Did some people get saved after they died?

[NathanH83]

In the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16 Abraham says,

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.
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 seems to preclude any second chance after death.

Then why did Jesus preach the gospel to the dead?

Certainly, it is true that Abraham admitted he could not cross that gulf. That’s not a lie. Abraham, nor anyone else could cross it.

But doesn’t the all-powerful God have the ability to cross the gulf that He Himself created in the first place?

Didn’t Jesus descend into the lower parts of the Earth? Didn’t Jesus ascend to the highest of heights? Isn’t it clear that Jesus crossed that gulf, according to the scriptures?

Didn’t Jesus lead captivity captive?

 

[Fritz Kobus]

Then why did Jesus preach the gospel to the dead?

Certainly, it is true that Abraham admitted he could not cross that gulf. That’s not a lie. Abraham, nor anyone else could cross it.

But doesn’t the all-powerful God have the ability to cross the gulf that He Himself created in the first place?

Didn’t Jesus descend into the lower parts of the Earth? Didn’t Jesus ascend to the highest of heights? Isn’t it clear that Jesus crossed that gulf, according to the scriptures?

Didn’t Jesus lead captivity captive?

Where does it say Jesus preached the gospel to the dead? I only see that he preached, or heralded to them. It very well may be that he proclaimed their damnation.

 

[Spindle4]

Why would Jesus bother preaching the gospel to them if they can’t be saved?

Exactly, which is why Noah is written up as a preacher of righteousness, the Spirit of Christ being in him as he preached to sinful humanity . . . now get this . . . for the benefit of future generations . . .

1Pe 1:10-12 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: (11) Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

2Pe 2:4-5 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Gen 6:5-13 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (7) And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (9) These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. (10) And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (11) The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (12) And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. (13) And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

 

[NathanH83]

Where does it say Jesus preached the gospel to the dead? I only see that he preached, or heralded to them. It very well may be that he proclaimed their damnation.

“by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.”
-1 Peter 3:19-20

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 3:19-20 - New King James Version

by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

www.biblegateway.com

“For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”
-1 Peter 4:6 - Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 4:6 - New King James Version

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”
-John 5:25 - Bible Gateway passage: John 5:25 - New King James Version


What was the gospel that Jesus preached to the dead? Gospel means good news. What was the good news that he had for the spirits who sinned in Noah’s day?

 

[NathanH83]

Exactly, which is why Noah is written up as a preacher of righteousness, the Spirit of Christ being in him as he preached to sinful humanity . . . now get this . . . for the benefit of future generations . . .

1Pe 1:10-12 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: (11) Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

2Pe 2:4-5 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Gen 6:5-13 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (7) And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (9) These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. (10) And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (11) The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (12) And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. (13) And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

It says that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison. They weren’t in prison in Noah’s day.

 

[Andrew]

“by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.”
-1 Peter 3:19-20

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 3:19-20 - New King James Version

by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

www.biblegateway.com

“For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”
-1 Peter 4:6 - Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 4:6 - New King James Version

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”
-John 5:25 - Bible Gateway passage: John 5:25 - New King James Version


What was the gospel that Jesus preached to the dead? Gospel means good news. What was the good news that he had for the spirits who sinned in Noah’s day?

It still sounds to me like Jesus literally preached to the dead who, in their former life, were disobedient.

If this just means that Jesus preached to "the dead" aka "unbelievers", then why include the word "also" if all believers were once "dead" aka "unbelievers" regardless?

 

[NathanH83]

Why do we read the Bible if we’re not going to believe it?

 

[Spindle4]

It says that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison. They weren’t in prison in Noah’s day.

Already addressed. They were when Peter penned his epistle, hence the statement.

• Jesus went in the Spirit in Noah's day
• Preached through Noah
• To the reprobate wicked
• who the perished in the flood
• and were imprisoned in Hades at the time Peter penned his epistle.

 

[Fritz Kobus]

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”
-John 5:25 - Bible Gateway passage: John 5:25 - New King James Version

The previous verse, John 5:24 shows that Jesus is referring to the spiritually dead, not the physically dead:

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

 

[NathanH83]

Already addressed. They were when Peter penned his epistle, hence the statement.

