Hello James, . . . Now, I will answer about purgatory. First, I do not believe in purgatory. I believe that people are either Christian or non-Christian, followers of Jesus Christ or followers of Satan, those destined for Heaven or those destined for Hell. I feel that purgatory is a compromise. A person could think that they could get away with sins and simply face temporary torture and then paradise. NOPE! Not confronting sin and not taking it before God will result in yet another sin. The devil tempts; the flesh gives birth to sin when it gives in to temptation; sin gives birth to death, and spiritual death is hell, not purgatory. In Luke 12:47-48, I believe that the servant receiving the few blows is the one who will get a second chance, but I do not believe that this is purgatory. The common person would take advantage of purgatory. The blows may occur here on earth such as no blessings or plagues or whatever. 1 Peter 3:18-20 supports the right-way-or-wrong-way- no-if's-and's-or-but's approach. Jesus died for all of us. The NIV uses the terms "righteous" and "unrighteous"--the TWO choices. The verse doesn't use "kind of righteous" or "kind of unrighteous." The verse from 1 Peter also shows how many more will face destruction than how many will face salvation. Only a few survived in Noah's ark. There weren't a few people here and there floating on logs. Either people were in the ark or drowned. The gate to Heaven is narrow, but the gate to Hell fits multitudes. I do have a booklet that talks a little about purgatory. I will quote it below: "Rome teaches that when Catholics die in an unperfected state, they must enter an intermediate realm of punishment called `purgatory' before being released to heaven. Those who have accumulated sins which have not been sufficiently atoned for through penance must endure the sufferings of purgatory until the soul is refined and God's justice has been satisfied. The torments of this halfway hell can vary in intensity, severity, and duration depending upon the guilt, impurity, lack of proper penance, or sorrow of the sufferer. Catholics are kept in fear all their lives by the prospects of going to this imaginary place. But Rome teaches that the period of suffering in purgatory can be shortened by gifts of money, prayers by priests, and masses. Catholicism also stresses that friends and relatives can help lessen the time that loved ones remain in purgatory and even relieve their suffering by financing masses on their behalf. Rome collects millions of dollars each year from grieving individuals who willingly pay to alleviate the agonies of those in purgatory. However, this frightening doctrine cannot find a single verse in the entire Bible to support it. Rome has had to rely on ingenious twistings of the scriptures to defend this terrifying teaching, along with an isolated passage from the apocryphal book of II Maccabees(12:39-45). The concept of purgatorial sufferings after death challenges the very work of Christ on our behalf. The Bible declares that "Christ himself...had died once for sins"(I Pet. 3:18, J.B.V.). There is no more need for further sufferings in purgatory. To demand further suffering and sacrifice is to deny that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient the first time! Jesus said that "he who hears my word...has life everlasting, and does not come to judgment, but has passed from death to life" (Jn. 5:24, C.R.V.). The Bible also teaches that "if we acknowledge our sins, then God...will forgive our sins and purify us from everything that is wrong"(I Jn. 1:9, J.B.V.); that God remembers our sins no more (Heb. 10:17); that to die is gain, not torment (Phil. 1:21,22); that to be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord(II Cor. 5:8,9); and that those who die in Christ are blessed and receive rest from their labors and not excrutiating pain (Rev.14:13)." SOURCE : "The Bible and Roman Catholicism" by William R. Kimball Copyright 1985 CHRISTIAN EQUIPPERS INTERNATIONAL I agree with the booklet. I agree with the author of the book when he says that he is not condemning Catholics, but that he is challenging them with the TRUTH. You have heard my feelings about Catholicism. Some are the traditionalists and some are the faithful. Not all Catholics are the same, but like all churches, some who claim to be Christians aren't. I used to be a claimer instead of one of the faithful. Please remember also though that the topic of purgatory is like the topic of evolution......they are not as important as the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. I do not believe in purgatory or evolution (i.e. ape-like creature to man), but I try not to make a big deal about these topics. What I like is making a big deal about Jesus Christ and what He did, does, and shall do! I hope that this is helpful, and I hope that this doesn't kill your quota! :) If it is too big of a letter, I will mail it in parts. God be with you my brother. Your brother by the Redeeming Blood of the Lamb, --Beacon Deacon who strives to bear the light given to me thru Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior ADDED AUTHOR'S NOTE: The J.B.V. is the Jerusalem Bible Version, a "Catholic Bible" which makes the scriptural quotes fair to any Catholic readers. I do not intend this as a flame to the Catholic Church. While I do not agree with the Catholic teaching of purgatory, I do agree and admire the Catholic teaching of ecumenism as well as some other Catholic teaching. Further, I did not intend this as a stereotype of Catholics by saying that all of them believe in the exact same way. I have seen a great diversity among my Catholic brothers and sisters. I have disagreements with something in all churches. Most churches have true believers and those who just go, but do not really believe (nominal "Christians"). No church is perfect, but those who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ are members of the united Church of believers which will unite in Heaven as the perfect Church -- His Bride. God be with you. --Beacon Deacon