Is there Salvation?

[Once_was_Lost]

This is my first post so... here goes...


A friend of my sister's just died.
He had not accepted Christ into his life while living.
Is there anything in the Bible that still gives him a chance to Live eternally with Christ?

 

[Ann]

First I just want to say welcome at TJ, the people here are great and I believe it will be a blessing to you.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

I think this verse alone will answer your question. You will not find anything in the Bible contradicting what Jesus said here because God is truth and He will not contradict Himself.

Blessings!

 

[christserf]

Hello,

John 3:3 is true, however I believe that Jesus taught that some people will be given the opportunity to accept Christ after they die. I do still have questions about this belief, but I'm fairly certain that it is accurate; and, as always, I'd love to discuss it.

The passage is that of the Sheep and the Goats, Matthew 25:31-46. The common interpretation of this prophecy is that the Sheep are the Christians and the Goats are the wicked. I believe that the Sheep are people who were not wicked but also did not accept Christ (whether because they never heard of Him, or never heard accurately of Him, or some other reason). I believe that these Sheep then go into the Thousand Year Reign of Christ on Earth, where they will have the opportunity to accept Christ.

Here are my evidences:

1. Jesus says to the sheep "...inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat..." This would appear to be salvation by works if the sheep are Christians going to heaven. If however, the works are only getting them into the 1,000 year reign then this does not clash with salvation by grace.

2. v. 37 "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?" If these are Christians, wouldn't they know that giving to the least of the brethren counts as giving to Christ? Wouldn't they be taught this very passage, and hence know what's going on?

3. v. 40 "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me." The fact that He refers to the "brethren" in the third person would indicate (but not neccessitate) that "these my brethren" is a separate group from the sheep and the goats.

In Yahweh's Love and Truth,

Christ's Serf

 

[Chad]

First I just want to say welcome at TJ, the people here are great and I believe it will be a blessing to you.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

I think this verse alone will answer your question. You will not find anything in the Bible contradicting what Jesus said here because God is truth and He will not contradict Himself.

Blessings!

I agree with Ann. Jesus Christ clearly said, if you are not born again you cannot enter Heaven. Every person is given a chance I believe.

 

[Word of Life]

Once_was_Lost, please remember there is going to be a tribulation period of 1,000 years, whereby the 144,000 obedient saints will reign with the Son of God and during that time, those people will be given a second chance to repent.

But it will be far more difficult for them, than it is today, because the holy spirit will not be there. During this period of time, satan will be bound, which helps tremendously. But, after a while he will be let loosed again, I am not sure for how long. This will then be the last chance people will get to repent, after all this has taken place, the New Heavens and New Earth will then be formed.

Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

As per the above scripture you can see there is going to be more than one resurrection.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Then the 144,000 and us (The great multitude) will all be together, worshipping the Almighty.

Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Rev 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

God is good and He wants all to be saved.

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Of course, if one has been given the message (truth) and they walk away from it, then that is different.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

 

[jiggyfly]

Another scripture to consider.
Colossians 1:18-20
18*Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead,* so he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20*and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross.

 

[Ann]

In response to the post of jiggyfly:

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Col 1:19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
Col 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Col 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
Col 1:22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
Col 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.


Note verse 23 there is an if meaning that there is a condition and it is that we must continue in faith - only a person born again can continue in faith.

Here is a shortened version which give some backround regarding the scripture quoted above:

It was this gospel preached in view of a hope laid up in heaven which had produced fruit among men, fruit that was characterised by its heavenly source. Their religion, that which governed their heart in these relationships with God, was heavenly. The Colossians were in danger of falling back into the current of ordinances, and of the religious customs of man living in the world, whose religion was in connection with the world in which he dwelt, and not enlightened, not filled with heavenly light.

Such is the apostle's object in this scripture. He directs the eyes of the Colossians to heaven, in order that they may see Christ there, and regain that sense of their union with the Head which they had in some measure lost, or were in danger of losing. The ground work was however there — faith in Christ and love to all saints. They only needed realising their union with the Head; which moreover could alone maintain them in the heavenly element above ordinances, above human and earthly religion.

