Hence Let Everyone Reason Thus:

“The righteous Judge has forewarned me about what will be done on the last day. I am sure it is just judgment. But the righteous Judge has forewarned me that if I do not believe God in time³⁶ and obey the teachings of the Gospel, I will be isolated from His [benevolent] presence and His glory at the last day and will be tortured in soul and body for ever. Therefore I am convicted that this is just judgment. And I have reason to thank God heartily Who has forewarned me to flee from the wrath that is to come.” Thus everyone may, by the Law or Covenant of Works, be convicted of judgment if he continues under the Covenant of Works or does not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.

36 Time here refers to the need to believe prior to one’s death or Christ’s Second Coming, whichever comes first. After either of these one-time events, there are no second chances.