All we hear are whines and slurs from your crowd. As I pointed out about sanctification, remember my above statment is a process BY God on us, provided by Christ, but it IS a process as is clearly defined in scripture:
Hebrews 12:14 gives a clear biblical basis as to why final sanctification is necessary. It says, Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord (NIV). Now, is this the holiness we receive by faith alone? If so, why is the writer of Hebrews telling these believers that they must attain to a degree of holiness in order to see the Lord? Forgiveness of sins is one thing; becoming actually holy is quite another.
Purgatory is the final stage of sanctification, the sanctification without which no one will see God (Heb 12:14). And nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lambs book of life (Rev 21:27).
This is explicity indicated in
"Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become manifest; for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)Jesus himself adds to this when he speaks in Matthew 12:32 of a sin which will neither be forgiven in this age nor the age to come, implying that some sins (venial ones of which we have not repented before death) will be forgiven when we repent the first moment of our afterlife.
note the words of Paul -- our sins are forgiven, we are being saved -- the sacrifice of Christ forgave all sins, but we are being saved -- we who are saved are being saved -- in the sanctification process.
Post our death, we who are saved are not 'punished' anymore - the "final sanctification"/"purgatory" is not "punishment", but we who are saved are prepared, by the blood of the lamb, in the last "stage" of the sanctification process for entry into heaven
this is not a place, not a period of time as it is outside this space-time concept of ours. It is the final "stage" of the sanctification process and it is not punishment either.
Unfortunately some like your cults get stuck in words, but the meaning is the same: final sanctification or purgatory, but are not "punishments", it is for those already saved and it is done by the grace of God, the sacrifice of Christ that forgave all sins and sanctifies us by the power of the Holy Spirit through the blood of the lamb
VERY well said, Cronos. Now if the horses would drink, they’d find it the best water they’ve ever (or ever will) have. I’m seriously thinking that serial praying is in order. As in, I think that rather than just periodically praying for these folks, I am going to make it a regular part of my prayer life. You’ve definitely sewn up the loose ends of this thread.
It seems one has to become a Protestant to forget much of the ancient wisdom. All of these theological concepts are predicated upon a comprehension of the Latin and the Mediterranean cultures they were constructed upon.
"Purgatory" quite simple means a place where "purgation" or purification takes place. Both have their roots in the simple language of common people.
Theological purging is a common theme in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Roman and Mediterranean culture purgation, or a purification, was a very common practice in food preparation (snails, titmice, etc.) in which the contents of the digestive tract was cleansed prior to cooking and eating for obvious reasons. Similarly, purgation was a common treatment for many illnesses. Anyone who has had a child with their stomach pumped knows it is still a valid medical practice. Purgation was a long held practice for funerary purgation throughout the ancient world and even today modern embalming uses similar practices. The purgation of criminals was even commonly attempted with sulfur and onions. So, to a Catholic, like first or second century Christian, the concept of purgatory is not alien or foreign and is actually well grounded and understood.
Hebrews
Latin Vulgate
10:14 una enim oblatione consummavit in sempiternum sanctificatos
King James Version
10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
American Standard Version
10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Bible in Basic English
10:14 Because by one offering he has made complete for ever those who are made holy.
Darby's English Translation
10:14 For by one offering he has perfected in perpetuity the sanctified.
Douay Rheims
10:14 For by one oblation he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Noah Webster Bible
10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Weymouth New Testament
10:14 For by a single offering He has for ever completed the blessing for those whom He is setting free from sin.
World English Bible
10:14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.
Young's Literal Translation
10:14 for by one offering he hath perfected to the end those sanctified;
If we cant trust you translation how can we trust what you say?
>>1 Thessalonians 4:7 The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.<<
Other versions. Can you find the highlighted portion in any other versions?
Latin Vulgate
4:7 non enim vocavit nos Deus in inmunditia sed in sanctificatione
King James Version
4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
American Standard Version
4:7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
Bible in Basic English
4:7 Because it is God's purpose that our way of life may be not unclean but holy.
Darby's English Translation
4:7 For God has not called us to uncleanness, but in sanctification.
Douay Rheims
4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification.
Noah Webster Bible
4:7 For God hath not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.
Weymouth New Testament
4:7 God has not called us to an unclean life, but to one of purity.
World English Bible
4:7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
Young's Literal Translation
4:7 for God did not call us on uncleanness, but in sanctification;
I am beginning to understand why Catholics dont understand what scripture says. How much more of that deceit are we going to find?