Growing up Catholic, I was led to believe that if you didn’t go to confession each week or even go to mass on Sundays, you’d go to hell. But if you were good, and you observed all the rules and rituals of the Catholic Church, then you’d go to Heaven — eventually. You first needed to spend some time in Purgatory. How do you get out of Purgatory? You supposedly rack up “grace points” by going to confession, mass, saying your “Our Fathers” and “Hail Marys”, and relatives can pray and even buy you out of Purgatory with Indulgences.
Does Purgatory Exist?
In one word — NO. Purgatory was invented by the Catholic Church leaders in the 1400s — 1400 years after Jesus died for our sins — at the Councils of Florence and Trent. That was the period of the Renaissance in Europe and the start of global exploration. Church building was at its height and the church needed money to build and fund explorations. That’s why they invented Purgatory. Yes, men invented it. It doesn’t exist.
Basically, Purgatory is not “better than hell and worse than Heaven.” The church based it all on the fact that humans are not perfect — we sin. And no matter how many good works we did, we still were not good enough to get into Heaven — no one is. So, when you die, you go to Purgatory.
The only problem is that it doesn’t exist. It’s not anywhere in the New Testament which tells us clearly how to get into Heaven — by the Grace of God and belief in Jesus Christ.
Purgatory: The Biggest Ponzi Scheme Ever
How do you shorten your time in Purgatory? The church issued indulgences: parishioners bought them to guarantee a shorter stay in Purgatory. People could even purchase them for family members — even after they were dead. The problem with all this was it was all lies fabricated by a hierarchy of powerful men who wanted to live richly and build beautiful cathedrals.
“When a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from Purgatory springs!
What collectors said in churches when selling indulgences
Martin Luther, the Great Reformer, saw the whole indulgence scheme for what it was and that started the Protestant Reformation. Luther discovered the Gospel truth simply by reading the Gospels.
Indulgences still exist in the form of Catholic masses for the dead. A former priest tells the story of a woman who asked him after her father’s funeral, “How many masses do I have to buy to get him out of Purgatory?” The priest then did some research and discovered the truth and eventually quit the Catholic Church.
When the Pope first got on Twitter, he promised if you followed him, you’d spend less time in purgatory. You don’t believe me? Google it.
Proof that Purgatory Doesn’t Exist
You won’t find the word “Purgatory” or any concept like it mentioned at all in the New Testament. What you do find is proof that if you believe that Jesus is Christ and that He died once and for all for the forgiveness of your sins and if you repent of your sins, you will have a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven. You don’t layover in a place that don’t exist. Here is the Gospel Truth…
Just Before He Raised Lazarus from the Dead
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
John 11:25-26
Jesus said, “…live, even after dying…” Not suffer, then live. Jesus suffered on the cross for us — in our place. He was our Redeemer.
At the Last Supper
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
John 14:1-3 NLT
Jesus said, “In my Father’s house (or home)”. I hate to burst your bubble, but God is not in Purgatory. He is in Heaven and Jesus was resurrected to defeat sin and death and He is preparing a place for His believers. Are you good enough to have a seat at God’s table? Not without Jesus! Not convinced yet?
At the Cross
When Jesus was crucified, there were two criminals hanging on crosses on either side of Him.
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 NLT
Notice Jesus didn’t say, “But first, since you were a criminal, you have to spend some time in Purgatory and your family can buy your way into Heaven.” Are you starting to see the light?
The Roman Catholic Church is Wrong
When it comes to salvation, the Catholic Church is just plain wrong. You don’t have to come under Rome to come under Jesus. Requiring you to go to confession each week just to be able to receive communion in mass is wrong.
It’s not where you go to church, it’s whether or not you’ve accepted the free gift of salvation. That’s what’s important. Without accepting Jesus as your personal savior, you will end up in only one place — hell. And no amount of money, no amount of prayers can get you from hell to heaven once you’re dead. That’s the hard truth…
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
Is Purgatory Hell?
Considering that it doesn’t exist and there are only 2 options after your life here on earth is over — Heaven or Hell — then, yes, Purgatory is Hell. If you’re not going to Heaven, you’re going to Hell.
If Purgatory exists, then Jesus suffered and sacrificed His life for nothing.
If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven and that you won’t be left behind, this is what you have to do…
Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
Pray this prayer humbly and wholeheartedly…
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Please forgive me. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. I will follow you for the rest of my life. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I’m a Survivor! Are you?
Soli Deo Gloria — to God Alone be the Glory!
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