Category Archives: Church

Resurrection! The Secret of Jesus

Posted by Mar 30, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Family, Gospel Evangelism , Leave a Comment
Resurrection! The Secret of Jesus

Resurrection of Jesus Christ was a supernatural event which completed the hopeful salvation and enjoyment of eternity for every believer. His process of resurrection was incomprehensible and non-scientific.

The enemies of the true gospel found it difficult to believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, they bribed the soldiers to spread the false news.

Matthew chapter 28 verses 11 to 15 says: “Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, ‘Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ “And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”

Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit that led to the spiritual separation (dead) from God. Genesis chapter 2 verse 16 and 17 says: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.””

But the resurrection of Jesus Christ was God’s plan to redeem us from death. First Corinthians chapter 15 verse 21 and 22 says: “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”

Is the Resurrection of Jesus a True Event?

During my courtship with my wife I promised to take good care of her and never to hit her at the hottest argument. She had more confidence in me when my promise is fulfilled in the marriage.

Similarly, Jesus predicted His resurrection (which had never happened in the history of man) to the disciples before the crucifixion. Matthew chapter 16 verse 21 says: “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

The disciples had more confidence in Jesus Christ when they saw the empty tomb. They saw Jesus Christ after His resurrection. It was real!! And the resurrection of Jesus gave the disciples the boldness to preach. Act chapter 4 verse 33 says: “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”

If it wasn’t real, Stephen would not be ready to lay down his life for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 7:51-60).

The Power of Resurrection

If Jesus did not rise from the death, then the salvation of our souls from the power of death is impossible. Devil taught that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross would defeat the salvation of humanity but shockingly, the power of death could not stop the Saviour!

When Jesus Christ got to the kingdom of death, there was a great over-thrown of power. Jesus withdrew the power from death through the authority of the Almighty LORD. So, He rose from the grave because death cannot conquer Him. The sting of Death and the victory of Hades are with Jesus! Hallelujah!!

Hebrew chapter 2 verses 14 and 15 says: “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Everyone who believes in the resurrection of Jesus Christ will also enjoy the resurrection to heaven.

Paul explained this topic through the Spirit of the Lord in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 51 to 57: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed… So when this corruptible has put on incorruptible, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”… But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Grace in Resurrection

The plan of God is to reconcile everyone to Himself. He wants us to gain heaven and not to lose our souls to hell. Thus, everyone must tap into the grace of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The prophecy of God’s grace to save us from the bondage of death can be seen in the book of Isaiah chapter 25 verse 8 and 9: “He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’”

Let your heart merry, because the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the golden prize from GOD for your salvation.

Entertainment: Risk of Losing Heaven?

Posted by Mar 20, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Family, Gospel Evangelism, Youths , , Leave a Comment
Entertainment: Risk of Losing Heaven?

Entertainment is all about fun and relaxation, but how safe is this activity for Christians? I compared the present Christian entertainment to the scriptural standard and I noticed some interesting outcomes.

It’s unfortunate that the Christendom is embracing all forms of entertainment established by the unbelievers. The liberty we enjoy in the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ does not give us the freedom to accept whatever form of worldly entertainment.

The Bible warned us to scrutinize our actions. Romans chapter 12 verse 1 and 2 says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Forms of Entertainment

  • Sports
  • Gambling
  • Music
  • Film Show
  • Books/Magazines
  • Story
  • Dance
  • Video games
  • Comedy
  • Drama …

What is the position of Christians in the entertainments mentioned above? Is entertainment biblical? Well, the word ‘entertainment’ cannot be found in the Bible. And that is the reason for proper scrutiny of any entertainment you intend to do, using the word of God as your yardstick.

The Bible says: “…brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.”

Church and Entertainment

I noticed that some preachers focus more on the emotions of the congregation than God’s word. They make jokes on the pulpit (without considering the biblical warning) to ginger their congregation. It’s not a sin to laugh, but, it calls for concern when the origin of the laughter is through jesting or foolish talks.

Ephesians chapter 5 verse 1 to 4 says: “… Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children… But fornication, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;… neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Comedy is a good form of entertainment to the unbelievers, but, it is a kind of fun that adversely affects the spiritual growth of Christians. This is the cause of lukewarm in our midst.

I am not judging anyone, but raising a serious concern for us to check and balance our state of fun. 

Revelation chapter 3 verse 15 and 16 says: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

Be careful and don’t involve yourself in entertainment related to jokes or comedy because it is rooted in lies and deceits.

Music Entertainment

Music is a good act that no Christian can afford to miss. I have the privilege to tell you that music plays a vital role in heaven! Worship songs filled with praises to God are the best entertainment for you.

