Who Goes to Heaven and Who Goes to Hell?

[stovebolts]

Then you agree that God does not really need us, huh?;) --Elijah

Hello Elijah,
That could be taken several different ways. I suppose the best way I could answer that, though not exhaustive (this is a forum, not a book) would be to say that no, God does not need us.

But, here's the paradox in my wee little thinking. God does not need us, but by the very nature and essence of God, which is love, he created us. Just as it is the nature of light to break through the darkness, it is God's nature to love. If this is true, and we are not only called Children of God, but we are called the Body, to which Christ is head, then it seems reasonable that one of our roles would be to reflect the light of God in dark places as a shimmer, and beacon of hope to those who are lost, so in that sense, God does need us, or perhaps it may be better stated as, "God has a purpose" for us?

thoughts?....

 

[Squared]

I've heard of more than one account of someone who had no prior knowledge of who Jesus was seeing Jesus in a dream or vision. Maybe God gives everyone a chance to accept or reject Him? I don't know. I do believe that everyone must choose to follow Jesus to be saved however because Jesus did command us to make disciples of all nations. If those who never hear about Jesus still go to heaven, then it would seem reaching those who have never been reached would be the worst thing we could do because we would then be endangering their souls. It doesn't seem like Jesus would have commanded us to reach all nations if doing so would open up the possibility of them going to hell that wasn't previously there.

That's what I've been thinking for so long. Would it be better to bring all the missionaries home? If they don't hear about Christianity, follow the holy spirit that's built into them, live a good life and they're safe?

I'm still struggling with this subject. Below is from Wikipedia.

World population 6.75 billion

Christian population 2.2 billion
Muslim population 1.57 billion
Bhudist population 400million - 1,5 billion
Hinduism population 900 million
Balance others like local folk religions, Shintu, Taoism, Confucianism and atheist etc.

How many are listed as such just because of the country they live and not what they practice. My point being that there's about 2/3 of the worlds population living in areas that tell their population that their religion is the way to go and NOT Christianity. It's quite simple to be in a western country talking about how we need to save those others that don't believe as we do, while the local other religion leaders may be feeding them, clothing them and telling them their's is the way to go annd follow. If Christianity is the only way to get to heaven, why doesn't God give us a sign as a world population to help those in non-Christian countries to ignore those other religions?

 

[Free]

Something to keep in mind is that the majority of Christians are not in the west and most countries, if not all, have at least some population of Christians. I would also argue that most of those in other religions have heard of Christ albeit not the Christ of Scripture. And certainly most Muslims know the Christian view view of Christ although it is ridiculed.

Really, there is little difference between sending missionaries and Jesus himself appearing to people in visions and dreams, but we are commanded to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.

 

[proveallthings]

That's what I've been thinking for so long. Would it be better to bring all the missionaries home? If they don't hear about Christianity, follow the holy spirit that's built into them, live a good life and they're safe?

I'm still struggling with this subject. Below is from Wikipedia.

World population 6.75 billion

Christian population 2.2 billion
Muslim population 1.57 billion
Bhudist population 400million - 1,5 billion
Hinduism population 900 million
Balance others like local folk religions, Shintu, Taoism, Confucianism and atheist etc.

How many are listed as such just because of the country they live and not what they practice. My point being that there's about 2/3 of the worlds population living in areas that tell their population that their religion is the way to go and NOT Christianity. It's quite simple to be in a western country talking about how we need to save those others that don't believe as we do, while the local other religion leaders may be feeding them, clothing them and telling them their's is the way to go annd follow. If Christianity is the only way to get to heaven, why doesn't God give us a sign as a world population to help those in non-Christian countries to ignore those other religions?

This is a well thought out question. In my opinion, no one has posted a rational answer as yet. The New Testament is very clear that no one can be saved without complete acceptance of Jesus. It is also clear that the majority of God's children who have ever lived or live on this earth never had or never will have the chance in this life to even be introduced to the good news of Jesus Christ. The other fact to keep in mind is that God loves everyone and is perfectly just.

There is only one answer to this problem I have found in the Bible. It is found in 1Peter 3:18-19 and 1Peter 4:6.

 

[Jake]

The other fact to keep in mind is that God loves everyone

Malachi 1:
2 “I have loved you,†says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?†“Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?†declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated.

 

[childeye]

No need to apologize and maybe I was a little quick to be defensive. I don't think I'll be getting an answer to this question. It'll probably go up there with questions unanswered like explaining the holy trinity. Take care and I hope you get your question answered.

