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Purgatory was never adopted by Judaism and has been rejected by the Protestant Churches, also there is no mention of it in The Bible. It is a creation of the Catholic Church.

Roman Catholic Answerfrom Where is That in the Bible?, by Patrick Madrid

Purgatory, like the Trinity, is a doctrine that is not mentioned by name in Scripture. It is, however, well attested to in the Old and New Testaments. The Catholic Church teaches that purgatory is a temporary state of purification that takes place after death for those who die in the state of grace and friendship with God (cf. Rom. 11:22), but who still have the vestiges of temporal effects due to sin, inordinate attachment to creatures, and whose will is not fully united with God's will. This purification involves suffering (St. Paul uses the analogy of fire to emphasize this), as the process of God's fiery love "burns" away all impurities that may remain. Once this process of purification is complete, the soul enters into God's presence, the beatific vision, in which the perfect bliss of beholding God face to face lasts forever.

To explain purgatory, it's helpful to begin with this passage in Revelation 21 and show the need for being spotless and pure in God's presence. Purgatory is God's merciful and loving way of helping us to prepare ourselves to enter into the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Revelation 21:27: "But nothing unclean shall enter it, nor any one who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life."

Matthew 22:1-14: "And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, "Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast." But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, "The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find." And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, "Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?" And he was speechless. then the king said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

Other Citations

Matthew 12:32 is not only helpful in showing that some sins are remitted in the "age to come" (i.e., in purgatory), but it also illustrates that Christians can lose their justification (i.e., "right standing before God") through serious sin.

In Matthew 18:21-35 we see evidence of purgatory as well as the fact that a Christian can forfeit his justification by serious sin: "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

In Luke 16:19-31, we see Lazarus in a place of tranquility and rest (Abraham's bosom). The Rich Man, however, finds himself in a place of fiery torment. Clearly, neither of these places was heaven (the two men were in two separate sections within Hades [Hebrew: Sheol = the underworld]), since Christ had not yet died on the cross and heaven was closed to all the righteous, who waited patiently for that day (cf. Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 3:18-20). Notice too that the Rich Man was interceding on behalf of his brothers still on earth. This is a clear example - given by the Lord himself - of intercession being made after death for those still alive on earth.

see also:

2 Maccabees 12:38-46

Matthew 5:21-26

Matthew 12:32

Matthew 18:21-35

Luke 12:58

Luke 16:19-31

1 Corinthians 3:10-16

1 Peter 3:19; 4:6

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Related Questions

Where may Catholics go between death and heaven?

Purgatory.


Why do you need a purgatory if Jesus Christ saved you?

You don't need purgatory. Purgatory is a made-up place created by the Catholics in the earlier centuries, to get the church out of debt. Research the origin of purgatory to find out more. I concur. Next question please.


Do Catholics whom have died need their families to pay money to release their family member from purgatory?

No


What are the Roman Catholic beliefs on death and the afterlife?

Roman Catholics believe in the resurrection of the body and the immortality of the soul. They believe in the existence of heaven, hell, and purgatory. Catholics believe that after death, the soul will be judged by God and will either go to heaven, hell, or purgatory based on their actions and faith during their life.


Do catholics pay to the church to get souls out of purgatory?

The practice of paying to the church to release souls from purgatory, known as indulgences, was historically a controversial aspect of Catholic teaching, particularly during the Middle Ages. The Catholic Church no longer endorses the sale of indulgences, emphasizing that salvation and the alleviation of suffering in purgatory come through faith, repentance, and prayer rather than financial contributions. Today, Catholics may offer donations to the church, but these are intended for the support of church activities and not for the purpose of reducing time in purgatory.


Who other than Catholics believe in purgatory?

"Believe in" is not quite right. Purgatory as a place was never an official, promulgated teaching of the church. In 1999 Pope John Paul II declared that the term Purgatory does not indicate a place, but "a condition of existence". See link for everything you ever wanted to know (and then some) about Purgatory. The article discusses the positions of many other churches.


How do Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians differ in their views on purgatory and original sin?

Roman Catholics believe in the concept of purgatory, a place where souls are purified before entering heaven. They also believe in the doctrine of original sin, which states that all humans inherit sin from Adam and Eve. On the other hand, Orthodox Christians do not believe in purgatory and have a different understanding of original sin, viewing it more as a tendency towards sin rather than an inherited guilt.


What do Catholics wear to bypass Purgatory?

Catholics believe that wearing a scapular, such as the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, can help them bypass or lessen their time in Purgatory. The scapular is a sacramental, a sacred sign instituted by the Church, and is believed to symbolize the wearer's devotion to Mary and commitment to living a holy life. However, it is important to note that simply wearing a scapular is not a guarantee of bypassing Purgatory; it is meant to be a reminder of one's faith and a tool for spiritual growth.


What makes the Lutherans different?

Catholics believe the pope is the vicar of Christ on earth, Lutherans do not. Catholics believe they are saved by faith and good works. Lutherans believe they are saved by faith alone. Catholics believe in Purgatory, Lutherans do not.


What did Catholic people pay to stay out of purgatory?

To stay out of purgatory, Catholics paid an "indulgence". Indulgences reduced time in Purgatory for sins that are already forgiven, they didn't necessarily keep you completely out of Purgatory. Also, the giving of money [meant as alms for the poor, but at one point was taken by the clergy (even then it wasn't an approved practice and was considered Simony)] to receive an Indulgence was stopped by Pope Pius V in 1567.


What is the waitingroom between heaven and hell called?

For Catholics they call it the 'purgatory' which is essentially the border line/ waiting room before entering Heaven and/or Hell. Therefore if you've committed bad deeds you could repent for them and live on doing good so that you could enter heaven.


What do Catholics believe needs to be done during Purgatory?

Catholics believe that souls in purgatory are purified of their sinful attachments before entering heaven. They are cleansed of all venial (less serious sins which did not rate them in hell) as "There shall not enter into it any thing defiled, or that worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they that are written in the book of life of the Lamb." Apocalypse (Revelation) 21:27.