PURGATORY
Deny that we
are justified by faith alone, and you must devise an explanation of how we can
make the transition from our imperfect state in this life to the perfect state
of heaven. Purgatory is where Roman Catholics believe most people go after
death to be finally purged of their sins and gain whatever merit they may be
lacking to enter heaven. Catholicism teaches that this will involve intense
pain and suffering.
John MacArthur
What
Will Heaven be Like taken from The Glory of Heaven by John MacArthur, copyright
1996, Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton Illinios,60187, www.crosswaybooks.org,
p. 74.
Although
Catholic doctrine denies that the imputed righteousness of Christ is sufficient
to save sinners in this life, it does allow the imputation of righteousness
from earthly sinners to those in purgatory. Candles are lit, prayers are
prayed, and Masses are said for the dead. Supposedly the righteousness earned
via the sacrament is imputed to the person in purgatory, and that shortens his
or her stay there.
John MacArthur
What
Will Heaven be Like taken from The Glory of Heaven by John MacArthur, copyright
1996, Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton Illinios,60187, www.crosswaybooks.org,
p. 75.
For all
believers, because we are fully justified, there can be no condemnation. No
post-mortem suffering is necessary to atone for remaining in sin; all our sins are covered by the blood of
Christ. No merit is lacking that must be made up (Isa. 61:10).
John MacArthur
What
Will Heaven be Like taken from The Glory of Heaven by John MacArthur, copyright
1996, Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton Illinios,60187, www.crosswaybooks.org,
p. 75.
If anyone
were a candidate for purgatory, [the] thief [from Luke 23] would be. Moments
before, he had taunted Christ along with the unrepentant thief (Mark 15:32).
His repentance was a last-minute change – while he was literally in his death
throes. Yet Jesus promised to see him that very day in paradise.
John MacArthur
What
Will Heaven be Like taken from The Glory of Heaven by John MacArthur, copyright
1996, Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton
Illinios,60187, www.crosswaybooks.org,
p. 78.
The Reformers
correctly viewed purgatory as an insult to Christ’s saving work. On the basis
of Scripture they held that all believers “have been made holy through the
sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10). It is by His suffering
on the cross, not our suffering after death, that sins are purged: “Jesus also
suffered…to make the people holy through His own blood” (Heb. 13:12). The
Reformers also noted how Scripture does not allow for a “third place.” Jesus
and His apostles consistently speak of only two
destinies for humans: heaven and hell (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29; Rom. 2:6-10;
Rev. 21:7-9; 22:14-15).
Robert
A. Peterson
Hell on Trial: The Case for Eternal
Punishment, P&R Publishers, 1995, p.227. Used by permission.