Does John 3:16 have an “expiration date”?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Status
Not open for further replies.
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#1
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
0
71
#1
Remember what John 3:16 (RSV) says:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

If a person refuses to believe in Jesus, dies and goes to hell, and then chooses to believe in Jesus after all, does he get saved, or is it too late?
 
G

Graybeard

Guest
#2
#2
That's a very valid question
My understanding is that all the law and Christs birth, death and resurrection is for the living, that is... flesh and blood. So opportunity is gone once the body dies.The only time when souls where given the chance is when Jesus died on the cross, He descended into hades and set the captives free. Not too sure but I remember some teaching that Jesus actually offered the Gospel when He was there...(please correct me if I'm wrong)

Remember Noah...he offered a place of safety to the people right up untill God shut the door...then it was over..expired so to speak.
Once God shuts the door, that's it opportunity gone.
BTW..remember..the Devil believes in Jesus and trembles.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#3
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
0
71
#3
Graybeard said:
That's a very valid question
My understanding is that all the law and Christs birth, death and resurrection is for the living, that is... flesh and blood. So opportunity is gone once the body dies.The only time when souls where given the chance is when Jesus died on the cross, He descended into hades and set the captives free. Not too sure but I remember some teaching that Jesus actually offered the Gospel when He was there...(please correct me if I'm wrong)

Remember Noah...he offered a place of safety to the people right up untill God shut the door...then it was over..expired so to speak.
Once God shuts the door, that's it opportunity gone.
BTW..remember..the Devil believes in Jesus and trembles.
Click to expand...
For me this is a terribly important issue. It’s hard for me to believe a loving, just God would send someone to eternal torture simply for not believing in Jesus. It seems more likely to me that even in hell we have the opportunity to accept Jesus as our savior and be saved. Is there Scripture that addresses this specific issue?
 
G

giantone

Guest
#4
#4
When you die If you are already saved, then you didn't die in God's eyes and the agreement between you and Jesus is still in effect. If you die without Jesus there is no contract and your dead forever. God sees life differently than we do, most people are the walking dead in God's eyes.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#5
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
0
71
#5
giantone said:
When you die If you are already saved, then you didn't die in God's eyes and the agreement between you and Jesus is still in effect. If you die without Jesus there is no contract and your dead forever. God sees life differently than we do, most people are the walking dead in God's eyes.
Click to expand...
Do you believe the unsaved go to eternal punishment when they die, or do you believe they cease to exist?
 
G

greatkraw

Guest
#6
#6
no such thing as ceasing to exist

once God creates a human soul it always exists and will continue to be conscious in eternity

those who reject God will find themselves in God's recycle bin

God does not have an option to empty the recycle bin:[
 
G

Graybeard

Guest
#7
#7
resurrection33 said:
For me this is a terribly important issue. It’s hard for me to believe a loving, just God would send someone to eternal torture simply for not believing in Jesus. It seems more likely to me that even in hell we have the opportunity to accept Jesus as our savior and be saved. Is there Scripture that addresses this specific issue?
Click to expand...
we must be sober to the fact that our ways are not God's ways, He is sovereign...we where created for His pleasure...He is Just....and very important to remember is..who are we to question our Creator. God is so complex for our puny minds to fully comprehend, yes, there are things that He commands that to man seem foolish but He knows as a earthly father knows what is best for their son, how much more our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us.

resurrection33 said:
Do you believe the unsaved go to eternal punishment when they die, or do you believe they cease to exist?
Click to expand...
well God's Word tells us that our souls are eternal, where we spend that eternity is a choice that we have to make, It was our choice in the beginning to choose death...and God has forged a way for us to be reconciled back to Him as He intended through Jesus Christ His only begotten Son.
 
