Do "all" unbelievers go to hell, or do some...?

[Neogaia777]

Do "all" non-believers go to hell (eternal torment) or do some, or "all" non-believers that don't believe in anything supernatural, matters involving re-incarnation, or an afterlife, or ones not following or believing in any kind of God, or god's, a spiritual realm, an afterlife, another dimension or anything supernatural...?

Or, in other words if their strict "atheists" (essentially), do they go to Hell?, or do they just go into the ground, never experiencing a resurrection, never to live in heaven or hell, just buried, never to be resurrected and are forgotten about forever...?

Or let me put it another way... Is it only believers in what is false, that go to hell? And do strict "non-believers" just die and get buried, never to be resurrected to any kind of afterlife, forgotten forever?

Or is that, by the time we reach the time of the end, (the Judgment) that The gospel (truth) about Jesus Christ will have been made so apparent (by the time of the Judgment), that strict non-believers will have "no excuse" for their unbelief (in anything other-worldly or supernatural), and will go to hell for their un/non-belief?

Thoughts?

God Bless!

 

[BryanW92]

Read Rev 20-22.

 

[Neogaia777]

Read Rev 20-22.

It seems that those worshiping the wild beast and/or taking the mark of the beast go to hell, and then that it says the dead were raised and each one was judged "each individually" "according to their deeds, (and I'm guessing this determines where their going to go), and also that, those ones who's names WERE NOT found written in the Book of Life, were hurled into the lake of fire (hell)...

But Revelation 20-22 doesn't specifically mention non-believers, unless they are the ones, (that, first of all, DID NOT worship or take the mark of the beast) anyways could these be the ones raised and then judged "according to their deeds"?, does this mean that a non-believer can get into heaven if his or her "deeds" (works) are deemed to be good in God's eyes, even if they didn't believe in him?

God Bless!

 

[BryanW92]

does this mean that a non-believer can get into heaven if his or her "deeds" (works) are deemed to be good in God's eyes, even if they didn't believe in him?

That's how I read it. In fact, it answers the question, "Would Gandhi go to heaven?", a question asked by Progressives and other non-Christians to "prove" that Jesus is not the only way to the Father. Gandhi will get his chance. Will he be found worthy? Who knows.

 

[Neogaia777]

That's how I read it. In fact, it answers the question, "Would Gandhi go to heaven?", a question asked by Progressives and other non-Christians to "prove" that Jesus is not the only way to the Father. Gandhi will get his chance. Will he be found worthy? Who knows.

Well, didn't Gandhi say something like I like your Christ, but I don't know about your Christians?", or "If it weren't for your Christians, I'd probably be a Christian", or something like that...?

So, if He said he liked our Christ, did he "love" him? And if Christ was misrepresented to him by "our Christians", then if it weren't for that would he be a follower of Christ?

And I wonder how many other people there are out there "like him" (Gandhi) Who maybe had Christ misrepresented to them, or just observed the behavior of some, especially American "Christians" and were turned away from Christ due to it, and is that their fault, or what? And if it weren't for that they might have chosen to a follower of Christ?, and does God take that into account?

God Bless!

 

[BryanW92]

Well, didn't Gandhi say something like I like your Christ, but I don't know about your Christians?", or "If it weren't for your Christians, I'd probably be a Christian", or something like that...?

So, if He said he liked our Christ, did he "love" him? And if Christ was misrepresented to him by "our Christians", then if it weren't for that would he be a follower of Christ?

And I wonder how many other people there are out there "like him" (Gandhi) Who maybe had Christ misrepresented to them, or just observed the behavior of some, especially American "Christians" and were turned away from Christ due to it, and is that their fault, or what? And if it weren't for that they might have chosen to a follower of Christ?, and does God take that into account?

God Bless!

Gandhi liked "our Christ" as a philosopher, not as a deity. If you follow Jesus, the man, but not Jesus, the God, do you really follow him? This is the question we need to ask certain "Christians" in America who deny the supernatural power of God.

Besides, Gandhi only fought against the British (who were Christian, hence the real purpose behind his famous statement about Christ), but never complained about the Hindu caste system in his country. Jesus would not have tolerated the caste system, but did submit to the colonial power in his own time.

