Are Jews going to hell?

ViaCrucis

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God never made a covenant with Muslims, so I have no problem saying that Muslims must accept Jesus to be saved. I have a harder time saying that, however, about the Jewish people.

Muslims may have not received a particular covenant from God, but they nevertheless worship the same God as we and the Jews worship.

If one's Judaism is sufficient for salvation, then it would follow that one's Islam would be sufficient as well; and there is equal salvation for all the heirs of Abraham.

But Christianity doesn't teach that one is saved by their religion. One isn't even saved by being Christian. One is saved by Jesus Christ.

Which is why Scripture is clear that there is no other name by which anyone can be saved.

There are of course bigger questions that we don't have any clear answers, for example, what happens to non-Christians? It is easy of course to wave our hands and say, "Non-Christians go to hell", the problem is that neither the Bible nor the Christian Church has ever had such a superficial belief. Because both Scripture and the confession of the Christian Church has always been of a very great big gracious God, the God who loves the world and poured Himself out into humility and death for the world.

As such the only answer a Christian can honestly give concerning what happens to Jews or Muslims (or Buddhists, or Pagans, or Atheists) is that all will stand before the same good, gracious, kind, and merciful Judge as we ourselves. And He alone shall judge.

Our job isn't to figure out who is or isn't saved. Our job is to go out and be disciples of Jesus Christ, confessing the Gospel, and serving the Lord through good works for our neighbor.

But no, being Jewish does not make one anymore "saved" than being Muslim does. The covenant God made with the Jewish people at Sinai was never a promise of eternal life, of salvation. So there is no salvation under the Old Covenant, there never was to begin with. Salvation has always been in Christ, this was true long before the Law was ever given at Sinai, as we read "Abraham had faith and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."

-CryptoLutheran
 
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Sabertooth

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But Christianity doesn't teach that one is saved by their religion. One isn't even saved by being Christian. One is saved by Jesus Christ.

Which is why Scripture is clear that there is no other name by which anyone can be saved.
Oh Buddha, The Imperials (1979)
 
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Humble_Disciple

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Jews today say that they don't accept Jesus as the Jewish Messiah because He didn't fulfill the Messianic prophecies that He would deliver Israel from all oppression and bring peace on earth.

What we are waiting for Jesus to fulfill in his second coming, unbelieving Jews say Jesus should have fulfilled in His first coming.
 
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ViaCrucis

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Jews today say that they don't accept Jesus as the Jewish Messiah because He didn't fulfill the Messianic prophecies that He would deliver Israel from all oppression and bring peace on earth.

What we are waiting for Jesus to fulfill in his second coming, unbelieving Jews say Jesus should have fulfilled in His first coming.

That's a, more-or-less, Dispensationalist perspective. Mainstream Christian teaching would be that Jesus really did accomplish that Messianic mission, it's just that it was fulfilled in a bigger and deeper way than what was expected. Jesus isn't going to return to sit on David's throne, Jesus already is King Messiah, the son of David, reigning as King not only over Israel, but of the whole cosmos--when the Lord returns, He returns as Judge of the living and the dead, the dead are raised, and there will be the restoration of all things--the renewal of all creation.

But the mystery of the kingdom is that it is both now and not yet. The kingdom is not something we wait around to see, it "does not come with observation" Jesus tells us. Jesus, as the Lord Christ, really has inaugurated God's reign as the Messiah, His death, resurrection, and ascension are all part of His royal, Messianic work.

Consider: Israel begged God for a king, but Israel needed no king because God was Israel's king. Nevertheless, God agreed and let Samuel choose Saul. The example of Saul shows us the futility of earthly kings and kingdoms. But to the house of David was promised an everlasting throne, and in Christ we see that the everlasting throne of David's house was not for a temporal kingdom, but the everlasting kingdom of the Son of Man, lifted up before the Ancient of Days and given all power and dominion (Daniel 7:13-14), "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me" (Matthew 28::18). The kingdom is now and not yet, it is now, here, Christ's reign through His Church in the Church's sacred mission and vocation to the world as the Body of Christ; and it is not yet, for we look forward in hopeful anticipation of what awaits us at the Eschaton, in the glorious world of God's future.

It is precisely in this tension between that now and not yet that our Christian lives are found here and now. Having received already what is promised for the future, through faith. Our justification, our present salvation, is the working of the power of God's grace bringing that future life into the present: This is why we can point to our baptism that we have been "raised with Christ" to "newness of life" because we have been united to Him in His death and burial; thus we have have the firstfruits of the resurrection Jesus who by the Holy Spirit gives life to us who were "dead in our trespasses" and has already seated us "in heavenly places with Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:5-6).

