“The fact remains that (leaving aside any debates about Purgatory) it has NEVER been taught by the Catholics, Protestants or Orthodox that saved Christians would be denied entrance to Heaven prior to the Second Coming or Last Judgment.”
I go by The Bible. The death/resurrection of Jesus is 100% payment for my sins. To say I won’t go to heaven would be calling God a liar. To say that I will spend time in a “Purgatory” would be saying that His death/resurrection is not 100% payment. His death and resurrection is 100% PAYMENT. This is hard to believe for many people.
I’m not interested in getting into a debate on the subject of Purgatory on this thread because I don’t believe that is what the bishop was talking about.
That being said, I am in agreement that saved Christians are in Heaven today and not awaiting the Second Coming or Last Judgment beforehand.
true and He has chosen you and me, but we must choose Him by accepting Him and His promises and striving to live a Christ-like life. Our entry into the next life is really up to each one of us. It is not automatic.