Death bed repentance? (paradise, Jehovah, hell, woman)

[Fundamentalist]

Many times I have heard this statement including from yours truly, "I will repent when I die" and then in one of the post in here I "heard" it again. Really? is this possible? Don't get me wrong. I believe there were people who heard the word and in someway embraced it but could not overcome the lust of the world only to later on their deathbed realize the scripture "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul". No I am talking about someone who outright rejected Christ really has no idea what exactly sin is nor obedience or the Holy Spirit working in them, dieing to self and then more. The only thing they know is that they don't want to go to hell. As a Christian I must say this is one hard life and I have learned so much in a short period of time realizing I still have a (mountain) of stuff to learn still and it will take several lifetimes so how is a person who knows nothing going to just like that repent on their deathbed and God will just welcome them into the kingdom?

[Nero777]

Originally Posted by Fundamentalist

Many times I have heard this statement including from yours truly, "I will repent when I die" and then in one of the post in here I "heard" it again. Really? is this possible? Don't get me wrong. I believe there were people who heard the word and in someway embraced it but could not overcome the lust of the world only to later on their deathbed realize the scripture "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul". No I am talking about someone who outright rejected Christ really has no idea what exactly sin is nor obedience or the Holy Spirit working in them, dieing to self and then more. The only thing they know is that they don't want to go to hell. As a Christian I must say this is one hard life and I have learned so much in a short period of time realizing I still have a (mountain) of stuff to learn still and it will take several lifetimes so how is a person who knows nothing going to just like that repent on their deathbed and God will just welcome them into the kingdom?

Do I think it is possible? Yes I do. If you look in the scriptures, Jesus forgave the bandit on the adjoining cross and told him that he would be with him in paradise. In that one instance, a man, who didn't really know anything about Jesus or His ministry, accepted him solely on faith; and it was that faith that awarded him a place in paradise. While I believe it is possible to be saved on the deathbed, I believe it is perhaps one of the most uncommon ways salvation can occur. Some people like to believe that they can sin all their life and ask forgiveness on their deathbed, but it is obvious that God knows what it is in their hearts. If they are just waiting till death, then loving God was never a concern for them and that will keep them out of eternal happiness. Again though, there are some who are truly sincere about this, and I believe God will take that accept them on the basis of their faith.

[Hazel Eyes]

Originally Posted by Fundamentalist

Many times I have heard this statement including from yours truly, "I will repent when I die" and then in one of the post in here I "heard" it again. Really? is this possible? Don't get me wrong. I believe there were people who heard the word and in someway embraced it but could not overcome the lust of the world only to later on their deathbed realize the scripture "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul". No I am talking about someone who outright rejected Christ really has no idea what exactly sin is nor obedience or the Holy Spirit working in them, dieing to self and then more. The only thing they know is that they don't want to go to hell. As a Christian I must say this is one hard life and I have learned so much in a short period of time realizing I still have a (mountain) of stuff to learn still and it will take several lifetimes so how is a person who knows nothing going to just like that repent on their deathbed and God will just welcome them into the kingdom?

That's only if they have the option of being on their death beds and allowed to confess Christ as their savior...Life is fragile and can be taken from us in a nanosecond so the time for salvation is now...

[Fundamentalist]

Originally Posted by Nero777

Do I think it is possible? Yes I do. If you look in the scriptures, Jesus forgave the bandit on the adjoining cross and told him that he would be with him in paradise. In that one instance, a man, who didn't really know anything about Jesus or His ministry, accepted him solely on faith; and it was that faith that awarded him a place in paradise. While I believe it is possible to be saved on the deathbed, I believe it is perhaps one of the most uncommon ways salvation can occur. Some people like to believe that they can sin all their life and ask forgiveness on their deathbed, but it is obvious that God knows what it is in their hearts. If they are just waiting till death, then loving God was never a concern for them and that will keep them out of eternal happiness. Again though, there are some who are truly sincere about this, and I believe God will take that accept them on the basis of their faith.

Question: The man on the cross was a Jew, grew up under the Law realized Jesus was who He said He was and that he was a sinner but I am talking about those who don't really understand that they are sinners or what sin is? Even I as a fundamentalist in our teachings have such a hard time grasping how God could send my buddy, a Jehovah Witness to hell when it is clear that he loves God more than me. It is so hard yet with a lot of prayer and study, I see why but at times I still struggle. How is this for a person who knows absolutely nothing on their deathbed as they still struggle with their flesh still condoning their actions by not understanding?

