Bible Question:

What happens to all the generations of people who have died without hearing the Good News? Will there be a second chance to become a Christian after the rapture? Is there is a second chance during the tribulation? 

Bible Answer:

God has given us a principle and an illustration that will help us understand the answer to the question, “Will there be a second chance to become a Christian after the rapture?” The articles “Does the rapture occur before the tribulation period?” and “Will the rapture occur before or after the temple is built in Jerusalem?” explain when the rapture occurs.

The Rapture

After Men Die They Are Judged

Hebrews 9:27 teaches us that men and women do not get a second chance to become a Christian after death.

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27 (NASB)

After we die Christians go to heaven to be judged at the Bema Seat and unbelievers will be judged and go to hell. Unbelievers cannot return to this life and have a second chance to become a Christian. Once we die we will be judged and either go to heaven or hell. Hebrews 9:27 gives us the principle that after we die we go to heaven or hell. There are no second chances.

Men Cannot Change Their Destiny After Death

The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31) illustrates the principle that after death we go to heaven or hell and cannot return to this life. In the parable we are told that Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom which is symbolic of heaven. The rich man was in Hades or hell. The rich man asks if Lazarus can drop some water on his tongue. But notice what Abraham told the rich man.

“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 16:23-26 (NASB)

Notice the rich man was told that no one can cross over between heaven and hell. That is, once a person dies they cannot change their destiny. The rest of the parable teaches that we must believe in God in this life. After death no one can become a believer in Jesus Christ. Your destiny has been determined. There are no second chances after death.

Salvation After The Rapture

After the rapture, everyone alive on planet earth can become a Christian. The book of Revelation teaches us that after the rapture the gospel will still be preached and people will still become Christians. Many will be saved during the tribulation. For example, there will be 144,000 witnesses (Revelation 7:1-8), two witnesses (Revelation 11:1-10) and an angel who will preach the “eternal gospel” (Revelation 14:6-20) to tell others about Jesus Christ. In response many will believe in Jesus Christ. For example, Revelation 6:9-11 refers to believers in Christ who died during the tribulation. Revelation 7:9-17 is another description of people who became believers in Christ. That is, the gospel will be preached during the tribulation after the rapture, and many will become Christians. Therefore, will there be a second chance to become a Christian after the rapture? Yes, there is a chance to become a Christian after the rapture but not if one died before the rapture.

Conclusion:

In Romans 10:9-13 we are told that a Christian is one who believes Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected. When the verse says “for with the heart a person believes” it reveals we must be serious, and believing includes repenting of our sins and confessing or acknowledging that Jesus is our Lord. God tells us that no one will be disappointed who believes in Jesus. The person will be saved.

. . . if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:9-13 (NASB)

Scripture tells us that today is the day of celebration! Do not wait for the rapture to occur.

Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” . . . 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NASB)

Suggested Links:

Can people become a Christian after the rapture?
Can people accept Jesus after the rapture?
Does the rapture occur before the tribulation period?
Are the Old Testament saints resurrected at the rapture?
When and where does the Goat and Sheep judgment occur?
Will the rapture occur before or after the temple is built in Jerusalem?
Bema Seat - Judgment of Christians
Does Revelation 22:15 mean sinners will be in the New Heaven and New Earth?