Hello, what is purgutory? If Christ has paid for our sins then why is purgutory AFTER death nessesary? I heard it's another step of our salvation, but I do not understand. Wouldn't it be taken care of on earth. Why after you die? In the Bible it says that we are to die once and then the judgment. Please help someone?

-- Jason Baccaro (Enchanted fire5@aol.com), September 25, 2003

Answers

Response to What exactly is Purgutory?????

Purgatory is not really a "step in our salvation", because a person's salvation has already been irreversibly determined before he enters Purgatory. As you said, judgment takes place at the moment of death, and a person at that moment is judged either saved or lost. Purgatory is a place or state wherein a person who has been judged SAVED, but who is not completely spiritually pure, is allowed to undergo final purification before entering heaven. Scripture tells us that nothing unclean can come into God's presence. Therefore, if not for the beautiful gift of Purgatory, anyone with the slightest trace of sin or the smallest spiritual defect would be excluded from heaven forever. Purgatory is not a "second chance" to receive salvation, for ONLY those already judged as saved can enter Purgatory.

"each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only aas by passing through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), September 25, 2003.

Response to What exactly is Purgutory?????

Thanks Paul!

-- Jason Baccaro (LegendsRborn@aol.com), September 26, 2003.

Paul, take a day off from Moderator (Catholic censor) and kick back with a good book. May I suggest rereading www.devilsfinalbattle.com Enjoy!!!

-- (tarses@sbcglobal.net), September 26, 2003.

Dear tarses,

Thanks for your concern, but I doubt that reading a work so blatantly hostile to the Catholic Church would help to sooth my nerves.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), September 26, 2003.

Jason,

To add to what Paul has stated -here is a link to applicable section of the Catechism:

THE PARTICULAR JUDGMENT

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), September 26, 2003.

"Judgement takes place at the moment of death."

What happens during the final judgement... at the second coming? I know from a previous thread... "Resurection of the Dead," that the Church teaches that we are reunited with our bodies, but is there then a "final judgement," (or is this a misnomer?) Do those who have gone to hell, or have not been saved come back again for a "final judgement?" Do they get reunited with their bodies as well, or do they just stay in hell? Sorry if this seems rather juvenile but somehow I never completely understood this teaching. Thanks Jim

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), September 27, 2003.

Jmj

Hello, Jim Furst.
You asked some questions. I thought we covered them on that other thread, but in case we missed something ...

1. "I know from a previous thread ... that the Church teaches that we are reunited with our bodies, but is there then a 'final judgement,' (or is this a misnomer?)"
Yes, there is a final judgment for everyone. In the Church, it is usually referred to as the "general judgment."

2. "Do those who have gone to hell, or have not been saved come back again for a 'final judgement?'"
They will have a final judgment (even though they already had a "particular judgment," specific to themselves. I don't think that God revealed whether the already damned souls will remain in hell during the final judgment.

3. "Do they get reunited with their bodies as well, or do they just stay in hell?"
The souls in hell will be reunited with their resurrected bodies.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), September 28, 2003.

Been away for a few days, thanks for the answers to my additional lingering questions. Jim

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), October 04, 2003.