that seven years, there are two major events:
the Believer's Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15) to prepare the Bride of Christ for her Bridegroom, and then,
the Wedding Feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:5--9).
At the Believer's Judgment, many believers will receive great rewards; others of us will receive few. However, the greatest reward -- which all believers are assured -- is that we WILL spend eternity in the presence of our God.
If hell and purgatory are true; we should find them in the Bible. Do we?
Hell (place of the dead): occurs 54 in the KJV, occurs 32 times in the NKJV, occurs 13 times in the NASB
Sheol (place of the dead): occurs 18 times in the NKJV, occurs 67 times in the NASB
Hades (hell, place of the dead): occurs 11 times in the NKJV, occurs 10 times in the NASB
Lake of Fire: occurs 4 times in the NASB, ccurs 4 times in the NKJV, occurs 4 times in the KJV
Purgatory: Not found in any of the Bible translations.
However, vague references to purgatory are found in the Apocrypha -- and some Bible passages have been mistakenly used in an attempt to justify the doctrine of purgatory. That, and the writings of the Popes and other church leaders, is the basis for the doctrine of purgatory:
Isaiah 4:4,
"When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning." In the Roman Catholic teaching, it is argued that this
"spirit of burning" -- in this context, refers to the fires of judgment - a hint of the doctrine of purgatory.
Yet, this Scripture verse is clearly speaking of God's relationship with the nation, Israel -- and has nothing to do with the New Testament church. In my view, this passage in Isaiah 4:2-6 is God's promise to His people, Israel, that, although they will go through the fires of the
Tribulation (Matthew 24:15-28, Revelation 6 - 19), the
70th Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27),
Jacob's Trouble or Distress (Jeremiah 30:7) -- He will bring the remnant of Israel through the
"fire of tribulation" and,
"In that day the Branch of the LORD (their Messiah)
will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel" (Isaiah 4:2). This has nothing to do with the doctrine of purgatory.
2 Maccabees 12:43-44,
"He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death."
2 Maccabees 12:46,
"Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin."
There is no praying for the dead, wherever they are -- for their eternal destiny was sealed in this life. Once a person passes from this life into eternity -- there is no reason to pray for them. We see this proven in the true story Jesus told of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31. The choices made in this life determine our eternal home -- heaven or hell. And, there is no more reason to pray for those who have died. Spend your time praying for the living -- that, those who do not yet believe will turn from the world, and turn to follow Jesus Christ into eternal life.
King David fasted and prayed fervently for his infant son while the baby still lived. Once the baby died, David stopped praying, cleaned himself, and ate. There was nothing more he could do. Yet, he celebrated because he knew he would see his son again in heaven. In 2 Samuel 12:23 David says of his dead infant son,
"But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."
And, that is how we should view death. Celebrate the
"Home Going" of all our loved ones who died believing in Christ -- for we who are believers, as was David -- look forward to a glorious reunion in heaven where Jesus Christ will be the Host.
Mourn our loved ones and friends who died not knowing Jesus Christ -- for we shall never see them again. This should be great motivation for us to be sharing the Gospel will all our family and friends while there is still time for them to believe and receive His free gift of eternal life.
In closing, let me emphasize that a person's salvation is
not determined by his/her belief about purgatory, for or against the doctrine of purgatory.
A person's salvation is based only upon his/her relationship with Jesus Christ. And, our eternal security stands upon knowing that Christ's righteousness is imputed, attributed, to all who believe. No one is saved by a church. We are most often saved in a church, but not by a church, nor by its traditions and dogmas. We are saved only by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, you may ask, then what does it matter if a person believes in purgatory or not? A Christian should always be able to rest in the knowledge of his/her own eternal security in Christ. How can a person have eternal security; how can a person have peace with God -- if that person does not
KNOW if he is going to heaven or not? A person's salvation does not rest upon a belief or disbelief in purgatory. But, his/her eternal security most certainly does rest upon believing Jesus Christ when He tells us,
"He who believes HAS eternal life" (John 6:47).
If you are a believer today --
trust our Lord enough to believe His promises. If you are not yet a believer -- know that your eternal destiny is resting upon your relationship, or lack of relationship, with Jesus Christ. Yes, you can wait to make a commitment to Him until after you have lived a worldly life. He will always welcome you and receive you into the kingdom of God -- at any time. But, can YOU say
WHEN your last breath will occur?
What if it happens
before you make that commitment? What if you have a sudden heart attack or are in a fatal accident -- and do not have time to invite Him to come in and be your Friend, your Savior; then, what will happen to you?
The Bible is very clear about that. Revelation 20:11-14 tell us about the
Great White Throne Judgment for all non-believers, many who died
before they had a chance to make that last minute commitment to Christ. This is their final judgment -- and YOU do NOT want to be standing in that judgment.
Revelation 20:15 tells us, with no doubt, what happens to all of those people who stand before Christ in the Great White Throne Judgment,
"And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." It is a foregone conclusion that the names of all who appear at this judgment are NOT in the Book of Life. That, my Friend, is the ticket to hell.
Don't let that happen to you. If you do not know enough about the Bible and God to make a decision today; at least, be smart enough to find a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church and get involved with them, in fellowship and in Bible study. Learn from God's Written Word why it is so important for YOU to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, today --
for no one is promised a tomorrow.
If I can help you find a church in your area; please contact me -- for hell is a reality, a reality I do not want you to experience.
To my sister in Christ, Ruth, and to all my Friends -- I realize that this writing is pretty long. Yet, the issues discussed are critical. Possibly eternal souls hang in the balance for some who are reading this right now. And, I would not want to stand before my Lord one day and have Him tell me,
"Bill, you chose brevity in your writing to make some more comfortable; yet, others did not make a decision to follow Me -- for you did not fully explain what My Word teaches about heaven, hell, and salvation."
No, I would rather my Lord tell me,
"Bill, you talked their ears off! But, they got the message -- and that person over there, he/she believed." That one person is worth any amount of work I might put into my writings -- and it is worth all the work YOU might put into reading them. Especially if that person is you, or a loved one, or a close friend -- or even someone you do not like that much. For in heaven -- we will
ALL be loved ones!
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill Gray
