Bb-10. Can People be SAVED After DEATH? DOWNLOAD to SAVE as a PDF Doc to read OFFLINE. Bb-10. Can People be SAVED After DEATH?In other words, will the gospel of Jesus Christ be preached to the unsaved people after they die PHYSICALLY so that they can be SAVED? Is the teaching that there is a SECOND CHANCE to be saved after a person dies Biblical? To say this another way, does the Bible teach us that every single person in the world will, without fail, eventually be SAVED? For you see there are some Christians who sincerely believe that every single human being will eventually be saved. This belief is called Universalism or a Universalist Christian. And one of their main arguments is that when Jesus died on the cross his spirit descended into the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. And during that time in the heart of the earth, Jesus PREACHED to the spirits of the DEAD for them to be SAVED like people who are alive. And the reason for Jesus doing this is because there is no other name given among mankind whereby we MUST be saved, according to Acts 4:12.
Acts 4:12.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.”
So then, there is no doubt that the Bible does indeed teach that Jesus preached the Gospel to the spirits of the dead who died during the Old Testament times BEFORE Jesus died on the cross. Now, BEFORE the cross there was no salvation or justification by the LAW, according to Galatians 3:11. In other words, there was no SALVATION before the cross because God’s plan of salvation to be in His Son Jesus was made before God ever created mankind.
Galatians 3:11.
“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
Again, it was God’s plan before the foundation of the world for salvation to be in Jesus Christ as the ONLY way to be saved. And, therefore, it was NEEDED for the gospel to be preached to the RIGHTEOUS people of God who died during the Old Testament BEFORE Jesus died on the cross. Let us go ahead and read 1 Peter 3:19,20 along with 1 Peter 4:5,6 as being one passage of Scripture.
1 Peter 3:19,20 WITH 1 Peter 4:5,6.
“By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (The Greek word translated as in “prison” simply means the holding place of the spirits and souls of the dead during the Old Testament times. For all the verses of Scripture that teach us about the place of the dead being DIVIDED into two parts, one part for the wicked dead and one part for the righteous dead, please read the study G-21. WHAT AND WHERE IS PARADISE?) 20. Which SOMETIMES were disobedient, (Please notice that Jesus ONLY preached to the spirits of the people who were SOMETIMES disobedient. In other words, Jesus did not preach the gospel to every single person who died during the Old Testament times. But rather, Jesus preach the gospel to the RIGHTEOUS people in the Old Testament times like those mentioned in Hebrews 11:4-40 who died in FAITH) 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…
…1 Peter 4:5,6…
…Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6. For (Or BECAUSE) for THIS CAUSE (Or because of the reason that both the living and the dead will be JUDGED) was the gospel preached also to them that are DEAD, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”
In other words, this was a ONE TIME deal to preach the gospel to the DEAD. For you see, there was no GOSPEL of salvation BEFORE Jesus died on the cross. Now, I have several reasons for why I say that Jesus preached the gospel to ONLY the “RIGHTEOUS” dead who believe in the one true God and CALLED upon God.
Reason #1.
The context in 1 Peter 3:20 says who were SOMETIMES disobedience which teaches us that they were godly people who occasionally sinned. In other words, they did not live in a “lifestyle” of sinning. They were not reprobates who hardened their hearts to give themselves over to the lust of their flesh like other people. But rather, they obeyed their CONSCIENCE most of the time. According to Genesis 4:26, mankind began to call upon the name of the Lord. This was right after Cain murdered righteous Abel. Adam and Eve had another son named Seth who then begat Enos. God pleaded with Cain to not listen to Satan tempting Cain to murder his brother. My point is that there have always been good godly people who obey their conscience most of the time. But at the same time there have always been people who were disobedient to their conscience MOST of the time. And Jesus preached only to those who SOMETIMES sinned.
Reason #2.
