Fundamental Notes To Understand
Going to heaven is not the objective.
Having a direct relationship with God is the goal.
People do not deserve to go to heaven.
It is God’s choice to allow others to be in his presence (or not allow it).
Christians are no better than non-Christians.
God is impartial and righteous in his judgement. Any Christian that says otherwise is in direct conflict with Romans 2:1-4 – “Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”
God is not limited.
God’s resources are not limited by physical means. For example, we cannot say that that someone that does not physically hear or read about Jesus is not presented with an opportunity to have a relationship with him. Consider angelic encounters, visions, and dreams. You might say that’s a rare exception, but how do you know that’s the case? You can’t. Perhaps this is more common with unreached people groups. Regardless of how he goes about revealing himself, we should keep in mind that God’s abilities and resources are beyond the limits of physical means.
There are good people that are not Christians. How is this fair and justice if good people are sent to hell?
God is fair and just. Do not project human logic on a holy God. What people believe is “good” is normally based on societal norms, but [today] people are unable to achieve perfection which God requires to be in his presence. Only Christ can take away sin to purify you and make you appear perfect in the eyes of God. Also keep in mind that people are not equally good or bad. All good people have still sinned against God, while some others have committed terrible acts of evil. When judgement comes from God, people will be judged based on what they have done. The problem is, since no one is perfect, all people who are not seen through the filter of Jesus will be seen as imperfect and will receive the wrath of God in proportion to their actions.
God takes circumstances into consideration and people who do not know the law of God will be judged differently.
Romans 2:12 – For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law.
The population of non-believers is broken into 3 groups.
- People who have heard of Jesus and rejected Him (the overwhelming majority)
- People who have never heard of Jesus (tribes in the middle of nowhere)
- People that are unable to hear about Jesus (babies, mentally challenged, etc)
- People who have heard of Jesus (the overwhelming majority)
My belief is that anyone who makes the conscious choice to reject Jesus Christ as their savior will also spend eternity apart from Christ.
John 12:48 – He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.
Matt 10:33 – But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
- People who have never heard of Jesus (tribes in the middle of nowhere)
NOTE: Estimates suggest that approximately 7,165 “people groups” are considered unreached. – www.joshuaproject.net
My belief is that God shows that he exists through creation, so there is no excuse for not seeking God. I also believe that Jesus will show himself to anyone that seeks Him. That said, I do consider another possibility if I am wrong about Jesus showing himself to anyone that seeks him. This comes from God having left a remnant of himself in every human being that has ever lived in the form of a conscience, and God will take into consideration how obedient or disobedient a person was to their conscience when it is time for judgement.
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 unrighteousness, 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.
Romans 2:14-16 – For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Deuteronomy 4:29 – But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.
- People that are unable to hear about Jesus (babies, mentally challenged, etc)
While there is no clear scripture on this group specifically, my belief is that these people go to heaven. Many times, Jesus talks about children being heavenly and in heaven. God is also compassionate and slow to anger. When the time comes, these people will be judged according to what they have done. Perhaps they will have an opportunity to accept Christ after death or perhaps because they were unable to acknowledge Jesus or the law of God they will be measured differently.
Matthew 18:1-3 – At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:9-10 – If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell. See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 19:13-15 – Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.
Psalms 103:8 – The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
Revelation 20:12 – And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and [h]books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