It is unfortunate that the styles of musical entertainment of the unbelievers were adopted by most musicians in the Christendom. We cannot be of equal yoke with unbelievers. There should be a clear separation in the way we do things.

In our generation, worldly musicians invite gospel musicians to their stage. Did you refer to this as love? Listen to Jesus’ expression to His true followers in John Chapter 15 verse 19: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

For instance, the unique style of Christian music tunes and lyrics till late 1970’s were outstanding. If you listen to Christian music in the 19th century, you will agree with me that it has good quality than what we hear in this millennium.

Most of the Christian youths believed the school of thought that says; ‘there is no specific style of music or dancing for Christians. Thus, everyone can sing and dance anyhow’. Hmm! Devil’s deceit!

When I was in the world, being a good fan of Dion, but when I gave my life to Christ I disowned myself from listening to worldly music. I came across a ‘Christian disk’ which I thought would help my spiritual growth.

When I slot it into the disk player, the instrumentation was that of Dion’s bestselling and only the lyrics was different. The Christian musician disappointed me, because his lyrics never stick to my brain. But it only opened my memory to mime the Dion’s music. I removed the ‘Christian disk’ before it puts me into a state of apostasy.

I want all Christian musicians using worldly style of music (such as rock, rap, etc.) to know that you can’t genuinely win souls to Christ using such medium. You have to put a round peg in a round hole. Jesus says in Mark 2 verse 22: “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”  

Music as a form of entertainment must lift up your soul and spirit to the presence of the Lord. Good music must not exalt the wealth, women, carnal love, and other basics of this world.

Movie Entertainment

The wide acceptability of Hollywood, Bollywood, and others might not allow you to believe me but ‘movie entertainment is not for the Christians’.

The WordWeb dictionary defines movie as: “A form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion (deception) of continuous movement”.

Is Christianity a boring life if I don’t watch all the ‘woody’ films on earth? No!

You can entertain people during evangelism by:

1. Narrating true life stories. Jesus narrated true life story of Lazarus and the rich man to preach to the people – Luke 16 : 20-25

2. Quoting proverbs and parables. These are strong tools of evangelism used by the Lord Jesus – Matthew 13:18-23

3. Displaying true life documentary about people’s testimonies.

Whatever medium of entertainment you intend to use for the Gospel, deceit must not be used as a tool of evangelism. Devil is the father of all liars. Jesus exposed the Pharisees who were using deception to conduct the temple.

John chapter 8 verses 44 say: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

The worldly people are expected to learn new things from the Christendom, but the reverse is the case. The world started film shows and the church embraced it without considering the risk.

Whenever you gather people to do drama or watch film, then you are using a deceitful medium to convey a righteous message. Why?

  • The characters in every movie do not bear their true names – deceit!
  • Every speech is recorded in heaven, because God does not joke.
  • For instance; a man addressed another man’s woman as his wife in the film/drama – deceit!
  • At the end, the film writer writes on the screen that all you had watch is a fiction – deceit!!

The Christians into “drama ministry” proved their actions by making reference to the demonstrations of the great prophets. Then I responded quickly that the demonstrations were real life incidence instructed by God. It wasn’t a drama written by anyone, but a true documentary.

Please read through the passage below and send a comment to me if it seems to be a drama: “… the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia, so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners, and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.” (Isaiah 20:2-4)

Movie entertainment was not the idea of God, but Devil invented it to spread the spirit of lies. Satan is the father of lies. Some Evangelists thought (false) film-show was a good medium to win souls to Christ. Such souls may not survive the storms of life because their foundation was laid on deceit.

Some years ago I was an artist, play writer and drama coordinator in various churches. But when God opened my eyes to see the deceits in acting drama/film show, I stopped immediately. I discovered that using deceptive tools for the ministry of God is witchcraft.

Thus, the safest entertainment for you is to enjoy your resting day (Sabbath) in the presence of the Lord with godly gospel music. Entertain the poor with food and water, and your fun will be so fantastic!

Anointing Oil and the Miracle Workers

Posted by Mar 6, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Family, Word of Faith Leave a Comment
Anointing Oil and the Miracle Workers

It is good to talk about anointing oil and its significance to Christians of the New Testament. I attended some crusades and noticed some Christians do not understand the use of anointing oil. Today’s message would give you good understanding about God’s view on oil and how to be careful with the false prophets.

The Origin of Anointing Oil

The Jewish tradition uses olive oil for various benefits, but anointing oil became significant during the Exodus. God instructed the use of anointing oil as one of the unique materials for the priest and the tabernacle.

