SECOND CHANCE
Many believe that if Adam, the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, the flood victims, and all of mankind are resurrected and judged for their lives in the next Age, that it constitutes a Second Chance.
The Bible says that Adam will receive another opportunity for eternal life because it is God’s will. But what is the reason behind God’s will?
Adam was created perfectly in body and mind, and his test was fair, as he was in a good environment where obeying was both possible and sensible; however, when he encountered a significant temptation, he failed due to his inexperience. What was that temptation?
The Apostle informs us that Adam was not tricked – he was not ignorant. He understood that eating the forbidden fruit would break God’s command and lead to death. 1 Timothy 2:14, tells us; “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” But why did he choose to do it, effectively ending his own life?
The story in Genesis, chapter three, implies that it was due to his deep love for his wife. While he found some pleasure in the animals, he lacked a partner. When God created a wife for him, made from his own flesh and bone, he truly cherished that loving bond. When she was tricked by the serpent and consumed the forbidden fruit, he understood that he would lose her and be alone once more, prompting him to eat the fruit with her and share her fate.
It would be just like our Heavenly Father to tell Adam that he was not fully aware of what He could or would do for him, and what he could have had at that moment had he been obedient. So He tells Adam, “I plan to redeem you and your lineage. You will experience my love, and once you understand the vastness of my love, I will expect you to completely and perfectly follow my law and live eternally. However, if you do not obey, you will face the Second Death and will never have another chance at life”.
Regarding the rest of mankind, we can say they had their opportunity in Adam. When Adam sinned, he was condemned, and all his descendants who were in him shared in that condemnation and death. 1 Corinthians 15:22 reads; “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
However, apart from Church class, during the Gospel Age, none of Adam’s offspring have received a complete and fair individual trial for life. This is the reason God sent Jesus, to redeem Adam and all his children, allowing them to have a full and fair chance during Christ’s future Mediatorial Reign.
During the Gospel Age, those who embraced Christ as their Savior were given the chance to dedicate their lives to God. Those who accepted this opportunity became spirit-begotten and entered a trial for life. They gave up their right to restitution with the world for the greater privilege of attaining divine nature as members of Christ’s Bride, provided they remained faithful.
James 1:12 tell us:
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
The key difference between their trial and the future trial of the world is that the spirit-begotten are judged based on their intentions, motives, and spirit. God kindly covered their human flaws with the robe of Christ’s righteousness, considering them perfect in His eyes. In fact, if they had perfect bodies, they would act perfectly. Romans 5:1 tells us, “having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Some translations read “declared righteous”.However, if they were unfaithful to their consecration vows, they would face the Second Death. Their one complete and fair opportunity has been in this life. Rev. 2:11 tells us, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” It’s only logical, if they didn’t “overcome” then they would fall into “second death.”
The world is anticipated to reach true human perfection during Christ’s Mediatorial Reign, showing that perfection through trials – the faithful will receive eternal life on earth, while the unfaithful will face the Second Death for not seizing their one complete and fair opportunity. Acts 15:15-17 reads;
“And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’”