If an evil person repents on their death-bed will their spirit rise as still evil or righteous?

Answer 1

I believe The Bible teaches that if a person TRULY repents on their deathbed, and only God and that person knows if they do or not, then that person will go to Heaven, and they will be resurrected as a righteous person. The example that I always think of is the thief on the cross next to Jesus. The one that had a repentant attitude and asked Jesus to remember him when He came to His kingdom, was told by Jesus that he would be with Jesus that day in Paradise. He was not told he would be in hell. Luke 23:39-43

Another biblical example is the parable of the field laborers that Jesus told. Remember some were hired at different times during the day, yet all received the same wages, in this case salvation and eternal life.

Answer

I agree that some men are saved by grace, but, and it is a big but, after all they can do. To pacify relatives that their dearly beloved will be in paradise is all very well but the true translation of paradise is spirit world, and not in the presence of the Father, for no unclean thing can enter into His presence. Hell does not come into the question, for few people will go to hell, that is the world where Satan and his angels dwell.Likewise millions of our Fathers children will not enter into His presence, only those who have perfected themselves,those who have lived Celestial lives. those and those only will enter into the glory of God. That is the law of heaven and cannot be changed.

ANSWERMan is given life upon the earth so that he may grow and prosper in wisdom and knowledge. Wisdom and knowledge can be used for good or for evil intentions, though I would sugest that there is little wisdom used for his evil intents.

If a man has been evil up until he is upon his death bed, he will have no time to prove that he has repented; no matter how ernest his repentance is. One can only show true repentance if he changes from his evil ways, and proves by his actions or deeds over a given period of time set by the Lord.

If a man has been evil then that same spirit that possess him at the time of death will rise with him. If he procrastinates the day of his repentance he is subject to Satan. I do not believe that he can say I have repented of my evil ways, it is now time to return to my God.

AnswerI would not presume to judge, as the previous answerer seems to have done, that the persons repentance was not genuine, just because on their death bed. Most certainly this is not the best place to repent, as the person has no opportunity to right wrongs, nor to spend any of their earthly life for the glory of God. However, to any believing relative it would be a great comfort to know that the repentant sinner is welcomed by God's grace and, just like any repentant sinner who has their entire life ahead of them, they are saved by God's grace, not by good works or righteous deeds, nor by church attendance.

The scripture is abundantly clear on this issue. To the thief on the cross the Lord Jesus Christ said 'today thou shalt be with me in paradise.' I would think that such a promise from the savior would be beyond question. Then there is also Jesus' parable of the laborers in the vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16. This parable relates specifically to entry into the kingdom of heaven and this question in that the reward is the same to all, no matter when they enter. The reward of eternal life is the same, no matter when it is received, even to those who come, as it were, at the eleventh hour. Of course one would need to ask 'why was it left so long? However the principle remains the same - if a person repents and believes they are saved, whenever that happens. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that good works follow salvation and do not cause it.

Of course, if there is not genuine repentance then that is another thing. But, as the question was put as it was, I would not presume to judge. God's promise holds true, and His word is sure, above anything man might devise. All human systems require some kind of works. Salvation in Christ is by grace alone. No better example than this can be given, that a person is accepted by faith, as evidenced in true repentance, even if at the very end of their life. That is grace indeed.

It is most certainly true as stated above that 'no unclean thing can come into His presence.' This is why the salvation that comes upon repentance and faith involves the 'washing of regeneration' in which the blood of Jesus atones for all a persons sin, past, present, and future. Those who deny the blood atonement or think we have to do good works to complete what Jesus only did partly can only be left with uncertainty in a case like this and a false trust in human works in other cases where a righteous life can be demonstrated. The atoning blood of Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation to base salvation on, and thus, such a person on their death-bed becomes righteous, on the basis of what Jesus did for them and in which they are now trusting.