No one wants to say who goes to heaven or hell. You worded your post in a way that no one can knowingly answer. But your concerns about others who are not Christian was answered well by brother Lawrence in saying God is just and He will deal fairly with everyone. And here is revealed your concern. Is God just? This is the doubt that was sold to us by Satan for the price of our innocence. We traded in a Holy Image of God for an unholy one and became corrupt in our heart, minds and souls. Christ is the True Image of God sent to man so that we might believe and be made whole. Look at him suffer and die on the cross for our sakes, forgiving those who crucify him and ask yourself if you can trust him.

 

[handy]

Contary to what many think the Bible says, no where does the bible say that one has to live a life of faithfulness to Jesus Christ in order to go to heaven. The Bible teaches that no one goes to the Father except through Jesus Christ. He is the Judge.

The Bible doesn't give a lot of information on what happens to those who live and die outside of faith in Jesus Christ, except to say that God worked His invisible attributes into creation and that He does indeed overlook times of ignorance.

However, you do not live in ignorance. You have heard of Jesus Christ. So, you will be judged according to how you live your life having this knowledge.

I don't have a lot of time now, and actually shouldn't be posting at all, but earlier you said, "Apparently faith didn't work for you then how about good deeds?"

Was this comment meant to be a personal one about you...have you "tried faith" and it didn't work for you personally?

We know that Jesus is very loving towards sinners and people who struggle in life and more than a little stern with self-righteous individuals who want to prove how good they are and that God just has to let them into heaven, 'cause they're the "right" type. I think we can see from how He interacted with various people in the Gospels to see how He will judge those who stand before Him on Judgement Day.

But, I also think that anyone who stands before Him and said, "Yeah, well, I "tried" faith in You and that didn't work for me, but let me in anyway 'cause I did do lots of cool stuff and never killed any puppies"...is standing on pretty shaky ground.

 

[Shema]

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.

Does this answer your questions?

 

[humble soul]

Who goes to heaven and who goes to hell?

We’re told that faith alone gets us to heaven but what about people that never hear about the word of Jesus Christ or are brought up to believe in other religions or cults? How about the millions of people that were brought up and died in communist countries? How about the millions of Muslims or Buddhists? God made us all right? If that is correct, why would God make people that he knew were doomed to go to hell?

I’m struggling with doubts in my faith and any help on this would be appreciated.

Only 9 year old thread. Still a relevant question. I think some Christians will be very surprised and possibly shocked on Judgement Day.

 

[Fastfredy0]

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,

Does this answer your questions?
Agreed, the one that walks blameless goes to heaven.

Romans 3:10 “There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one.

 

[Shema]

Does this answer your questions?
Agreed, the one that walks blameless goes to heaven.

Romans 3:10 “There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one.

When we pray in tongues we pray to God directly. We visit heaven often and come back into our body. Part of Heaven is living in peace within ourselves.

 

[JLB]

Does this answer your questions?
Agreed, the one that walks blameless goes to heaven.

Romans 3:10 “There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one.

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
Romans 3:9-10


The context is about Paul showing that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin, and need a Savior.


The righteous inherit eternal life.

The unrighteous do not.


And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Matthew 25:46


JLB

 

[Hospes]

I ask again, who goes to heaven, and who goes to hell? Please help me understand.

What motivates you to ask? I.e. why is the answer important?

 

[WIP]

When we pray in tongues we pray to God directly. We visit heaven often and come back into our body. Part of Heaven is living in peace within ourselves.

I pray to God directly but I have never prayed in tongues.

 

[Shema]

I pray to God directly but I have never prayed in tongues.

Yes you pray to God directly according to your understanding (because you think it's what you want to pray for but we need to speak in tongues often to know what God wants us to pray for) . "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words". Romans 8:26

 

[Hospes]

Only 9 year old thread.

Guess I should not get too expectant on having the original poster answer the question I posted yesterday....

 

[WIP]

Yes you pray to God directly according to your understanding (because you think it's what you want to pray for but we need to speak in tongues often to know what God wants us to pray for) . "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words". Romans 8:26

Sounds like I'm a lost cause then.

 

[Hospes]

Sounds like I'm a lost cause then.

As an encouragement, WIP, we have much bigger reasons than not being gifted with tongues to think we are lost causes! Thankfully, Christ came to seek and save the lost [causes].

 

[jerry63935]

We’re told that faith alone gets us to heaven

that is a lie by grace through faith but grace is the saving element

 

[WIP]

As an encouragement, WIP, we have much bigger reasons than not being gifted with tongues to think we are lost causes! Thankfully, Christ came to seek and save the lost [causes].

I know. My comment was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but, according to Sweetvineshema my prayers are worthless babble because I don't speak in tongues. I do not agree with that sentiment. I believe the Scripture he referenced does not say we must speak in tongues but instead assures us that the Holy Spirit understands and speaks for us even when we may not know what to say.

I believe, as Scripture says, speaking in tongues is but one of the many gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12 NKJV