Can one repent at the Judgement or after death?
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The story of the rich man and Lazarus is about Hades, not the judgement. It has no bearing on whether or not one can repent and be saved after death. The only element we may draw from the story is that when someone enters the rich man's part of Hades they are committed there until Judgement day. On the Judgement day everyone in Hades is removed from Hades. No passages indicate that the rich man was destined for the Lake of Fire. No passages indicate that the rich man was disqualified from finding salvation while in Hades.
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"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." - Hebrews 9:27-28 KJV
Appointed to die and then after face judgement. There is no reason to assume that "after" means immediately after death. There are reasons to interpret "after this the judgement" as a reference to Judgement Day. There is nothing in scripture (that I'm aware of) that suggests that the opportunity to repent is suddenly lost at the point of death.
Appointed to die and then after face judgement. There is no reason to assume that "after" means immediately after death. There are reasons to interpret "after this the judgement" as a reference to Judgement Day. There is nothing in scripture (that I'm aware of) that suggests that the opportunity to repent is suddenly lost at the point of death.
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The opportunity for finding salvation after death would not necessarily mean that everyone would find salvation.
Another way to look at this question is to ask if Hades is "the green mile" to the lake of fire. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. There isn't anything that clearly states that inhabitants of Hades will or will not have their name in the book of life.
If people can't find Christ after death, when did Abraham find Christ? (John 8:56) A prophesy? A vision given to him on his deathbed? There are examples of dead people that are conscious. What is stopping a conscious dead person from accepting Christ?
Another way to look at this question is to ask if Hades is "the green mile" to the lake of fire. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. There isn't anything that clearly states that inhabitants of Hades will or will not have their name in the book of life.
If people can't find Christ after death, when did Abraham find Christ? (John 8:56) A prophesy? A vision given to him on his deathbed? There are examples of dead people that are conscious. What is stopping a conscious dead person from accepting Christ?
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“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
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I agree that this is talking about places in Hades (or Hades and another place) with a divide that can't be crossed, but everyone is emptied out of Hades in the Judgement.
"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and [Hades] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and [Hades] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:13-16 KJV
Hades could be the "green mile" for the lake of fire. It could also be the case that Hades is not the "green mile" for the lake of fire. Both interpretations appear to be consistent with scripture.
"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and [Hades] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and [Hades] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:13-16 KJV
Hades could be the "green mile" for the lake of fire. It could also be the case that Hades is not the "green mile" for the lake of fire. Both interpretations appear to be consistent with scripture.
Good day, TheLearner,
If that was possible, no one would be going into the lake of fire. For after the spirits of the dead experiencing the flames in Hades and the prospect of being cast into the lake of fire, I'm pretty positive that everyone one would says "Yes" to the offer of salvation.
In the event of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus back up from the dead to go and warn his five brothers so that they wouldn't come to the same place of torment that he had. But Abraham referred them to Moses and the prophets, i.e. the world of God.
We also have the scripture which says, "man is once to die, then comes the judgment."
We also have Revelation 20:11-15 which shows that the bodies of those spirits in hades will resurrect albeit mete for their punishment in the lake of fire.
Today is the day of salvation, i.e. while one is still alive. After the death of the body, the persons record is sealed. If they did not have faith in Christ before they died, then they will be held accountable for all of their sins instead of Christ. And as Jesus said, "They will give account of every idle word which they have spoken."
There are no scriptures that suggest or even hint at the offer of salvation after the death of the body.
If that was possible, no one would be going into the lake of fire. For after the spirits of the dead experiencing the flames in Hades and the prospect of being cast into the lake of fire, I'm pretty positive that everyone one would says "Yes" to the offer of salvation.
In the event of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus back up from the dead to go and warn his five brothers so that they wouldn't come to the same place of torment that he had. But Abraham referred them to Moses and the prophets, i.e. the world of God.
We also have the scripture which says, "man is once to die, then comes the judgment."
We also have Revelation 20:11-15 which shows that the bodies of those spirits in hades will resurrect albeit mete for their punishment in the lake of fire.
Today is the day of salvation, i.e. while one is still alive. After the death of the body, the persons record is sealed. If they did not have faith in Christ before they died, then they will be held accountable for all of their sins instead of Christ. And as Jesus said, "They will give account of every idle word which they have spoken."
There are no scriptures that suggest or even hint at the offer of salvation after the death of the body.
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Here are some passages for your consideration:
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which 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. 1 Thess 4:13-14 (KJV)
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Prov 14:32 (KJV)
Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. John 8:21 (KJV)
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. Prov 11:7 (KJV)
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which 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. 1 Thess 4:13-14 (KJV)
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Prov 14:32 (KJV)
Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. John 8:21 (KJV)
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. Prov 11:7 (KJV)
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The story of Esau comes to mind. He regretted his foolishness when he sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. There was nothing he could do to get it back. Lots of people regret doing and saying things. The consequences are the same whether they are sorry or not.
People just don't seem to get it. All mankind is born dead in trespass and sin. Dead is dead. We get opportunities to be made alive in this lifetime. That is what it is to be born again. There is no second chance. Dead people will appear before God's throne of judgement where sentence will be pronounced. Live people, those who are born again, will appear at a prize giving ceremony in order to receive rewards for what, through Christ, they have done in this life. Some will get nothing because they've lived for themselves. Some will get more because they at least did something unto the Lord. Some will be blessed beyond measure because they were 100% consecrated to God's will and they carried their cross daily.
We get one shot at life before the judgement. It is wise to make the most of it. I'm 70, so yes, I'm most conscious of these issues.
People just don't seem to get it. All mankind is born dead in trespass and sin. Dead is dead. We get opportunities to be made alive in this lifetime. That is what it is to be born again. There is no second chance. Dead people will appear before God's throne of judgement where sentence will be pronounced. Live people, those who are born again, will appear at a prize giving ceremony in order to receive rewards for what, through Christ, they have done in this life. Some will get nothing because they've lived for themselves. Some will get more because they at least did something unto the Lord. Some will be blessed beyond measure because they were 100% consecrated to God's will and they carried their cross daily.
We get one shot at life before the judgement. It is wise to make the most of it. I'm 70, so yes, I'm most conscious of these issues.
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