John Tetzel worked as a fundraiser for the Roman Catholic Church during the time when
Martin Luther lived. Tetzel would go through the villages of Germany selling indulgences with
the approval of the Roman Pope, with the Papal Document (Bull) being carried also. An iron
chest was also carried, which was for the contributions of the people. The people were
giving money so that their deceased relatives who were in Purgatory, might have their time
in that place shortened. Many peasants with little money, scraped up whatever they could to
help the cause of their loved ones.
John Tetzel would often repeat the phrase:
“As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs”
The selling of indulgences by Tetzel infuriated Martin Luther, and this was a great incentive
for him and others in the “Protestant Reformation.”
The funds which were collected by Rome were used for the building of St. Peter’s Basilica which is pictured below.
In modern times, the Roman Catholic people continue to make donations for the purchase of Mass
cards, so that Catholic Masses might be said for their deceased relatives in Purgatory. If one were to
read the Bible they would not find even a hint of the Lord speaking about a place called
Purgatory. Jesus Himself said the following:
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be SAVED. He that believeth on him is NOT CONDEMNED: but he that believeth not is CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18)
The deciding factor as to whether a person is CONDEMNED or NOT CONDEMNED is that persons decision regarding Jesus Christ. If a person has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then they are in a right standing before God, but if they reject the Son, then they are already CONDEMNED according to Jesus Christ Himself. In other words the person who was condemned, would not be able to reverse their position should they die in that condemned condition.
After Jesus Christ rose from the dead He continued to speak in similar terms:
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be SAVED; but he that believeth not shall be DAMNED. (Mark 16:15-16)
Once again, the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that it was a persons faith in Him which SAVED them. The UNBELIEVER once again is shown to be DAMNED. These are very serious words indeed, because they come from the Lord Jesus Christ, and they came after He had been butchered on the cross, and had risen from the DEAD!
But God commendeth HIS LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US. Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, we shall be SAVED FROM WRATH through him. (Romans 5:8-9)
The Jewish apostle Paul, [former persecutor and murderer] said it very clearly in the verses above. Paul exalted the absolute LOVE of God, in sending His Son to die for US sinners. There is only ONE thing that can JUSTIFY any human being before a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS God, and that is the BLOOD, that JESUS CHRIST shed on the cross at Calvary. There is no special AFTERLIFE plan, [including the Catholic Purgatory] that a person may hope for after they die. If the BLOOD of Jesus Christ cannot bring a person into a right relationship with Almighty God, then there is nothing else in this whole universe that will do it.
Jesus spoke about:
SALVATION and DAMNATION,
LIGHT and DARKNESS,
LIFE and DEATH,
HEAVEN and HELL
but He NEVER gave a hint about a person being purified after they die.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)
The beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that any person in the world, no matter the race, language, or country can be reconciled back to God because of what Jesus Christ did for us ALL on the cross.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast SLAIN, and hast REDEEMED US TO GOD BY THY BLOOD out of EVERY kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)
I encourage you to take the time to view this short mini video: Purgatory Falsehood!
