Eschatology
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21. Can we as Christians help our loved ones who have died in their
sins? |
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No, we
cannot help them, because they are in hell, in this terrible place of
torment, where they are weeping and gnashing their teeth. And in this place
they can’t receive any help from us, so we can’t help them to be saved, nor
can we relieve their sufferings through prayers or alms. Such a thing is
impossible to us; they were lost before their death (for they did not believe
in Jesus) and they will be forever lost after their death. When they rise
again, they will be judged according to their works and they will be cast
into the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. There is no more hope for
them. |
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We can
help sinners only while they are still alive. How? By preaching to them the
cross, that is, salvation by grace through faith in Christ, and by exhorting
them to repent of their sins and to believe on Jesus. If they accept our
words, then they will be saved; but if they reject them, after death they
will suffer terrible pains forever. Their blood will be upon their own heads:
we are clean. |