Our prayer, as Christ our Lord taught us to pray, is "Your kingdom come".

The direction of God's activity is always downward--God comes down. To enter the kingdom is not about going someplace else, but about being part of God's kingdom project in the world, by the energizing and quickening power of the Holy Spirit.

If we are rightly understanding the Eucharist, then we rightly understand God in Christ in us by the power of the Spirit; for what we receive in the Eucharist is what we then proclaim and bring the world: Christ and the saving power of His Gospel, His own life, death, and resurrection. For here Christ is, flesh and blood, given for us; and here by this Communion Christ and Church together, and Christ in the Church, and Christ for the world through the Church. Men try to make the kingdom happen by violence, but they do not find it. Because the kingdom cannot be found in violence, it can only be found in the humble and victorious Lamb of God--the Lamb who alone is worthy to open the seal, the Lamb who is the Temple of God in the New Jerusalem, the Light of the world, the Word of God, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Those who seek for earthly kingdoms and earthly powers will not be satisfied. Because the everlasting kingdom of God is not power and sword, but weakness and the cross,

"You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be chief among you must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:26-28

The Greatest in the kingdom is Himself Servant of all.

"Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities." - Isaiah 53:11

"I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he" - Luke 7:28

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:5-11

-CryptoLutheran
 
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Hawkins

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I'm a big fan of Ben Shapiro, and I have a hard time believing that observant Jews are going to hell simply for not accepting Jesus as the Jewish messiah.

Muslims don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins, but God never made a covenant with Muslims.

God did, however, make a covenant with the Jews, and Romans 11:29 says that the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

A covenant is a Law document. No human can ever read into the actual covenant itself in its full context. The Bible tells how today's humans are to be saved through Jesus, gentiles and Jews alike. However no one can rule out the possibility that the Jews can still be saved as prophesied, unless you can read into the full context of both the New Covenant and the Mosaic covenant to tell.

To me, even Jesus won't say that they all go to hell. Instead He said,

John 5:45 (NIV)
But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set.
 
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Dkh587

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Nobody goes to hell. “Going to hell” is a Greek concept.

the Bible teaches that there is an age coming, and only those worthy, as judged by Christ, will make it in.

You are either destroyed on judgement day, or are permitted to go into the kingdom of God. No “going to hell”.

the more appropriate question is: will Jews make it into the kingdom?”, not “will they go to heaven or hell?”
 
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Clare73

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I'm a big fan of Ben Shapiro, and I have a hard time believing that observant Jews are going to hell simply for not accepting Jesus as the Jewish messiah.
Muslims don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins, but God never made a covenant with Muslims.
God did, however, make a covenant with the Jews, and
Romans 11:29 says that the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
And those gifts and calling are being fulfilled in a remnant.

Only a remnant of all mankind, both Gentile and Jew, is saved.
 
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Clare73

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God never made a covenant with Muslims, so I have no problem saying that Muslims must accept Jesus to be saved.
I have a harder time saying that, however, about the Jewish people.
Since the resurrection of Christ, all mankind is on the same footing. . .salvation is by faith in (apart from works) and trust on the
person and atoning work (blood--Romans 3:25) of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of one's sin and right standing (positional) with
God's justice; i.e., not guilty, sanctified.
 
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Clare73

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The New Testament says that Abraham was declared righteous by God due to his faith, not by works. I don't know why that can't be true of Jews today.
Abraham's faith was in the Promise (Jesus Christ), the Seed, of the promise (Galatians 3:16) of Genesis 15:5.
All salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ (the Promise). There is no other salvation. . .for anyone.

It is true for Jews today, they are saved only by faith in Jesus Christ (the Promise), as was Abraham.
 
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Francis Drake

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The New Testament says that Abraham was declared righteous by God due to his faith, not by works. I don't know why that can't be true of Jews today.
You've answered rightly.

Don't forget that the God that the Jews believed in, and still believe in, is Jesus Christ.

2Cor10v1Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

2Sam22v47“The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation!


The Rock of salvation in the OT is the same Rock of Salvation in the NT.
 
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Blade

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I'm a big fan of Ben Shapiro, and I have a hard time believing that observant Jews are going to hell simply for not accepting Jesus as the Jewish messiah.

Muslims don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins, but God never made a covenant with Muslims.

