Is there a second chance after death?

[Albion]

Please elaborate.

The idea that is built into the scenario we have been talking about presumes that the person can change his spots, become something he was not while in this life.

Everything in Scripture that deals with the matter seems to say that it is too late to become a new person.

 

[Albion]

How would he change his character? Isnt mercy part of his character?

We do not know the answers to all these questions and God did not see fit to reveal them to us. They are all guesses on our part, but while I agree that we can pray for just about anything, we find nothing that suggests the unsaved can become new persons after passing into the spirit world.

 

[RDKirk]

How would he change his character? Isnt mercy part of his character?

He's saying, I think, that there is no reason to presume the unbeliever changes his character under duress.

In fact, the parable of the shrewd steward suggests that rather than changing character, being discovered and facing consequences merely makes the evil double-down in their evil ways.

In other words, the knee bowed under duress is not the kneel of new faith.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

No. The bible teaches you have to chose salvation in this life. Once you die your fate is sealed. God will not change his mind based on your pleas. Not to mention God does not lie. If He says you have to choose salvation while alive, then He cannot change His mind after you die because it would make Him a liar. Also what would be the point of being a christian in this life if you can just wait until death to be like "You know what God, I understand now and wish to be saved!".

I've never really heard anyone say you can go to heaven once you die and stand before God, aside from a certain denomination.

 

[W2L]

No. The bible teaches you have to chose salvation in this life. Once you die your fate is sealed. God will not change his mind based on your pleas. Not to mention God does not lie. If He says you have to choose salvation while alive, then He cannot change His mind after you die because it would make Him a liar. Also what would be the point of being a christian in this life if you can just wait until death to be like "You know what God, I understand now and wish to be saved!".

I've never really heard anyone say you can go to heaven once you die and stand before God, aside from a certain denomination.

No. The bible teaches you have to chose salvation in this life. Once you die your fate is sealed.

Didnt the Lord's atonement also pay for those who came before His earthly ministry and were already dead? The scriptures say he died for the just and unjust. Whats that mean?

 

[com7fy8]

Should i therefore love unbelievers?

yes

 

[childeye 2]

The Spirit of God through Noah preached about God and the punishment that was coming. They had been tried and convicted, as those in prison, but still God in His mercy waited 120 yrs. for them to change their minds and be reconciled to Him. But only Noah and his family believed and were saved.

Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Respectfully, I appreciate your explanation. I am familiar with the story of the flood and the ark. Forgive my saying honestly, the explanation that the Spirit of Christ was in Noah preaching righteousness is not actually being articulated in any of the verses below.
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I note that the context is Christ's suffering once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God. This is the real thing and not a type. Hence dying in the flesh and then being brought back to life (quickened) seems to be about Christ's death and resurrection, however it's possible it could mean us who believe who were once dead in sins and now made alive. But the next verse seems to suggest it also was the means to preach to those "spirits" who were in prison which is a place Jesus (not us) went to. And the next verse qualifies those in this place he went to as being disobedient in the days of Noah.

Please understand I do not want to read into these scriptures more than what is there. Jesus died and rose. By which Jesus went somewhere. There he preached to spirits who were disobedient in the days of Noah. That is what I see despite viewing many conflicting interpretations.


18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

 

[com7fy8]

which brings up my earlier unanswered question to you. Can Lucifer get on his knees and beg mercy? Will Lucifer get it? Why or why not?

Lucifer has had all the proof and time to get that he needs to submit to Jesus. And he hasn't. And Jesus says Lucifer has nothing in Jesus (John 14:30). So, to me this means Satan has nothing in him, which could have him change to honor Jesus.

 

[W2L]

which brings up my earlier unanswered question to you. Can Lucifer get on his knees and beg mercy? Will Lucifer get it? Why or why not?

Why Lucifer? Are you saying unbelievers are children of Satan? Wernt we all once children of darkness? Did we get on our knees?

Ephesians 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

 

[Kenny'sID]

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?