According to Matthew 27:52, only the SAINTS were resurrected with Jesus when he led the captivity captive. In other words, out of the millions of people who died from Adam to the crucifixion of Jesus, it was only the many SAINTS that were resurrected with Jesus to be moved up to heaven under the altar to wait for their new glorified immortal bodies. Again, please read the study called G-21. WHAT AND WHERE IS PARADISE? But for now, here is Matthew 27:52,53.
Matthew 27:52,53.
“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the SAINTS which slept arose, 53. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”
Reason #3.
Those mentioned in the Hebrews “Hall of Fame” or the “fathers of faith”, so to speak, are only the RIGHTEOUS who followed after God. Again, read Hebrews 11:1-40 and Hebrews 12:1 to learn that their souls were moved from Paradise in the heart of the earth up to heaven under the altar to wait for their new glorified immortal bodies at the coming of Jesus.
Reason #4.
Jesus descended into BOTH Hell AND Paradise, according to Acts 2:27-31 and Luke 23:39,43. And, according Luke 16:20-31, Hell and Paradise are separated by a great chasm or gulf that is FIXED where the souls of the unrighteous cannot cross over to the Paradise side of the souls of the righteous in the bosom of Abraham. You see, the rich man went to the side for the wicked and Lazarus went to the Paradise side. Also, only one of the thieves that was crucified at the same time with Jesus went to Paradise. For you see, the other thief descended into hell on the side for the wicked. The other thief did NOT repent of his sins before he died. So then, you have to ask yourself the question, WHY does God separate the righteous from the wicked when a person dies if both the righteous and the wicked will be saved on the final Day of Judgment as Universalist Christians claim?
Reason #5.
The Bible ITSELF clearly teaches us that there is no HOPE for the unsaved dead.
Please read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
“But I would NOT have you to be ignorant, brethren, CONCERNING them which are asleep, (Or concerning those who have died physically and their bodies are in the grave) that you sorrow not, even as OTHERS which have no HOPE. (Now, if the Apostle Paul truly INTENDED his words in 1 Corinthians 15:22 to mean that every single person will be saved, then Paul would have never said that OTHERS who have DIED have no HOPE. Paul is only comforting Christians who BELIEVE in Jesus as their Lord and Savior to NOT sorrow like all other people who have no HOPE) 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so. THEM also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (In other words, ONLY those who have died being already saved in Jesus will God bring with Him THEIR souls which are under the altar up in heaven, according to Revelation 6:9-11) 15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (Or shall not go before) THEM which are asleep. (Speaking of ONLY those who have died being already saved in Jesus before they died) 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.”
Again, these are NOT words of comfort for those who are NOT already saved in Jesus Christ when they DIE. For you see, those who die UNSAVED have no HOPE. Therefore, they REMAIN UNSAVED and they will be destroyed in the lake of fire. Now, these are words of comfort to all faithful Christians in Jesus Christ. These words give us assurance that whether we live unto the coming of Jesus or we die before Jesus returns, we KNOW that we will live and reign with Jesus in the world to come and the SECOND DEATH will have no power over us, according to Revelation 20:4-6.
Now, those were just five reasons for why the gospel was ONLY preached to the RIGHTEOUS dead as a ONE TIME deal, and why the gospel was not preached to ALL of the dead. There are many other reasons for why there is no HOPE for being saved AFTER a person dies, so I will continue numbering those reasons as well.
Reason #6 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
The wages of sin is DEATH, according to Romans 6:23, the lake of fire is called the SECOND DEATH and NOT the SECOND CHANCE to be saved as Universalist Christians CLAIM. For all the verses of Scriptures that prove the lake of fire is NOT a so-called “refining” fire to supposedly purify the wicked, please read the study called Bb-5. Is THE LAKE OF FIRE A REFINING FIRE?
Reason #7 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
It is appointed for man to die ONCE and then the JUDGMENT. Hebrews 9:27 clearly teaches us that God did not originally appoint any of mankind to the SECOND DEATH which is the lake of fire, according to Revelation 20:6,14, Revelation 21:8, and Revelation 2:11.