The apostle prays that the Colossians may be filled with the knowledge of the will of God in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. It is the fruit of a risen man's connection with God on the earth. This is very different from commandments and ordinances. It is the fruit of intimate communion with God, of knowledge of His character and of His nature by virtue of this communion; and, although it refers to practical life, as belonging to the inner life, it leaves ordinances completely behind. The apostle had to begin at this practical end, at christian life. Perhaps the Colossians did not at first understand the bearing of these instructions, but they contained a principle which, already planted in their heart and capable of being re-awakened, led them to the point which the apostle aimed at, and was at the same time a very precious privilege, the value of which they were in position to apprehend. Such is charity. The apostle develops their privileges in this respect with force and clearness, as one to whom such a walk was well known, and moreover with the power of the Spirit of God. They are not in heaven but on earth, and this is the path that suited those risen with Christ and looking to heaven from the earth.

The first principle of this practical heavenly life was the knowledge of the will of God — to be filled with it, not to run after it as a thing without us, nor in indecision, in uncertainty, as to what it was, but to be filled with it by a principle of intelligence which comes from Him, and which forms the understanding and the wisdom of the Christian himself. The character of God was livingly translated in the appreciation of everything that the Christian did. And remark here that the knowledge of God's will is based on the spiritual state of the soul — wisdom and spiritual understanding.

And here the apostle connects this life of endurance with that which is its source, its aim, and its present possession by faith. Walking thus we are full of joy, and we give thanks to the Father who has made us meet to share the portion of the saints in light. Here are the saints established in their proper relationship with God (their Father) in heaven — in the light, that which God is, and in which He dwells. Thus we have the state of the soul, the character of the walk, and the strength in which we accomplish it. As to meetness for God in light, we possess it. Moreover we are translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

Information from E-Sword

Blessings!

 

[Ann]

Responding to christserf

Mat 25:30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Mat 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
Mat 25:32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Mat 25:33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Mat 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
Mat 25:36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
Mat 25:37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
Mat 25:38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
Mat 25:39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
Mat 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
Mat 25:41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

An explanation from E-Sword

In Verse 31 (Mat_25:31) the prophetic history is resumed from Verse 31 of chapter 24 (Mat_24:31). There we saw the Son of man appear like a flash of lightning, and afterwards gather together the remnant of Israel from the four corners of the earth. But this is not all. If He thus appears in a manner as sudden as unexpected, He also establishes His throne of judgment and glory on the earth. If He destroys His enemies whom He finds in rebellion against Himself, He also sits upon His throne to judge all nations. This is the judgment on earth of the living.
Four different parties are here found together; the Lord, the Son of man Himself — the brethren — the sheep — and the goats. I believe the brethren here to be Jews, His disciples as Jews, whom He had employed as His messengers, to preach the kingdom during His absence. The gospel of the kingdom was to be preached as a testimony to all nations; and then the end of the age should come. At the time here spoken of, this has been done. The result should be manifested before the throne of the Son of man on earth.
He calls these messengers therefore His brethren. He had told them they should be ill-treated: they had been so. Still there were some who had received their testimony.
Now such was His affection for His faithful servants, so highly did He value them, that He judged those to whom the testimony was sent according to the manner in which they had received these messengers, whether well or ill, as though it had been done to Himself. What an encouragement for His witnesses during that time of trouble, tried as their faith should be in service! At the same time it was justice morally to those who were judged; for they had rejected the testimony by whomsoever it was rendered. We have also the result of their conduct, both the one and the other. It is the King — for this is the character Christ has now taken on earth — who pronounces judgment; and He calls the sheep (those who had received the messengers, and had sympathised with them in their afflictions and persecutions) to inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world; for such had been the purpose of God with respect to this earth. He had always the kingdom in view. They were the blessed of His (the King's) Father. It was not children who understood their own relation with their Father; but they were the receivers of blessing from the Father of the King of this world. Moreover they were to enter into everlasting life; for such was the power, through grace, of the word which they had received into their heart. Possessed of everlasting life, they should be blessed in a world that was blessed also.

