Well, my dear friend, I know of no way in which a person can go to heaven (in other words, be saved) except by being born again (John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:23), so I am obliged to answer “no” to your specific question as stated. Still, I would find it difficult to believe that an unbeliever would refuse to deny Christ, particularly if that meant death for that individual. But such an act, if it were to happen, would not be the reason for salvation, but rather it is totally by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that men are saved. Now, let me further explain what I mean. When Nicodemus came to the Lord Jesus by night in John 3:1-2, I believe that he came by night because of his concern for the reaction of the Jews to his visit. This was taking quite a chance for Nicodemus. When he arrived, he did indicate that he knew Jesus was from God by His mighty works. But, was Nicodemus saved because of this recognition or because of his boldness in coming to the Lord at all despite the Jews? The Lord Jesus answered this question in verse 3 where He stated plainly: “…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” My dear friend, a person can only be saved by God’s Grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and not by his works or actions, no matter how brave or good such actions might be (Ephesians 2:8,9; Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9, Titus 3:5).

I do believe that Nicodemus did come to believe on the Lord Jesus as his Lord and Savior, though I am not certain when the transaction actually took place.  I am surmising that Nicodemus became a true believer on Jesus at some point because in John 19:38-39 we read that Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Jesus, though secretly for fear of the Jews. He begged the body of Jesus from Pilate, then in verse 39 he was assisted by Nicodemus in preparing the Lord’s body for burial.  Both men took a terrible risk in doing this. Thus, I conclude that Nicodemus was likely also a “secret” disciple of Jesus.  And yet, although both men risked their fortunes and their very lives by caring for the body of the Lord, it is not for these brave actions that they were saved, but rather for their belief that He indeed was the Christ of God. Now I do allow that for centuries, and even today in many parts of the world, Christians are put to the test of denying the Lord Jesus upon peril of their lives.  But I would assert that even if a Christian fails in such a test, this would not necessarily mean that they were not a born-again Christian.  You may recall that Peter himself denied the Lord 3 times, and yet he was saved (Luke 22:56-61; John 21:15-18).

But now, I wonder if you might be thinking of Matthew 24:13 where we read: “…But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”  So, what does this verse mean? This statement was part of the Lord’s sermon on the Mount of Olives, and it is prophetic, looking towards the Tribulation Period and the return of Christ Jesus to the earth after the close of the church age.  I believe that William MacDonald in his commentary on this verse explains the verse very well: “…This obviously does not mean that men’s souls will be saved at that time by their enduring; salvation is always presented in the Bible as a gift of God’s grace, received by faith in Christ’s substitutionary death and resurrection. Neither can it mean that all who endure will escape physical harm; we have already learned that many believers will be martyred (v. 9). It is a general statement that those who stand fast, enduring persecution without apostatizing, will be delivered at Christ’s Second Advent. No one should imagine that apostasy will be a means of escape or safety. Only those who have true faith shall be saved. Although saving faith may have lapses, it always has the quality of permanence.”  (SF)  (606.3)