Please read Hebrew 9:27.
“And as it is appointed unto men ONCE to DIE, but after this the JUDGMENT:”
Again, it does NOT say after men die ONCE, there is the SECOND CHANCE to be saved. But rather, the Scripture says after death comes the JUDGMENT.
Reason #8 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
The very meaning of the word “JUDGMENT” means coming to a VERDICT or a final decision of guilty or not guilty for PUNISHMENT. And ignorance of the gospel of Jesus is no EXCUSE, according to Romans 1:18-32. For you see, God says that His wonders in creation are enough to know that there is a God and a Day of Judgment.
Please read Romans 1:18-32.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against ALL ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (But yet Christians who hold the TRUTH to walk in love and RIGHTEOUSNESS are not appointed to the wrath and the judgment of God to PERISH. John 3:16 clearly teaches us that whosoever BELIEVES shall not PERISH but have eternal life. And John 3:18 says that whosoever does NOT believe is CONDEMNED already BECAUSE they have NOT BELIEVED. God chose the foolishness of preaching to save those who BELIEVE. And the unrighteous who do not hear the gospel have no EXCUSE) 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest (Or clearly shown) in them; for God has shown it unto them. 20. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are WITHOUT EXCUSE: 21. Because that, when they knew God, (In their God given CONSCIENCE) they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23. And (They, THEMSELVES being deceived by Satan) CHANGED the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. 24. Wherefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26. For THIS CAUSE God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was NECESSARY. (Recompense is what is deserved and the wages of sin or the recompense of sin is DEATH. And thus, the second death is necessary to destroy all the wicked people along with Satan and the fallen angels) 28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (It is not as though God did nothing to try to help them choose righteousness through their CONSCIENCE. But rather, it was they who hardened their OWN heart to love sin more than loving God) 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31. Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32. Who, knowing the JUDGMENT of God, that they, who commit such things, are WORTHY of DEATH, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Again, the Scripture does NOT say that they are worthy of a SECOND CHANCE after they DIE to be saved. But rather, the Bible itself says that they are WORTHY of DEATH. So the JUDGMENT of God for the wicked to be cast into the lake of fire is NOT to make them pure and holy like a refining fire as Universalist Christians CLAIM. Please read the study called Bb-5. Is THE LAKE OF FIRE A REFINING FIRE?
Reason #9 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
The Bible itself clearly teaches us that TODAY is the day of salvation. Please read 1 Corinthians 6:1,2 and notice that Paul is warning us to NOT receive God’s grace in VAIN.
1 Corinthians 6:1,2.
“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain. 2. (For he said, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the DAY of salvation have I helped you: behold, NOW is the ACCEPTED TIME; behold, NOW is the DAY of salvation.)”
In other words, the accepted time to be saved is TODAY during this present world while a person is ALIVE. Also, read the following three verses of Scripture left in their CONTEXT found in the Book of Hebrews, Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 3:13, and Hebrews 4:7.
Here is the context of Hebrews 3:6-19.
“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (For you see, only the faithful Christians who ENDURE unto the END shall be SAVED, according to Matthew 24 and many other verses of Scripture. Please read the studies called F-1. CAN A CHRISTIAN LOSE THEIR SALVATION?, and F-2. Is ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED BIBLICAL?) 7. Wherefore, (as the Holy Ghost says, Today if you will hear his voice, 8. Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9. When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works for forty years. 10. Wherefore, I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11. So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my REST.) 12. Take HEED, brethren, lest there be in ANY of YOU an evil heart of unbelief, in DEPARTING from the living God. (A person can only DEPART from God while they are ALIVE. So it makes no sense to argue that a person can RETURN to God after they DIE) 13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called TODAY; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the END; (And obviously, the END is when a person DIES or when Jesus returns, whichever comes first. Christians are WARNED to take HEED to remain faithful in Jesus unto the END) 15. While it is said, TODAY if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (And obviously, TODAY is referring to this PRESENT world) 16. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit, not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17. But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? 18. And to whom swore he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19. So we see that they could not enter in, (Or the UNBELIEVING will NOT enter into God’s REST to obtain eternal life) because of unbelief.”
