Do Messianic Jews believe in Purgatory?

[St-Irénée]

I am not going to get into the definition of Purgatory, but while surfing on www.askmoses.com, I came across the following quote regarding the afterlife:

In order to restore the level of purity the soul had possessed before entering the physical world, it must undergo a degree of refinement commensurate to the degree which the body may have indulged itself. If a person sinned in this lifetime, as most of us do, then, to continue the radio analogy, we have serious interference. This means there is even more cleaning to be done. This cleaning process hurts, but is a spiritual and mental process designed not for retribution, but to allow one to truly enjoy his/her reward in Gan Eden. This cleaning process is called “Gehinom,” or, in the vernacular, “Hell.”

I was always told "purgatory" (the "refiner's fire" which purifies a soul on the way to Heaven) had its roots in Jewish belief. What is the primary view of Purgatory among Messianic Jews?

Thanks.

http://www.catholic.com/library/Purgatory.asp
http://www.catholic.com/library/Roots_of_Purgatory.asp

 

[sojeru]

well, gehinom-hell is a waiting place for those who were evil.
the view that you quoted was something that came recently.

however, the orthodox view which is one of old is an idea of reincarnation called gilul.
but, there is no actual pergatory- just hell.
there are two places in death- one for the saints and one for those who were evil.
do those in the gehinom still have a chance- I dont know.
I do believe that they did have a chance when Messiah went to the place of the dead for three days.
(but I will have to make sure about him even going there)
but now?
I dont know- so,purgatory WAS g'hinom or it might still be- im not 100% sure right now- but when more knowledge comes I'll be sure to share it.

but one thing i do know is this- it is the waiting place for judgement- not actually refinement- though a person can be refined there- lol- im sorry, there are many questions i have myself about gehinom/hell - but it is not the place where you cease to exist- the place where you cease to exist is the lake of fire where death (gehinom and the paradise in death) is swallowed up.

shalom u'bracha

 

[koilias]

but one thing i do know is this- it is the waiting place for judgement- not actually refinement- though a person can be refined there- lol- im sorry, there are many questions i have myself about gehinom/hell - but it is not the place where you cease to exist- the place where you cease to exist is the lake of fire where death (gehinom and the paradise in death) is swallowed up.

shalom u'bracha

Wow...I never thought of the "lake of fire" in Rev. that way before. Certainly puts things in perspective.

I believe that it says in a Rabbinic text (Seder 'Olam I believe) that the ancient Jewish belief was that sin was punished ONLY TEMPORARILY in hell and THEN AFTERWARDS the soul ceased (this fits with a Jewish perspective on the concept of a Just God). This was true except for one sin--which was UNFORGIVABLE in Judaism: to "hand over" ("limsor"--betray) a fellow Jew to the authorities. This sin was called "UNFORGIVABLE" because it was punished for eternity. (Think why Judas was so condemned). I was bowled over when someone pointed out to me that Jesus was probably adding another sin to the UNFORGIVABLE list: To betray the Holy Spirit (by defaming it). He didn't mean that the UNFORGIVABLE sin was "unforgivable"!...He merely meant that IF YOU DIDN'T REPENT OF IT, you were punished for eternity in hell (and your soul would never cease). Certainly explains a lot, don't you think? I'm curious about what Messianics traditionally teach about the doctrine of "eternal damnation". I'm really happy to discover what seems to be a different perspective in your circles...

 

[SonWorshipper]

For those who believe, to be absent from the body is to be present with the L-rd. If there is any refining, ( which we all need) I believe that he does it during our time on earth.

 

[Aethelsige]

Ummm No

 

[sojeru]

speaking for yourself there athelsige or for all of the messianc body?

the least you can do is provide ome insight as to why.


shalom