God originated the first formulation of holy anointing oil. Exodus chapter 30 verse 22 to 25: “Moreover the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Also take for yourself quality spices-five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, ‘five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. ‘And you shall make from this holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumers. It shall be holy anointing oil.”

The holy anointing oil is a shadow of the anointing in Jesus Christ.

4 Major Uses of Anointing Oil

1. Symbol of Purification and Consecration

Exodus chapter 30 verse 26 to 32: “With it you shall anoint the tabernacle of meeting and the ark of the Testimony… You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy… And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests…”

2. Refreshment of the Body

Luke chapter 7 verse 44 to 47: “… I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet… You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil… Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven…”

3. For Dead Body Preparation

Mark chapter 14 verse 3 to 8: “And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head… She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.”

4. Medicinal Purpose; soothing properties

Isaiah chapter 1 verse 6 mentioned the importance of anointing oil to heal wounds; “From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; they have not been closed or bound up, or soothed with ointment.”

James chapter 5 verse 14 says: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

The anointing oil serves as a first aid ointment though healing comes from the LORD.

Is the Oil Powerful?

Anointing oil cannot give you protection, deliverance, miraculous healing, or prosperity. If you carefully study the Bible, then you would have the understanding that the oil itself has no supernatural power.

The arrival of Jesus Christ in the New Testament fulfilled the law of holiness related to the anointing oil in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ is the anointed One from Heaven and He is powerful than anointing oil. The book of Luke chapter 4 verse 17 to 21 is the proof:

“… The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed… And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Neither Jesus Christ nor the Holy Spirit teaches us to attach our faith to anointing oil for any supernatural occurrence. But it is a pity that healing oil had been idolized among the Christians today.

The followers of Jesus Christ used oil for its soothing effect on the sick, but their faith towards the healing of the sick was not attached to the oil. Mark chapter 6 verse 13 says: “And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.”

It was the faithful prayers to the LORD that healed the sick. Thus, anointing oil plays the role of a first aid.

Anointing Oil and the False Prophets

Jesus Christ did not sponsor the use of anointing oil. Thus, Pastors and Prophets should be careful not to take the heart of congregates away from Jesus Christ. Many false ‘men of God’ are selling oil in an exorbitant price with the claim that it can deliver the buyer from spiritual attacks. The false prophets always advertise that the “conjured” oil can give miraculous healing and prosperity.

Please, don’t allow the challenge of life to push you into the hands of the magicians who claim to be pastors. The sale of any material for the purpose of salvation is against the instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew chapter 10 verse 8 says: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Jesus released spiritual anointing on His disciple and He never told them to go about with bottles of anointing oil. And the power of healing was not hindered in the life of the sick. It is the prayer of the saints that heals the sick and not the oil.

Don’t be deceived by the false prophets, the anointing oil cannot give you deliverance. But the anointing of Jesus Christ in you is the only anointing that can save you. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 21 and 22 says: “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

Various names were given to the commercial oil such as; Prosperity anointing oil, King Solomon anointing oil etc. The false Prophets/Pastors had made some Christians to idolize anointing oil. Their faith is in the oil and not in the power of Jesus Christ. Some Christians cannot go to bed at night if the door is not anointed with the oil from their pastors. Is it the oil on the door that protects or the power of Jesus Christ?

Don’t Christianize the use of anointing oil because it under-estimates the power of Jesus. It is a pity that oil idolatry is included in the doctrine of so many churches. I had previously worshiped in a church that idolized the use of anointing oil. And, I discovered that my faith was attached to the oil than to the Maker of the oil. I quit the church…!

Some Christians believed that Jesus Christ cannot heal, deliver or bless them if they don’t purchase the oil before their prayers. They were brain-washed by the false preachers who introduced materialism into the Church.

Don’t be carried away by the miracles credited to the oil of some ‘prophets’. Any minister exalting anointing oil more than the power of Jesus Christ does not belong to the LORD.

Is it compulsory to use oil?

It is not compulsory to buy healing oil before you receive healing from the LORD. Jesus Christ did not hold a bottle of oil throughout His healing ministry because the spiritual anointing in Him is more than the oil. If you accept Jesus Christ into your life with all your might, then you shall be filled with the anointing from God. John chapter 14 verses 21 say: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

It is not a sin to use anointing oil for its soothing effect on the sick, but it becomes a sin of idolatry when you consider the oil as a medium or making it to be more important than the direct faith and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How good is Gambling for Christians?

Posted by Feb 27, 2016 Church, Family, Holy Word, Youths Leave a Comment
How good is Gambling for Christians?

