One final chance to say yes?

[Grazer]

Been thinking about the nature of heaven and hell and who will go where etc and was wondering if there is a point of no return. What I mean is if an atheist comes face to face God after he's died (the atheist, not God) realises he's made horrendous mistakes and asks for forgiveness, will Jesus grant it and accept him into heaven? Will the atheist even get a chance to ask for forgiveness at that point?

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[stovebolts]

Grazer,
A noble question. I do pray you are not starting to be swayed by Universalism.

That aside, Scripture states: KJV Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Paul writing in Romans 2 puts it this way. (NIV) 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.†7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

What we do and how we conduct ourselves now matters to God.

This is why Jesus teaches us to pray: Matthew 6:9-10 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Everytime we do good, it brings down a piece of heaven. When we don't do good, we bring a piece of hell. We have been tasked to live in alignment with Christ.

 

[jasoncran]

Grazer,
A noble question. I do pray you are not starting to be swayed by Universalism.

That aside, Scripture states: KJV Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Paul writing in Romans 2 puts it this way. (NIV) 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

What we do and how we conduct ourselves now matters to God.

This is why Jesus teaches us to pray: Matthew 6:9-10 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Everytime we do good, it brings down a piece of heaven. When we don't do good, we bring a piece of hell. We have been tasked to live in alignment with Christ.

jewish thought is forbidden on this forum.lol

 

[stovebolts]

jewish thought is forbidden on this forum.lol

Oh, you mean that it's not just about what we think, it matters about what we do? God actually cares about the things I do?

 

[WIP]

It is pretty self reliant to go on living a worldly life placing all one's hope on the chance that we may have some hope in a last-minute salvation. If we don't want Jesus in our life now, why would we want Him in our life then? Blessed are they that have not seen and yet believe.

 

[Davies]

Been thinking about the nature of heaven and hell and who will go where etc and was wondering if there is a point of no return. What I mean is if an atheist comes face to face God after he's died (the atheist, not God) realises he's made horrendous mistakes and asks for forgiveness, will Jesus grant it and accept him into heaven? Will the atheist even get a chance to ask for forgiveness at that point?

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Hi Grazer,

I would offer Hebrews 9:27-28,

Hebrews 9:27-28

New King James Version (NKJV)

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.


I think there is a couple of points to make from these verses. The Judgment comes after death. Now, it's silent here regarding if a person will have the ability to ask for forgiveness, but I think the next verse clarifies it for us. To those who eagerly wait for Him to appear are the ones who Jesus will appear to for salvation. The answer is no. The atheist will not get a second chance after death.

Notes from my study Bible: I paraphrase: On the day of atonement when the priest appeared after entering the Holy of Holies, the people knew the sacrifice had been accepted on their behalf.

Now, Jesus has appeared alive already after His resurrection, and that's why Christians can have confidence they are going to Heaven when they die. But if you didn't trust in Christ, then you rejected the means of God's mercy. Jonah put it this way:

Jonah 2:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

8 “Those who regard worthless idols
Forsake their own Mercy.

- Davies

 

[Free]

Been thinking about the nature of heaven and hell and who will go where etc and was wondering if there is a point of no return. What I mean is if an atheist comes face to face God after he's died (the atheist, not God) realises he's made horrendous mistakes and asks for forgiveness, will Jesus grant it and accept him into heaven? Will the atheist even get a chance to ask for forgiveness at that point?

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I think that it is a possibility for those who have never heard the gospel to have a chance after they die but not likely for those who heard the gospel and rejected it. Either they will spend eternity in hell or just cease to exist.

 

[Davies]

I think that it is a possibility for those who have never heard the gospel to have a chance after they die but not likely for those who heard the gospel and rejected it. Either they will spend eternity in hell or just cease to exist.

Hi Free,

I'd be careful of giving anyone a false hope, though I would be glad if I was wrong on this one. Also, there is no ceasing to exist.

John 5:29

New King James Version (NKJV)

29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.


- Davies

 

[Free]

Hi Free,

I'd be careful of giving anyone a false hope, though I would be glad if I was wrong on this one. Also, there is no ceasing to exist.

John 5:29

New King James Version (NKJV)

29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.


- Davies

I agree that we should be careful in giving people false hope, just as we should be careful in being so sure of what Scripture states of what happens after death. The verse you give above, for example, could very well support works salvation, but doesn't really address the issue of whether or not there is a possibility of a second chance after death.

