Today, January 9, 2000 is the 21st anniversary of the death of my father. He would have been 73 three days ago.

As a Catholic I prayed for him after he died, hoping that he was in Purgatory. He wasn't "that" bad so I figured that's where he was. My mother, for ten years, had Masses said for him; which in the first few years was a great financial drain on a new widow without even a high school education. Thank God, and I do not mean that flippantly, the Lord allowed her to she acquire a job at IBM and from then on out she made really good money.

My mother finally gave up on the Masses. Why? Not because she loved my father any less but her priest started saying the Mass; which was SUPPOSED to be for my father, for two or three other people at the same time. This really ticked my mother off. Unfortunately it didn't tick her off enough; she's still a devout Catholic.

I don't pray for my father any more. I certainly hope he's with the Lord in heaven but, I don't know for sure. Perhaps it's wishful thinking but I saw things in him that make me think now that he just might have been saved. He was a Catholic to his death but there were things...

Now that probably sounds awful to the Catholics reading this: (that I don't pray for him). The reason I don't is this. If my father is in heaven he doesn't need my prayers, if he's in hell (which I hope he isn't) then my prayers won't do him any good. There is no mythical place called Purgatory. When you die you go to heaven or you go to hell.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment [Hebrews 9:27]

If my father was a non-believer (not saved) then he will appear before the Great White Throne Judgment:

[11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

[13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

[15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. [Revelation 20:11-15]

Everybody at this Judgment is damned. They all go to the lake of fire.

However if my father was saved; I have hope because he went through two wars (World War II & Korea) so perhaps at some point God drew him to Himself, then he will appear at the Judgment seat of Christ.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. [Romans 14:10]

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. [2 Corinthians 5:10]

This is the judgment of the Bride of Christ (All born again believers). Here we will either receive crowns (rewards) or lose them depending upon our works.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. [2 Timothy 4:8]

If our works were for the glory of God a crown, if to be seen of men the loss of that potential crown. Our salvation is NOT in jeopardy. We are saved. Here WORKS COUNT! Not to be saved or to keep yourself saved but done for the glory of God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [Hebrew 11:6]

God has promised to reward us, to give us crowns, which once we have received we will cast them at His feet!

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, [Revelation 4:10]

This doctrine of the Judgment Seat of Christ is taken from the same passage that Rome gets her "Purgatory". Which now the pope says isn't a real place but a "..state of being" whatever that means.

[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

[12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

[14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

[15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. [1 Corinthians 3"11-15]

If my father was saved then I will rejoice with him at the Judgment Seat of our Saviour! If he was not? Perhaps this is why God will wipe away our tears.

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eye [Revelation 7:17]

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. [Revelation 21:4]

No I will not pray for my father today. I will remember him and hope he was saved. It is most likely that he wasn't. I can only hope.

Nobody wants to think about their loved one burning in Hell for all eternity. What a terrible thought! But, God is just and he is not willing that any should perish.

Won't you receive the free gift of salvation from God today? Make sure YOU know where you will spend eternity so your children won't have to hope you're in heaven as I do for my father.

Rome's way is the broad way that leads to destruction. It is a false gospel my friends. Where is the Good News in her gospel? Rome's gospel is that Christ died for you but then it's up to you to keep yourself saved. If that's the way it is, then I am on my way to hell, for I am a sinner and worthy only of the damnation of God!

Praise God for His FREE GIFT!