Prayers for the dead express hope that God will free the person who has died from any burden of sin and prepare a place for him or her in heaven.
Death remains a mystery for us–a great unknown. Yet Christian language evokes a hopeful imagination in the presence of death, an assurance that our love, linked to Christ’s love, can help bridge whatever barriers might keep those whom we love from fully enjoying the presence of a loving and life-giving God.
“Prayers for the dead express hope that God will free the person who has died from any burden of sin and prepare a place for him or her in heaven.
But this is not found in Scripture.
If the person entrusted himself to Christ alone, he will join Him in heaven.
HE is perfect.
His sacrifice was perfect.
His payment for sin was complete.
He said, “it is finished.”
It's not THAT much of a mystery! Scripture teaches that the dead in Christ are "present with the Lord" (II Cor. 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). The Roman Catholic doctrine of Purgatory presumes that most Christians must still pay a temporal penalty for the sins they commit in this life and suffer for them before they can be cleansed "from all worldly attachments" and go to heaven with God. Scripture teaches that all our sins are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ and we are found "in Him, not having my own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through faith from Christ, the righteousness of God on the basis of faith." (Philippians 3:9). We are justified and made righteous through faith and not our works.
Once you're dead, there are no second chances.
You make your decision here on earth before you die.
Once you're dead, it's a a done deal.