There is no indication in the Bible that we can accept or change
our minds in hell about the truth of God or a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28
The verse says we have one shot (an entire lifetime) to believe
and then we die and face judgment.
In Luke 16:19-31, the rich man in hell was allowed an opportunity
to speak to the Abraham in heaven, who was resting with Lazarus, a beggar.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “
Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ “ Luke 16:24-31
This story illustrates some interesting points:
- There is a chasm between heaven and hell. Communication between the two places was opened up only for this special moment.
- The rich man knows what he did wrong and doesn’t want his family to repeat his mistake. He’s conscious of his past and accepts his fate.
- The rich man never begs to enter heaven, but instead tries to get his family, still alive on earth, to come into a relationship with God.
- If anyone could repent in hell, why doesn’t the rich man try? Why is he so concerned with his family and not trying to build a case for himself?
The rich man seems to know/accept his fate, believing there is no
second chance. If he could, wouldn't he
be trying?
It also wouldn’t be fair for people who lived a just life to
receive the same rewards as those who sinned and hurt people their entire
lifetime, then got an opportunity with all that evidence before them in hell to
accept heaven.
Would they really want to be with Jesus or do they just want to
get out of hell? And would being in hell
immediately cause someone to love God?
It’s not clear.
Everyone in heaven wants to be with God because they love God. Everyone in hell chose to be apart from God
and they know what they have done…
…and they know they have to live with it…for eternity.