If no one is righteous and all needing saved, is it possible for an unbeliever to see Christ at the throne at judgment time and bend his knee and confess Jesus as Lord? Could that save him? Am i overstepping my bounds by asking this question?
The unbeliever better do it on or before their last dying breath. Otherwise it is too late.If no one is righteous and all needing saved, is it possible for an unbeliever to see Christ at the throne at judgment time and bend his knee and confess Jesus as Lord? Could that save him? Am i overstepping my bounds by asking this question?
I've wondered that myself. I don't know the answer.
Why is it too late? If you committed a sin right before you die are you unforgiven? what about the prayers of Christ and Stephen who prayed that God forgive those who were killing them? If there is hope for these unbelievers why not all unbelievers?The unbeliever better do it on or before their last dying breath. Otherwise it is too late.
Scripture says the Gospel was preached to the dead by the Christ when he was absent from his body for three days and three nights. But I assume this is before any judgment.The unbeliever better do it on or before their last dying breath. Otherwise it is too late.
Stephen was praying for those people as HE was dying, not after THEY had died. The person who commits a sin while dying had better repent before he is all the way dead. That's the conclusion of normal historical Christianity. If you want to believe something else, go ahead and try it out for yourself, but don't give others an unfounded hope that they can repent of everything after death when they reach the judgment. That's the time for judgment, not plea bargaining. You can plea bargain now, as long as Jesus is heading up your legal team.Why is it too late? If you committed a sin right before you die are you unforgiven? what about the prayers of Christ and Stephen who prayed that God forgive those who were killing them? If there is hope for these unbelievers why not all unbelievers?
Surely for judgment as we all will face, but what about mercy?Scripture says the Gospel was preached to the dead by the Christ when he was absent from his body for three days and three nights. But I assume this is before any judgment.
I know stephen prayed for people who were alive, that wasnt my point. My point was that he prayed forgiveness for unbelievers. Why cant we?Stephen was praying for those people as HE was dying, not after THEY had died. The person who commits a sin while dying had better repent before he is all the way dead. That's the conclusion of normal historical Christianity. If you want to believe something else, go ahead and try it out for yourself, but don't give others an unfounded hope that they can repent of everything after death when they reach the judgment. That's the time for judgment, not plea bargaining. You can plea bargain now, as long as Jesus is heading up your legal team.
I believe God is merciful, but not so much with the merciless. I tend to doubt that the merciless can believe the Gospel nor even understand it. I don't think anyone can call Jesus Lord without the Holy Spirit and mean it. God would see right through any lip service. Perhaps you should qualify the word confess in the OP with truly confess, to eliminate this discrepancy.Surely for judgment as we all will face, but what about mercy?
We can and should intercede for unbelievers. I hope you are doing that. That is normal original Christianity. We pray for unbelievers that they be forgiven and come to faith. St. John Chrysostom made that very point but had to also point out that the time to make this prayer is while the people are still alive. It doesn't work to pray for forgiveness and faith once the person has died. Too late. Pray for them while they are still alive.I know stephen prayed for people who were alive, that wasnt my point. My point was that he prayed forgiveness for unbelievers. Why cant we?
Also, its my hope that any unbeliever might feel Gods grace via this message, and turn to God now. However, it may be a foolish question, i dont know
Lastly its not about bargaining its about kneeling before Christ and declaring him Lord. Can an unbeliever do that at judgment and will it save him?
Can our prayers save such people? Forgive them because they know not what they do?I believe God is merciful, but not so much with the merciless. I tend to doubt that the merciless can believe the Gospel nor even understand it. I don't think anyone can call Jesus Lord without the Holy Spirit and mean it. God would see right through any lip service. Perhaps you should qualify the word confess in the OP with truly confess, to eliminate this discrepancy.
Perhaps im foolish but i cant help but pray for every human both past, present and future.. I have nothing to boast in, im humbled and cant help but desire mercy for all because im better than no one. But is this right thinking?We can and should intercede for unbelievers. I hope you are doing that. That is normal original Christianity. We pray for unbelievers that they be forgiven and come to faith. St. John Chrysostom made that very point but had to also point out that the time to make this prayer is while the people are still alive. It doesn't work to pray for forgiveness and faith once the person has died. Too late. Pray for them while they are still alive.
The unbeliever has until they stop breathing, until their brain stops, until they are dead.
Can Lucifer decide to come back to God?
It kind of gets at the question as to whether it's ever too late. Seems to me Jesus speaks to his in the parable of the 10 virgins of Mt 25 "While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Most assuredly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." Likewise of the Rich man and Lazarus of Luke 16. Regret for the consequences of his sins didn't buy him release from hell, despite the fact the he wanted to warn his brothers. If there was a second chance, he would have no such concern as he would have figured they'll get a second chance after they die. Likewise is implied of Heb 9:27 "Everyone must die once and after that comes judgement". Can't think of any indications anywhere in scripture of there being a second chance after a person dies.If no one is righteous and all needing saved, is it possible for an unbeliever to see Christ at the throne at judgment time and bend his knee and confess Jesus as Lord? Could that save him? Am i overstepping my bounds by asking this question?
I'm sure your prayer is not wasted in the economy of God's mercy, but all the normal explanations are that you have the time before you die. As I said, if you want to try repenting after you are dead, at the judgment, go ahead and try that. But don't go suggesting it for others who should repent while they have breath. It's good that you pray for others. That part IS right thinking. Pray for them while they still live.Perhaps im foolish but i cant help but pray for every human both past, present and future.. I have nothing to boast in, im humbled and cant help but desire mercy for all because im better than no one. But is this right thinking?
Respectfully, the problem for me with the Op is you specifically portray the unbeliever as seeing Jesus at the throne at the time of judgment and then confessing Jesus as Lord. Where in the Op is praying for these people of any significant value when they are portrayed as confessing Jesus as Lord? Are you praying for someone that God would make them confess?Can our prayers save such people? Forgive them because they know not what they do?
That is exactly was is described in scripture.If no one is righteous and all needing saved, is it possible for an unbeliever to see Christ at the throne at judgment time and bend his knee and confess Jesus as Lord? Could that save him? Am i overstepping my bounds by asking this question?
The bible really does not say this, that is how you interpret the verse.Scripture says the Gospel was preached to the dead by the Christ when he was absent from his body for three days and three nights. But I assume this is before any judgment.
You can ask for them to be forgiven but that doesn't mean they will be. We should pray for them to be reconciled to God through Christ.Can our prayers save such people? Forgive them because they know not what they do?