2nd Chance After Death?

Do our dead ancestors still have a chance (of salvation) though they never had the chance to hear the Gospel?

Hmmm...the answer should be VERY straight forward, right? Just in case u wonder, the answer is NO.

Yet I was surprised to hear some beloved bro/sis-in-Christ have a contrary opinion. Of course I am still trying to find out which Scriptural verses formed that opinion, or under what circumstances/pretext was this subject discussed.

First, I could TOTALLY understand why we wish our dead (but unsaved) ancestors still be given a chance to accept Jesus as LORD & Saviour. After all, hell is real, heaven is real, and MOST importantly, God is real too. And which of us true believers don't ache for the salvation of the unsaved living as much as for the unsaved dead?

And hypothetically speaking, salvation should be a ZILLION times easier for these dead souls who are literally burning in Hades now!

Have u not read the story of the Rich Man & Lazarus?

And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'

(Luk 16:24)

Did Abraham answer the rich man: "Errr...son, u gotta burn a bit longer...be patient...wait for Jesus to resurrect u bodily...then u choose Him, ok? U still got a chance..."

Unfortunately NO.

Then we read the rich man begged Abraham to SEND Lazarus BACK to warn his 5 other living brothers of this 'place of torment'... And how did Abraham answer?

But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"

(Luk 16:29-31)

Salvation is only possible while a person is still living.

For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

(2Co 6:2)

again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

(Heb 4:7)

TODAY is the day.