really? You wrote: "Some people are going to find out and believe...after they're dead and it's too late for the belief to help them
That's not scare tactic? And hwat do you offer as proof?
"Scare tactic"? Nope, just a fact. Why would you perceive that to be a "scare tactic"? If I tell a 16 year old that if they drink and drive and a cop pulls them over they will lose their drivers license, is that a fact or a "scare tactic"?
And "proof"?
Jesus Christ made it very clear that a persons relationship with God in this present life will determine his destiny in the life to come (Matthew 19:16-26; 7:13-23).
In a parable on the last judgment in Matthew 25:31, Jesus brought out this truth clearly. He concluded His parable saying, These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (v. 46).
Jesus said the most sobering thing about mans eternal destiny. Hell is the destiny of those who refuse Him. Heaven is the destiny of those who believe in Him.
Jesus spoke of hell more often than did anyone else in the New Testament. He was not mean; He dealt with reality and truth. Nowhere in the Bible is there a hint of any possible reversal of the last judgment. There is no second chance after you die physically.
There is no escape from Gods judgment for eternity. The consequences of neglecting or rejecting Gods gift of life are tragic. It is plain from Gods Word that sin will be punished (Matt. 10:15; Dan. 12:2; Jn. 5:28-29; Rom. 5:12-21). No one will be exempt. The message of the Bible is clear that there is never any indication that the punishment of sin ever ceases.
The duration of the punishment will be the same as the gift of life. It is a never-ending age to come. Jesus said, Then He will also say to those on His left, Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41). A little later He said, These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (v. 46). The apostle Paul gave the same emphasis when he wrote, These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thess. 1:9).
So my "proof" are the words of Christ. And it remains very, very sad and such a waste.