
Originally Posted by
jai
nobody knows what happens to the soul immediately after death bec. no one has really gone back from it. I mean went to heaven or hell and back but from what I've learned as a Catholic, time does not exist in the afterlife. I mean whether the soul goes to heaven, hell or purgatory, there is no such thing as day nor night. We cannot fathom it yet 'coz our minds are finite, meaning we have limited knowledge of certain or all things tangible or intangible. It's like a year on earth could only mean a day in hell. That's why freewill in us mortals is very essential bec. once we die, our will is fixed. If we chose to do good, then we choose light. If we chose to be bad, then we choose darkness.
Praying for the soul is impt. bec. they cannot pray for themselves esp. when they're still undergoing purification (purgatory).2 Maccabees 12:46: "Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from sin."
1 Cor. 3:15.
"If any mans work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire."
1 Peter 1:7
These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.