BY our title we mean, Is there a second chance for salvation, after death? There are many who state that there is. Professed ministers of the gospel, and professors of the theological colleges tell us that there is.
Not only so, but the propagators of crank religions, manufactured in Western lands, such as Millennial Dawnism and Seventh Day Adventism, and heathen religions, emanating from Eastern lands, such as Theosophy, tell us the same thing.
Now, why do people want a second chance? Is not the first chance good enough? The poorest may accept it, for it is “without money, without price.” The weakest may receive it for it is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” The vilest can be saved, for “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth from ALL sin.” The most illiterate can understand it, for “faith cometh by hearing.”
It is exactly suited to every class and condition of man.
It meets the sinner’s need, and is admirably suited, in every particular, to his state.
Is the offer of salvation, therefore, in this life, not tempting enough? Why do men, then, want a second chance?
A homely illustration may help.
A man is trudging along a heavy road. Long continued rains have turned the turnpike road into a veritable morass. Moreover, he carries a heavy load, under which he staggers at every step. A carriage drives along. The owner of it kindly and warmly offers the weary man a free seat. He will carry him and his load to his destination.
What would you think of the man who said, “Give me a second chance”?
You reply, There must be some strange reason why he should refuse such a good offer.
And what reason have sinners in their sins, on their road to everlasting ruin, for refusing God’s glorious offer of salvation? Think of its cost. The Son of God, mast die. Righteousness must be satisfied. Holiness must be vindicated. The work of redemption must be accomplished on Calvary’s cross. There “mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psa. 85:1010Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (Psalm 85:10)).
Why, then, should this glorious offer be refused, and a second chance waited for? Insensate folly!
The answer may be unpalatable, but it is true. The following case is typical of multitudes, who flatter themselves that they need not be saved at present, that a second chance awaits them on the other side of the bourne, from whence no traveler returns.
A man lately heard that pseudo-religious speaker, the self-named “Pastor” Russell of Millennial Dawnism notoriety. To a large crowd he expatiated on the second chance, which he assured his hearers would be theirs after death.
A rich, worldly man in the audience said to a boon companion, “I guess I’ll subscribe liberally to that religion. I’m not a good-living man, and those doctrines make me feel comfortable.”
It is not every one who would be so honest. We are persuaded multitudes, who have no desire for God or the Lord Jesus or His salvation, will flock to hear such palatable statements that there is no eternal hell, and that a second chance will be afforded them after death.
Such falsehoods make the sinner feel comfortable. He loves the world, his sins, his lusts.
So he will go on, believing that he can sow without reaping; believing any and every crank, who seeks to make money out of his sin and wickedness.
A great London daily newspaper wrote some time ago of “Pastor” Russell, “There are still to be found multitudes of fools who are ready to pay a man liberally for telling them there is no hell.” That witness is true.
Are those who refuse a first chance in this life likely to accept a second in the next? Their nature will be unchanged, and they will no more care for God and His company in the next world than they do now. Do the solemn verses (Rev. 16:10, 1110And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 11And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. (Revelation 16:10‑11)) look like it? “They gnawed their tongues with pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven... and repented not of their deeds.” Awful warning!
But let us come to the question. Is there a second chance after death? We answer solemnly and emphatically in the negative. Scripture knows and says nothing of a second chance. It is an invention of the devil to deceive multitudes into neglecting a first chance. God’s word is, “Behold, Now is the accepted time; behold, Now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)).
The most solemn declarations as to hell and eternal punishment come, almost exclusively, from the lips of the Son of God Himself, as if to give all the weight possible to these stern truths. And He—the One who fully proved His love on the cross—hints at no second chance.
On the contrary, He places the matter in the clearest possible light again and again. Let one verse suffice. “He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life [this disposes of the false doctrine of Universalism by one stroke of the pen]; but the wrath of God abideth on him [this disposes of the false doctrine of Annihilationism]” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36))
Let us warn you most solemnly, beloved reader, not to listen to the devil’s lies. They suit the carnal mind. They attract men of impure life.
And let me entreat you most earnestly to accept here and now the first AND ONLY chance of salvation. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
“There are no pardons in the tomb,
And brief is mercy’s day.”
“Behold, Now is the accepted time, behold, Now is the day of salvation.”
Now! Now! Now! NOW!
A. J. P.
“When the day of salvation is drawing to a close,
When thy guilt shall weigh thee to the ground,
When thy heart throbs in terror before eternal woes,
O! then no Saviour can be found.
Now there’s One—resource for the guilty—
Jesus! Jesus saith, ‘Come unto Me’;
Still mercy’s bloodstained lintel thy door of hope may be!
O sinner! Jesus died for thee.”