One common question that I hear a lot is what happens to people who have never heard about Jesus and the gospel. And it's a reasonable question because the world's a big place. So what happens to people who live in a remote area or a small village that hasn't had any exposure to the Bible?
If the only way people can go to heaven is by having faith in Jesus, then it raises the question on what happens to people who've never heard of him? Do they go straight to hell or can they go to heaven based on a different standard? I believe this question doesn't just have a straight yes or no answer.
So to answer it, I'll list some thoughts that I have that number one, all people are given revelation about God and will be responsible for that knowledge. Romans Chapter one, verse 24 Since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made. Even his eternal Power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
In this passage, Paul is explaining that even though God is invisible and unseen, he has attributes or characteristic that are clearly seen. Paul says that God can be understood by the things that are made like the stars, the sun, moon, mountains, seas, animals and people. And because people have seen all these things that he created through those created things, God has shown people who He is because these things couldn't have just popped up out of nowhere.
And then the passage says that because people have seen these things, they can't just make excuses like I've never seen God because God has shown them his power and proof of his existence through his creation. So all of that to say, according to the Bible, God says that people don't have any excuse for not believing in God. So, yes, people may not have heard about the name Jesus, but those people know in their hearts that there must be a God behind the creation of the universe.
And Paul says that God's invisible attributes are clearly seen and that people can't make excuses. So I would assume here that at some point in every person's life, there was a hidden conversation that God has with them regarding Him and his existence. And this conversation would probably be God telling them that all of this couldn't have come from nothing to continue this thought.
Look at Romans chapter two versus 14 to 16. Even Gentiles who do not have God's written law show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
And this is the message I proclaim that the day is coming when God through Christ, Jesus will judge everyone's secret life. In this passage, Paul tells us that people have a conscience or law that tells them what's right and wrong, and that this law is written on their hearts. And then this passage says that these thoughts will serve as proof and will accuse people and tell them you knew what was right and you didn't do it.
Or they'll say, yes, what you did was correct. And then Paul wraps up by saying that the day of judgment is coming, when God will judge everyone's secret life. So my thinking is this God has revealed to everyone that he exists through his creation and through the law that is written on their hearts.
And it's through these things that he has reached out and communicated to everyone that he exists and that he ought to be obeyed. And while people may give excuses and say we never saw you or we never heard you, God will lay out their thoughts on the day of judgment and we'll show them all the times in their life that he revealed himself to them and will ultimately tell them you knew everything that you needed to know. You were not ignorant and you can't make any excuses.
And then God will judge them accordingly. That number to some people had incomplete knowledge but were still saved. Matthew Chapter 13.
Verses 16 to 17. But blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people long to see what you see.
But they didn't see it. And they long to hear what you hear. But they didn't hear it.
In this passage, Jesus was talking to his disciples and told them that many prophets and righteous people of the past wished that they could see the things that Peter, John and the rest of the 12 disciples saw. Things like Jesus, who was the prophesied Messiah for Israel there on Earth, teaching and healing people, but they didn't see it. So here's what I think people of the past more than likely did not hear the name of Jesus, but were still able to go to heaven.
So really fast. I do need to say that what I'm about to tell you is speculation, and I'm not 100% sure about it, But I think that it's not impossible for people who have never heard the name of Jesus to be saved. And the reason why I say this is because these righteous people in the past believed in God, but had incomplete knowledge and later found out that that God that they had faith in was Jesus.
So my speculation is that it's possible for people today to live their life, never hear about Jesus or the Gospel, but respond in faith to God through his creation. And because of the law that was written on their hearts, and that later on, when they die, those people will learn that the God that they had faith in was Jesus. So I lean towards the belief that they could still possibly be saved based on what was revealed to them, because people in the past were saved despite their incomplete knowledge.
Can I be wrong? Yeah, but that's what I'm thinking. And I'm open to hear what others think.
To not number three, people can never be sure of people's eternal future. So on chapter 50, verse six, let the heavens declare his righteousness. For God Himself is judged in this passage.
This almost says that God is the judge and decides what is right and wrong. So when it comes to this topic of finding out of someone who never heard of Jesus goes to heaven or hell. The truth is, is that a person's eternal destination is God's business.
God is the judge. So he decides where people go. And while we can speculate and give reasons why we believe what we believe regarding where they go, I think it's important to note that God alone is the judge and we are spectators.
And that number, for whatever God decides will be completely fair. Deuteronomy chapter 32, verse four He is the rock. His work is perfect for all his ways are justice, a God of truth, and without injustice, righteous and upright.
Is he? In this passage, Moses tells us that all that God does is perfect and just, and that there is no injustice or wrong in anything that he does. He is completely just and completely right.
You know, I remember one time when I was working as a teacher and there were two middle school boys that got into a fight and there was frustration, anger and hurt feelings on both sides. I didn't see the fight actually happen and only saw the aftermath. So for the first 5 to 10 minutes when I got there, all I did was ask questions to get both sides of the story.
And I asked other students that witnessed everything. And at the end of it all, I pointed to one of the boys and I said, You started the fight and you were wrong to provoke him and to mess with his things. And then I pointed to the other boy and I said, You were also wrong and you could have been more calm and talked to a teacher about what he did to you.
And at the end of the whole matter, both students saw that they were both wrong. They shook hands, apologized to each other, and there was no longer any bitterness. Now, while you may think, wow, you did a good job handling that situation, the reality is that I'm imperfect and there's probably a lot of things that I could have done better to resolve that conflict.
And what Deuteronomy tells us is that when it comes to God, there is absolutely no injustice in all that he does. So do you know what this means? In my situation, there could always be improvement because I'm a sinner and I'm prone to make mistakes.
But God is completely perfect and is infinite in his wisdom, knowledge and sense of justice. So when it comes to what happens to people who have never heard of Jesus or the Gospel after God judges everything on Judgment Day, everyone will look at how God handled everything, and we will all look in amazement and say, This is the most perfect judgment that anyone could have ever come up with. And there is no possible way that it could be any better.
Why? Because there's no injustice or any imperfection. And all that God does.
And that's something that we can all respect. All right. So if you've ever wondered what happens to people who've never heard of Jesus or the Gospel, I would encourage you to remember these four thoughts.
All people were given revelation about God and will be responsible for that knowledge. Some people had incomplete knowledge, but we're still save. People can never be sure of people's eternal future, and whatever God decides will be completely fair to close.
I'd like to encourage everyone that's watching to take steps to share your faith with the people around you. There's great joy and knowing who are God is and there's hope in knowing what happens when we die and there's peace and knowing that we're forgiven. So let's spread God's word today so that more people can hear.
Jesus loves you.