C

CIRBaptist

Guest
#8
#8
resurrection33 said:
For me this is a terribly important issue. It’s hard for me to believe a loving, just God would send someone to eternal torture simply for not believing in Jesus. It seems more likely to me that even in hell we have the opportunity to accept Jesus as our savior and be saved. Is there Scripture that addresses this specific issue?
Click to expand...
You need to talk to God about this then......I have dealt with this issue but never come to a conclusion other then to give this to God and know he is JUST and GOD...we are not, we have a responsiblity to live holy lives and to tell others the saveing Grace of The Gospel. Do you part and God will always do his.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#9
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
0
71
#9
CIRBaptist said:
You need to talk to God about this then......I have dealt with this issue but never come to a conclusion other then to give this to God and know he is JUST and GOD...we are not, we have a responsiblity to live holy lives and to tell others the saveing Grace of The Gospel. Do you part and God will always do his.
Click to expand...
I like your answer—the Lord is always just. Some people seem to think he is vindictive.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#10
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
0
71
#10
I was wondering if anyone could find any Scripture that states that John 3:16 no longer is true after we die.
 
G

Graybeard

Guest
#11
#11
resurrection33 said:
I was wondering if anyone could find any Scripture that states that John 3:16 no longer is true after we die.
Click to expand...
I don't know of any specific scripture, but this one:
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#12
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
0
71
#12
Graybeard said:
I don't know of any specific scripture, but this one:
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Click to expand...
Thanks. I think we’d all be better off if it turned out that John 3:16 remained true, even after we die. We will perhaps never know in this lifetime, and maybe it’s better that way.
 
G

greatkraw

Guest
#13
#13
Mat 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#14
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
0
71
#14
greatkraw said:
Mat 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Click to expand...
But his words state that if we believe in Jesus, we will not perish. They don’t, to my knowledge, state that this is no longer true after we die. Have I answered my own question, or am I asking too much?
 
K

kay

Guest
#15
#15
once you get into hell you can't get back out. That is why Jesus says many are called but few are chosen.
 
R

roaringkitten

Guest
#16
#16
Remember what John 3:16 (RSV) says:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

This modern version of the Bible perverts this verse into a lie. Jesus was God's "only begotten Son"....not "his only son"....To say God had only one son conflicts with the rest of Scripture:

ie: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

This is one of many reasons why the modern versions of the Bible are corrupt....Use the 1611 KJV.

Man gets one chance to believe on Him.....When each person dies, his eternity is sealed....either eternal life, or eternal ****ation...

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" Hebrews 9:27

 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#17
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
0
71
#17
kay said:
once you get into hell you can't get back out. That is why Jesus says many are called but few are chosen.
Click to expand...
Does Scripture say that once you get in you can’t get back out?
 
C

charisenexcelcis

Guest
#19
#19
It is the "if" that is the issue. Right now we are creatures of mixed nature--even the best Christian battles the old nature and even the worst sinner (with perhaps one exception) is capable of repentance. When we are resurrected, it does not appear that we will be of mixed nature. When we see Him, those who have placed their trust in Him will rejoice, but "the nations will mourn when they look on Him who they pierced". I do not believe that those who rejected Him will repent. But I also believe that God will insure everyone the opportunity for salvation, if not through the preaching of the gospel, then through special revelation. Also, I believe that when people search for the truth, God sends an evangelist, the "Macedonian call" if you will. I also believe that we are unique in this mixed nature, which is why the demons won't repent.
 
E

easygoing

Guest
#20
#20
I think that you can find the answers here in luke 16: 20-26

Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence.

This scripture and there in is the truth, however uncomfortable it may be. This is my belief on this matter. If we had the chance to live our entire lives with the knowledge of jesus and all his righteousness but still were kind of like, eh i like living the way i am and i should listen to jesus' word but that isn't in my agenda right now, maybe one day when i get older, right now i am having too much fun. Then bang you die. You get to hell and are like WHOA! ok jesus i believe in you now come save me please because this place sucks. This is the way we want to see it but in reality it just doesn't seem so. Reason being because you never placed your life and faith in jesus christ. It took the devil, hell and eternal torment to make you call on the lords name and ask to be saved.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.