|
V e r s e b y V e r s e
|
This Rock
Volume 4, Number 11
 November 1993 
|
|
|
PROTESTANTS claim that after death there are
only two destinations, heaven and hell. They admit of no third state.
But the Bible speaks of a third state of temporary purification where
some saved Christians must wait before entering heaven. Catholics
call this state purgatory because in it the effects of sins already-forgiven
are purged away in those who die repentant but with an imperfect love
of God. Scripture also speaks of a state where Old Testament saints
waited for Christ's death and Resurrection. Christians have called
this state the Limbo of the Fathers.
"[I]f he were not expecting the dead to rise
again, it would have been foolish to pray for them in death. But if
he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who
had gone to rest in godliness it was a holy and pious thought. Thus
he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this
sin" (2 Macc. 12:42-46).
"The poor man died and was carried by the
angels to Abraham's bosom [not heaven since heaven wasn't opened until
after the Resurrection]" (Luke 16:22-23, 25-26).
"If any man's work is burned up, he will
suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through
fire" (1 Cor. 3:11-16).
"[H]e went and preached to the spirits in
prison, who formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the
days of Noah, during the building of the ark" (1 Pet. 3:18-20).
"For this is why the gospel was preached
even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might
live in the spirit like God" (1 Pet. 4:6).
|
C A T H O L I C A N S W E R S :
[TOP]