They who had despised the testimony and those that bore it, had despised the King who sent them; they should go away into everlasting punishment.
Thus the whole effect of Christ's coming, with regard to the kingdom and to His messengers during His absence, is unfolded: with respect to the Jews, as far as Verse 31 of chapter 24 Mat_24:31; with respect to His servants during His absence, to the end of Verse 30 of chapter 25 (Mat_25:30), including the kingdom of heaven in its present condition, and the heavenly rewards that shall be given; and then, from Verse 31 to the end of chapter 25 (Mat_25:31-46), with respect to the nations who shall be blessed on the earth at His return.

Blessings!

 

[Ann]

Rev. 20:12-15 "Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; and the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and all were judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."
An examination of these verses discloses that they do not even remotely suggest that God will offer salvation to people who were unrepentant in this life. Jesus Christ is the judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5). He is the judge of the great white throne judgment in which the dead stand before Him and are judged according to their works. Because all are sinners, their works only convict them as guilty (Romans 1:18 21, 32; Galatians 2:16). It is not by works that we are saved, but by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8 9). Notice that this scene shows no names being added to the Book of Life. This book already contains the names of those who have in this life confessed Jesus Christ as Savior. Those whose names are not found already written in the Book of Life are thrown into the lake of fire. No one receives a chance for salvation during this judgment. The only chance for salvation is in this life.

Read the words of Jesus:
"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out those who have done good [as Jesus has just explained, having "done good" is hearing His word and believing Him who sent Him], to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:24 29).
Notice that Jesus is saying that by the time of the resurrection, the separation has already occurred. Some rise to eternal life; others rise to condemnation.


It would be nice if there were an opportunity to change your mind after death, but the Bible gives no indication that this will be possible. Hebrews 9:27 says we are all "destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."

Heb 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Another passage that seems to shut the door to a "second chance" is a parable Jesus told in Luke 16:19-31. The parable was about a rich man who died and went to hell. In his agony, the rich man looked up to heaven and cried out for mercy. In response to his cries, the man was told a chasm separated heaven and hell—a chasm that could never be crossed.
The chasm is not two way "those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us". Abraham does not say that the chasm would disappear or could be bridged if the rich man would only repent. Instead, he expresses the reality and permanency of the chasm by saying that no one can pass through it in either direction. Abraham never evangelizes the dead rich man. Instead, he points out to the rich man what he did in his lifetime (v. 25), and then tells him that now a great chasm has been fixed. Clearly, he is saying, "It is too late for you, rich man; you should have thought about these things while you were alive."
As hard as it is to hear, eternal separation from God is the punishment for people who don't accept Christ as Lord and Savior. But please understand that it's not God's desire for anyone to spend eternity in hell. As it says in 2 Peter 3:9, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Blessings!

 

[Chad]

If everyone had a second chance after death, they'd do anything they please in this life now. With all the Scripture provided in this thread, it is very clear that if you do not accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer for your sins - then die, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Scripture makes this very very clear and simply clear.

 

[christserf]

Word of Life:

Once_was_Lost, please remember there is going to be a tribulation period of 1,000 years, whereby the 144,000 obedient saints will reign with the Son of God and during that time, those people will be given a second chance to repent.

Why do you say that this 1,000 year period is a "tribulation period"? Also, what do you mean by "those people"?

But it will be far more difficult for them, than it is today, because the holy spirit will not be there.

Why do you say that?

Of course, if one has been given the message (truth) and they walk away from it, then that is different.

I agree, but do remember that if someone is told a false gospel then they would not have been told the truth, even though they were told "about" Jesus.

Ann:

Four different parties are here found together; the Lord, the Son of man Himself — the brethren — the sheep — and the goats.

Do you believe that the Sheep are Christians? If yes, are you saying that some Christians will not be Christ's brother?

At the time here spoken of, this has been done. The result should be manifested before the throne of the Son of man on earth.

