The question of whether there will be a second chance for salvation after the rapture is a controversial one amongst Bible scholars. The rapture refers to the event described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, where believers in Christ will be “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air. At this point, the Great Tribulation on earth will begin. Many believe this tribulation period will last 7 years, culminating in the visible return of Christ to establish His millennial kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:1-6).
So what happens during this 7-year tribulation period regarding salvation? Some key points from Scripture:
- God’s Spirit and the church will no longer restrain evil in the world (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8). This will allow the antichrist to rise to power and deceive many.
- The gospel will continue to be preached by an angel flying “in midheaven” and the 144,000 Jewish witnesses on earth (Revelation 14:6-7). People will still have a chance to receive Christ.
- A great multitude “which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues” will come to faith in Christ during the tribulation (Revelation 7:9-14). They will have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
- Those who receive the mark of the beast worshiping Satan will be eternally condemned (Revelation 14:9-11). This implies eternal salvation is still possible for those who continue to follow Christ.
So during the 7-year tribulation period, people will still have an opportunity to repent and believe in Christ. God is “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). However, it will become increasingly difficult as persecution intensifies, deception spreads, and the judgments of God fall on an unrepentant world.
Some key reasons why the tribulation period will still allow for salvation include:
- God’s mercy endures forever – His desire is for all people of all times to have a chance to repent.
- People need to make a choice regarding the antichrist – God is just in allowing this deceiver to rise up for people to choose who they will follow.
- The martyred saints under the altar in Heaven are asking how long until the Lord judges the earth (Revelation 6:10). God’s justice requires giving opportunity for repentance before sending judgment.
- The gospel is everlasting and must be preached until the end (Matthew 24:14). God always provides a witness to the truth.
Will there be salvations after Christ’s return?
What about after Christ’s visible, triumphant return to earth at the end of the 7 years? Scripture implies there will not be any more opportunity for repentance and salvation after this. Key points:
- All unbelievers are thrown into the lake of fire after Christ’s return – no provision for any to repent (Revelation 19:20, 20:15).
- Believers enter the Millennial Kingdom ruled by Christ on earth (Revelation 20:4-6). Unbelievers are not allowed.
- Satan is bound and cast into the Abyss during the 1000 years of Christ’s rule (Revelation 20:1-3). With no deceiver, all would have a chance to believe – yet none do.
- At the end of the Millennial Kingdom, Satan is released temporarily and gathers an army of unbelievers to rebel against Christ, showing hardened unbelief (Revelation 20:7-9). They are swiftly judged.
Scripture paints a consistent picture that the time for repentance ends when Christ visibly returns. At this point, one’s eternal destiny is sealed – either to everlasting life with Christ or to everlasting punishment apart from Him (Matthew 25:46). There will be no later opportunity to reconsider.
Romans 14:11-12 declares every knee will bow to Christ and every tongue confess He is Lord. But for many, tragically this confession will come too late. At the end of the age, Christ will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) – the saved from the unsaved – and their eternal fates determined. There will be no second chance after this.
Objections to a Second Chance After Christ’s Return
Some object that a good and loving God would not cut off all opportunity for repentance after Christ’s return. However, Scripture paints a different picture:
- Justice and Wrath – God’s justice and wrath against sin demand punishment for unrepentant sinners who persist in rebellion (Romans 2:5-6). God cannot force people to love Him.
- Set Number of Days – God has allotted a set span of time for each person to live and choose Him (Job 14:5, Hebrews 9:27). That time ends with death or Christ’s return.
- No Second Chance for Fallen Angels – Scripture is clear that fallen angels have no opportunity for future redemption (Matthew 25:41, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6). Why should unsaved humans have an opportunity angels don’t?
- Urgency of the Gospel – The urgent pleas in Scripture to believe now, while there is time, make no sense if people will have a second chance later (2 Corinthians 6:2, Hebrews 3:13).
Though some argue it would be cruel for God to not provide ongoing chances to repent, Scripture does not seem to support this idea. Rather, it underscores the urgency and finality of one’s choice for or against Christ in this lifetime.
Implications for Our Present Lives
What implications does this have for people today? Several important ones:
- We must share Christ now with urgency, while people still have time and opportunity to repent.
- We must make the most of our own limited time on earth to know Christ ourselves.
- We should live holy lives, knowing our time grows shorter (1 Peter 4:7).
- We can have hope knowing Christ’s return is coming, though we don’t know when.
- We should encourage and build up fellow believers as we see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).
Though we cannot know with certainty all the details of how God will bring final judgment, we do know this: Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). For those reading this, now is your time to repent and believe. Don’t presume on God’s grace and assume there will be endless chances in the future. Scripture warns the time is short – make your choice wisely.
In summary, though Scripture shows people will still have a chance to repent during the Tribulation period after the rapture of the church, this chance appears to end when Christ visibly returns in power and glory. At this point, one’s eternal destination is sealed. This underscores the urgency we must have now to put our faith in Christ while we still can. The door of salvation will not remain open forever.
For those seeking salvation, today is the day! Turn from your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life for you. There is no guarantee of tomorrow.
