How Come People Cannot Be Saved After Death?

          The notion of having a second chance for salvation after death may sound reasonable, merciful, and even desirable, especially to people who lost family members or friends who were unbelievers. This kind of an idea is found in other world religious, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, which may appeal to some. However, Scripture says clearly and forcefully that our fate is sealed at the moment of physical death. Consider, for instance, this excerpt from the parable of the rich man and lazarus:

           "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us." (Luke 16:22-26)

           We see in this narrative a stark contrast in the eternal fates of both characters. The unnamed figure had an exalted position while alive on this earth. He was a selfish individual who overlooked the plight and suffering of other people. Abraham, with a hint of compassion, is said to have reminded the suffering man of how he had lived his life on earth. When still alive, Lazarus was so poor and destitute so as to not even be able to help himself. Both characters experienced suffering and relief in a reversed order upon the transition from this life to the next.

          An obvious point made by this story is that no additional chances for salvation exist for the souls of unbelieving men when they enter the direct presence of God. It is there and then that they receive their divine sentence. There is also another element worth considering, namely, the rich man requesting that Abraham bring Lazarus down to comfort him in the midst of his distress. He still had not given up his pride. He still believed himself to be more worthy than others. The raises the question of whether a person who dies in a state of rebellion would ever want to spend eternity with God.

           We will all have to face our Creator at some point in time. It is not a matter of if, but when. The day of judgment is inescapable and unavoidable. Thus, those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in this life will be eternally condemned. Hebrews 9:27 and Revelation 20:11-15 also communicate these biblical truths. What needs to be understood is that God does not have to save any of us from our sins. He offers to us eternal life because He is loving and merciful. The better question to ask is not why man cannot be saved after death, but why God ought to save anyone at all? Why has He not destroyed us all already? That is the fate which man deserves. This consideration helps us to correctly put things into perspective.

        This is simply the way that God has ordained things to be. It is not something that we are in a position to challenge or call into question. Who are we, His creations, to doubt the morality or the wisdom of His decisions? It is God who sets in motion the terms and conditions as to the way that things are. We cannot change the eternal destinies of other people, nor are the decisions of other people our responsibility. On the other hand, we can change our own by trusting in Christ for salvation. We can tell others that God has offered a way of redemption. He has told us that we will not have another opportunity to repent from sin after death. So, right now is the best time to repent of sin. Today is the day of redemption (2 Corinthians 6:2).