Gambling is a risky action that involves getting gain from the loss of others. Over 80% of Australian adults are said to be gamblers, which is also the highest rate in the world. 75% of adults gamble in UK and 80% of American.

Approximately 1.6 billion people gamble across the world during any given year and over 4.2 billion gamble at least once every year.

It is a shocking revelation that some Christians take part in lotteries, slot machines, horse or dog racing, Irish sweepstakes, roulette wheels, poker, flipping a coin, church bingo, and sport betting.

 

Gambling in the Church

Gambling is an ancient practice of the unbelievers, but it was not embraced by the early Christians.

It is unfortunate that the love of money is everywhere, and some elders thought that the easiest way to raise fund for the church project is through church bingo and lotteries.

“Is it a godly idea to rob Peter to pay Paul?”

There is no verse in the Bible that supports gambling. So, Christians seeking money to enjoy a good life or for the propagation of the gospel must not engage in gambling.

The Wisdom of God does not support gambling because Proverb chapter 14 verses 23 say: “In all labour there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty”. Proverbs chapter 28 verses 19 say: “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!”

 

Gambling and Lots

Devil deceives some Christians that betting is the same as the use of lots in the Bible. It is a misconception of the scriptures!

Casting of lots is to seek for direction or important decision, and it is determined by God. The use of lots in the Bible is not the same as gambling. Proverb chapter 16 verse 33 says: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD“.

Prayers and casting of lot were used to select Matthias as an Apostle. Act chapter 1 verse 26 says: “And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

Casting of lots has nothing to do with risking your money or valuables. Casting of lots was used to decide matters without partiality, so, it has nothing to do with loss or gain.

For example, the promise land was shared for the Israelites through casting of lots.  Joshua chapter 18 verses 10 say: “Then Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD, and there Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.”

The arrival of the Holy Spirit as the Counsellor ended the casting of lots among the Christians.

 

Is Betting an Investment?

Please don’t be deceived by the pit manager, because the risk involved in gambling is not the same as any business investment. And every business has a projected profit, but gambling is all about an uncertain chance of gain or loss.

Business investment involves professionalism, but gambling is all about luck. Business involves hardworking which is scriptural, but gamblers are interested in quick money without sweat. When you invest your money in business, then risk is averted. If you gamble your money, then you are a risk-seeker. Don’t consider gambling as a form of investment!

Is Betting Spiritual or Entertainment? 

Some rich gamblers claim that gambling is for fun. How could someone engage in a trend of spiritual bankruptcy and refer to it as recreational activity?

The spiritual reality of gambling is worshiping gods of luck and fortune.  Isaiah chapter 65 verse 11 and 12 say: “But you are those who forsake the LORD, who forget My holy mountain, who prepare a table for Gad, And who furnish a drink offering for Meni. Therefore I will number you for the sword, And you shall all bow down to the slaughter; Because, when I called, you did not answer; When I spoke, you did not hear, But did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.”

‘…prepare a table for Gad (god of fortune) …drink offering for Meni (goddess of fortune and numbers)’. This description best described those who prefer to enjoy drinking and playing games at the casino than enjoying God’s presence.

Profit of Gambling

The covetousness of money is the driving force of the gamblers. The trick in gambling is that you can become a millionaire in a moment. But a winner at this moment can become the biggest loser in the next moment.

The ‘profit’ of gambling includes;

  1. Addiction
  2. Chasing Holy Spirit away
  3. Torments by spirit of Mammon
  4. Stealing
  5. Lying
  6. Poverty
  7. Family crisis and divorce
  8. Alcoholism
  9. Committing fraud
  10. Lack of personal time with God

Gambling is a good weapon of the devil to distract Christians from cordial relationship with the LORD. 

Gamblers are not trustworthy steward to the Lord, because their money and valuables are not expected to be placed on the ungodly altar of luck. I want you to belief that gambling is one of the devices of Devil. You must not be carried away by the attractive attribute of gambling.

Is Purgatory a Real Place? Find Out!

Posted by Feb 15, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Word of Faith , , 17 Comments
Is Purgatory a Real Place? Find Out!

Purgatory was a laughing stuff to me, but I chose to take it serious when I discovered the level of havoc it caused to the faith of some new Christian converts. The sponsors of this false teaching used the tools of scriptural misconceptions and after-life testimonies to deceive people that purgatory is real.

Testimony of a Catholic Priest

My heart ached when I read this testimony of a catholic priest:

“On Sunday April 14, 1985, the Feast of the Divine Mercy, I was going to celebrate Mass at a mission church in the north part of Kerala, and I had a fatal accident… My soul came out from my body and I experienced death.