Even Heb 9:27 we need to be careful with since there are examples in the NT of those being raised from the dead, and even numerous "modern" testimonies of people having had a near death experience, having been clinically dead, but coming back and being changed from their experience.

As for ceasing to exist, I will not discuss it further so as not to derail this thread, but yes, it is a biblical possibility.

 

[Davies]

I agree that we should be careful in giving people false hope, just as we should be careful in being so sure of what Scripture states of what happens after death. The verse you give above, for example, could very well support works salvation, but doesn't really address the issue of whether or not there is a possibility of a second chance after death.

Even Heb 9:27 we need to be careful with since there are examples in the NT of those being raised from the dead, and even numerous "modern" testimonies of people having had a near death experience, having been clinically dead, but coming back and being changed from their experience.

As for ceasing to exist, I will not discuss it further so as not to derail this thread, but yes, it is a biblical possibility.

Thanks for the evasion, Free. I'm having a no-nonsense day.

- Davies

 

[Free]

Thanks for the evasion, Free. I'm having a no-nonsense day.

- Davies

Come again? Evasion of what?

 

[Davies]

Come again? Evasion of what?

Let's not get away, derail, from the subject of the thread. Why don't we stray from the thread and make our points before we say, 'Let's not derail the thread.' This is how you do it: John 5:29 states that we all be resurrected from the dead, and don't forget there are many Scriptures that support eternal death which means you can't be non-existent. Now, as for always existing, I will no longer talk about it because I don't want to derail the thread.

I hope you will hear this as not being snarky, though I admit I was irritated this morning. I'll try to work on that today.

- Davies

 

[Free]

Let's not get away, derail, from the subject of the thread. Why don't we stray from the thread and make our points before we say, 'Let's not derail the thread.' This is how you do it: John 5:29 states that we all be resurrected from the dead, and don't forget there are many Scriptures that support eternal death which means you can't be non-existent. Now, as for always existing, I will no longer talk about it because I don't want to derail the thread.

I hope you will hear this as not being snarky, though I admit I was irritated this morning. I'll try to work on that today.

- Davies

I suppose I could be worded it better. My "but" was meant as "other than to say."

 

[jasoncran]

Oh, you mean that it's not just about what we think, it matters about what we do? God actually cares about the things I do?

of course, and well its a poke at you. remember what our phone conversation on tuedsay was about? pray that i do line up with what i say.

 

[Davies]

I suppose I could be worded it better. My "but" was meant as "other than to say."

Sorry Free. Sometimes I reach my limit, and I don't respond very well. It seemed no matter what thread I was reading this morning, they were all disturbing. I thought about my postings this morning, and thought it would have been better to shut the pie hole and spend some time thinking about how good God is.

- Davies

 

[Grazer]

Sorry Free. Sometimes I reach my limit, and I don't respond very well. It seemed no matter what thread I was reading this morning, they were all disturbing. I thought about my postings this morning, and thought it would have been better to shut the pie hole and spend some time thinking about how good God is.

- Davies

God is awesome. This is probably one of the least controversial threads around at the moment, especially for one I've started lol

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[Davies]

God is awesome. This is probably one of the least controversial threads around at the moment, especially for one I've started lol

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

Proverbs 21:23

New King James Version (NKJV)

23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.



- Davies

 

[Free]

Sorry Free. Sometimes I reach my limit, and I don't respond very well. It seemed no matter what thread I was reading this morning, they were all disturbing. I thought about my postings this morning, and thought it would have been better to shut the pie hole and spend some time thinking about how good God is.

- Davies

No worries. There have been a lot of disturbing threads lately.

 

[stovebolts]

Wow, and here was thinking I was the only one who was ever pushed to his limits...

 

[Davies]

Wow, and here was thinking I was the only one who was ever pushed to his limits...

I'm always amazed at the patience of Jesus when He must have been exhausted from an entire day of walking, teaching, and being hungry. The example I'm thinking of is when Jesus had went to the other side of the lake of Galilee, and the crowds followed Him, and He looked on them with compassion. Now that is a strength to be desired. I tried to find the passage, but it escapes me at the moment.

Now, that I've totally ignored the OP, I think it's important to remember that we don't know when our final chance to say yes is. There are many tombstones of people who lived less than 10, 20, or even 30 years old. It could be a heart attack, a stroke, or a car accident when a person arrives on time at his appointment with God. 'I'll turn to Jesus later as my school is my priority right now.' How many times have I heard this? Usually God's grace is displayed by giving us a life time, but don't tell that to people who have lost loved ones in disasters, like hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, or earthquakes.

- Davies