[RobinD69]

You both have some very good points but what about those who teach lies as the truth throughout their lives and then expect God to forgive them. We actually have people here on this site who say "Just love them and all will be fine" I am sorry but if you do not act to help someone then you are not showing them love and if you go so far as to aid them in the sin, to maintain their sin as acceptable and normal, then you are doing worse than hating them. Why do you think Jesus did not condemn the adulterous woman? Where was the man? Why should just she be punished? She knew she did wrong and Jesus knew her heart and knew the hearts of the men in the crowd. How many of those men were guilty of sleeping with her? How many of those men were adulterors? She must have repented in her heart for Jesus to have decided not to condemn her, but what of the men. Look at the woman at the well, Jesus pointed out her sins and led her to repentance. What of the money changers? He destroyed their property and raged towards them and did not look for their repentance. Look at the young ruler, he followed the commandments but had no charity and walked away with his head hanging low. His riches were more important to him than his salvation. Jesus knew the hearts of the apostles and told them, not asked them, told them to follow Him. He rebuked Peter. He knew the heart of the man on the cross. Did the man just not want to go to hell or was he sincere? If Christ told him "Taday you will be with me in paradise" then he trully loved Christ.

[StirringWaters]

I would never assume it isn't possible. All things are possible with God.

[RobinD69]

Originally Posted by StirringWaters

I would never assume it isn't possible. All things are possible with God.

True.

[Nero777]

Originally Posted by Fundamentalist

Question: The man on the cross was a Jew, grew up under the Law realized Jesus was who He said He was and that he was a sinner but I am talking about those who don't really understand that they are sinners or what sin is? Even I as a fundamentalist in our teachings have such a hard time grasping how God could send my buddy, a Jehovah Witness to hell when it is clear that he loves God more than me. It is so hard yet with a lot of prayer and study, I see why but at times I still struggle. How is this for a person who knows absolutely nothing on their deathbed as they still struggle with their flesh still condoning their actions by not understanding?

I might be having a little trouble understanding your question, so forgive me if I don't answer it right. In regards to those who don't understand, I don't believe anyone can give a straight answer. Who can truly understand the entirety of the Scripture. If I had to give an answer, I would say that Christ would accept them into His paradise. Growing up in a Southern Baptist setting, I was always taught that God saves those who don't know him or his ways through grace, even if they never even heard the name of Jesus. If that is true, then wouldn't that also mean that God would grant clemency and salvation to those who may not truly understand the Scripture, that can include people like your JW friend. Just to be safe, let me find some scripture and I'll get back to you.

[Sundance]

Originally Posted by Fundamentalist

Many times I have heard this statement including from yours truly, "I will repent when I die" and then in one of the post in here I "heard" it again. Really? is this possible? Don't get me wrong. I believe there were people who heard the word and in someway embraced it but could not overcome the lust of the world only to later on their deathbed realize the scripture "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul". No I am talking about someone who outright rejected Christ really has no idea what exactly sin is nor obedience or the Holy Spirit working in them, dieing to self and then more. The only thing they know is that they don't want to go to hell. As a Christian I must say this is one hard life and I have learned so much in a short period of time realizing I still have a (mountain) of stuff to learn still and it will take several lifetimes so how is a person who knows nothing going to just like that repent on their deathbed and God will just welcome them into the kingdom?

There is no way for you to know another's mind. No way at all. I don't know why someone else would reject the Lord,
until they are near death - but many people do wait as long as they can - they are risking their souls by delaying; but it's their soul, they are risking.

As for death bed repentence, the Lord covered that, I believe. Quite nicely, too...

Passage Matthew 20:1-16:
Matthew 20

1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen

[Miss Shawn_2828]

Originally Posted by Fundamentalist

Many times I have heard this statement including from yours truly, "I will repent when I die" and then in one of the post in here I "heard" it again. Really? is this possible? Don't get me wrong. I believe there were people who heard the word and in someway embraced it but could not overcome the lust of the world only to later on their deathbed realize the scripture "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul". No I am talking about someone who outright rejected Christ really has no idea what exactly sin is nor obedience or the Holy Spirit working in them, dieing to self and then more. The only thing they know is that they don't want to go to hell. As a Christian I must say this is one hard life and I have learned so much in a short period of time realizing I still have a (mountain) of stuff to learn still and it will take several lifetimes so how is a person who knows nothing going to just like that repent on their deathbed and God will just welcome them into the kingdom?

Well, it's possible. We really don't know because God can save anyone in any condition, even on their death bed. But, we are not promised tomorrow, so it could be a very dangerous thing to wait, because we are not promised that the next day will come. So, if we are not promised, we don't know if we will have the time to repent on our death bed. That is why God warns us how to live. So, if someone wants to take that chance, then they are taking a chance.