Daily Archives: September 17, 2016

Weekly Devotional 9-19-16 No Second Chance

Weekly Devotional 9-19-16 No Second Chance

Recently in a men’s fellowship group of the church where my wife and I fellowship, we have been studying the Book of Revelation and the morning of Saturday, July 30 2016, this question was asked; “Will those who come before the Lord for the judgment of their sins have another chance?” In answer, one in the group quoted Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV) which states; “27And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” In context, the author was stressing the one-time sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for the atonement of man’s sin and makes the comparison that as His death was a one-time occurrence so is the death of all persons, followed by judgment. No second chance is suggested.

Several of the group proffered that this judgment of sin will only be applicable to those who during their lifetime would not turn to God for His mercy and grace. The sins of those who have turned to Him, on the other hand, no matter in which age they lived, were placed on Christ when on the cross He bore the sin of the world and paid its price.

Concerning those who would not turn to God, we read from Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV; “11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” There is no second chance for these persons because in their time of life they refused to believe God, repent of their sin and turn to Him for mercy.

It should be added, that those who have trusted God, no matter the age (Old or New Testament times) will all stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and give an account of him or herself (Romans 14:10-12 NKJV). This will not be a judgment of condemnation but of reward. “10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV). Both passages refer to New Testament believers; to Christians, not unbelievers. But this judgment will be applicable to Old Testament Believers too. Since, even though they failed greatly, they believed God and His promise of a sacrifice that would make restitution for their sin.

The judgment seat of Christ does not determine salvation. That was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on one’s behalf (1 John 2:2 NKJV) and one’s faith in Him (John 3:16 NKJV).

Perhaps I should close by asking, have you trusted what God has said about your need of His mercy and grace? Have you believed to the point of committing to His provided sacrifice Jesus Christ? Remember, if you have not there is no second chance.

stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man

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