𝗣𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝘃𝘀. 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘 — 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬

PURGATORY vs. HELL FIRE — TRUTH THAT DIVIDES ETERNITY

Key Truth: One is a religious invention; the other is a biblical reality.

INTRODUCTION

Many are comforted by the idea of a second chance after death.
But Scripture declares something far more serious: “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Dispensational truth teaches that Christ fully paid for sin, leaving no need for post-death purification. Either sin is paid for by Christ, or it is punished forever.

DEFINITION — WHAT EACH PLACE CLAIMS TO BE
Hebrews 9:27 | Luke 16:23

A. Purgatory Defined by Tradition — Man-made explanation
B. Hell Defined by Scripture — God-revealed reality
C. Difference Declared — Fiction vs fact
If God never revealed it, man had no authority to invent it.

DISCOVERY — WHERE EACH IS FOUND
2 Timothy 3:16 | Mark 9:43

A. Purgatory Missing — Not named once in Scripture
B. Hell Mentioned — Spoken of by Jesus Himself
C. Authority Matters — God’s Word alone
Silence in Scripture is not permission—it is rejection.

DURATION — TEMPORARY OR ETERNAL
Matthew 25:46 | Revelation 14:11

A. Purgatory Temporary — Ends eventually (by doctrine)
B. Hell Eternal — No end declared
C. Contrast Clear — Time vs timeless
Eternal punishment proves eternal guilt apart from Christ.

DEBT — HOW SIN IS DEALT WITH
Colossians 2:13–14 | Romans 6:23

A. Purgatory Pays by Pain — Suffering for sin
B. Hell Pays by Punishment — Justice executed
C. Christ Paid in Full — Debt cancelled
Either Christ paid it all, or you will.

DELIVERANCE — CAN ANYONE ESCAPE?
Luke 16:26 | John 8:36

A. Purgatory Allows Escape — After suffering
B. Hell Allows None — Fixed gulf
C. Christ Alone Delivers — Freedom now
Salvation is before death, not after.

DEPENDENCE — WHO CAN HELP?
1 Timothy 2:5 | Psalm 49:7

A. Purgatory Needs Prayers — Human intercession
B. Hell Has No Help — No relief
C. Christ Is the Only Mediator — One way
No priest, prayer, or payment can save a soul—only Christ.

DISTINCTION — LAW, WORKS, OR GRACE
Ephesians 2:8–9 | Galatians 2:16

A. Purgatory Requires Works — Suffering earns cleansing
B. Hell Reveals Works Fail — Judgment remains
C. Grace Alone Saves — Faith alone
Grace eliminates purgatory entirely.

DISPENSATIONAL LIGHT — PAULINE REVELATION
Romans 8:1 | 2 Corinthians 5:8

A. No Condemnation in Christ — Present truth
B. Absent from Body, Present with Lord — Immediate destiny
C. Mystery Revealed — Full assurance today
Purgatory denies the completeness of Paul’s gospel.

DECISION — WHICH TRUTH WILL YOU BELIEVE?
John 3:18 | 1 Corinthians 15:1–4

A. Believe Tradition — False comfort
B. Believe Scripture — Eternal truth
C. Believe Christ — Salvation secured
Delay is dangerous. Eternity is final.

CONCLUSION

Purgatory says “Pay later.”
Hell says “Too late.”
The Gospel says “Paid in full.”
Jesus Christ finished the work—there is nothing left to purge.

CALL TO ACTION

Stop trusting tradition
Stop trusting suffering
Start trusting Christ
Believe the Gospel of the Grace of God
Rest in the Finished Work of Christ
Rejoice in Eternal Assurance

FINAL THOUGHTS

Scripture Is Final Authority
Purgatory Is Unbiblical
Hell Is Real
Sin Demands Payment
Christ Paid It Fully
No Second Chance After Death
Salvation Is Secure in Christ
Now Is the Day of Salvation
Grace Ends Fear Forever