Immediately, I met my guardian angel and he first escorted me to hell.  It was an awful sight!  I saw Satan and the devils, an unquenchable fire of about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, worms crawling over people screaming and fighting, others being tortured by demons.

The angel told me that all these sufferings were due to unrepented mortal sins. I was surprised when I saw in hell even priests and bishops, some of whom I never expected to see.  Many of them were there because they had misled the people with false teaching and bad example…

After the visit to hell, my guardian angel escorted me to purgatory.  Here too, there are seven degrees of suffering and unquenchable fire.  But it is far less intense than hell and there was neither quarrelling nor fighting.  The main suffering of these souls is their separation from God.  

Some of those who are in purgatory committed numerous mortal sins, but they were reconciled with God before their death.  Even though these souls are suffering, they enjoy peace and the knowledge that one day they will see God face to face… 

Next, my angel escorted me to heaven passing through a big dazzling white tunnel.  I never experienced this much peace and joy in my life.  Then immediately heaven opened up and I heard the most delightful music, which I never heard before.  The angels were singing and praising God…”

How True is this Doctrine?

The testimony of this priest shows that the common attribute of hell and purgatory is fire and suffering. And Bible made it clear that a dead person will either enjoy in heaven or suffer in fire. Thus, purgatory is the same as hell, don’t be deceived!

Purgatory is not a scriptural word, but it was invented by the tradition of men in Catholic. The compendium of the catechism of the Catholic Church, first published in 2005 says: “Purgatory is the state of those who die in God’s friendship; assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification to enter into the happiness of heaven.”

“The souls being purified in purgatory can be helped. Because of the communion of the saints, the faithful who are still pilgrims on earth can help the souls in purgatory by offering prayers in suffrage for them, especially the Eucharistic sacrifice. They also help them by alms-giving, indulgences and works of penance.”

My findings showed that some denominations that pulled out of Catholic believed in the false teaching, but refused to refer to it as purgatory. They believed the existence of a place or condition of temporary suffering/torment for purification.

The primary motive of the papists towards this false teaching of purgatory is to make more money.

How could a priest/pastor tell you to bring money (for alms-giving and indulgences) so that your dead relative could have mercy for quick transfer to heaven from the purgatory?

Is that related to any teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ?

How could a priest/pastor deceive you so strongly that his relentless prayers could hasten your dead relative’s departure (who died in sin) from a purgatory to heaven?

The wide acceptance of this false teaching made the Catholic Church a wealthy one and the purpose of the early papists was achieved.

Misconception of the Scriptures

Don’t be deceived by the greedy papists who did a misconception of first Corinthians chapter 3 verses 13 to 15 to buttress their false teaching of purgatory. 

“Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building… For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1Corinthians 3:8-15)

The gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw and fire mentioned in this passage are all figurative expression. It is a metaphor that must not be understood as purgatory.

The passage from verse 12 is talking about doctrines (gold, wood etc.) introduced into the gospel by some ministers. And Paul was teaching that every works of the Ministers shall pass through God’s Holy assessment (fire).

The papists explained this passage as a real fire that punishes people. How could a real fire consume religious rites/doctrines?

Did Jesus talk about Purgatory?

Jesus’ teachings about afterlife were explicit, and He did not mentioned anywhere called purgatory or a place of temporary punishment. According to the book of Matthew chapter 7 verse 13 and 14, Jesus did not mention two ways of getting to heaven.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

The narration of Jesus Christ as regards poor Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) showed that a soul can either be in a place of rest or a place of torment. Jesus would have mentioned purgatory in His teachings if a temporary place of punishment is in existence.

Papists Undermines the Salvation of Jesus

It is antichrist to preach purgatory to anyone. The teaching nullifies the power of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. He shed His blood on the cross as a living sacrifice to clean the sins and punishment of anyone who believes in Him.

John chapter 3 verse 16 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

If you confess your sins and believe in the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ, then you have nothing to do in purgatory.

Prayer for Souls in Purgatory

You are wasting your hard earned money if you pay your priest/pastor to pray for your dead relative. No prayer can ever be answered for the dead because judgment takes its course immediately. Hebrew chapter 9 verse 27 say: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…”

Don’t allow the false teaching of purgatory to lure you into a careless lifestyle. There is no repentance in Hades. No Eucharistic sacrifice can save the dead sinners.

Hebrew chapter 10 verses 26 and 27 says: “For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries”.

Purgatory is a bunch of lie. I am privileged to have encounter with God, and He did not say that there is a place for temporary punishment before entering heaven. The LORD emphasized the existence of Fire and Heaven to me. So, you won’t miss heaven if you stay firm in God’s holiness.