Now read Hebrews 4:1-13, which is the continuation of what we just read in Hebrews 3:6-19. And as you read this passage of Scripture please notice that Paul is speaking about the Jews who heard the gospel of Jesus Christ but did not BELIEVE that Jesus was the Messiah. For you see, the gospel was preached only to the Jews FIRST and then God turned the gospel to the Gentiles in order to PROVOKE the unbelieving Jews to JEALOUSY. And when God turns a second time to deliver the REMNANT of the children of Israel left alive after the 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation and the wrath of God, then those particular Jews who are ALIVE at the coming of Jesus will be given the chance to BELIEVE that Jesus is their Messiah. I do not find any verses of Scripture that teach us that the UNSAVED Jews who DIED from the time after the cross to the time of the coming of Jesus will be resurrected at the second coming of Jesus to go into the 1000 year reign of Jesus to be taught of the Lord. However, the Bible does make in very clear to us that ONLY the dead in Christ will be resurrected and then those who have remained ALIVE and who ARE in Jesus Christ at his coming will be CHANGED from mortal to immortal in the twinkling of an eye, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54.
Here is Hebrew 4:1-13.
“ Let us therefore FEAR, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his REST, any of you should seem to come short of it. (It makes no sense whatsoever for Paul to warn us to FEAR and to take HEED if Paul INTENDED his words to be INTERPRETED in 1 Corinthians 15:22 to mean that every single person will eventually be saved. This verse is clearly teaching us to be READY before we DIE lest we come SHORT of entering into his REST in the world to come so that the SECOND DEATH has no power over us) 2. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (In other words, the gospel was preached to the Jews FIRST and SOME BELIEVED and some Jews did NOT believe. This has nothing to do with the Jews in the Old Testament times in the wilderness getting a SECOND CHANCE to be saved. God SWORE in His wrath that THEY would NOT enter into His REST and God is not a liar) 3. For we who have BELIEVED do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (This is speaking of entering into REST in Jesus as the ONLY way to enter into the TRUE seventh 1000 year long DAY of Yahweh’s REST in the world to come. This PLAN of salvation was finished in the mind of God from the foundation of the world) 4. For he spoke in a certain place about the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. (Which was a PROPHECY pointing to the TRUE seventh 1000 year long DAY of Yahweh’s REST during the Millennial reign of Jesus. For you see, God made Jesus Lord of the Sabbath to rule for Yahweh in the NAME of Yahweh for 1000 years to JUDGE Satan and the fallen angels GUILTY as charged. Please read the studies under the heading >>>Q-0. WHY are we HERE?-Is God at WAR?<<<) 5. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my REST. 6. Seeing therefore, it remains that SOME must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7. Again, He LIMITS a certain day, saying in David, TODAY, after so long a time; as it is said, TODAY if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8. For if Jesus had given THEM rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. (In other words, the Jews who REJECTED Jesus as their Messiah and DIED will NOT be resurrected and given a SECOND CHANCE to be saved during the Millennial reign of Jesus as the Lord of the SABBATH rest of Yahweh. But rather, there will be ANOTHER 1000 year long DAY in which God will turn a second time to the REMNANT of Jews left ALIVE after the wrath of God) 9. There remains, therefore, a rest to the people of God. (And the CONTEXT is talking about the JEWS as being the people of God. This passage of Scripture has nothing to do with a so-called SECOND CHANCE for every single person who has DIED to be resurrected to go into the 1000 year reign of Jesus to be taught about the Lord to be saved. God has LIMITED just ONE more DAY for His people Israel who are ALIVE at the return of Jesus to be saved. But God’s perfect Will is for TODAY in this PRESENT world to save whosoever BELIEVES in His Son, Jesus, as their Lord and Savior) 10. For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his. (This is speaking of RESTING in Jesus as our TRUE Sabbath rest) 11. Let us labor, therefore, to enter into THAT rest, lest any man FALL after the same example of unbelief. (One of the meanings of “lest” is for fear that something NOT desired will happen. And we have all of these WARNINGS to be READY for when Jesus returns. So again, you have to ask yourself the question, WHY are all the warnings to be READY if every single person will eventually be saved?) 12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
