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Justin Hale
Supporter
Scripture makes pretty clear that human souls can both 'complete the act of salvation,' (not start it), as well as continue to build 'eternal rewards' after physical death has occurred. Physical death is actually just a temporary state, (eventually reversed for EVERYONE through resurrection unto life or judgment, John 5:28-29), and is the divine penalty exacted upon the physical body for its departures from GOD's holy Law of equal treatment, (James 1:15). Each time we obey the 'lusts' tempting us to treat others unequally, we 'decay' one step further towards physical death. For believers, we actually just 'learn' from the experience itself about those departures and continue moving on to higher lessons of intimacy with GOD. For the unbeliever, (those who repeatedly 'deny' Christ while alive), there is no further learning or striving with GOD after death. Only judgment awaits. However, we should not assume from an absence of 'faith' that a person who died is actually one of those 'doomed' souls. Only 'denial' is not reversible after death, but 'faithlessness' is, (2 Timothy 2:12-13). This is why early Christians were sometimes inspired to be 'baptized for the dead,' (1 Corinthians 15:29), since this public confession is our shared act of recognition of Christ and His resurrection. Even after death, GOD requires us to do it 'here' in front of men to 'complete the salvation act.' We need 'proxies' after death, but GOD finds this acceptable. We are 'stopped at the proverbial gate' (or perhaps literally), until we successfully inspire fellow believers to do this for us. Since our learning just continues unbroken as souls through faith in Christ, we can also inspire our 'terrestrial friends' to complete or even expand that work over the passing generations, building up eternal rewards for both ourselves and them. We add to the honor shared by the apostles and holy prophets before them, for example, every time we build at all, since they represent the 'foundation' to all of GOD's holy work across our human eras, with Christ Himself as the 'Cornerstone' holding us all together, (Ephesians 2:20).
Pamela Davis
Supporter
The question, “Can a person be saved after death?” is a very important question with a simple answer. When Adam and Eve were created and placed in the Garden of Eden to take care of it, there was only one tree that they couldn’t eat the fruit of: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God told them that the day that they ate of it they “would surely die”, both spiritually and physically. The serpent (Satan) enticed Eve to take a bite of it, and Eve then offered Adam to eat it as well. Their eyes were then “opened” and they became ashamed of their naked bodies, making clothing for themselves out of fig leaves. When they heard the sound of the Lord God calling them in the garden they were ashamed and ran from Him, knowing that they had eaten the forbidden fruit and sinned against Him. God had made Adam (and Eve) in His “likeness”, having a body, a spirit and a soul. At death the body dies and is either buried or cremated; the soul is eternal (exists forever), as well as the spirit, which either goes to heaven or hell when one dies (immediately). There is NO “purgatory” or an “in between place” where the soul and spirit go. So everyone needs to ask Jesus Christ into their heart, repent (ask forgiveness and turn away from their sins) and THEN they can be assured of going to heaven when they die. Otherwise they would be sent to hell forever and ever. So, please read John 3:16: ”For God SO loved the world that He gave His only begotten son (Jesus), that whosoever believes in him should not perish (die forever), but have everlasting life.” (NKJV). May God bless you all!
Brother Paul
Supporter
The simple answer is no! This can be summed up in the following, to mention just three. John 3:1-21 should be read as one; it includes three parts which are so often split up. Part 1, we must be born again from above; Part 2, God’s incredible love for the world and Jesus’ suffering for the sins of mankind; Part 3, the consequences of not being born again from above. Titus 3:5, we must be spiritually regenerated. John 15, God has to graft us into the vine, he cannot do that unless we choose to repent and follow Jesus. These things can only happen between our first and last breath.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
This is an interesting inquiry, Ann! No, it isn't possible to have a second chance to be saved after death. Many people probably wish this to be so because they want more time to clean up their lives, that is, repent of their sins, and turn to God. But the Bible clearly says, "And as it is appointed unto man ONCE to die, and AFTER this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27). Repent, now before it is too late (the urgency of the situation is what caused me to repent). And believe in Christ as your sole payment for your sins (Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10), and then you can now know you are saved, and you've got that matter settled. No one knows the day of his death. So be ready now.
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