What happens to people who never here about Christ?

[DustyRhodes]

If we hear about God and don't comply and accept, we may be doomed. Beyond that,
no one knows whether God has come to someone by personal revelation. That method
is definitely possible. I am an example of that. I lived in a remote place with no Christians.
God engaged me at a very young age, like four or five. I did not know all about Him but
I knew Him and that led me as time went on to find out more about Him. Here I sit many
years later. It is unfair for anyone to say that if some man didn't tell another about God,
that person is doomed. Who ever may say that is substituting their knowledge for God's.
Scripture says, your ways are not my ways. So we need to leave such things to God.

 

[Depleted]

This is a question I have been thinking about quite a bit lately. What if a person never hears about the Gospel and never knows there is a God who cares about them and does evil things but they don't know any better because they have never read the words of the Bible. Are they going to go to heaven or to hell?

Well, Abraham never heard about Jesus. Neither did Noah, Job, Moses, David, etc. They're all saved anyway.

And there is proof that God went to China before it was China, and proof God went to Italy, before it was Rome. The word Jah originally meant Jehovah. Jove meant Jehovah too. The thing is Man down-graded Jehovah over the centuries to something much less.

In like kind, being saved isn't about going to heaven or hell, although that's in it too. It's about being God's people or not. It's about following God, or not.

God's not missing anyone. Jesus promised to get all the ones his father gives him, and to lose none. Not even one. So, if God plans on saving someone, he'll save that person. We're merely instruments in getting the word out. He does the saving.

 

[Depleted]

It seems to me that God's loves His children so much that He sent His one and only human born Son to die in our place. Would He send one of His children to Hell because he was isolated? I don't think so. Indeed I am convinced that God would work a miracle to make sure that His isolated child would have some way of hearing or reading the Gospel. ....P.... So, if an isolated tribesman in remote "whoflungdung" is sincere about wanting to know the truth of God, God will provide a missionary, or maybe have a Bible fall out of an airplane, or send a survey crew to that remote place to lead those (elected) children of God into the kingdom. God does not neglect His own. ....P....This computer or CC is not allowing me to use paragraphs.

First, is Whoflungdung east or west of East Jabip?

Second, what if the Whoflungdungian was born in 400 BC, or even 40 AD, before there were missionaries and airplanes leaking Bibles?

 

[maxwel]

Hi Devin,

It's a great question and it use to bother me too. Until I studied Romans.

Romans 1:18-20
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in nrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Mankind is without excuse.

1. Within each and every person, God made Himself known. (Inner Witness)
2. God's creation itself tells us there's a God. (Outer Witness)

I could be wrong, but I believe that each person is visited by God - that He reveals Himself in a clear way so that when the day comes and they won't make it to heaven, they will know that there was a moment in time where they knew there was a God and therefore they'll have no excuse before God.

Those who reject God even thought they know He exists.

Romans 1:21-32
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Because I know God's character, I don't worry about anyone not being in heaven that's suppose to be and vice versa. No one in hell has an excuse to get out.

God is just and He's loving and kind and good. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

Ezekiel 33:11

Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’

Devin,

Just to be clear, when I said it was a "bad question", I didn't mean it was wrong of you to ask.
I just meant that the question itself has internal problems... presuppositions.

It's good to be asking questions, and I agree with Depleted that it's an important question for a believer to ask and to resolve.

 

[bluto]

Ok, thank you!

In my day devin the question would have been framed, "What about the heathen?" Keep in mind that Jesus said at Mark 16:15, "God into ALL THE WORLD and preach the gospel TO ALL CREATION." God, who is just and fair will see to it that the gospel is preached. I also agree with what onefaith stated and what Romans 1:20 states. In short, God will take care of it. In fact, He may even call you, who knows, just keep studying your Bible and look to Him.

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto

 

[dcontroversal]

compare that with this;
Chapter 3: Of God's Decree

1._____ God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein; nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established; in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree.
( Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 9:15, 18; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5; Acts 4:27, 28; John 19:11; Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 1:3-5 )2._____ Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything, because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
( Acts 15:18; Romans 9:11, 13, 16, 18 )
3._____ By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.
( 1 Timothy 5:21; Matthew 25:34; Ephesians 1:5, 6; Romans 9:22, 23; Jude 4 )
4.______These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.
( 2 Timothy 2:19; John 13:18 )
5._____ Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.
( Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11; Romans 8:30; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 9:13, 16; Ephesians 2:5, 12 )
6._____ As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so he hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto; wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.
( 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10; Romans 8:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:5; John 10:26; John 17:9; John 6:64 )
7._____ The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election; so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.
( 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5; 2 Peter 1:10; Ephesians 1:6; Romans 11:33; Romans 11:5, 6, 20; Luke 10:20 )

Cut and pasting books will not change my mind.....nor does hanging scriptures on particular belief systems....

