There is an old hymn that has lyrics stating in part: When we all get to heaven what a blessing that will be. I suppose the question is: Will we all get to heaven. A friend wrote this morning and yet again I was asked about those folks in remote lands who have never heard about Jesus and what would happen regarding their eternal destiny.
Jesus clearly has said that there is but one way to salvation and its through believing in Him. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Incidentally this is not the only passage that makes this statement. Matt. 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it . . . So, what does that mean? It means what it states!
How could a good and loving God condemn to hell someone who’s never even heard of him? This question, of course, assumes God would do such a thing. But is that what the Bible teaches? Must every human being hear the gospel and believe in Christ in order to be saved? Yes, it does.
One mindset is that the Bible indicates that after Armageddon Jesus will remove the wicked influence of Satan and his demons and he will rule for a thousand years. Jesus will resurrect billions from the grave, even those who never heard about the true God and his Son Christ Jesus, they will be given the opportunity to learn about them and about God’s requirements for everlasting life. Acts 24:15 – And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Then after 1000 years Satan will be released and will yet again have a chance to play spoiler.
The foregoing is one opinion. As for me I do know that the Bible states that everyone must hear the Gospel preached before their end. To be candid I don’t know enough about this tough question and hate to offer an opinion; however, I do trust God. I am reluctant to question Him particularly regarding fairness. I mean after all when we consider what Jesus went through to save us it seems idiotic to question His fairness at this stage. It reminds me of Romans 9:20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
I think if you are interested in determining a definitive answer there is only one solution: Do as Dr. Charles Spurgeon once advised “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible,”. The most important thing you can do when faced with an emotionally charged topic like this is to open the Word of God, pray for humility and understanding, and then trust what it says.
Jesus said the gate was narrow and few enter it. Does this mean there will not be many people in heaven? Not at all! In fact, the final book of the Bible makes it clear there will be many people from all parts of the world in God’s presence in eternity. Revelation 7:9, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'”
Trust in the Lord to be fair with all of us my friends. Believe in Jesus!
John 10:9
I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved.