Bible Study If someone doesn't know about Christ, and has never heard of Christ, then where do they go when they die?

[Seeker444]

Hello, there are a few things about teachings that I would like to understand. I have asked this question before but without an answer, which causes more confusion. As I understand it, if someone knows about Jesus Christ, then if they accept Jesus as their saviour they will enter Heaven. If they do not accept Jesus as their saviour, they will go to Hell. I have a lot of questions around that but the main one is:

If someone doesn't know about Christ, and has never heard of Christ, then where do they go when they die?

This brings up an example: Indigenous people who according to history have had the deepest connection with the Earth and nature, who by their teachings had a deep respect for our Earth and life itself..as far as I know they do not follow Christ. They were taught about Jesus in the most brutal and evil ways, which I've been told was not the work of Jesus but how could they be expected to go from their lives which were of deep connection to nature and themselves to following someone who they were taught about in brutal ways. Their lives became a version of hell because of invasion of their way of life. It makes absolutely no sense for them to go from a way of life that seems to have worked in deep relationship with nature to a way of life that in their experience caused unimaginable pain.

I really deeply struggle with this. I would appreciate an understanding of the basic question I wrote above and also the situation that I outlined below the question. Thank you kindly.

 

[Eugene]

If someone doesn't know about Christ, and has never heard of Christ, then where do they go when they die?

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 12:3 . . . God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (If they have no faith, what happened to it?)

There is such a thing we refer to as an age of responsibility, such as Adam and Eve being innocent until they became aware of right and wrong. At that time they needed a covering provided by God; we have that in Christ Jesus.

 

[OzSpen]

If someone doesn't know about Christ, and has never heard of Christ, then where do they go when they die?

Seeker,

Eugene has provided solid evidence to begin answering your question, with the quotes from Romans 1: 18-19 (NIRV):

18 God shows his anger from heaven. It is against all the godless and evil things people do. They are so evil that they say no to the truth. 19 The truth about God is plain to them. God has made it plain.

The evidence for God's existence has been known by ALL human beings by looking at or examining the created world. It is there that we see God's attributes, his qualities that are invisible. What are they? They include God's awesome eternal power, so powerful that he spoke the world into existence (created = bara) - Genesis 1. Creation vs evolution is another topic.

His power wiped out all of sinful humanity in the worldwide Flood at Noah's time (Gen 6-9). In creation God has made it clear that he is God because in the things we see in the fir trees and snow of Canada or the eucalyptus trees and monsoon rains in Australia, God reveals himself as Creator and Designer.

Two weeks ago I had to get a new pair of spectacles and the optometrist dealt with the small 'floater' in my left eye and the cataract that is in its early stages. As the optometrist explained the intricacies of the eye's function, I was amazed at the lengths God went to, to design eyes through which I can see - even though their vision is growing dimmer.

What do all of these unbelievers do in their various kinds of evil? They reject God's truth. How can they reject it if they have never heard about Jesus? Here, the teaching is that the 'truth about God is plain' to these people because 'God has made it plain'.

How can it be plain, i.e. straightforward, obvious, understandable, clear as crystal? There is not a person on the face of the globe (past, present or future) to whom the truth about God is not crystal clear. If that is so, why are there people who serve other gods, who reject the Lord God's revelation and evidence?

Romans 1 gives the answer:

Ever since the world was created it has been possible to see the qualities of God that are not seen. I’m talking about his eternal power and about the fact that he is God. Those things can be seen in what he has made. So people have no excuse for what they do (Rom 1:20, NIRV)

he result is that 'people have no excuse for what they do'. They will face God at the end of life with judgment by God: From the evidence God provided in creation about His existence, what did unbelievers do with it? They ignored the evidence and suppressed the truth of God in their unrighteous behaviours listed in Rom 1.

Not one person anywhere in the world who has not heard about Jesus will have an excuse before God Himself. They knew about God. Why didn't they pursue the evidence? That can't apply to small children and those with severe cognitive disability.

Don't forget the witness of the conscience. See Romans 2:14-16 (NIRV):

14 Gentiles do not have the law. Sometimes they just naturally do what the law requires. They are a law for themselves. This is true even though they don’t have the law. 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts. The way their minds judge them proves this fact. Sometimes their thoughts find them guilty. At other times their thoughts find them not guilty. 16 This will happen on the day God appoints Jesus Christ to judge people’s secret thoughts. That’s part of my good news.

So. God does not believe in atheists, agnostics and rationalists who deny the existence of God.

I hope this provokes some further discussion with you and others.

Oz from Brissy

 

[Randy]

Hello, there are a few things about teachings that I would like to understand. I have asked this question before but without an answer, which causes more confusion. As I understand it, if someone knows about Jesus Christ, then if they accept Jesus as their saviour they will enter Heaven. If they do not accept Jesus as their saviour, they will go to Hell. I have a lot of questions around that but the main one is:

If someone doesn't know about Christ, and has never heard of Christ, then where do they go when they die?

