His Reply:

True, the traditions/practices of the Jews were to pray for the dead but this was never ever allowed but even warned by the Apostles of Christ during their time not to do. Colosas 2:8 NKJV – “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Because traditions of the Jews were pagan and never according to the Law of Moses all the way to the last book of Revelation (Hence, if you read the entire bible, you cannot quote any verse from the true children of God, praying for the dead, nor the mention of a purgatory in which servants of God are in a “middle zone” before the head into Heaven or Hell.

Eclesiastes 1:3 NKJV
3What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 NKJV
5For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. 6Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.

The key phrase of “Life Under the Sun” refers to life is filled with injustice, dangers, uncertainties, events, chance, or in one word – life. Basically Solomon tries to proclaim how precious life is, because just like him and the great sin he committed, unless we cherish life, NOTHING can be done that can save us once we are dead, and in the grave, nothing can be done for us “under the sun”.

But to reiterate, no verse (Because of it was never taught) Purgatory and the “praying for the sake of the Dead” was never practiced.

And as far as the Lazarus and the Rich Man, is the connotation there that because a man was able to see the events or experience such events, Purgatory automatically exists? Or is it just that God willed it?

– His reply.