What happens if someone passes away without having had a chance to repent?

[beyondthesmile]

Sorry for what may be a really silly question... but I am genuinely curious. What happens if someone passes away suddenly without having had a chance to repent?

 

[Michie]

We leave these things to the mercy of God. Only God knows the heart, mental state, etc.

It is up to Him to judge eternal destination.

 

[ToxicReboMan]

I second what Michie has said. But I would add a thought to this. Can you give me an example of someone not having a chance to repent? I have heard of that before, but have never been explained a good example. Maybe suicide? I would say many people who were about to commit suicide repent from suicide right as they are about to commit the act. Therefore, they decide not to go through with it. So even in the act of suicide there is a chance to repent. Am I making any sense or no? Just a thought that's all.

And just in case anyone was wondering...I do NOT pass judgment on the fate of anyone who has committed suicide.

 

[Sianelle]

We leave these things to the mercy of God. Only God knows the heart, mental state, etc.

It is up to Him to judge eternal destination.

Absolutely true! - but we can pray for those at the point of death and ask God+ to be merciful where a soul is in doubt of salvation.

 

[Rhamiel]

I like the term "being in a state of friendship with Christ"
I think if you are really His friend, even if you messed up right before you die it will be alright

 

[ToxicReboMan]

I was thinking of a story...

A certain man dies during the act of sin. He ends up face to face with God and God asks him, "Why have you committed such sins? Why did you not repent?" The man replies, "Lord, I'm sorry, I have an excuse for my sins. I did not have a chance to repent Lord, because I died during my sin. If only you would have let me live just a little longer, I would have repented." God replies, "You've had many years in your life to repent and yet you never did. I am like a patient mother waiting for her children to learn from her discipline. I do not intend to let even one of Mine be snatched away into the unquenchable fire. You are not dead, but rather just in a coma. You will awake again in the hospital and must tell people what you have witnessed. I give you yet another chance to come to me. I will wait for you."

 

[benedictaoo]

Sorry for what may be a really silly question... but I am genuinely curious. What happens if someone passes away suddenly without having had a chance to repent?

It's speculation to say. Technically they would be in trouble but we speculate that God will give everyone the chance to repent at the last moment and accept him.

If you then tell God to take a hike then you send yourself to hell.

 

[benedictaoo]

I like the term "being in a state of friendship with Christ"
I think if you are really His friend, even if you messed up right before you die it will be alright

Mortal sin breaks our friendship... we will need to repent.

 

[benedictaoo]

I second what Michie has said. But I would add a thought to this. Can you give me an example of someone not having a chance to repent? I have heard of that before, but have never been explained a good example. Maybe suicide? I would say many people who were about to commit suicide repent from suicide right as they are about to commit the act. Therefore, they decide not to go through with it. So even in the act of suicide there is a chance to repent. Am I making any sense or no? Just a thought that's all.

And just in case anyone was wondering...I do NOT pass judgment on the fate of anyone who has committed suicide.

Ppl who die suddenly I believe God has been given these ppl a chance to repent and or come to him for a long time.

It is said (it's important to note this is all speculation and not official teaching) that he takes those who do not repent and who he know will never repent at the best time so they do not further damage their soul.

It's an act of his mercy becuase hell could be so much worse for them.

 

[geocajun]

Sorry for what may be a really silly question... but I am genuinely curious. What happens if someone passes away suddenly without having had a chance to repent?

If they *really* haven't had a chance to repent, then they would go to hell if they were guilty of mortal sin. That personal judgment is received immediately when we die and we either go on to heaven (optionally through purgatory) or hell.

There is an old saying "there are no atheists in fox holes" - I believe what happens when someone is about to die is they do repent or at least have some sense of regret for what they could have done differently with their life. Those who die instantly don't get that chance.
Also there are many who are inwardly repentant for whatever they are guilty of, but outwardly do not appear that way. It's important to never assume another persons standing before God. Someone that seems to have died without repentance could very well have repented long ago or at the time of their death.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Sorry for what may be a really silly question... but I am genuinely curious. What happens if someone passes away suddenly without having had a chance to repent?

