Salvation and repentance is possible after death

[monfret]

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.Lamentations 3:31

Western Latin derived Christianity has a rather Grim view of salvation and sin,and I’m not just talking about their theologies regarding christ’s death to placate a wrathfull monsterly God who can’t Forgive without blood being shed in penal atonement,nor their false anti-scriptural and anti-patristic views of an eternal hell for even the unrepentant,but also the idea that if you die in a state of Mortal sin or unbelief you are sentenced to Hell forever and have no option of repentance.not only is this anti-scriptural but it goes against the patristic tradition aswell as the miracles of many saints of both the Chalcedonian and Miaphysite orthodox who delivered people from hell through their prayers.it makes a mockery of God’s mercy,and its implication that anything we do can affect God in anyway is also heretical.



let us begin with Scripture showing even idolaters can be reconciled after death

And upon the day following, as the use had been, Judas and his company came to take up the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen in their fathers’ graves.
Now under the coats of every one that was slain they found things consecrated to the idols of the Jamnites, which is forbidden the Jews by the law. Then every man saw that this was the cause wherefore they were slain.
All men therefore praising the Lord, the righteous Judge, who had opened the things that were hid,
Betook themselves unto prayer, and besought him that the sin committed might wholly be put out of remembrance. Besides, that noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they saw before their eyes the things that came to pass for the sins of those that were slain.
And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection:
For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.
And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.

so We see here that the prayers for the dead are efficious in releasing the dead from hell.

We also have in the Hagiography of St.Kristos Samra of ethiopia,that she was taken to Christ and Christ had promised her she could release souls from hell through her prayers.

in another incident she actually freed 10,000 souls from hell

he said to him “Lord had forgiven you so come out with your people from this place of suffering” When she said this the heart of Devil was burning like a fire. The devil then held her left hand with his left hand and threw her to hell. However, the Archangel hit the Devil with his sword and the doors of hell were opened. At this moment, there was a loud and disturbing noise and scream and souls in hell surround and circled her. At this moment, 10,000 souls were saved/taken out of hell via the Archangel’s wind and the wing that she was given. When she saw this, she was delighted, due to her extreme delight she was jumping among them like a breast-feeding calf, which was jumping at the same time.
Then she went to the Lord Jesus Christ and thanked him for his forgiveness, love and forgiveness. He said to her “did you bring lives winning Devil?” She said yes. He then called the Archangel and told him to take those souls to Saint Kirstos Semra’s residence that I readied for her before creation of the world. She said to Him, “Where is my residence, my Lord?” Lord said to her “you place of residence is with my Mother, the Virgin Mary, and your rank will be second to her and all those who love you are respected.”






Elder Cleopas states

It is indeed possible for someone to be redeemed from perdition, but not through the purgatorial fire as the Roman Catholics content (their offering of expiation presented for the living and the dead notwithstanding. The Lord, as ruler of the heavens, the earth and the infernal regions has the power to remove a soul from Hades, as Scripture testifies: ‘The Lord killeth and maketh alive; He bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up.’

The power and sacrifice of Christ, which is offered to whosoever seeks it, is unlimited and His goodness so great that only He is able to rescind the eternal anguish of man. We know that God asks that we love our fellow man and looks on this love with joy. We we are truly praying for others, there is nothing greater than love. God hears the prayer of the Church very clearly, especially when the prayers of Christians are united with the suppliant voices of angels in the heavens, and that of the Lady Theotokos. …

Between Hades and Paradise there does exist a great chasm indeed, as our Lord has told us. Yet, this chasm does not have the power to impede the mercy of our great God, Who hears our prayers for the reposed. We do not suppose, as do the Roman Catholics that there exists a purgatorial fire, but we say that only for those who since very severely (or mortally) and did not confess their sin is the passage form Hades to Paradise impossible. For those who sinned more lightly this pathway is not definitely closed, given that in the future judgment each one’s pace, either in heaven or in hell, will be decided definitively, inasmuch as after this judgment someone whose orientation was Hades can no longer pass over into Paradise. For those who sinned unto death, our prayers are completely futile. … We do not pray for those who have committed sins against the Holy Spirit, for such sins will not be forgiven, neither in this life, nor in the one to come. Rather, we pray for those who committed lighter sins for which forgiveness–when we pray–is also possible in the other world, inasmuch as we love them to inherit eternal life. (pp. 127-129)