In Hebrews 4:11-13 we see yet another WARNING to NOT fall away from the FAITH. And that warning is to REST in Jesus for our righteousness and to CEASE from the works of the law contained in ORDINANCES, according to Ephesians 2:5-15 and Colossians 2:13-17. Remember, Jesus said to not fear those who can only kill the body, but rather, to fear God who is able to destroy BOTH the body and the SOUL. And here in Hebrews 4:11-13 we ALSO see in that SAME warning that God’s word is sharper than any two-edged sword. And thus, God’s spoken word of PROPHECY will be fulfilled to cut apart or to separate God’s Spirit that is giving life to the SOUL of the wicked. And then God’s spirit will RETURN to God while the body and soul of the WICKED will turn to DUST or ASHES. Jesus warns us that if one fears to DIE by those who are killing Christians to save their physical life by denying Jesus, then they will LOSE their reward of ETERNAL life. Again, only the faithful Christians in Jesus who endure unto the END shall be saved and GIVEN eternal life. In other words, no Jesus, no eternal life!
Reason #10 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
Jesus said are there not 12 hours in a DAY and also the NIGHT comes when no man can WORK.
John 11:9.
“Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walks in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world.”
John 9:4.
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.”
And, according to Ecclesiastes there is no WORK in the GRAVE.
Ecclesiastes 9:10.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no WORK, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither you go.”
And the preacher goes on to say in Ecclesiastes 9:4,5 that there is no HOPE of reward for the DEAD. And thus, there is no HOPE for the reward of eternal life for those who DIE in their SINS without being saved in Jesus BEFORE they DIE.
Ecclesiastes 9:4,5.
“For him that is joined to all the LIVING there is HOPE: for a living dog is better than a DEAD lion. 5. For the living KNOW that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”
This one verse alone should be enough proof that after a person DIES there is no more hope of being saved and receiving the reward of eternal life.
Reason #11 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
The whole New Testament is filled with warnings to be READY for the coming of Jesus and to ENDURE unto the END to be found that good and FAITHFUL servant. So it makes no sense for all of these WARNINGS if Paul is teaching that God will eventually save every single person.
Matthew 24:44.
“Therefore, be you also READY: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes.”
Matthew 25:10.
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were READY went in with him to the marriage: and the door was SHUT.”
And when the five foolish virgins returned, Jesus would NOT let them in. You see, they were NOT ready because they did NOT keep their lamps FULL of oil, which represents keeping ourselves FULL of the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 19:7.
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready.”
Here we see that it is your job to make yourself ready. We are to put off the old man. We are to keep ourselves without a spot or blemish. So if we sin we are to repent and confess our sins quickly so that God can cleanse us from all our unrighteousness. Please read the study called F-12. How YOU can live YOUR LIFE FREE from SIN!
2 Peter 3:14.
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be DILIGENT that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
So again, why all the warnings to be READY if every person will eventually be saved no matter what they do during the time that they are ALIVE?
Reason #12 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
Confession is made UNTO salvation, which means that we must HOLD FAST to the profession or the CONFESSION of our FAITH unto the end to be saved.
Hebrews 10:23-25.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (And remember that there are no WORKS in the grave) 25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the DAY approaching.”
This is speaking of, as we see the signs of the return of Jesus, to KNOW that his coming is near at hand. But it can also mean as we see death approaching, whether old age or sickness, then be all the more diligent to be without spot or blemish.
Hebrews 10:26-31.