God did, however, make a covenant with the Jews, and Romans 11:29 says that the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

You know thinking about this world and all the so called "Gods". Take India has how many Gods? They say over 33 million Hindu gods. Yeah thats just India. So easy to tell someone "reject Jesus and your lost forever". I don't think its that easy. I know a elderly Jewish man that never heard of Jesus. To keep going.. he lived in NY State. To keep going the year was 2000.

I dont know that man that know that they know that they know.. Jesus is real alive, the Father, Holy Spirit, Angels. My point is .. I don't like to say some, few, most, many but I think in this case most are blind. Jesus said if you were blind you would have no sin you say you see your sin remains.

This God left heaven to become His creation. Before all of this ..it was planned. I think its far easier to be saved than lost. I get no say here.. I don't get to write in or read the books. I know how far I would for my kids. I can't even begin to think how much LOVE the Father has for His creation.
 
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Guojing

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Jews today say that they don't accept Jesus as the Jewish Messiah because He didn't fulfill the Messianic prophecies that He would deliver Israel from all oppression and bring peace on earth.

What we are waiting for Jesus to fulfill in his second coming, unbelieving Jews say Jesus should have fulfilled in His first coming.

Now, Jews do not have to believe that Jesus is their promised Messiah to be saved.

But they need to believe that Jesus died for their sins and rose again on the 3rd day (1 Cor 15:1-4), to be saved.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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I'm a big fan of Ben Shapiro, and I have a hard time believing that observant Jews are going to hell simply for not accepting Jesus as the Jewish messiah.

Muslims don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins, but God never made a covenant with Muslims.

God did, however, make a covenant with the Jews, and Romans 11:29 says that the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
First for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

In general, it's not so much about acceptance and the earthly parables used in the gospel. It's about not being born again by the Holy Spirit. If you are not re-created to be compatible with the new heaven and new earth, existence there will be torment.
 
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Humble_Disciple

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Since I've never had an in-depth conversation with a rabbi or visited a synagogue, I'm not going to make a definitive statement whether or not Jews are going to hell.

It's quite clear to me that Jews and Christians believe in the same God, with the main difference being that Jews don't accept Jesus as the Messiah, due to the Old Testament prophecies which are yet to be fulfilled until His second coming.

I'm not going to say the same for Muslims, because Islam seems to be a perversion of Christianity, rather than a religion that preceded it, for which God already formed a covenant.
 
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Clare73

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Since I've never had an in-depth conversation with a rabbi or visited a synagogue, I'm not going to make a definitive statement whether or not Jews are going to hell.

It's quite clear to me that Jews and Christians believe in the same God, with the main difference being that Jews don't accept Jesus as the Messiah,
Jesus made that pretty clear:
"Whoever does not believe in the Son is condemned already." (John 3:18)

The apostle John made that pretty clear:
". . .whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

That would be the wrath of Romans 2:5, Romans 5:9; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6;
1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:16.
due to the Old Testament prophecies which are yet to be fulfilled until His second coming.
Jesus' second coming is at the end of time for the resurrection, rapture and judgment, according to authoritative NT teaching.

All interpretation of prophecy not in agreement with authoritative NT teaching, is erroneous interpretation, because God does not contradict himself in his word written.
I'm not going to say the same for Muslims, because Islam seems to be a perversion of Christianity, rather than a religion that preceded it, for which God already formed a covenant.
Do they believe in and trust on the atoning work (blood - Romans 3:25) of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sin and right standing with God's justice; i.e., "not guilty?"

If not, they are not saved from God's condemnation of all men (Romans 5:18).
 
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Humble_Disciple

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Jesus made that pretty clear:
"Whoever does not believe in the Son is condemned already." (John 3:18)

The apostle John made that pretty clear:
". . .whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

That would be the wrath of Romans 5:9; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10,
1 Thessalonians 2:16.

Jesus' second coming is at the end of time for the resurrection, rapture and judgment, according to authoritative NT teaching.

All interpretation of prophecy not in agreement with authoritative NT teaching, is erroneous interpretation, because God does not contradict himself in his word written.
Do they believe in and trust on the atoning work (blood - Romans 3:25) of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sin and right standing with God's justice; i.e., "not guilty?"

If not, they are not saved from God's condemnation of all men (Romans 5:18).

Doesn't Romans also say, in reference to the Jewish people, that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable?
 
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Guojing

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Doesn't Romans also say, in reference to the Jewish people, that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable?

Israel the nation will be saved at the end of the Tribulation.

If you are a Jew and you are living then, then yes you will be saved together with Israel.

If not, you need to follow the gospel of grace given to Paul and believe in the gospel found in 1 Cor 15:1-4
 
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