ANOTHER CHANCE FOR SALVATION?

Heb 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV)

Now faith is being confident in things hoped for, and convinced of things we CANNOT see. (MOF)

Obviously, if we believe in something because we can see it, we do NOT believe on the basis of faith. To have faith, is to believe in something without proof. In fact, faith is the antithesis of proof. For example if a man believes in the moon because he can see it, he does not have faith there is a moon. He believes because he has proof.

However, if a blind man believes there is a moon because the Bible says there is a moon, he believes on
faith.

Under the both Old and New Covenant, we are justified by faith!

Hab 2:4
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Gal 3:11
"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, 'The just shall live by faith'.

If the testimony of the Bible is true that a man is justified by faith, then it cannot be true that a man is justifed by
faith in something he can see. And yet, there are many people who believe that all who died and were not given the opportunity for salvation before the return of the Messiah, will be resurrected to life and given an opportunity after His return.

There are three Biblical facts which would make it impossible for that theory to be true:

1. Heb 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (KJV)

That statement is self-explanatory. Once to die and then - judgment.

2. 2 Tim 4:1
"....the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

The judgment will take place AT His appearing.

3. Gal 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ,..." (KJV)

If it is true that that we are justified by faith in the Messiah whom we cannot see, then it is impossible to be justified by faith when we can see Him after His appearing. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do NOT see." (NIV)

If the Messiah has returned we can no longer hope in His return - and if we are certain of what we DO see
- that is not true faith. The simple truth is that we cannot be justified by faith in the Messiah after He returns to bring judgment upon the world. For it is given to man once to die and then comes judgment...

2 Tim 4:1

"....the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

(Matt 25:31-32
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne
of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats...And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

Harold Kupp