Is There a Second Chance of Salvation After Death?

People who believe in the heresy of universalism often quote 1 Peter 3:19, 4:6, and Revelation 20:11–17 to show that there is a second chance after death. However, nothing could be further from the truth. 1 Peter 3:19 and 4:6 are sometimes used to say that there is a second chance of salvation after death. However, that is not the case, as we shall see. 1 Peter 3:18-20 says

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

The ”spirit” referred to is the Holy Spirit through whom Jesus was raised from the dead (Rom 8:11). But who are the “spirits” to whom He proclaimed a message? The word translated “proclaimed” is the Greek word kerusso. It is often paired with a subject such as “the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:2) or justice (Matt 12:18), but here there is no subject given. This message cannot be salvation for these reasons: (1) it is an exclusive group; they were in the days of Noah; (2) the word “spirits” usually refers to angels, not human beings. Therefore, Christ proclaimed victory over the fallen angels who rebelled and led humanity astray in Noah’s day. Peter’s use of kerusso instead of the word for preaching the Gospel (euaggelizo) lends support for this view. For those who take “spirits” to be people, the best understanding of these verses is that Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, preached to those of Noah’s day through Noah before the Flood (2 Pet 2:5). There is no “second chance” involved.

1 Peter also fails the test of a second chance. Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:1–6

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

Notice first that the word proclaim, kerusso, is not used, but preach the Gospel, euaggeliizo. Therefore, the content of the message is different. Also note that in verse 6 it says that the gospel “has been” preached (euaggelizo) to those who “are” dead. The preaching is in the past, while they are presently dead. Here, the dead are Christians who have died by natural causes or martyrdom. There is no salvation after death (Heb 9:27).

The conclusion one comes up with concerning these verses is that there is no second chance. Others may cling to the idea that the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11–15 may offer a time of repentance. The term translated as judged, krino, means to “pass judgment upon” and refers to the sentencing of the one accused. The basis for judgment is whether the person’s name is already in the book of life. For this reason, this judgment does not affect the righteous, who have already been judged (Rev 20:4). There is no sign of a second chance here. Life is the trial in which all witness their allegiance to God or sin. Death is the closing argument and end of it, and all await their judgment day.