this is an interesting post, the only major issue i have at this point is the fact that you state that various characters in the Bible mention various places which could be used to describe purgatory without giving any specific references. if you could please provide these then i'll be in a better possition to comment.
thanks and God bless,
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
Paul, 1 Cor. 15:29, "Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for thedead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?"
1st Century Jews believed and practiced prayers, offerings, and baptism for the dead, believing that such would help departed loved ones in passing through Gehenna to Ga Eden (Paradise, heaven).
Jesus also threatens "eternal judgment" (aionian kolasis). "kolasis" itself speaks of Remedial punishment, punishment for the good of the person being punished. Jesus does not use the word "timoria" which was used to reference Vindictive Punishment meant to inflict punishiment for payment for the transgression.
Of course, every passage which Jesus uses the word "Gehenna" spoke of Remedial Punishment for most people (Mt. 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15,33; Mk. 9:43,47; Lk. 12:5).
Paul also says "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." (1 Cor. 5.5)
And as mentioned in my previous post, even Revelation's metaphor, the Lake burning with fire and brimstone" can also very well be interpreted to speak of Remedial Punishment. Rev.14.10 notes the the LOF is in the presence of the Lamb and the presence of his angels. The Lamb is the revelation of the sacrifice, atonement of Christ, and the angels speak of the revelation of God's awesome provision - both of which are very positive. Throughout scripture, God is spoken of as a "consuming fire". Brimstone (theon) itself means "divine fire" - geologic fire not created by humanity - volcanic activity and lightening. Volcanic activity especially has the smell of burning sulfur; ergo, sulfur came to be known as brimstone. Sulfur was used to fuel the fires of Gehenna to burn the trash of Jerusalem. And sulfur was used by the Greeks and Romans, burnt as an incense for spiritual purification and physical healing. When one considers the uses of Brimstone, even the LOF can (should be I believe) interpreted as Remedial Punishment - not Vindictive Punishment.
Paul also speaks of the believers works being tested by fire - wood, hay, and stubble burning up, but the precious metals being purified -- Remedial Punishment.
Of course, one of traditions biggest hangups is the word "aionian" for it is interpreted as "eternal" which implies to us who are bound to think in "time" as "endless"; however, it was used to reference the spiritual state of being that transcends-time, that is beyond time, beyond the horizon, beyond what we can see or understand!
Well, that's more than enough for this post, I think. Thanks for asking.
Paul, 1 Cor. 15:29, "Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for thedead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?"
1st Century Jews believed and practiced prayers, offerings, and baptism for the dead, believing that such would help departed loved ones in passing through Gehenna to Ga Eden (Paradise, heaven).
Jesus also threatens "eternal judgment" (aionian kolasis). "kolasis" itself speaks of Remedial punishment, punishment for the good of the person being punished. Jesus does not use the word "timoria" which was used to reference Vindictive Punishment meant to inflict punishiment for payment for the transgression.
Of course, every passage which Jesus uses the word "Gehenna" spoke of Remedial Punishment for most people (Mt. 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15,33; Mk. 9:43,47; Lk. 12:5).
Paul also says "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." (1 Cor. 5.5)
And as mentioned in my previous post, even Revelation's metaphor, the Lake burning with fire and brimstone" can also very well be interpreted to speak of Remedial Punishment. Rev.14.10 notes the the LOF is in the presence of the Lamb and the presence of his angels. The Lamb is the revelation of the sacrifice, atonement of Christ, and the angels speak of the revelation of God's awesome provision - both of which are very positive. Throughout scripture, God is spoken of as a "consuming fire". Brimstone (theon) itself means "divine fire" - geologic fire not created by humanity - volcanic activity and lightening. Volcanic activity especially has the smell of burning sulfur; ergo, sulfur came to be known as brimstone. Sulfur was used to fuel the fires of Gehenna to burn the trash of Jerusalem. And sulfur was used by the Greeks and Romans, burnt as an incense for spiritual purification and physical healing. When one considers the uses of Brimstone, even the LOF can (should be I believe) interpreted as Remedial Punishment - not Vindictive Punishment.
Paul also speaks of the believers works being tested by fire - wood, hay, and stubble burning up, but the precious metals being purified -- Remedial Punishment.
Of course, one of traditions biggest hangups is the word "aionian" for it is interpreted as "eternal" which implies to us who are bound to think in "time" as "endless"; however, it was used to reference the spiritual state of being that transcends-time, that is beyond time, beyond the horizon, beyond what we can see or understand!
Well, that's more than enough for this post, I think. Thanks for asking.
Another very interesting scripture is 1 Pet.3:18-20a
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built."
So, the absolute worst time in human history, when everyone was comsumed in violence and out of potentially millions or billions of people, only 8 people were saved, these people apparently recieved a 2nd chance. In fact, Peter goes on to say in 4:6,
"That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit."
If people from the most wicked time in the world to date recieved a second chance and even life with God after they had died in sin rejecting Noah and his preaching, how much more should all the remainder of humanity!
Dear x. Not being Catholic, I don`t know anything about Purgatory, what exactly is it? I know Heaven is God`s Kingdom, and Hell is where Satan and his followers are. Is Purgatory a place where we go when we need the final Touch to be made perfect? I often wondered what happens to those souls, who left this Earth before they were perfect, a final training to become perfect, as God is perfect? If many Catholics believe this, then it could be true. What does the Bible tell us? God`s Word to Man? I ask humbly and with love, david x. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ?
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