The Kingdom of God, Student Workbook, SW02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

a. Immediately after a person dies, their eternal status is determined.

b. Those who die in a state of wickedness go directly to hell, the place of torment, while those in a state of grace and purified at the time of death go directly to heaven.

c. Those in a state of grace, who are not yet spiritually perfect go to purgatory, a place of temporal punishment, for those who are not entirely free from their venial sins or their transgressions.

d. Thomas Aquinas, the premiere Catholic scholar of the 12th century, tells how those in purgatory can be helped.

(1) Through the Mass

(2) Through the prayers of the saints

(3) Through the good works of living believers

2. Biblical evidence: “But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come,” Matt. 12.32.

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a. This text is read to suggest that there are gradations (degrees) among sins.

b. That would mean that some sins (other than speaking against the Holy Spirit) will be forgiven in the world to come.

c. Purgatory is a doctrine which appears to be a logical result of this interpretation of Scripture.