 

[dcontroversal]

There's a common misunderstanding on pretty much every Christian message board I have been a member of. Ppl say that the lost go to hell because they rejected the Christ. If so, then what about those who died never hearing the gospel, never knowing the Christ came and lived as a man and died in sinners stead? By using that logic, they never denied the Christ, ergo, they're ushered into heaven. Then that makes the gospel a message of doom and not hope and eternal life. They were A.O.K. until those blasted missionaries came and presented them the gospel and once they rejected the Christ, they're in danger of an eternal gehenna.

And where did I, in my post imply what you said?


Originally Posted by dcontroversal

No one will be in heaven that did not come thru Christ and no one in hell that does not deserve to be there....

To answer your question....they will die lost.....as tragic as that may seem note the following...

a. Day unto day and night unto night utters speech
b. The invisible things testify to the power of God
c. The conscience is built into all men
d. All men have an inherent desire to worship something
e. The grace of God that brings salvation shines down upon ALL MEN
f. God would have all men be saved and come to the truth

The bible states that all are accountable and none without an excuse.......

 

[SovereignGrace]

And where did I, in my post imply what you said?


Originally Posted by dcontroversal

No one will be in heaven that did not come thru Christ and no one in hell that does not deserve to be there....

To answer your question....they will die lost.....as tragic as that may seem note the following...

a. Day unto day and night unto night utters speech
b. The invisible things testify to the power of God
c. The conscience is built into all men
d. All men have an inherent desire to worship something
e. The grace of God that brings salvation shines down upon ALL MEN
f. God would have all men be saved and come to the truth

The bible states that all are accountable and none without an excuse.......

I am sorry that misunderstood my post. I was using it in support, to piggyback, off of your post. Sorry for the cornfusion.

 

[dcontroversal]

I am sorry that misunderstood my post. I was using it in support, to piggyback, off of your post. Sorry for the cornfusion.

No need to apologize brother....it was I that misunderstood....it is all good..........

 

[Locutus]

Luke 12:47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,

Luke 12:48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

If the above applied to believers, then where does this place those that never heard? Just thinking here.

 

[rstrats]

dcontroversal,
re: "I also referenced God knowing who will believe and who will not believe..."


Does that mean that before He creates a person, He knows whether or not He will eventually be casting the person into the lake of fire?

 

[Gabriel2020]

2 PETER 3; 9; The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish,but that all should come to repentance.

 

[kaijo]

Matthew 25:31-46

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

I presume that if you haven't heard about Him before, and you DONT fall into the blue category...then i'm thinking verses 41-46 would apply to you.

 

[dcontroversal]

dcontroversal,
re: "I also referenced God knowing who will believe and who will not believe..."


Does that mean that before He creates a person, He knows whether or not He will eventually be casting the person into the lake of fire?

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

 

[jaybird88]

What happens to people who never here about Christ?

Luke 9:52-56
52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."

i dont think Jesus came to condemn all those that never heard of Him. if you believe that then you would have to accept all those condemned would have been better off had He never come in the first place.
[h=1][/h]

 

[Zmouth]

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

If the LORD made the wicked for the day of evil then are they doing the will of the Holy Spirit or is it the Spirit that worketh in them? [See Luke 11:13]

 

[celib]

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

God created all souls but he did not create them wicked, they did that themselves. God bless

 

[SovereignGrace]

God created all souls but he did not create them wicked, they did that themselves. God bless

Psalm 58 begs to differ with your stance in the above.

Adam, as mankind's representative, plunge himself and his posterity in sin when he openly rebelled against His Creator. He was our federal head. When he fell, we being in Adam, fell as well.

 

[jaybird88]

Psalm 58 begs to differ with your stance in the above.

Adam, as mankind's representative, plunge himself and his posterity in sin when he openly rebelled against His Creator. He was our federal head. When he fell, we being in Adam, fell as well.

each man is held accountable for his own sins.
[h=1]Ezekiel 18:20[/h] [SUP]20 [/SUP]The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.


[h=1][/h]

 

[SovereignGrace]

each man is held accountable for his own sins.
Ezekiel 18:20

[SUP]20 [/SUP]The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

You are using eisegesis and not exegesis in the above.