Jesus uses common sense just as we do, and that is an extenuating circumstance. It's just like the thief on the cross was clearly not going to be around to help the poor/be good, or all that is required of those that are able to, but he went to heaven anyway because Jesus knew it would ridiculous to hold him to something he couldn't possibly do.

 

[Toro]

I would say : No, there is no "second" chance after death. Considering that today in and of it self is that "second chance".

Luke 16:19-31

None of us are promised tomorrow, not even the next breath... so how many breaths does a person take in a day? How many beats does the heart make in an hour?

Each one of these moments is a chance for the unbeliever to become saved. Each moment is a chance for the believer to cling to Christ that much more and to grow in relationship to Jesus assuring that Jesus can not say "Depart from me, I never knew you". Jesus does not lie... so IF one abides in Him and He in they, He will not deny them.

Each and every moment that the Father gives is a "second chance" to choose what is right or what is wrong. We either choose to follow Christ or follow the world for we can not follow both. We can not love the flesh and love the Spirit.

That said, I am not judge and it is not my business to worry about where others end up. I am to walk in love, humility and obedience. Following the example of Christ so that I am able to reflect His light to the world, not by my own strength but His. I want none to end up in eternal separation from their creator when they will have no comfort,or joy... but I know the path is narrow and few find it because Jesus said so.

I do believe that there will be a great number in hell that many believed would not be there and I believe there will be some in the Kingdom that many believed would be in hell.

IF people would focus more on following the footsteps and example of Jesus and less about who will and will not go to hell Christianity would be reflecting more of the light of Christ and mercy into the world instead of anger and judgment.

 

[Hank77]

I note that the context is Christ's suffering once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God. This is the real thing and not a type. Hence dying in the flesh and then being brought back to life (quickened) is about Christ's death and resurrection.

I agree with you on this but not the rest of your interpretation.

I've consulted several commentaries and each said that there were different interpretations of this verse. Both of our interpretations were mentioned in all of them.

 

[Grip Docility]

Is there a second chance after death?

I would say no.

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

In whatever state with whatever kind of deeds one dies with is how he will be judge, Romans 2:6-11.

There are parables and admonitions about being unprepared as Matthew 25:1-13. The Lord will come as a thief in the night, 1 Thessalonians 5:2. One does not know when the thief will come else he would prepare for the thief's coming, Matthew 24:42-44.

So one had always better be prepared for one does not know when Christ will return or when one may die.

It says Judgment, not condemnation

 

[Grip Docility]

The bible really does not say this, that is how you interpret the verse.

It actually does say that. And He led Captives captive... plus many dead arose when He died... so... no way, no how, does it not say this.

1 Peter 3:18-20 ; Ephesians 4:8 ; Matthew 27:52

 

[Grip Docility]

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?

We who die in faith... are not judged. We will not take part in the 2nd death. John 5:24

Those who die apart from Christ, will be resurrected on the appointed day. The dead that are raised in the 2nd resurrection are clearly not believers. Because of the book of life being opened... we know there will be numbers among these who do Accept Christ.

Judgment by God is not always condemnation..., though there will be those who are condemned, damned. James 2:13 ; John 7:24

IMO

 

[Yarddog]

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?

God can show them mercy, at judgment, if they were a merciful person.

 

[W2L]

God can show them mercy, at judgment, if they were a merciful person.

Can God show them mercy because He is merciful?

 

[chevyontheriver]

Why Lucifer? Are you saying unbelievers are children of Satan? Wernt we all once children of darkness? Did we get on our knees?

Ephesians 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

Can Lucifer decide to repent, get on his angelic knees, and repent? Will God take Lucifer back? Or did he have his chance?

 

[Contenders Edge]

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?

Thus saith the Lord in scripture: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Heb. 9:27)
If men cannot be persuaded to turn to God and repent of their sins in this life, how will they ever in the next?

 

[W2L]

Can Lucifer decide to repent, get on his angelic knees, and repent? Will God take Lucifer back? Or did he have his chance?

Did the Lord die for Lucifer? If not then he's irrelevant.