Which time, the time of Christ's return?

Thus the whole effect of Christ's coming, with regard to the kingdom and to His messengers during His absence, is unfolded: with respect to the Jews, as far as Verse 31 of chapter 24 Mat_24:31;

Are you reffering to spiritual Jews or physical Jews?

An examination of these verses discloses that they do not even remotely suggest that God will offer salvation to people who were unrepentant in this life.

I agree, I did not suggest that they did. I'm not saying that the Sheep are going to be people who rejected Christ in their life. I believe that the Sheep are people who did not know Jesus and were not wicked. For one example, someone in Central America who was not wicked and died five seconds after Jesus said "It is finished" and gave up the ghost.

v. 37 "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?"

If these people, as a group, are Christians, wouldn't they know that giving to the least of the brethren counts as giving to Christ? Wouldn't they be taught this very passage, and hence know what's going on?

Jesus Christ is the judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5). He is the judge of the great white throne judgment in which the dead stand before Him and are judged according to their works. Because all are sinners, their works only convict them as guilty (Romans 1:18 21, 32; Galatians 2:16). It is not by works that we are saved, but by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8 9). Notice that this scene shows no names being added to the Book of Life. This book already contains the names of those who have in this life confessed Jesus Christ as Savior. Those whose names are not found already written in the Book of Life are thrown into the lake of fire. No one receives a chance for salvation during this judgment.

Amen.

The only chance for salvation is in this life.

What Scripture teaches this?

[as Jesus has just explained, having "done good" is hearing His word and believing Him who sent Him],

Actually, Jesus didn't say that. I don't want to cause trouble or anything, but I do want to be very precise. Jesus said: "anyone who hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life". He did not say (in this passage), that this is the only thing that qualifies you as one of "those who have done good". Maybe He said it somewhere else, and I just haven't noticed.

Notice that Jesus is saying that by the time of the resurrection, the separation has already occurred. Some rise to eternal life; others rise to condemnation.

True, but which resurrection is Jesus referring to here? If He's referring to the resurrection prior to the White Throne judgement, that would be after the Thousand Year reign.

Heb 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Two things. First, if someone were to die, then be resurrected and allowed the opportunity to act, and then be judged, that would still fit this passage since judgment is coming after one death. Second, when you look in context, the main thrust of the passage is not trying to show the order of events in which things take place, but rather it is showing that Christ only died once:

Hebrews 9:25-28 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Another passage that seems to shut the door to a "second chance" is a parable Jesus told in Luke 16:19-31.

This passage refers to a wicked man being unable to get out of Hades. That's not what I'm talking about.

As hard as it is to hear, eternal separation from God is the punishment for people who don't accept Christ as Lord and Savior.

Do you include in this group people that have literally never heard of Jesus?

Chad:

Jesus Christ clearly said, if you are not born again you cannot enter Heaven.

I agree. I'm not saying that the Sheep go away into heaven, I'm saying that they go into the Thousand Year reign. Jesus says to the sheep in Mt. 25:34, 35 "...inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat..." This would appear to be salvation by works if the sheep are Christians going to heaven. If however, the works are only getting them into the 1,000 year reign then this does not clash with salvation by grace.

Every person is given a chance I believe.

Why do you believe that? How are you defining "chance" in this sentence? Are you saying that people who have literally never heard of Jesus were given a "chance"? I don't want to sound challenging, I am sincerely asking.

If everyone had a second chance after death, they'd do anything they please in this life now.

I'm not saying that everyone does have a second chance after death.

With all the Scripture provided in this thread, it is very clear that if you do not accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer for your sins - then die, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Scripture makes this very very clear and simply clear.

Yes, I agree. What has not been shown is where Scripture says that not one person in all of mankind will be given the opportunity to accept Jesus after they die.

In Yahweh's Love and Truth,

Christ's Serf

 

[Word of Life]

I have re-read this thread and gone into this in more detail and studied this subject in more depth this morning and I would like to apologize as my original post is in error. So I am sorry for mis-leading anyone in this thread, with my answer, saying that there is a second chance.