This brings up an example: Indigenous people who according to history have had the deepest connection with the Earth and nature, who by their teachings had a deep respect for our Earth and life itself..as far as I know they do not follow Christ. They were taught about Jesus in the most brutal and evil ways, which I've been told was not the work of Jesus but how could they be expected to go from their lives which were of deep connection to nature and themselves to following someone who they were taught about in brutal ways. Their lives became a version of hell because of invasion of their way of life. It makes absolutely no sense for them to go from a way of life that seems to have worked in deep relationship with nature to a way of life that in their experience caused unimaginable pain.

I really deeply struggle with this. I would appreciate an understanding of the basic question I wrote above and also the situation that I outlined below the question. Thank you kindly.

I have never met anyone who hasn't heard about Jesus. I would state such a person is neither saved nor condemned but will come before Jesus and He will make a judgment concerning them. AND nothing is hidden from Him. What others do shouldn't keep one from Jesus. If someone has a problem with the Jesus as depicted in the NT them I would state the fault is in their hearts not Jesus's heart.
Its the "good news" of the gospels that is preached. Jesus is the "good" Shepard who loves the sheep and laid down His life for the sheep. So that one may seek Him and receive eternal life and be washed clean (sanctified) from their on sin. Jesus came to save.

 

[Douglas Summers]

If someone doesn't know about Christ, and has never heard of Christ, then where do they go when they die?

Hi Seeker, Here is how I understand it. God is not unjust and will judge each one accordingly.. Even the heathen natives in a primitive society know there is a God, just by the order of natural things (as Eugene pointed out) Rom. 1:19-20. For they are they that worship the things God created (Rom. 1:21-23). Even Atheist know there is a God, for in a life or death event that comes swiftly upon them, they will cry out instinctively, "God help me!". But to finish answering your question, We all have a conscience, and every man knows right from wrong (Adam and Eve hid from God after they disobeyed Him)...and that was before there was any written law. And we are all descendants of Adam's nature, and this is how Christ will judge a man. For a man who does not have the Law of Christ, but by conscience's sake, do by nature the things contained in the law, become a law unto themselves. (making moral decisions) either accusing or excusing one another those things contained in the law when God will judge the hidden things or secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel (Rom. 2:11-16) But you must understand, God is not trying to save the world at this time, He is calling out the Church (His Body)(The Bride of Christ) to rule with Him during the 1000 years reign of peace in Revelation's. But during the great tribulation, there will be more people saved of all nations than a man can count by the anointed Jewish remnant. (Rev. 7:9-17)
In Christ
Douglas Summers

 

[GodsGrace]

Hi Seeker,
Your answer is in posts 2,3 and 5.
I've nothing to add except to say that you won't find better answers than these.
BTW, Welcome to the forum.

 

[Randy]

With "light" comes accountability. Justice to the nations.

John 15:22
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

 

[LovethroughDove]

As everyone else here was stating...... People who have not heard the gospel will be judged accordingly. But, if you have heard of Jesus and reject who he is and what he has done........you are rejecting the light that has come into the world. That means you are rejecting what love really looks like and you don't want that. Jesus gave himself up for those who were torturing him. No one and I mean no one can forgive like the Christ has forgiven. We have a hard time forgiving our loved ones, but he asked the Father to forgive those who were torturing him.

This is why I know without a doubt, Jesus is 100% legit. If we're honest with ourselves, we can see it.

 

[Seeker444]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I don't know if I should bother responding fully as I take serious issue with several things stated here.

 

[for_his_glory]

Many have only heard the fire and brimstone side of preaching that many preachers love to shove these teachings down the throats of an unbeliever that have never heard the Gospel of God's grace. This type of preaching have caused many to turn away and want none of it as it scares them into believing God is mean and hateful. The Gospel is not about fire and brimstone, but of that of the love God has for us by His grace in giving us His Son Jesus who came not to condemn the world, but to save the lost sheep in it.

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

There is no condemnation in Jesus, but only the grace of God that has freely given us the greatest gift of all in His only begotten Son Jesus. Jesus gave His life so others can have eternal life through Him that we wil be with God forever in heaven.

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

[Randy]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I don't know if I should bother responding fully as I take serious issue with several things stated here.

Please do be specific in what offends you. Keep in mind Jesus is abiding in the framework of the Fathers will. The one who sent Him, spoke through Him and placed Him above all. It was the Father who chose how to forgive OUR sin not man and His plan was Jesus as depicted in the gospels. And Jesus laid down His life for us and was sent for our "good". Those that reject Jesus reject the one who sent Him. Those that listen and learn from the one who sent Him(the Father) go to the Son. And it is the Fathers will that Jesus will raise them up on the last day. A bodily resurrection as mortal flesh and blood can't inherit the eternal Kingdom God promised to those who LOVE Him. Thats Good news to me. Since it was Jesus who was appointed by God there is no other name under the heavens that can save us. If one is offended by that message such perceived offense doesn't make the testimony given in the gospels a lie. Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead and I would state it will be His words that prevail in any judgments made. Nothing is hidden from Him. And I have never met anyone who hunt heard of jesus. How about you as you seemed to have heard about Him?

