Have you considered the thief underwent his purification, as it were, on the cross with the LORD Jesus ? He repented and believed on the cross, being tortured and broken. He was not committing any other sins, or performing any other bad works, from which he needed to be cleansed. He died in a state of sanctification and was admitted almost immediately with the Lord into paradise.
He wasn’t forgiven because he suffered.
Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.
Suffering pain and torment do NOT cleanse someone from sin. There’s not one shred of verse of Scripture that supports that damnable doctrine.
People are going to end up in hell if they think they can atone for their own sins somehow. Because they won’t trust in Jesus for their atonement. They’ll be counting on their own efforts.
I have considered it. And I have found that it is not so.
Have you considered that the purification that was needed was provided by Christ's crucifixion? We are purified through the blood of Christ, not our own suffering. To imply that is to imply that somehow WE are able to do ANYTHING toward our own salvation. But, don't believe me; believe God's inspired word:
"1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he [Christ] sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
(Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV)
Once again: The Thief had NOTHING to do with his purification; Christ did it ALL.
Hoss