partial rewards which may be given in anticipation of one’s entrance
into the full glory of heaven at the end of purgatory.”¹
Second objection: “Sure, but all this means nothing, for the Bible still
says nothing about purgatory.”
Protestants are always very quick to assert that the doctrine of purgatory is
unbiblical, insisting that there is only heaven and hell. However, as we
have just seen, 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 shows that the Jews in the Old
Testament certainly believed in a state where the dead could profit from the
sacrifices and prayers of the living. The full text of this passage reads as
follows:
“He also took up a collection, man by man, to the amount of two thousand
drachmas of silver, and sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering. In
doing this he acted very well and honorably, taking account of the
resurrection. For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would
rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead.
But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who
fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made
atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”
Protestants deny the canonicity of the Maccabean books. Nevertheless, their
historical value cannot be denied. Even Jewish prayer books today contain
prayers for the dead (the Mourner’s Qaddish). If the Jews had invented the
doctrine of purgatory or prayers for the dead, undoubtedly Christ would
have condemned it, as He condemned them for a long list of changes in
doctrine and discipline in St. Matthew 23.
Furthermore, the doctrine of purgatory is implied in the Gospels:
“And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but
whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this
age or in the age to come” (St. Matt. 12:32).
According to Pope St. Gregory the Great, these words of Christ infer that
there are some sins that can be forgiven in the next life. Now, as this cannot
1
How to Explain Purgatory to Protestants, Internet Website, 1/20/99.
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