They are like silver -

Psalms 65
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us by fire, as silver is tried.

Ezechiel 22
20 As they gather silver, and brass, and tin, and iron, and lead in the midst of the furnace: that I may kindle a fire in it to melt it: so will I gather you together in my fury and in my wrath, and will take my rest, and I will melt you down.

James 5
3 Your gold and silver is cankered: and the rust of them shall be for a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up to yourselves wrath against the last days.



...and given fire to purify themselves.
Best analogy is how we burn the tip of a needle before placing it into our bodies so as not to infect the system in our bodies.


1 Corinthians 3
15 If any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

As for how much sin they are filled with is between them and God.
We hope for mercy and pray for them in that day...as Paul did for his friend.

2 Timothy 1
16 The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus: because he hath often refreshed me, and hath not been ashamed of my chain: 17 But when he was come to Rome, he carefully sought me, and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou very well knowest.

His friend already died. Now Paul sought prayers for him to obtain God's mercy in that day - his judgement day after he went thru cleansing if indeed this was his journey in the next life. [we call purgation - purging of sins]

IMHO - if you wonder about this and you have lost someone and were thinking about them and this came to mind, its time to pray for them.

God Bless.

 

[WarriorAngel]

It's speculation to say. Technically they would be in trouble but we speculate that God will give everyone the chance to repent at the last moment and accept him.

If you then tell God to take a hike then you send yourself to hell.

This is how we blaspheme the Holy Spirit. If we do not accept Him speaking to us in our last hour - and still refuse Him, then we cannot be forgiven because it is now too late when we pass into eternity.

I feel all sins will be held to the fire. The most serious ones we leave to God to decide. But its best not to die with serious sins on ones soul.
It can lead you to hell...especially if you never wanted to repent.

Those who desired repentence - probably go to severe purgation.

Its been discussed that 'we' judge ourselves thru 'God as our Light' Who shines upon our sins and we have a different conscience than we do in this life. Nothing is hidden and we see our sins according to what we knew.


Those who go to purgation do so willingly because they see the need for removal of the blemishes on their soul.

Those who go to hell know they deserve it and fear also the very wrath of God...so they seek hell rather than His wrath. And remain completely seperated from Him eternally....suffering.

 

[BAFRIEND]

It is true that only God knows who goes to hell.

But Jesus gave us guidlines in the New Testament and I take them seriously.

 

[benedictaoo]

If they *really* haven't had a chance to repent, then they would go to hell if they were guilty of mortal sin. That personal judgment is received immediately when we die and we either go on to heaven (optionally through purgatory) or hell.

There is an old saying "there are no atheists in fox holes" - I believe what happens when someone is about to die is they do repent or at least have some sense of regret for what they could have done differently with their life. Those who die instantly don't get that chance.
Also there are many who are inwardly repentant for whatever they are guilty of, but outwardly do not appear that way. It's important to never assume another persons standing before God. Someone that seems to have died without repentance could very well have repented long ago or at the time of their death.

Exactly. I keep my BIL in mind, he lived his whole life in some real sin and in his last days there was many signs of his repentance present. he also did get last rites but he wasn't able to make an actual confession, so I have great hope that he's in purgatory or maybe in heaven since he suffered greatly in the end with the type of cancer he had, it was really bad. I hope his suffering purified much of the sins of his life.

 

[Gwendolyn]

I feel like if we WANT to repent, and we are dying and we realise, "Oh, God, I am so sorry, I want to repent my sins," that He will give us the chance. But if we die in an attitude of obstinance, if we really are convicted that we are right and God was wrong when we chose sin, then our place will not be among the holy...