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, (This is speaking of being FALLEN from grace by keeping the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES to be saved. There are no more animal sacrifices for sin. And thus, Jesus is the ONLY way to be saved. So without Jesus there is no sacrifice for sin) 27. But a certain FEARFUL looking for judgment and FIERY indignation, which shall DEVOUR the adversaries. 28. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Here we see that the CONTEXT of sinning willfully is to desire to be under the Law of Moses) 30. For we know him that has said, VENGEANCE belongs unto me, I will recompense, says the Lord. And again, The Lord shall JUDGE his people. 31. It is a FEARFUL thing to FALL into the hands of the living God.”
It is NOT a fearful thing for faithful Christians to face the judgment seat of Christ. So this warning is for the disobedient and the unbelieving who FALL into the hands of the VENGEANCE of God. There will be no MERCY given to those who die while being unsaved or who FALL from grace, or who die while living is a lifestyle of sin. They will be judged and found NOT WORTHY to be given eternal life. God will cast them into the lake of fire to be DESTROYED and turned to ASHES never to rise again.
Reason #13 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
God is a CONSUMING fire because God is LOVE. How could God be called LOVE if He were to allow evil to continue for all eternity? All humans KNOW that they will DIE. And thus, God has given every man their whole LIFE to call upon His name to be saved. The name Jesus means the salvation of Yahweh.
Please read Hebrews 12:25-29.
“See that you refuse NOT him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven: 26. Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (God shaking heaven is speaking of God judging Satan and the fallen angels that are presently ruling in the first heaven called the AIR or the atmosphere around the earth) 27. And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removal of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29. For our God is a CONSUMING fire.”
We will cover all of the verses of Scripture that clearly teach us what CONSUMING fire means in the light of the whole word of Almighty God further on in this study. But for most Christians the very meaning of the word “CONSUMING” teaches us that something CONSUMED in a fire is turned to ASHES to no longer EXIST. It is gone forever.
Reason #14 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
There will be no CROWN of eternal life for those who choose not to run the RACE at all. And there will also be no CROWN for those who start to run but they do NOT FINISH the RACE. And Paul makes it very clear that the race is OVER once a person DIES.
Hebrews 12:1-8.
“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; (As our example to follow) who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Now, we have the same joy set before us to receive the divine nature of eternal life and to rule and reign WITH Jesus for 1000 years. So let us run the race of walking in LOVE and resisting sin) 3. For consider him that ENDURED such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you become weary and faint in your minds. 4. You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (In other words, most Christians have not suffered anything close to what Jesus suffered for us. So quit your “whining” that resisting temptation to sin is just too hard) 5. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: 6. For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. 7. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? 8. But if you are without chastisement, whereof ALL are partakers, (If they are indeed true born-again children of God) then are you bastards, and not sons.”
Here we see that not ALL people are the children of God. Yes, all humans are BORN as innocent children of God, and thus, all children under the age of accountability are never LOST. So then, it is only the LOST need to be saved after the age of accountability. For you see, God sets both life and death before each person and begs us to choose LIFE, and babies, toddlers, and young children do not have that level of understanding to choose life. And sadly, many adults who know better still CHOOSE to become the children of the Devil by obeying his voice of temptation to live in sin. Please read the study called C-2. ARE ALL PEOPLE THE CHILDREN OF GOD?
Reason #15 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
It is PROPHESIED that some Christians will not ENDURE SOUND doctrine and turn to FABLES having ITCHING ears to hear what is PLEASANT to hear. And the doctrine of Universalism that wrongly teaches that every person will be SAVED is pleasant to hear. But as we all know, FABLES are not the TRUTH.
Please read 2 Timothy 4:1-8.
