The Thief and the Deathbed Lie
Many claim the thief on the cross proves you can wait until your final breath to be saved. But Scripture shows his repentance was nothing like the false hope of a casual deathbed confession. Learn the truth before the door closes.
In Noah’s day, the warning was clear. For over a hundred years, he built the ark in plain sight. He preached. He told people judgment was coming. But they carried on with life, mocking the idea. Then one day, the skies opened and the rain poured down. The waters rose. But the door to the ark was already shut — not by Noah, but by God.
“Then the Lord closed it behind him.” (Genesis 7:16)
It’s easy to imagine the pounding on that door as the water rose. But the time for mercy had ended. The invitation had expired. The judgment had begun.
Many today live as if there’s always one more chance. They comfort themselves with the idea that at the very end — in their last breath — they can say a prayer and be saved. They call it “deathbed salvation.” It’s a dangerous lie.
Yes, God is merciful. But He also warns us: “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6) “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15)
People often point to the thief on the cross as proof that anyone can wait until the last second. But the thief’s story doesn’t support the fantasy — it destroys it.
“One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” (Luke 23:39–43)
The thief feared God. He admitted his guilt without excuse. He recognized Jesus as innocent and as King. And he cried out for mercy. That’s not a casual, last-second decision. That’s a broken heart, full of faith.
There’s a world of difference between that and someone who has spent a lifetime rejecting God, assuming they can toss up a quick prayer at the end. The Bible says of Esau: “For you know that even afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.” (Hebrews 12:17)
Tears and fear are not repentance. A heart that has resisted God’s Word for a lifetime is often too hardened to truly turn at the end.
The door is open now — but it will not stay open forever. Don’t wait until the rain falls. Don’t pound on the door after it’s shut.
“For He says, ‘At a favorable time I listened to you, and on a day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘a favorable time,’ behold, now is ‘a day of salvation.’” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler
I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.
This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.
Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)
