Prayer for the Dead and Forgiveness of Sins After Our Repose

In an older edition of the Syrian (Oriental) Orthodox Church's journal, Shroro, Mike Wingert writes:

In perhaps Christ’s most oft cited statement regarding which sins are forgivable, and which are not, an import point gets overlooked:

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. Matthew 12:31-32

Let us pay attention to the final line: “In this world, or the world to come.” This portion of the statement lets us know that sins can be forgiven in two periods: this world, and the world to come.

Read the rest here.