In Matthew 19:17-30, Jesus instructed that to be “saved” we need to give up our earthly possessions and follow him.  Following Jesus requires the sacrifice not only of earthly things but of our wills to obey God’s will. A heavenly resurrection is a reward for obedience during this present, evil world. (Revelation 2:10.) “If we suffer (endure), we shall also reign with him.” At this time, God is only inviting some to follow Jesus (Matthew 13:10-11, 15). “But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it,” Matthew 7:14. 

Specifically, the Scriptures never state a person will go to heaven and have a second chance to convert.

However, 1 Timothy 2:4 reads, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” All are dying now because we inherit sin through Adam, but Jesus paid the price for Adam’s sin and saved Adam (and all his children). Romans 5:18 (ESV), “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.”  1 Corinthians 15:21-23, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

The Bible teaches the kingdom of God has two parts—one in heaven and one on earth. We pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-13).

Several times in Genesis, God gave Abraham a promise. “I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered” (Genesis 13:16). “Now look toward the heavens and count the stars if you are able to count them…so shall your descendants be” (Genesis 15:5). “I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore,” (Genesis 22:17). “And I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and will give your descendants all these lands and by your descendants, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,” (Genesis 26:4). 

Abraham’s descendants are described as earthly things (dust, sand) as well as heavenly things (stars) implying two places to be in God’s kingdom—on earth or in heaven. 

“All will come forth out of their graves” (John 5:28-29), some to a heavenly resurrection, others to a resurrection on earth. During Christ’s reign on earth, “a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness…even if they are fools, they shall not go astray…And the ransomed of the LORD (Jesus ransomed all) shall return and come to Zion with singing…and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” Isaiah 35:8, 10.

Sadly, even during Christ’s reign, some will choose sin. Those will die the second death from which there is no resurrection (Revelation 21:8).

Additional Resources:

For a more detailed study, download the free PDF: ” What Everyone Should Know About Being Saved”

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Blog Post: Is it possible to fall from grace and lose your salvation?

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