WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT JESUS?

There is a growing belief in Christendom that ultimately everyone will be saved here on earth or given a second chance after they die (Heb. 9:27; Lk. 16:26). What would you say to someone who holds the teaching that God will save everyone who never heard of Jesus? How about the 2 billion Muslims and 1.2 billion Hindus? What will happen to them?

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GOD AND HIS WORD

1.    God is always compassionate, just, and holy in His dealing with people. God is never unfair.

a.     God takes no pleasure when lost people die (Ezek. 18:23, 32; Jonah 4:10-11).

b.     God is good to everyone, including the unsaved (Ps. 145:8-9; Mt. 5:45).

c.     God wants everyone to be saved (1Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9).

d.     God wants everyone to hear the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Mt. 28:19-20).                                                                               

2.    Those who have never heard are still without excuse because God reveals Himself:

a.      In creation (Rom. 1:19-20; Ps. 19:1-4).

b.     In our conscience (Rom. 2:12-15)

c.      In providence (Acts 14:17)

God judges the heathen not for rejecting the Gospel he never heard, but because they rejected the revelation God gave them. 

3.    All people will be fairly judged according to the light they received (Rom. 2-3).  Everyone possesses some form of light, and he will be judged according to how he responded to that light (see #2 above). The greater the light, the heavier the responsibility.  The degree of punishment will depend on their response to the light received (Mt. 11:22-24; Lk. 12:47-48, 20:46-47).

4.    When a person responds to the light they receive, apart from the Scriptures, God brings more light to bring that person to the truth of salvation (Lk. 8:18). Examples: Rahab (Josh. 2), Simeon (Lk. 2), and Magi from the East (Mt. 2). Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) and Cornelius (Acts 10).

5.    God is fair and just, even in His judgment by how a person lives their life (Rev. 20:12-13).

6. The Bible is absolutely clear about getting saved (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; John 10:9; John 3:18, 36).

God loves everyone and wants to spend eternity with them in Heaven. He desires that none perish and all come to repentance (1Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9). He made provision through Jesus Christ for anyone to be saved (John 3:16). We are Christ’s ambassadors who need to share the Good News to all (2 Cor. 5:20)!