“I charge you, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3. For the time will come when they will NOT endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (Now, one could interpret this verse to mean that even after a person DIES the TIME WILL COME, without fail, that the DEAD will NOT endure SOUND doctrine. But I do not interpret verses out of their context. This verse is speaking of the living. So among the living there will be a time when some Christians will NOT endure SOUND Biblical doctrine) 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the TRUTH, and shall be turned unto FABLES. 5. But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry. (Or make absolutely sure that you are believing and teaching the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God) 6. For I am now READY to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (Here we see Paul DEFINING the END of the RACE as being DEATH. Paul knew that he would soon be MARTYRED) 7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8. Henceforth, (Or for this REASON of remaining faithful in Jesus) there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.”
To me, to LOVE the coming of Jesus is having the hope of being LIKE Jesus when we see him as he is, according to 1 John 3:1-10.
Reason #16 for why there is no HOPE of being saved after DEATH.
The ungodly will be turned to ASHES.
The ungodly will be turned into ASHES in the lake of fire. Please read the following passages of Scripture.
Malachi 4:1-3.
“For, behold, the day comes, that shall BURN as an OVEN; and ALL the proud, yea, and ALL that do wickedly, shall be STUBBLE: and the day that comes shall BURN them UP, saith the LORD of hosts, that it (The lake of fire) shall leave them neither ROOT nor BRANCH. (This means that the wicked will never rise again. You can cut down a tree and burn it up, but if the ROOT or a branch is left then the tree could possibly grow again from what is left. But this verse makes it very clear that the fire will burn ALL the wicked up completely so there is nothing left) 2. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and you shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (So again, ONLY the righteous in Jesus will remain and arise with healing to be renewed as the youth of eagles, according to) 3. And you shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ASHES under the soles of your feet on the day that I shall do this, says the LORD of hosts.”
Now, we all have heard of the BURNING bush that was NOT burned up, according to Exodus 3:2. But what you may not know is that there are two different Greek words translated as BURNING. In the Greek Septuagint the burning bush is translated from the Greek word “kaio” which means fire or to burn. However, all the references to the wicked being BURNED UP are translated from the Greek word “katakaio” which means devoured and consumed to ASHES. I will only quote one Scripture from the Old Testament that shows the Greek word “katakaio” means to be burned up completely to ASHES.
Please read 2 Kings 23:4.
“And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them (Or he “katakaio” them) without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.”
In other words, there was nothing left of the idols to Baal but ASHES. Now let us go to the New Testament where this Greek word “katakaio” is used for the wicked being BURNED UP to ashes.
Matthew 3:11,12.
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with FIRE: (Baptize carries the meaning of being totally submerged in water. So the “baptism” of FIRE is speaking about the WICKED being totally engulfed in flames of literal fire on the Day of Judgment) 12. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will BURN UP (Or Jesus will “katakaio”) the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Jesus taught in parables using things that the common people UNDERSTOOD. The people knew that the chaff would literally be burned completely up to ASHES because that is what they did when they harvested literal wheat. So the people in the day of Jesus knew that Jesus intended his words to mean that the wicked will LITERALLY be completely BURNED UP into ASHES on the final Day of Judgment.
Now let us read Matthew 13:30.
“Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather you together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: (Or at the coming of Jesus, the angels will gather the wicked together in lots to be “katakaio” in the lake of fire on the final Day of Judgment) but gather the wheat into my barn.”
Or gather the SAINTS into the city of God called the New Jerusalem to rule and reign with Jesus for 1000 years. We already read Hebrews 10:26-31 so let us move on to 2 Peter 2:4-9 where the Apostle Peter gives us a visual EXAMPLE of what will happen to the unsaved people.
2 Peter 2:4-9.
“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto JUDGMENT; 5. And spared NOT the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6. And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ASHES condemned them with an overthrow, making them an EXAMPLE unto those that after should live ungodly; (So Peter is saying, THIS is what will happen to those who choose to live ungodly, they will be TURNED to ASHES in the judgment of God just like Sodom and Gomorrah) 7. And DELIVERED just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8. (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished:”
Now, obviously, the CONTEXT clearly teaches us that the punishment for the UNJUST will be the lake of FIRE where the wicked will be “katakaio” or completely BURNED UP and turned into ASHES like Sodom and Gomorrah as the EXAMPLE of what will happen to the ungodly. Jesus said to not fear man who can only kill the body, but rather, we should fear God who is able to DESTROY both the body and the soul in hell.