The Emperor Theophilos, who fought against the holy icons, was a heretic and went to Hell. His wife, Theodora, however, begged Patriarch Methodios to pray for his soul. So the patriarch, together with other virtuous members of the clergy prayed fervently in Aghia Sophia for the whole of the first week of Great Lent (During this period they would have certainly have said Thrice-Holies and not performed the Divine Liturgy). Likewise, the Empress Theodora prayed with the whole of her court in the Church of the Mother of God. When Saturday dawned, Theodora saw Christ in a vision! And he said to her: “Woman, great is your faith. Know, therefore, that through your tears and your faith, and the entreaties of my priests I shall show favour to your husband, Theophilos.” The miracle happened. The heretic Theophilos was saved.







Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?Psalm 77:7

[Loki]

Nope, sorry... it isn't!!

[Thordis]

After death it will have already been too late. We have several Bible passages that clearly state that everyone who dies will face judgment once they depart from the physical world e.g. Heb.9:27: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”. Death is final, and there are only two destinies, heaven and hell, reward or condemnation, based on premortem conditions (Matt.7:21–23;13:36–43; John5:28–29). Revelation 20:11–15 describes the Great White Throne judgment:

"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and qbooks were opened. Then another book was opened, which is rthe book of life. And sthe dead were judged by what was written in the books, taccording to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is wthe second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

This indicates that our eternal destiny is based on our earthly life. Or take the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke16:19–31 as another example. "The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side." (v. 22–23).

Luke 16:26 notes, "And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us."

Catholics have the purgatory, a transitional place where souls can dwell to pay for their sins and later reach heaven, however this has no biblical basis, it is rather a Catholic tradition, and one that has been unfortunately abused for materialistic and corrupt purposes, such as the selling of indulgences to the family members of those "trapped" in purgatory.

Finally, salvation is not only linked to our eternal faith but it is also a life-altering decision, so not something to put off for later in life or for the deathbed. Christians should seek to obtain it sooner than later. (2 Corinthians 6:2 "For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation). We only have one lifetime, which is short as it is, but as long as we are alive, we have unlimited occasions to be receive justification, we only have to accept Jesus's sacrifice on the cross (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31). God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Once we die though, that's it. (Physical) death seals our eternal destiny.

[Loki]

Great post, Raven!

Finally, salvation is not only linked to our eternal faith but it is also a life-altering decision, so not something to put off for later in life or for the deathbed. Christians should seek to obtain it sooner than later. (2 Corinthians 6:2 "For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation). We only have one lifetime, which is short as it is, but as long as we are alive, we have unlimited occasions to be receive justification, we only have to accept Jesus's sacrifice on the cross (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31). God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Once we die though, that's it. (Physical) death seals our eternal destiny.

I can't understand why people want to put off salvation until late in life, or after death! It is the most wonderful thing that can happen to you! Why would anyone choose to remain in darkness, when they can have a life full of inner peace, joy, forgiveness and many other good things?

[Danaan]

Great post, Raven!



I can't understand why people want to put off salvation until late in life, or after death! It is the most wonderful thing that can happen to you! Why would anyone choose to remain in darkness, when they can have a life full of inner peace, joy, forgiveness and many other good things?

Do you have those things?

[Loki]

Do you have those things?

Yes!

[monfret]

After death it will have already been too late. We have several Bible passages that clearly state that everyone who dies will face judgment once they depart from the physical world e.g. Heb.9:27: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”. Death is final, and there are only two destinies, heaven and hell, reward or condemnation, based on premortem conditions (Matt.7:21–23;13:36–43; John5:28–29). Revelation 20:11–15 describes the Great White Throne judgment:

"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and qbooks were opened. Then another book was opened, which is rthe book of life. And sthe dead were judged by what was written in the books, taccording to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is wthe second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

This indicates that our eternal destiny is based on our earthly life. Or take the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke16:19–31 as another example. "The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side." (v. 22–23).

