Is there a Second Chance after Death?

Is there a second chance at salvation after a person dies? Do people still have an opportunity to choose God and heaven after they have died?

The Bible clearly tells us that as long as we live on this earth, then we have an opportunity to seek salvation. However if one does not get saved before he/she dies, then the opportunity for salvation is completely lost.

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

This means that when we die, we will all face judgment which will either send us to eternal life or to eternal punishment.
Therefore there is no second chance for salvation after a person has died. The only opportunity for salvation is whilst we are still alive.

In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells the story of The Rich Man and Lazarus where the rich man dies and goes to hell, whilst Lazarus goes to heaven. From this story we learn that after judgment there is no second chance because a person cannot be transported from hell to heaven (Luke 16:26).
So when we die, whatever judgment God makes will be final and therefore cannot be changed or reversed.

Therefore concepts and beliefs such as reincarnation, purgatory or universalism are unbiblical.

Reincarnation is the belief that the soul, upon death of the body, comes back to earth in another body or form.

Purgatory is the belief that upon death, the soul will remain in a temporary state or place of punishment after which a person can be given a second chance at salvation by entering heaven.

Universalism or universal salvation is the belief that everyone eventually goes to heaven or receives salvation irrespective of how that person lived on earth. Universalism denies the existence of hell or a place of eternal punishment. Therefore the universalist is inclined to believe that even if a person denied Christ whilst on earth, then that person still has a second chance to enter heaven after death, because the false belief is that a loving God would not allow anyone to suffer eternal punishment.

 

The Time for Salvation is Now

As long as we have breath on this earth, we have many chances to accept Jesus Christ. If you are not saved, then every day is an opportunity to receive salvation.
So for anyone who has not accepted Jesus Christ, then now is the time to get saved.

Romans 13:11 says: Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

2 Corinthians 6:2 says: For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

The only way we can be sure of our salvation is for us to genuinely believe and receive Jesus Christ whilst we are here on earth (John 1:12).
It is the desire of God that we all accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour so that we may be saved because Jesus paid for our sins on the cross.
It is the desire of God to see as many people as possible to willingly repent and accept salvation which is only possible through Christ alone.

2 Peter 3:9 says: The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Therefore as long as we live on this earth, God pursues us and He gives us many opportunities to accept His Son as Lord and Saviour.

Nobody knows the day or the hour in which he/she will die. Therefore today is the day of salvation, and if we receive Jesus through faith, we can then experience eternal life through Christ alone.

 

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN or A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST?

1. ACKNOWLEDGE: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
This means that we have all broken God’s laws and God’s 10 Commandments like those mentioned in Exodus 20:1-17. For example, if you have told a lie; if you have stolen something; if you have lusted after somebody or if you have coveted. This means you are guilty of breaking at least one or more of God’s 10 Commandments. Breaking God’s commandments makes us sinners. The fact that we are sinners who have broken God’s law means that we are accountable to God who is the Lawgiver. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
You must acknowledge that you are a sinner who has broken God’s commandments and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.

2. REPENT: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to change your mind about sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

3. CONFESSION: “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.

4. BELIEVE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive him, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12)
By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God

 

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or BELIEVING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have eternal life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and broken your laws and commandments. Today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
Today I repent and I’ve decided to follow You. Thank You for forgiving all my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me a new creation in Christ.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”

Have you accepted & believed in Jesus Christ as a result of reading this article and would like to know more about what to do next? If so please acknowledge by clicking the “I Have Accepted Jesus Christ” button below

 

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