The good news and most importantly, the holy spirit has guided me into the truth, to see that error, which I give all the glory to God, for revealing the truth to me.

Even though my heart still says, that I would like to see the non-believers having a last chance to repent and to be saved, the scriptures are the truth, and I need to renew my mind according to what has been written, by God.

Most importantly, what I learnt through all this, which is extremely and very important, is that, we need to speak to our loved ones, family members, colleagues and friends, anyone in fact, telling them about our saviour and spread the Gospel as much as we can. People need to know the truth and that there is eternal life. What's plus/minus 80 years, to everlasting life with our Lord. There is just no comparison.

Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

I also found this on gotquestions, which is a shortened version, of this understanding of truth.

*********************

Question: "Will there be a second chance for salvation after death?"

Answer: While the idea of a second chance for salvation is appealing, the Bible is clear that death is the end of all chances. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we die, and then face judgment. So, as long as a person is alive, he has a second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. chance to accept Christ and be saved (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31). Once a person dies, there are no more chances. The idea of purgatory, a place where people go after death to pay for their sins, has no biblical basis, but is rather a tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.

To understand what happens to nonbelievers after they die, we go to Revelation 20:11-15 which describes the Great White Throne judgment. Here takes place the opening of the books and “the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” The books contain all the thoughts and deeds of those being judged, and we know from Romans 3:20 that “by the works of the Law is no flesh justified.” Therefore, all who are judged by their works and thoughts are condemned to hell. Believers in Christ, on the other hand, are not judged by the books of works, but their names are found written in another book—the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27). These are the ones who have believed on the Lord Jesus, and they alone will be allowed to enter heaven.

The key to understanding this is the Lamb’s Book of Life. Anyone whose name is written in this book was “saved before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4) by God’s sovereign saving grace to be part of His Son’s bride, the church of Jesus Christ. These people need no “second chance” at salvation because their salvation has been secured by Christ. He chose us, He saved us, and He will keep us saved. Nothing can separate us from Christ (Romans 8:39). Those for whom He died will be saved because Jesus will see to it. He declared “all that the Father has given me will come to me” (John 6:37), and “I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). For believers, there is no need for a second chance because the first chance is sufficient.

What about those who do not believe? Wouldn’t they repent and believe if they were given a second chance? The answer is no, they would not because their hearts are not changed simply because they die. Their hearts and minds “are at enmity” against God and won’t accept Him even when they see Him face to face. This is evidenced clearly in the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. If ever someone should have repented when given a second chance to see clearly the truth, it was the rich man. But although he was in torment in hell, he only asked that Abraham send Lazarus back to earth to warn his brothers so they didn’t have to suffer the same fate. There was no repentance in his heart, only regret for where he found himself. Abraham’s answer says it all: “And he said to him, If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). Here we see that the witness of the Scriptures is sufficient for salvation for those who believe it, and no other revelation will bring about salvation to those who do not. No second, third or fourth chances would be enough to turn the heart of stone into a heart of flesh.

Philippians 2:10-11 declares “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, everyone will bow before Jesus and recognize that He is the Lord and Savior. At that point, though, it is too late for salvation. After death, all that remains for the unbeliever is judgment (Revelation 20:14-15). That is why we must trust in Him in this life.

 

[jiggyfly]

In response to the post of jiggyfly:

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Col 1:19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
Col 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Col 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
Col 1:22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
Col 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.


Note verse 23 there is an if meaning that there is a condition and it is that we must continue in faith - only a person born again can continue in faith.



Blessings!

So what about verse 18 and 20? Is Christ going to be preeminate in everything? Are all things in heaven and earth going to be reconciled to God through Christ?

 

[Ann]

jiggyfly

I quoted from E-Sword Bibles, the quotations are not my own.

My purpose in posting what I did was to ensure that there is a clear indication that if you do not get saved in this life, you can't get saved after you die. Giving people reading this post false hope is unacceptable.

I stand by my first post:

"Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

I think this verse alone will answer your question. You will not find anything in the Bible contradicting what Jesus said here because God is truth and He will not contradict Himself."