 

[beyondthesmile]

I second what Michie has said. But I would add a thought to this. Can you give me an example of someone not having a chance to repent? I have heard of that before, but have never been explained a good example. Maybe suicide? I would say many people who were about to commit suicide repent from suicide right as they are about to commit the act. Therefore, they decide not to go through with it. So even in the act of suicide there is a chance to repent. Am I making any sense or no? Just a thought that's all.

And just in case anyone was wondering...I do NOT pass judgment on the fate of anyone who has committed suicide.

I was more thinking of someone who dies suddenly/instantly in an accident, or who doesn't realize they may/will die soon and dies unexpectedly. Your response did make sense; I like that thought.

 

[beyondthesmile]

If they *really* haven't had a chance to repent, then they would go to hell if they were guilty of mortal sin. That personal judgment is received immediately when we die and we either go on to heaven (optionally through purgatory) or hell.

There is an old saying "there are no atheists in fox holes" - I believe what happens when someone is about to die is they do repent or at least have some sense of regret for what they could have done differently with their life. Those who die instantly don't get that chance.
Also there are many who are inwardly repentant for whatever they are guilty of, but outwardly do not appear that way. It's important to never assume another persons standing before God. Someone that seems to have died without repentance could very well have repented long ago or at the time of their death.

Ah, thanks! I didn't make a distinction between being inwardly repentant and formally (officially? I'm not sure how to phrase that) repenting by confessing or similar (even just saying in prayer that you repent).

If one is inwardly repentant but does not confess or similar... that is not considered having not repented?

 

[benedictaoo]

Ah, thanks! I didn't make a distinction between being inwardly repentant and formally (officially? I'm not sure how to phrase that) repenting by confessing or similar (even just saying in prayer that you repent).

If one is inwardly repentant but does not confess or similar... that is not considered having not repented?

In Catholic theology mortal sin requires sacramental confession. If you are unable to confess to a priest and you have unconfessed mortal sins and you are on the verge of death, then a true act of contrition is to be made...

The way it works is, imperfect contrition requires confession to a priest but perfect contrition is forgiven (Love covers a multude of sin).

It's being sorry purly for God and not for oursleves. It is a perfect act of love towards God. That contrition does not need to be confessed to a priest but we are never assume we have that type of contrition so we can skip confession because one can not be the judge of their soul, God only can be. We just could never be that objective becuase of our fallen nature.

So we confess all mortal sin to a priest. If we die with out that chance but are sorry and wish we could confess, then we are good as confessed due to our contrition.

Now where a person "goes" is another matter. More then likely we will go to purgatory due to all the sin and the effects that remain even after death. But perfect contrition removes all effects.

Do you understand or did I just confuse you more?

 

[benedictaoo]

I was more thinking of someone who dies suddenly/instantly in an accident, or who doesn't realize they may/will die soon and dies unexpectedly. Your response did make sense; I like that thought.

We leave them to God's mercy and in ways only known to God, hope that He will give them a chance to repent and be saved.

 

[beyondthesmile]

In Catholic theology mortal sin requires sacramental confession. If you are unable to confess to a priest and you have unconfessed mortal sins and you are on the verge of death, then a true act of contrition is to be made...

The way it works is, imperfect contrition requires confession to a priest but perfect contrition is forgiven (Love covers a multude of sin).

It's being sorry purly for God and not for oursleves. It is a perfect act of love towards God. That contrition does not need to be confessed to a priest but we are never assume we have that type of contrition so we can skip confession because one can not be the judge of their soul, God only can be. We just could never be that objective becuase of our fallen nature.

So we confess all mortal sin to a priest. If we die with out that chance but are sorry and wish we could confess, then we are good as confessed due to our contrition.

Now where a person "goes" is another matter. More then likely we will go to purgatory due to all the sin and the effects that remain even after death. But perfect contrition removes all effects.

Do you understand or did I just confuse you more?

Yes, I understand...you didn't confuse me

Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time to give me such detailed explanations.