 

[BryanW92]

Who maybe had Christ misrepresented to them, or just observed the behavior of some, especially American "Christians" and were turned away from Christ due to it, and is that their fault, or what?

If a person can't follow Jesus unless they only see perfect Christians in front of them, then they are only looking for an excuse. They become Democrats or Republicans, yet all Democrats or Republicans are not perfect. They eat at restaurants that are not perfect. They buy cars that are not perfect. Demanding and expecting perfection in this world is a sure sign of insanity. Don't get caught up in the "Christians aren't perfect and that's why people avoid Christ" strawman.

 

[Roseheart]

But Revelation 20-22 doesn't specifically mention non-believers, unless they are the ones, (that, first of all, DID NOT worship or take the mark of the beast) anyways could these be the ones raised and then judged "according to their deeds"?, does this mean that a non-believer can get into heaven if his or her "deeds" (works) are deemed to be good in God's eyes, even if they didn't believe in him?

God Bless!

Salvation is by faith alone, not works - so anything we do cannot earn our salvation. The only way to be saved is to believe that your punishment for sin was taken by Jesus Himself:

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

 

[BryanW92]

Salvation is by faith alone, not works - so anything we do cannot earn our salvation. The only way to be saved is to believe that your punishment for sin was taken by Jesus Himself:

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. (Rev 20:12).

Those who believe and accept Jesus are surely saved. Those who do not know Jesus have a chance, but it is very slim, that their works were sufficient. However, I think that those who have heard the gospel and denied Christ have that written in the book too as a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (the unpardonable sin).

This is why being fortunate enough to have been born in a nation where Christianity is the default and costs us nothing is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing if you accept Christ because the state won't do much to discourage you. It's a curse if you choose to deny Christ, because a person can't say that the offer wasn't made time and time again, and they still chose to rebel. That definitely gets written into the book of life.

 

[Roseheart]

^I believe that verse refers to rewards in heaven - that believers will be judged by their deeds, and thereby given rewards in heaven:

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." (Matthew 16:27)

"If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:15) (as in, loss of rewards)

 

[BryanW92]

^I believe that verse refers to rewards in heaven - that believers will be judged by their deeds, and thereby given rewards in heaven:

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." (Matthew 16:27)

"If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:15) (as in, loss of rewards)

A person is not "judged" to see what rewards he deserves. Judgment implies punishment. Such as being thrown into a lake of fire (v 15). I'm not choosing works over faith here. I'm firmly on the side of faith in the faith vs works debate. But Rev 20 in its entirety cannot be ignored.

But, referring to Matt 16:27, what are the rewards? Is there a caste system in heaven? Is the culmination of Jesus telling us that we're all equal nothing but an earthly reward system where the best get the most?

 

[ALoveDivine]

Yes all unbelievers will go to Hell, and not just "unbelievers" in the sense you may mean, but in fact, all those who are not born again will go to Hell, even if they may call themselves 'Christians'. (John 3:3)

Unless one is born again they will be raised, receive a new body, and physically suffer eternal torment in the Lake of Fire, without any hope of relief. Why? Because that is what each and every one of us deserves, without exception.

The only way out is to be born-again by the grace of God, through repentance and faith in Christ, who gave himself once for all as a propitiation in his blood.

 

[JGGray6]

All unbelievers go to Hell. If one doesn't have the son, God doesn't see them as righteous.

 

[EazyMack]

Truth is, we don't know with 100% certainty.

Look at the Pharisees. They were convinced they knew the truth about everything, held people strictly to the law, and showed no grace or mercy. Because they thought for sure that they knew it all.

Still, that doesn't change your job: Point others to Christ.

 

[Norah63]

Just tell whoever you consider to be unbelievers, who you believe in, thats enough.
It makes you a true wittness.

 

[dayhiker]

I see hell as separation from God. I guess that can take a lot of different looks as very few of us seem to live the exact same type of life.

I think God is always merciful and so if one repents even in hell God will forgive and the blood of Christ will cleanse them of their sin. Of course if they choose not to repent then they can stay separated from God for eternity ... but I think that isn't going to be much fun.

 

[Neogaia777]

I see hell as separation from God. I guess that can take a lot of different looks as very few of us seem to live the exact same type of life.