Luke 16:26 notes, "And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us."

Catholics have the purgatory, a transitional place where souls can dwell to pay for their sins and later reach heaven, however this has no biblical basis, it is rather a Catholic tradition, and one that has been unfortunately abused for materialistic and corrupt purposes, such as the selling of indulgences to the family members of those "trapped" in purgatory.

Finally, salvation is not only linked to our eternal faith but it is also a life-altering decision, so not something to put off for later in life or for the deathbed. Christians should seek to obtain it sooner than later. (2 Corinthians 6:2 "For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation). We only have one lifetime, which is short as it is, but as long as we are alive, we have unlimited occasions to be receive justification, we only have to accept Jesus's sacrifice on the cross (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31). God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Once we die though, that's it. (Physical) death seals our eternal destiny.

None of that refutes the fact that even after falling to hell you can escape it with sincere repentance nor the FACT that hell is temporary for even the unrepentant as showcased by many biblical verses.eternal hell has no biblical support,its a latin doctrine based on a faulty translation of greek texts that protestants beng an offshoot inheriting latin theology adapted.theres a reason the greek fathers were reconciliationist universalists .

Christian Universalism was taught by some of the most respected theologians and leaders in the early church, including St. Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and St. Gregory of Nyssa. It was also taught by some Reformation groups, such as the Anabaptists and Moravians.Christian Universalism is philosphically neccassery for God to be ''Good''.All punishment is corrective when done by a Good Entity.

The Lord knows how to deliver the devout out of trial, but to reserve the unrighteous for a day of judgment, to be corrected. (2 Peter 2:9)


Colossians 1:19,20 For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

[monfret]

none of those verses disprove apokatastasis.the holy spirit says ''no one is cast off by the Lord forever''I Believe the Holy Ghost above latinized laymen repeating the faulty tradition of ther churches that isn't Biblical.the church was reconcililiationist for 500 yrs,they understood that greek aionos means for a time not forever,they were aware of Christ's promise that all men would be drawn unto him.

1 Timothy 2:4 -- “ will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Jeremiah 32:27 -- “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh, is there any thing too hard for Me?

Acts 3:20 “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

[monfret]

Loki you seem to pick and choose what to Believe,We've seen this when I proved that biblically a church has bishops,priests and deacons ordained by laying of hands,and that divinely inspired men prayed to angels..I can quote a biblical verse explicietely promoting somethng and if it doesnt fit with your desired beliefs youll act like the verse doesn't Exist.

thats sad theology man.

the bible clearly supports the final restoration of all things to the father in heaven,both OT and NT.this was the belief of the apostles and the early church ,eternal torment is a much later latin innovation based on mistranslating greek texts .

the greek bible supports Reconciliation

[Loki]

Loki you seem to pick and choose what to Believe,We've seen this when I proved that biblically a church has bishops,priests and deacons ordained by laying of hands,and that divinely inspired men prayed to angels..I can quote a biblical verse explicietely promoting somethng and if it doesnt fit with your desired beliefs youll act like the verse doesn't Exist.

thats sad theology man.

the bible clearly supports the final restoration of all things to the father in heaven,both OT and NT.this was the belief of the apostles and the early church ,eternal torment is a much later latin innovation based on mistranslating greek texts .

the greek bible supports Reconciliation

It is you who are picking and choosing, buddy. And you're trying to appropriate the Bible verses in isolation, away from their intended meaning, to support your man-made theology. This is really a sorry situation. It's too bad that most people are misled by churches that are actually the haunt of demons, and have nothing to do with God.

If you don't repent from this wrong religion of men that you are following, I am sad to say, you will eventually find out that you were wrong. But it would be too late.

This is one of the finest tricks of the devil... to make people believe that it's okay, they can do what they want, they don't have to obey God... because they can always do it after death, and be saved! But it's a lie from the pits of hell!!