 

[Seeker444]

Please do be specific in what offends you. Keep in mind Jesus is abiding in the framework of the Fathers will. The one who sent Him, spoke through Him and placed Him above all. It was the Father who chose how to forgive OUR sin not man and His plan was Jesus as depicted in the gospels. And Jesus laid down His life for us and was sent for our "good". Those that reject Jesus reject the one who sent Him. Those that listen and learn from the one who sent Him(the Father) go to the Son. And it is the Fathers will that Jesus will raise them up on the last day. A bodily resurrection as mortal flesh and blood can't inherit the eternal Kingdom God promised to those who LOVE Him. Thats Good news to me. Since it was Jesus who was appointed by God there is no other name under the heavens that can save us. If one is offended by that message such perceived offense doesn't make the testimony given in the gospels a lie. Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead and I would state it will be His words that prevail in any judgments made. Nothing is hidden from Him. And I have never met anyone who hunt heard of jesus. How about you as you seemed to have heard about Him?

Hm. I didn't say anything about the gospels being a lie. I'm not sure this is the place as I'm new here and have just recently learned that several of the forums are not for debate & am here to learn. Also I do not like your attitude so I will decide to stop my participation in this discussion. I will make one thing clear. I do not come in judgement. I come to understand. And to understand, when something does not sound right it is one's right to state this. I stated that I take issue with several statements not in judgement but because I would like to understand further. However my gut tells me that you are not the right person to have a conversation with, as you are already judging me here. I'm pulling out of this conversation and will only speak with people who are willing to respond without judgement.

 

[JohnDB]

The Bible has been translated into every language. There's no one who hasn't heard anything about God.
So your premise doesn't hold a lot of water.

Most of humanity was never going to be saved to begin with. Never was God's intent.

Just be grateful that you have heard.

 

[Seeker444]

Most of humanity was never going to be saved to begin with. Never was God's intent.

I'm going to ignore the rest of your message as you are twisting my words.

I have a question about the statement above. It's the first time I have heard this. What is the purpose of these people who were never meant to be saved if it was never God's intent? Will they go to hell if they were not meant to be saved?

 

[JohnDB]

I'm going to ignore the rest of your message as you are twisting my words.

I have a question about the statement above. It's the first time I have heard this. What is the purpose of these people who were never meant to be saved if it was never God's intent? Will they go to hell if they were not meant to be saved?

You are talking about crossed purposes.

God is good...God cannot be bad because He is too busy being good.

Mankind is desperately wicked. Since the fall of mankind (Genesis 3) man has only gotten worse even though there has been separation of the Believers several times over. (The Flood, Exodus, Occupation of Promised Land, New Covenant believers)

Mankind wants to do evil instead of gaining favor with God. So where God might want everyone to have Salvation it isn't going to happen...and God also knows the truth. But the unsaved are getting what they want...just like the believers are.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

This is exactly why I stay out of discussions like this lol I'm afraid you opened up a whole can of worms by asking this question. A lot of the time I think it's better if you say nothing at all. That way, you don't get your feelings hurt.

 

[LovethroughDove]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I don't know if I should bother responding fully as I take serious issue with several things stated here.

I "liked" your response because you did thank us and you were honest with your feelings about our responses.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

I "liked" your response because you did thank us and you were honest with your feelings about our responses.

Well, like I said before. Honesty is always the best policy. I find an issue with this whole entire thread but, everyone is entitled to their own opinions so I decided that it's for the best if I just clam up now.

 

[LovethroughDove]

Well, like I said before. Honesty is always the best policy. I find an issue with this whole entire thread but, everyone is entitled to their own opinions so I decided that it's for the best if I just clam up now.

Honesty is the best policy. It's a balancing act of sharing that honesty sometimes. Sometimes I feel up for the challenge and then other times I just feel like clamming up......just like you stated.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

This might not make a difference, but it was an eye opener. I live in the US, so the indigenous people here are the Native Americans. Recently my wife went to a small town that has roots from both the native tribe and the settlers who came tg ere too. It was an eye opener, because of the history we found there. The native Americans while living as different tribes did not live in peace with each other. Some of the history is about this tribe being plundered from other tribes or defending itself from other tribes.

I can't speak about indigenous people in other countries, but a new though occured to me that at least the people indigenous to my land might not be so innocent. Where they might be just as good or just as bad as the settlers who eventually conquered the land.

Sorry that doesn't answer your question about heaven and the people throughout history who did not hear the gospel till it arrived at their home. I think that God is just, and His ruling will be fair even to them. What I don't know is what that ruling would be, or if God gives people a second chance to receive the gospel after they die, if they did not know it before. Don't know myself but I trust God's judgment.