How can God be ok with most people going to hell?

BeyondET · Jun 10, 2025

David Lamb said:
No. It wasn't only for those before Seth. Think of Cain murdering his brother Abel. God said to Cain:

“Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. "So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. "When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth."” (Ge 4:9-12 NKJV)

If murder was not forbidden, why did God punish Cain?

Yes that is true but the commandment wasn't applied until the Ten Commandments came along.

God placed a mark on Cain so no one would kill him but the commandment not to kill anyone wasn't in place at that time.That is why a mark was placed on just Cain.

David Lamb · Jun 11, 2025

BeyondET said:
Yes that is true but the commandment wasn't applied until the Ten Commandments came along.

God placed a mark on Cain so no one would kill him but the commandment not to kill anyone wasn't in place at that time.That is why a mark was placed on just Cain.

If there was no command not to murder in Cain's day, why was God angry with him? Also, you say that the commandment wasn't applied until the Ten Commandments came along. What about Genesis 9, where God says:

“"Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.” (Ge 9:6 NKJV)

BeyondET · Jun 11, 2025

David Lamb said:
If there was no command not to murder in Cain's day, why was God angry with him? Also, you say that the commandment wasn't applied until the Ten Commandments came along. What about Genesis 9, where God says:

“"Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.” (Ge 9:6 NKJV)

That's an eye for an eye, not eternal condemnation in Gen 9:6. Who ever sheds man's blood is judged by man.

RileyG · Jun 11, 2025

People choose to go to hell. God respects our freedom of choice.

David Lamb · Jun 12, 2025

BeyondET said:
That's an eye for an eye, not eternal condemnation in Gen 9:6. Who ever sheds man's blood is judged by man.

Regardless of whether it is eye for eye, it shows that murder is contrary to God's will.

BeyondET · Jun 12, 2025

David Lamb said:
Regardless of whether it is eye for eye, it shows that murder is contrary to God's will.

Indeed God's will isn't about murder but justice. Condemnation is justice not murder.

David Lamb · Jun 12, 2025

BeyondET said:
Indeed God's will isn't about murder but justice. Condemnation is justice not murder.

Even if we say that the emphasis is Genesis 9:6 is more on justice, I think it's going too far to say that God's will isn't about murder. That sounds as though you think that murder is a matter of indifference to God, but perhaps I have misunderstood you, in which case I apologise.

Godcrazy · Jun 16, 2025

Cygna said:
I apologize if this is considered adversarial, but I have not heard a satisfactory answer yet despite asking my whole life basically. The Bible says that the way to life is narrow, and few find it. I heard a prophecy that only 1 of 1000 people make it to heaven actually. So my question is, how is God ok with this? Why did He allow this planet, original sin’s curse, etc. to work out like this?

The first answer I heard was that it’s just inevitable, He’s sad, but He did everything He could by sending Jesus on the cross. This seems not very believable. An omnipotent God literally could not do more to save 99.9% of His creation? And even so, why would He allow this planet to persist knowing He could not save the billions of people going to hell?

The other answer I heard is just that He has a right to do whatever, we are naturally His enemies, so that’s just how it is. That like the Bible says, He is the potter and we are the clay, so we just have to accept that we will likely become objects of wrath unless we are both fortunate with special mercy and also extremely faithful which is difficult on a planet already having original sin.

Another answer is that it’s our fault we turn like this and it’s our rebellion. Honestly I would understand if Satan was considered at fault for rebellion considering one third of angels fell. I do not understand how we are at fault when we already have a curse just from being born, and 99.9% of us don’t make it. The odds are heavily against us, and saying “the soul that sins shall die” regardless seems extremely cruel and harsh.

It is made worse that hell is eternal and torturous. God literally decreed that hell should be this way, without anyone forcing Him to. He could’ve invented another system. I’ve concluded that existence is painful and doomed for creatures who were born into the wrong life, and God doesn’t care except for those very few who are humble, virtuous, and favored enough to make it and praise Him for His mercy to save them from a wrath that He Himself created. It really seems like all He cares about is His glory, and He can just ruin our eternal lives like it’s nothing.

Hell was created for satan and his fallen angels not for humanity. God does not want anyone to go there. But when you choose a life away from God, with your actions and will you do separate yourself from God with your own actions and will. God is a gentleman, he respects free will no matter how it hurts. It does hurt him. That is why he sent Jesus.
But he does not drag anyone or force anyone.
I have heard testimonies those that died or had near death experience that did not know Jesus met him, and was given a choice. Remember He went to down to hell and preached. I think it is along those lines. If you truly do not know God.

lismore · Jun 16, 2025

Cygna said:
Another answer is that it’s our fault we turn like this and it’s our rebellion.

Hello! I have another answer. God sends the wicked to hell to protect the flock from wolves. What kind of heaven would it be if unrepentant murderers, muggers, terrorists and rapists are walking around with the redeemed? Unrepentant mind you. You'd have to watch your every step every moment in heaven. That sounds more like hell. God Bless

BibleBeliever1611 · Jun 17, 2025

God cannot force people to go to heaven. It must be by people's own choice

David Lamb · Jun 17, 2025

BibleBeliever1611 said:
God cannot force people to go to heaven. It must be by people's own choice

I don't think it is correct to say that God cannot do that. He is almighty. Who or what would stop Him? But He doesn't force people into heaven. He changes them so that they are willing.

setst777 · Jul 1, 2025

David Lamb said:
I don't think it is correct to say that God cannot do that. He is almighty. Who or what would stop Him? But He doesn't force people into heaven. He changes them so that they are willing.

