Who is going to Heaven?

[CGL1023]

I saw on a TV program some days ago, a minister tell the person who was interviewing him, say that the majority of Christians believe that “Good” non-Christians will go to heaven. He later stated that God would never send good people to Hell. I find it hard to believe that the majority believe this. I would like to know what you guys here think.

Jesus said that Hell is reserved for the devil and his angels (Mt 25:41). It was never intended for man. People do however, align themselves with the devil and choose hell for themselves. If they don't deliberately choose Jesus, they choose hell by default. "...of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." 2 Pet 2:19.

 

[Timothew]

Jesus said that Hell is reserved for the devil and his angels (Mt 25:41). It was never intended for man. People do however, align themselves with the devil and choose hell for themselves. If they don't deliberately choose Jesus, they choose hell by default. "...of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." 2 Pet 2:19.

Nobody chooses hell. That would be insane. If there is a hell, then people go there because God sends them there.

But the bible says that people who reject Christ and his offer of eternal life will perish, they won't have eternal life in hell. They won't even be able to "choose" hell if they wanted to, because they will have perished.

You don't get to have it both ways. You can't say "God designed hell where people will be tortured alive for all eternity when they are dead" AND SAY "God is good and loves us." And don't tell me I just don't understand God's justice. It is not just by any standard to have someone tortured for all eternity. God is better than us. If we don't torture people because it is unjust, then certainly God, who is better than us will not torture people.

 

[buchalady]

Unbelievers are never condemned in Scripture. . . .those who never hear, and never understand for lack of opportunity.

God does not condemn the blind for not seeing, except those who are willfully blind and refuse to see.

Sincerity of heart has always been the basis of acceptance with God. We do not have sincerity of heart just because we are church members. Insincerity is the very opposite of "the good and honest heart" that God wants.

If the God of heaven does not expect a blind man to see or a deaf man to hear, then there is a place for grace in our judgments of those who are not in the same place that we are.

 

[WilliamB]

The good news is Christ answered this question and is has zero to do with being labled a "Christian". I find it amazing and sad that there are still so many worldly answers to this question.

25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

 

[Butch5]

I saw on a TV program some days ago, a minister tell the person who was interviewing him, say that the majority of Christians believe that “Good” non-Christians will go to heaven. He later stated that God would never send good people to Hell. I find it hard to believe that the majority believe this. I would like to know what you guys here think.

I don't believe anyone goes to heaven.

 

[James Clarkston]

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus tells some Christians, "depart from me, you workers of iniquity for I never KNEW you"...which leads one think this Jesus actually thinks He purchased us with a price, we are not our own and as such He wants to come in to our lives...but sadly, many Christians are too busy playing with the things of this world (spiritual adultery = iniquity) to be bothered with actually having a personal relationship with Jesus...allowing Him to be Lord (Boss).

The seeker sensitive movement is deadly in that it teaches people that Jesus is nothing more than Savior...all ya gotta do is say a little prayer, and it's OK to live your life any 'ol way ya want to. You don't need to bother yo self with living a holy life, set apart unto the Lord...that's for all those "fundies".

Yessir, some folks are going to be shocked when they close their eyes for the last time because...God really does look at the heart and lots of folks say the right words, but their hearts are far from Him....they only call on Him when they have a serious problem.

But, you dare not say any of this to anybody much, you'll be accused of being a holy roller er somethin...you know how that goes...

 

[TRUEPeace]

If I rape and murder and stand before a judge and plead to be set free, if that judge is a good judge he will sentence you, even if you show remorse and the family of the person I killed forgives me.

Gods judgement is MORE JUST! God Says you have sinned against me, the just and HOLY God, I CANNOT have you in my presence BUT no matter what you have done you will be forgiven if you have faith in my son who died for your sins! Jesus is the lamb without spot or blemish that God required to atone for our crimes.

 

[notreligus]

I would not place any hope in not knowing the truth. Jesus said my people die from a lack of knowledge.

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

I don't believe that this applies only to the Apostles/Disciples. But, just think about this. These men had personally followed Christ, had heard the revelation of Who He was, they heard His teachings, they saw Him heal people, etc., and yet Christ told them that the Holy Spirit would come to them later and still reveal more to them.

1Cor 2:10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
1Cor 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
1Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
1Cor 2:13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
1Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

"I saw on a TV program some days ago, a minister tell the person who was interviewing him, say that the majority of Christians believe that “Good” non-Christians will go to heaven."

That's probably a TRUE statement, and, in fact GOOD Non-Christians WILL GO to heaven. Except that there ARE NONE!!!! (duh) We've ALL sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.

"He later stated that God would never send good people to Hell."

Right again!! GOOD people ain't go'in to hell - but unfortunately the same rules apply here too. Rom 3:10/Ps 43:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Case closed.

"I find it hard to believe that the majority believe this."

Given the normal level of Biblical ignorance among professing Christians, Almost NOTHING surprises me anymore -

 

[Butch5]

.

 

[wordonly]

FIsrtly, Romans 2:13-14 explains that those not knowing God, but doing his word will be justified.
Of course you can still be jusitfied by faith, but please bear in mind James 2:26
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

In addition 1Peter 1:17 clearly states the Father judges according to a person's works.

Today many people call themselves Christians but in reality their works do not bear out their claim, be wary of such. Some great points made by others including to be very wary of TV, some caution here though, detaching yourself totally risks not being able to understand those people who you should be communicating God's word to.

