Second Coming And Purgatory?

[Lil Red]

I feel like this is a dumb question, but bear with me.

How does the Catholic view of Purgatory (being cleansed before going to heaven) relate to the Catholic view of the Second Coming of Christ?

That is, those that have died, gone through purgatory and are now in heaven, will they be judged? And if so, why would they need to go through purgatory anyway?

And what's a good way of explaining why Catholics don't believe in the Rapture as Protestants believe it to high schoolers?

What I have said is that there is no way, in God's infinite mercy and wisdom would he leave behind anyone who was truly repetant for his/her sins.

Am I correct in saying this?

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='Lil Red' date='Aug 4 2004, 03:06 PM'] How does the Catholic view of Purgatory (being cleansed before going to heaven) relate to the Catholic view of the Second Coming of Christ?[/quote]
purgatory exists for every soul between the particular judgment (which occurs immediately after a person dies) and the general judgment that takes place when Jesus comes again, when every person's works will be made known and from these Jesus will discern from among those still alive who goes to heaven and who goes to hell.

[quote]That is, those that have died, gone through purgatory and are now in heaven, will they be judged?  And if so, why would they need to go through purgatory anyway?[/quote]
this is how i understand it, although i am open to correction. those who die before the second coming are not judged again b/c they were already judged upon their death. however, their works (along w/ the works of those who are still alive when Jesus comes) will still be revealed and made known to all as proof that Jesus' judgment for them was just and that they have obtained what they rightfully deserve.

[quote]And what's a good way of explaining why Catholics don't believe in the Rapture as Protestants believe it to high schoolers?[/quote]
the simplest way i would explain it is that the rapture basically entails a third coming, where as the bible is explicit in referring to only two.

here are the comings of Christ, including the rapture
1. Jesus' birth
2. Jesus comes secretly and w/o notice so as to suddenly wisk away protestant fundamentalists
3. Jesus comes to Earth for the General Judgment.

this additional coming of Christ is also against bible teaching b/c we know that when Jesus comes again, it will not be private. all will know, trumpets will sound, a chorus of angels will accompany him. it is sudden, but hardly secretive.

[quote]What I have said is that there is no way, in God's infinite mercy and wisdom would he leave behind anyone who was truly repetant for his/her sins.

Am I correct in saying this?[/quote]
to protestants who believe in the rapture, it is more then just repenting in your sins. it is believing that by saying the "sinner's prayer" you have received an assurance of salvation. they claim that to deny this is to discredit Jesus Christ and his work on the cross. b/c Catholics deny this assurance, many protestants believe we will be "left behind" when the rapture occurs.

i believe my comments here are correct, but i will go do some study to make sure. in the meantime, if i have misrepresented the Catholic or Protestant position, someone please correct me.

pax christi,
phatcatholic

Edited August 4, 2004 by phatcatholic

[Lil Red]

thanks for the answers and getting back to me so quickly!

[MorphRC]

Good answer bro!

[cathgirl]

I was wondering some of the same things Lil Red!

[MorphRC]

Dittos