Is There a Second Chance After Burial?

When we think of the word “bury” we are usually thinking of a graveyard or hiding something. You might bury a treasure or try to bury a memory. Of course, if you “bury the hatchet” it means you are making a treaty and desire peace. There is one thing that most people know is certain. You don’t get to make any decisions after you die and are buried. You may write a will, but that predates your death. Some believe, however, that you can circumvent the choices you made in life by having someone else seek God’s leniency after you die.

When it comes to Christianity, at least from a “reformed” biblical view, praying for those who are dead is of no value. It is true that some churches teach prayers for the dead, as do other major religions. However, the key concept to remember (based on the entire New Testament), is that what a person believes (where they have their faith) and upon whom they trust determines their eternal destiny in the life to come. Works don’t save a person. It doesn’t take a seminary degree to see that the wages we earn because we sin is death. This is true from Genesis through Revelation. The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. There is no mention of “and also by the prayers of the living for the dead.”

“By faith alone through grace alone” refers to the belief that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith without any merit from our own actions. This concept emphasizes that we cannot earn salvation and someone cannot obtain it for you; it is solely based on God’s grace and our trust in Jesus Christ.

John 1:11-13 clearly states, “He (Jesus) came to his own (the nation of Israel), and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” It is hard to imagine how a dead corpse can receive or believe anything post death. Notice that there is no mention of a second path to become “children of God.” You can search the scriptures in vain for such a concept.

However, several religions do suggest an alternative. One used by some is found by using an obscure text in an apocryphal book.

Texts Used by Some to Support Praying for the Dead

Roman Catholics reference several extra-biblical texts to support the practice of praying for the dead. Here is the primary Scriptures they cite: 2 Maccabees 12:46.

This passage highlights the practice of praying for the dead, stating: “It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” This verse forms a foundational basis for the Catholic belief in purgatory and intercessory prayers for those who have died. The problem with this is that this concept is not found in the gospels. It also ignores the reality that today is the day of salvation (as clearly stated in the scriptures.)

2 Maccabees 12:38-45 “Then Judas assembled his army and went to the city of Adul′lam. As the seventh day was coming on, they purified themselves according to the custom, and they kept the sabbath there.

On the next day, as by that time it had become necessary, Judas and his men went to take up the bodies of the fallen and to bring them back to lie with their kinsmen in the sepulchres of their fathers. Then under the tunic of every one of the dead they found sacred tokens of the idols of Jam′nia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear to all that this was why these men had fallen. So they all blessed the ways of the Lord, the righteous Judge, who reveals the things that are hidden; and they turned to prayer, beseeching that the sin which had been committed might be wholly blotted out. And the noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had happened because of the sin of those who had fallen. He also took up a collection, man by man, to the amount of two thousand drachmas of silver, and sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering. In doing this he acted very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection. For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.” – New Catholic Bible

A Biblical Approach

Everyone likes to have “a second chance.” Sadly, when it comes to eternity that doesn’t exist.

According to Hebrews 9:27, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” This indicates a final judgment immediately following death, implying that one’s eternal destiny is sealed at that moment. Prayers for the dead, therefore, serve no purpose, as they cannot influence the judgment that has already occurred. Faith is not just one of a couple of options.

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

It would be comforting, if it were true, that you can pray for the soul of a departed loved one. Don’t jump on board that train. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.