I don't have the answers to all your questions maybe someone else that read this post can shed light for us.

Blessings!

 

[jiggyfly]

jiggyfly

I quoted from E-Sword Bibles, the quotations are not my own.

My purpose in posting what I did was to ensure that there is a clear indication that if you do not get saved in this life, you can't get saved after you die. Giving people reading this post false hope is unacceptable.

I stand by my first post:

"Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

I think this verse alone will answer your question. You will not find anything in the Bible contradicting what Jesus said here because God is truth and He will not contradict Himself."

I don't have the answers to all your questions maybe someone else that read this post can shed light for us.

Blessings!

So where do the scriptures mandate that you can only be born-again if you do it before you experience a physical death of the natural body and one other point I want to make about this scripture is Jesus does not say enter but rather see the kingdom of God. He also does not say that all who are born-again will see the kindom but rather inorder to see the kingdom you must first be born-again. I think we seem to have a serious need here to identify what exactly Jesus has said and clarify in order to identify what is truth.

 

[faithworks]

Hello all,
i believe once we die there is no second chances. You are right chad the Bible does not lie it is truth. If i could be saved after i die then i could live like i want and not care because i can do it later. And i believe the sheep are believers in faith and works it says the sheep know their Shepherd's voice (JESUS). If i wasn't saved i wouldn't know the Shepherd's voice.

Lord Bless all,
debbo

 

[Ann]

I did some research and found a lot of verses in the Bible related to this subject.

It is clear that we only get one chance, and that is now in this life, to make a choice whether we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour or not. If we don't we are doomed for eternity and if we do we will be saved and spent eternity with God.

I highly suggest that anyone reading this threat, that has any doubts, search the scriptures for answers while in prayer. Only the Spirit of God can convince anyone of the truth I or any other human can't.

The reason for my persistence in this matter is a one of concern, for even one soul that may be lost because of doubt after reading this threat.

May God reveal the truth in this matter and He be glorified in it.

Blessings!

 

[jiggyfly]

I did some research and found a lot of verses in the Bible related to this subject.

It is clear that we only get one chance, and that is now in this life, to make a choice whether we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour or not. If we don't we are doomed for eternity and if we do we will be saved and spent eternity with God.

I highly suggest that anyone reading this threat, that has any doubts, search the scriptures for answers while in prayer. Only the Spirit of God can convince anyone of the truth I or any other human can't.

The reason for my persistence in this matter is a one of concern, for even one soul that may be lost because of doubt after reading this threat.

May God reveal the truth in this matter and He be glorified in it.

Blessings!

Could you share some of the scriptures please?

 

[Word of Life]

I think a study on the 1000-year reign will help us more. As I was thinking about this last night, who are the people going to be in this 1000 year reign with Christ, and for what reason?

My husband said, it could even be us, who may have some doctrinal issues wrong. But God knows our hearts and He knows the ones, who really want to find the truth, and He knows the ones that really want to worship Him only "The Creator".

I also found two threads on this subject (1000 years) here on Talk Jesus, which may help us out. I will see it I can find some more info too, to help us shed even more light to this.

http://www.talkjesus.com/bible-study-hall/743-jesus-1000-year-reign-2.html
http://www.talkjesus.com/evidence-prophecy-facts/7276-millenium-christ-gog-magog-war.html

Most say, they are not sure about it. But a good subject and study, nether-the-less.

 

[Ann]

jiggyfly there was a reason why I only mentioned that I did research and did not supply the verses. I did save everything on my computer for later reference though.

I don't want to lead you in your own search, I want the Spirit of God to do that, because only then will you believe that what you find is the truth. If you do your research look at the whole chapter and not just one verse, look at the circumstances under which it was written, to whom and why.

I use a program called e-sword - the Sword of the Lord with an electronic edge, I believe it is a free program. This program have a lot of cool features that makes it easy to look for something - try it. I also searched the web to see what others say and what parts of the Bible they used.

I wish you luck.

Blessings!