It would be nice if we could, but there’s a big problem. The idea of purgatory is not found in the holy Scriptures. It’s a concept found in the Apocrypha—Jewish books of sacred writings—that were never believed to be on the level of holy Scripture. Some may be thinking, What’s purgatory? One definition is to be in limbo.
So what does Scripture say happens when we die? As the above-referenced scripture, Hebrews 9:27, says, “After this comes judgment.” God makes a judgment on whether we’ll spend eternity with Him in heaven or spend eternity separated from Him in hell. There’s no in-between holding zone. When we die, it’s one or the other.
What would it take for God to make the judgment that we deserve eternal life in heaven with Him? Either of two things:
- Our being perfect. Bad news: only one Man has been perfect and it ain’t you—or me.
- Our believing in the perfect Man, who gave His life for every single sin in your life and mine. Jesus is that Man. He paid the penalty for our sins so that if we trust in Him, we will be blameless before God and receive eternal life.
If you died today, what judgment would it be? Heaven or hell? One thing is for sure: it won’t be purgatory.