• Jesus went in the Spirit in Noah's day
• Preached through Noah
• To the reprobate wicked
• who the perished in the flood
• and were imprisoned in Hades at the time Peter penned his epistle.

It says Jesus preached to spirits in prison who formerly were disobedient.

It doesn’t say that he preached to them before they were imprisoned. It says he preached to spirits in prison.

 

[NathanH83]

The previous verse, John 5:24 shows that Jesus is referring to the spiritually dead, not the physically dead:

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

The following verses make it clear that Jesus is talking about those who are literally, physically dead in their graves:

“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
-John 5:28-29

Bible Gateway passage: John 5:28-29 - New King James Version

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

www.biblegateway.com

But prior to saying this, he says “And now is”, making a distinction between what is going to happen now, and what will happen in the distant future.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”
-John 5:25 - Bible Gateway passage: John 5:25 - New King James Version

He’s talking about those who are actually dead in the graves.

 

[Fritz Kobus]

Looks to me like Jesus first talks about the spiritually dead (Jn 5:24,25). then he talks about the physical dead (those in their graves, Jn 5:28,29).

 

[NathanH83]

Looks to me like Jesus first talks about the spiritually dead (Jn 5:24,25). then he talks about the physical dead (those in their graves, Jn 5:28,29).

Why can’t verse 25 be referring to both?

After all, Lazarus was literally, physically dead in his grave. Then he heard Jesus’ voice, and he came forth alive. That could very well be one of the things Jesus meant by “and now is.” After all, it happened in Jesus’ lifetime.

But Ephesians 4 also says that Jesus descended into the lower parts of the Earth. Jesus says he’d spend 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the Earth. 1 Peter 3 says that he preached to spirits in prison who were formerly disobedient in Noah’s day. And 1 Peter 4 says that he preached the gospel to the dead so that they might live. And Ephesians says that after descending into the lower parts of the Earth, he then ascended on high, and led captivity captive.

Who were the captives who he took captive? Who held them captive to begin with before Jesus took them captive? Where did Jesus get the captives? He just came from the lower parts of the Earth. Did the captives come from the lower parts of the Earth?

Put 2 and 2 together!

Jesus descended into the lower parts of the Earth, spent 3 days in the heart of the Earth, preached the gospel to the sinners in prison who formerly were disobedient in Noah’s day. He preached to them so that they might live, then ascended to the highest of heights taking the captives with him.

Jesus paid the bail to get them out of jail!

The Israelites had animal sacrifices. So they had a way of atoning for their sins and making it into heaven. But NOW Jesus paid the atoning sacrifice for EVERYONE, even those who died before the Flood.

 

[NathanH83]

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” -Matthew 4:16, (OSB)

 

[Angelina1239]

I think it means dead in spirit?

What does the Bible say?

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”
John 5:25 - Bible Gateway passage: John 5:25 - New King James Version

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Matthew 12:40 - Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 12:40 - New King James Version

Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended” —what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
Ephesians 4:8-10 - Bible Gateway passage: Ephesians 4:8-10 - New King James Version

“by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.”
1 Peter 3:19-20 - Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 3:19-20 - New King James Version

“For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”
1 Peter 4:6 - Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 4:6 - New King James Version

Yet walking around on earth as if alive.
I cannot see how once we are physically dead, we could be saved. There would be no urgency in case. Yet we know time is short, because the life of man is brief.

 

[NathanH83]

I think it means dead in spirit?

Yet walking around on earth as if alive.
I cannot see how once we are physically dead, we could be saved. There would be no urgency in case. Yet we know time is short, because the life of man is brief.

But the people in Noah’s day didn’t hear the gospel during their lifetime. They weren’t given a chance to accept or reject Christ. So Jesus preached the gospel to the dead. That’s why it says he led captivity captive.

 

[Angelina1239]

This is an important point. What about those who have not heard the gospels? Only God can decide our eternity.
Yet those who have heard the gospels, who know about the Bible but refuse deliberately to accept Christ are the ones who may have problems at their death. We each face God in the end.

 

[Fritz Kobus]

What about those who have not heard the gospels?

Romans 1
"19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"​

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