Why are there varied Christian answers to a question ❓
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Q: I was looking for help to answer: When people die now, do they go to either heaven or hell, (and) in the final judgement, will Jesus give people a second chance to choose him?
And I have recieved varied answers, I want to know which answer is the truth? There are so many different understanding I hear online when seeking help. One says this and another says that. They can't agree on biblical truth. If a person who is trying to get good biblical advice but run into hundereds upon hundreds of different answers of interpretations among "christians", how do I know which is true? They seem to individually pick the belief that comforts them the most. Taking one topic and we get 15 differing answers.
I want to dig in to figure out what is truth 🙂. How do we know what is right?
The answer to where are people when they die >> Immediately in God's presence. Living with Him for eternity.
In 2 Corinthians 5:8, the apostle Paul writes, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. The expression absent from the body refers to physical death. When this life ends, believers will be immediately ushered into the glorious presence of the Lord. Then we will see Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). And, at that moment, we will be “present with the Lord.”
This will give much more clarity and help about that topic. And is worth reading.
The idea of seperation was because until Christ's resurrection paradise was in Sheol. They were still in God's presence as we are now in his presence as well. But after that they were taken to Heaven. *Now* all believers who die go straight to Heaven to be with their Lord. On false teachings... soul sleep is a false belief by cults, that they've taught over the years and still do. The link above debunked that from Scripture.
In this case Scripture is very clear. In other cases some give opinions or false teaching mainly because the person is either unsaved, in a cult, grew up with false beliefs but got saved and yet never studied that topic again (yet), and others who are saved and in solid churches (are growing) and maybe have simply never studied it fully... so you have people who are at all different places in their walk so of course will have diff understandings on the topic. So of course if you are asking people in an online group that is broadly open to anyone [who considers themselves Christian] and not (,for example,) a reformed group. If you are in a group that holds Scriptural truth highly regarded and is an actual Christian denomination then you will get more accurate guidance. But as noted, even among those true born again ones of Christ they are growing in faith. They likely knew of one verse but never connected that teaching across all of Scripture and instead of being silent (because of lack of knowledge) they toss out something [which isnt helpful to you]. Good intentions or from prideful boasting, they shouldnt have spoke up without being fully informed by knowing Scripture.
Scripture has one answer but many are not recieving the truth or never studied it properly. Sadly, Thus the reason for "many" and confusing or conflicting answers.
This explains further on interpretation and importance of Interpreting Scripture Biblically with proper Hermeneutics.
On the latter question, while answered elsewhere for readers here, the answer to "Does God give another chance for salvation after someone dies?" is No. This is why Scripture has such an emphasis on evangelism and sharing the Gospel and urgency of obeying it.
Scripture tells us Today is the day of salvation and tells us not to neglect getting right with God right now and not delaying for you do not know if you will be alive in 5 minutes, or if you will make it home today, or live until tomorrow. Our lives are but a vapor and while God has appointed everyones lifespan and knows the day of each persons death , we do not. Therefore when we hear the gospel we need to see our sin as wickedly horrible, realize our situation in its true horror state before the Holy God our Creator and to whom we are accountable, and quickly repent to Him and out of extreme gratitude recieve the gift God offers [which we dont deserve] in His Son's sacrifice (perfect life lived, wrath poured out on the cross for believers sins & His death, and resurrection) but by God the Father's grace and mercy offers it. He bore our sins on the cross and bought us, redeemed us from the curse and we recieved His Righteousness [traded places] and put on the righteousness of Christ, (or another way to say it is the blood covering of Christ our redeemer). So we can belong to Him and be saved, converted to a lover of righteousness and escape the judgment upon sinners that is coming [Eternal prison in Hell, with God's wrath abiding forever, torment and punishment of sins to the degree of sins committed]. This is why people need to understand sin clearly and flee to Christ when they hear the Gospel. Because once they die, it is too late to be saved. They loved their sins over the Savior's sacrifice and God's offer of forgiveness and new life in right relation to Him. They rejected Christ while on Earth. There is no other chance given.
We die because of our sins.
The wages of sin is death.
The only way to have life after this death; a good eternal life, is to recieve the offer "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 9:27
"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,"
In this and thus we see and connect that the offer is only available while alive on earth, now. The NT paints this picture very clearly but those verses are enough for someone to see that they need to get right with God immediately, right this second.
Verses related but not exhaustively to the discussion:
Psalm 139:16: "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 39:4
"Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and my life is fleeting. Like a shadow, I am here for a little while, and then I am gone
James 4:13-15: "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will [do this or that] yet you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
Tomorrow isnt guaranteed.
Proverbs 27:1
"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."
Job 14:5
"A man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed."
Psalm 90:9: "All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan."
Hebrews 3:15: "As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'
"Romans 10:9: "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
"2 Timothy 4:2: "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me
2 Corinthians 6:2
"For he says, 'In the right time I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the right time for salvation; now is the day of salvation."
Hebrews 9:27
"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that 👉to face judgment"
Matthew 25:31-46: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate [the saved from the unsaved].
2 Corinthians 5:10: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."
Romans 14:10-12: "For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So each of us will give an account of himself to God."
Hope this helps. God bless.
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