How are people changed by God so they are willing?

JustAServant7 · Jul 1, 2025

i want to say that i respect the author of this thread for asking such a bold question, because it simply is a honest question, with the hard facts of the Bible...

all i have to say right now, is that i'm in this journey as well, to swallow these truths and understand them, because i simply don't know as well, or am having trouble grasping and believing in hell.

Lastly, all i have to say is, stay on the safe side brother, God is Love and desires good for you, we have to accept and believe that at least, because that is logical and makes sense you know, so regardless of how difficult it is to understand the concept's or realities of hell, stay safe, believe in Jesus Christ in your soul, and do what he says, by living a normal life, doing your best.

God bless and hope this helps, and yeah, like i said,
i'm trying to understand this as well..

Fervent · Jul 2, 2025

I find a common Orthodox view compelling, that hell is not somewhere that God sends the wicked but that suffering is how the wicked experience being in God's presence because of their refusing to let go of their sin. It is not that God is active in punishing them, but a consequence of their constitution.

David Lamb · Jul 2, 2025

setst777 said:
How are people changed by God so they are willing?

Ephesians 2 tells us:

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:1-10 NKJV)

BibleBeliever1611 · Jul 2, 2025

Well if God is the one who created hell, then of course he is okay with people going there. Otherwise hell wouldn't exist.

setst777 · Jul 2, 2025

David Lamb said:
Ephesians 2 tells us:

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:1-10 NKJV)

Regarding "Ephesians 2:1-10," does this verse say that God made us alive with Christ from death before or after we were willing and believed?

Who did Paul write to in Ephesians?

Could Paul have been teaching believers (Christians) what they already have in Christ since believing?

Did Paul write and address his Epistle to those who were already believers, or to unbelievers?

Who are the "us" whom God made alive? Is the "us" referring to those who already believe, or to unbelievers?

David Lamb · Jul 2, 2025

setst777 said:
Regarding "Ephesians 2:1-10," does this verse say that God made us alive with Christ from death before or after we were willing and believed?

Well, I would say before. After all, those verses say that the Ephesian Christians had been dead in trespasses and sins when God made them alive.

setst777 said:
Who did Paul write to in Ephesians?

According to Ephesians 1:1, the saints (Christians) in Ephesus:

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:” (Eph 1:1 NKJV)

setst777 said:
Could Paul have been teaching believers (Christians) what they already have in Christ since believing.

Did Paul write and address his Epistle to those who were already believers, or to unbelievers?

Definitely believers. He calls his readers "saints" and "faithful in Christ Jesus."

setst777 said:
Who are the "us" whom God made alive? Is the "us" referring to those who already believe, or to unbelievers?

Again, He is addressing believers and reminding them how they had been saved.

setst777 · Jul 2, 2025

David Lamb said:
Well, I would say before. After all, those verses say that the Ephesian Christians had been dead in trespasses and sins when God made them alive.

True, they were dead in trespasses and sins before being made alive. I agree. But were they made alive before believing or because they believed?

Can you show me any Scripture that answers that question, because, right now, that is your assumption, as you stated:

"Well, I would say before."

Isn't the Promise of God to make alive those who would believe?

Galatians 3:21-22 (WEB) 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could Make Alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, so that The Promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Didn't the Apostle John end his Gospel account with the following truth?

John 20:31 These things are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name

David Lamb said:
According to Ephesians 1:1, the saints (Christians) in Ephesus:

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:” (Eph 1:1 NKJV)

Definitely believers. He calls his readers "saints" and "faithful in Christ Jesus."

Again, He is addressing believers and reminding them how they had been saved.

Thank you for answering the questions. And I agree with your responses.

In your last sentence, you stated that Paul is addressing believers and reminding them how they (believers) had been saved. That is true.

How are sinners saved, according to the Gospel?

Romans 1:16 (WEB) For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes [continuous believing]

David Lamb · Jul 3, 2025

setst777 said:
True, they were dead in trespasses and sins before being made alive. I agree. But were they made alive before believing or because they believed?

Can you show me any Scripture that answers that question, because, right now, that is your assumption, as you stated:

"Well, I would say before."

I would say that the verses from Ephesians I quoted show that. How can somebody "dead in trespasses and sins" belierve on the Lord Jesus Christ?

setst777 said:
Isn't the Promise of God to make alive those who would believe?

Galatians 3:21-22 (WEB) 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could Make Alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, so that The Promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Didn't the Apostle John end his Gospel account with the following truth?

John 20:31 These things are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name

Thank you for answering the questions. And I agree with your responses.

In your last sentence, you stated that Paul is addressing believers and reminding them how they (believers) had been saved. That is true.

How are sinners saved, according to the Gospel?

Romans 1:16 (WEB) For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes [continuous believing]

Yes, the gospel (and Acts and the epistles) make clear that a sinner must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. However, for that to happen, God has to take the initiative. As those Ephesians 2 verses say, God has to make dead sinners alive and raised them up. Praise Him for His wonderful grace!

How can God be ok with most people going to hell?

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