Please read Matthew 10:28,32-33.
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather, fear him which is able to DESTROY both soul and body in hell… …32. Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33. But whosoever shall DENY me before men, him, will I also DENY before my Father which is in heaven.”
So then, whosoever DENIES Jesus will EVENTUALLY be DENIED by Jesus on the final Day of Judgment. There will be no more so called SECOND CHANCES to be saved for those who DENY Jesus unto the END of their lives to never accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Do NOT be DECEIVED by the false teachings of Universalist Christians. I will end this study by having you read one more passage of Scripture even though there are MANY more verses that prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that MOST people will remain LOST by their OWN CHOICE of rejecting God’s way to save them. Many are called but FEW are chosen. The way to DESTRUCTION is broad and MANY go that way. But narrow is the way that leads to LIFE and FEW enter in.
Please read Psalm 37:1,2,9-13,20,34,38-40.
“A Psalm of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity. 2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb… …9. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall NOT be: yea, you shall diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12. The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes upon him with his teeth. 13. The Lord shall LAUGH at him: for He sees that his day is coming… …20. But the wicked shall PERISH, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall CONSUME; into SMOKE shall they CONSUME AWAY… …34. Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it… …38. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. (And according to Revelation 14:11 we shall see the SMOKE of their torment for ever and ever, which should have been translated as from an age to an age. In other words, the wicked will be consumed in the lake of fire at the very END of the Millennial reign of Jesus and we will see the SMOKE only until God creates the NEW heaven and the NEW earth to begin the age of ETERNITY wherein only the RIGHTEOUS will dwell. Again, there are other verses of Scripture that teach us that the wicked will be no more and never rise again like Psalm 59:13, Psalm 68:1,2, Psalm 104:5, Proverbs 2:22, Proverbs 10:25, and Revelation 21:1) 39. But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.”
So to me, the Bible ITSELF does NOT teach that the gospel of salvation will be preached to the REST of the DEAD when they are resurrected to face the final Day of Judgment. I find no Scriptures to support that unsaved dead will be given a chance to hear the gospel to be saved. However, there are MANY verses of Scripture which you just read that clearly teach us that both the body and the soul of the wicked, ungodly, and unsaved will be CONSUMED in the lake of fire and turned to ASHES and SMOKE to be no more, never to rise again. Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus. So, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading >>>D-0. THE BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of JESUS!<<< And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading >>>C-0. THE TRUE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH!<<< This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.
Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century. So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament.
To learn more TRUTH, then please return to
VERSES USED TO TEACH THAT JESUS PREEXISTED!
To me, the best way to know the ONE true God in ONE person is to know who Jesus TRULY is according to the WHOLE word of Almighty God. So please read ALL of the studies under the heading >>>N-0. WHO is JESUS ACCORDING to the BIBLE?<<< and you will see that the Bible itself teaches us that Jesus was CREATED by his God and Father. And if you have any questions related to the correct meaning of certain verses of Scripture on this subject of who Jesus is please read all the studies under the two headings >>>U-0. VERSES used for THE TRINITY!<<< and >>>V-0. VERSES used to TEACH that Jesus PRE-EXISTED!<<< These two headings have ALL of the studies that I have on who Jesus truly is according to what the Bible itself teaches us in simplicity. I compiled these three headings to make it easy for my readers to send just one, two, or three links to those you desire to help understand what the Bible itself teaches concerning who Jesus is in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. If you have any questions, please feel free to write to me. My contact email is MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail .com. Thanks again for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the truth of the whole word of Almighty God.
Your Brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
RETURN to HOMEPAGE at
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Always be faithful to share, to preach, and to teach the whole gospel of Jesus Christ! |
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