The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that Purgatory is where impure souls go so that they can be purified.

All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1030 Catechism of the Catholic Church

There are no scriptures that say Purgatory exists, just as there are no scriptures that expressly state that there is only heaven and hell and there is no purgatory.

So, how can we figure out what is true and what is not?

Look at the purpose. The purpose of Purgatory is to offer sanctification.

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 21:27

It is very clear that we need to be purified before entering into the presence of God, Catholics take this as enough reasoning for purgatory, that since there is a need for something, God must have filled that need.

And yes, God did fill that need, but He filled it through Christ. Jesus says:

to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Acts 26:18

Through faith in Christ, we have already been sanctified in the eyes of God. There is no need for Purgatory as Christ’s work was entirely complete on the Cross, salvation, and sanctification, through Him alone.

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