I think God is always merciful and so if one repents even in hell God will forgive and the blood of Christ will cleanse them of their sin. Of course if they choose not to repent then they can stay separated from God for eternity ... but I think that isn't going to be much fun.

So, your saying that even after the final judgment, people can still be saved or redeemed from hell if they go there, if they repent?

It is theorized that Jesus did this (saved or redeemed people, souls, spirits) from hell during the three days he was dead, before he ascended to heaven, he descended to hell... It is "theorized" that he first went to hell and preached to people there, giving them a second chance at repentance to be saved, but I don't know how "sound" the "theory" is?

Which bring us back the the question... Will/would someone like Gahndi go hell?

God Bless!

 

[BryanW92]

I see hell as separation from God. I guess that can take a lot of different looks as very few of us seem to live the exact same type of life.

I think God is always merciful and so if one repents even in hell God will forgive and the blood of Christ will cleanse them of their sin. Of course if they choose not to repent then they can stay separated from God for eternity ... but I think that isn't going to be much fun.

You can't imagine what complete separation from God is like because even the most hard-hearted atheist on this planet is not fully separated from God. No one has ever been separated from God. The general revelation of nature shows God to everyone and demonstrates his love to us.

In our human arrogance, we think that we can walk away from God and order him out of our life. But, then the sun rises and gravity works and your mom calls or your baby smiles at you, and there's God again. Living in a place where there is total separation from God would drive you insane. It's like an H.P. Lovecraft story in its horror.

But, after the final judgment, no one gets another chance. God is merciful, but only in his own way and in his own time. He does not exist to wait for us to come to him. He exists whether we come to him or not, and some unbeliever who refuses does not diminish him in any way.

 

[Roseheart]

Which bring us back the the question... Will/would someone like Gahndi go hell?

I think so - providing he never accepted Jesus as his saviour. Ghandi surely sinned in his lifetime, as he is human - and we all sin. The wages of sin is death, unless we choose to accept Jesus' gift of taking our punishment for us. Ghandi may seem righteous in our eyes as mere humans, but God's sense of justice is much greater than ours - we need to remember that things that seem fair or unfair to us (such as somebody as "righteous" as Ghandi going to hell) may be different in the eyes of God, who is a just God.

 

[thesunisout]

Which bring us back the the question... Will/would someone like Gahndi go hell?

God Bless!

I would like to answer this and please don't take this like I am pointing any fingers at you or even anyone in this thread, it's just what I have noticed people do.

I think most people have a hard time believing in the doctrine of hell because they don't think they deserve to go there. They don't see sin as a big deal, at least not enough to send anyone to hell for eternity. Yet, that isn't the way God sees it. God thinks that sin is such a big deal, that it is so unforgivable in the sight of His holiness, that He sent Jesus to the cross to take the punishment for it rather than forgive it. He was willing to send His only Son to not only be tortured and humiliated, dying the worst death anyone could die, but also to bear all of His wrath against sin as well. That should give a picture of not only how much He loves us, but how much He hates sin. It was His love that sent Jesus to the cross but it was His holiness that required it.

We have a relative standard of goodness and we compare ourselves to one another. We think that as long as we haven't murdered or raped, we're pretty good people. Certainly no Hitler or Ted Bundy. Gods standard of goodness is absolute. He calls moral perfection good and everything short of that, evil. Without forgiveness of sins, even one transgression will send you to the same hell that Hitler and Ted Bundy are going to. Those should be sobering thoughts for every single one of us.

I think the punishment is always reflective of the value of the thing that the crime was committed against. God, being holy, has infinite value and therefore an infinite punishment is justified for transgressions against Him. The existence of Hell is therefore a testimony that points to His holiness and justice.

I think the final point is that no one has to go to hell. God makes a way of escape for every person, and He paid the highest possible price to make that available for every man woman and child on the planet. There is no reason that anyone has to go to hell excepting that they willingly choose to reject God and accept the consequences of rejecting His sacrifice for their sins. Ghandi, if he did not receive Christ as Lord and Savior, will not escape hell because his name would not be in the book of life. He was perhaps one of the best people we've had on this planet by human standards, but by Gods absolute standard he is no different than any other person in the sense that he was a sinner who needed Gods forgiveness for his sins.