 

[toLiJC]

I saw on a TV program some days ago, a minister tell the person who was interviewing him, say that the majority of Christians believe that “Good” non-Christians will go to heaven. He later stated that God would never send good people to Hell. I find it hard to believe that the majority believe this. I would like to know what you guys here think.

of course that it is nohow possible good people to be pushed into hell, why would God push good people into hell - what's the problem?! - can He be arbitrary?!, why unoffending/harmless people to be punished?!, but if someone causes evil to another, then there is a problem, otherwise there would be no point if a good human is rated deserving to be driven into hell

Blessings

 

[michaeldimmickjr]

I saw on a TV program some days ago, a minister tell the person who was interviewing him, say that the majority of Christians believe that “Good” non-Christians will go to heaven. He later stated that God would never send good people to Hell. I find it hard to believe that the majority believe this. I would like to know what you guys here think.

Judgement is for God alone. We should concern ourselves with our own salvation.

in Christ,

Michael

 

[Trailltrader]

I saw on a TV program some days ago, a minister tell the person who was interviewing him, say that the majority of Christians believe that “Good” non-Christians will go to heaven. He later stated that God would never send good people to Hell. I find it hard to believe that the majority believe this. I would like to know what you guys here think.

This is indeed a mystery beyond my pay grade. My Dad was about 3 years old when my Grandmother died in childbirth and he grew up hating G-d and Church. My Aunt whos life was saved during her child birth because a singer in the "Crystal Cathedral" in California- both were significantly changed spiritually by this catastrophic event. Jesus wrote he didn't like "lukewarm Christians" for obvious reasons. My Dad believed in G-d and Jesus to the extent he hated that HIS MOMMY was taken away from him.

I suspect that because of this life changing event my Dad will go to heaven. Why? Because he DID believe but his belief was so tainted by what happened to him he was Unable to make a rational life choice.

This, I believe is where both Grace and Mercy kicks into high speed overdrive.

My Mom and Dad adopted me- put me in a church so it would look good to the adoption people so the adoption would go through. Little did they know they would create a spiritual Frankenstein monster...

Based on the Bible, and my lifes experiences, I think that Christ will give everyone the super benefit of the doubt. In other words he will have to be as lenient as possible with people- if not then Christ will have done the unthinkable:

I cannot imagine a G-d or his Son intentionally creating humans with souls just to have them killed off for the spiritual growth of Christians.

This, is the great mystery I have failed to understand.

 

[MeirDavid]

hai guys

I am having faith that who are living very honestly in his life period will go to heaven!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hizikyah]

Mattithyah 7:13-14, "Enter in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who go that way. Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads to life, and few there are who find it."

Mattithyah 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to Me; Teacher! Teacher! will enter into the Kingdom of Yahweh, but only he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day; Teacher! Teacher! Have we not prophesied in nYour Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and in Your Name performed many wonderful works? But then I will declare to them; I
never knew you. Get away from Me, you who practice iniquity; (you who break the Law of Yahweh!)"

Iniquity is Word #458 from word #459, Greek Dictionary, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, meaning not subject to Yahweh's Laws, transgressor.

Revelation 22:12-15, "And behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work will be. I am the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who keep His Laws, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates
into the city. For outside are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and worshipers of gods (elohim) and everyone who professes to love, yet practices breaking the Law."

2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, that each one may receive his reward according to what he has done in the body, whether righteous or evil.”

It is not for us to decide.

 

[Hizikyah]

Being born again:

Yahchanan 3:4-6, "Nicodemus said to Him; How can a man be reborn when he is old? Can he enter the womb of his mother the second time, and be born? Yahshua answered: Truly, truly, I say to you: Unless a man is begotten of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Yahweh. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; but that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit."

1 Corinthians 15:19-54, "And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, so will we also bear the image of the heavenly. Now I say this brothers: that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of Yahweh; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. The First Resurrection At The Last Trumpet Behold, I show you a secret truth: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the clast trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory."

The "pre-tribulation reapture" was never preached before around 1830, it was invented to trick people into following the anti-Messiah when he arrives, people will be tole that "meeting Christ in the air" is not literal, it is a higher state of consciousness, and the kingdom is here now, when it will actually be satans kingdom.

"Once saved always saved":

Romans 3:25, "Whom Yahweh set forth as a sacrifice of atonement by His own blood, through the faith, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of Yahweh."

Hebrews 10:26-27, "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."

No one is actually saved untill they enter the kingdom of Yahweh.

Mattithyah 10:22, "And you will be hated above all men for My Name's sake; but he who endures to the end will be saved."

Mattithyah 24:12-13, "And because iniquity; (the breaking of Yahweh's Law), will abound, the love of the many will grow cold. But he who endures until the end, the same will be saved.."

 

[Follower3]

Nobody chooses hell. That would be insane. If there is a hell, then people go there because God sends them there.

But the bible says that people who reject Christ and his offer of eternal life will perish, they won't have eternal life in hell. They won't even be able to "choose" hell if they wanted to, because they will have perished.

You don't get to have it both ways. You can't say "God designed hell where people will be tortured alive for all eternity when they are dead" AND SAY "God is good and loves us." And don't tell me I just don't understand God's justice. It is not just by any standard to have someone tortured for all eternity. God is better than us. If we don't torture people because it is unjust, then certainly God, who is better than us will not torture people.

I would like to think so too brother.
but what about where it says they will suffer eternal torment?
that isn't death.
Do I need to find the verse, or do we all know what I'm talking about?

 

[Trailltrader]

Originally Posted by Timothew

Nobody chooses hell. That would be insane. If there is a hell, then people go there because God sends them there.

But the bible says that people who reject Christ and his offer of eternal life will perish, they won't have eternal life in hell. They won't even be able to "choose" hell if they wanted to, because they will have perished.

You don't get to have it both ways. You can't say "God designed hell where people will be tortured alive for all eternity when they are dead" AND SAY "God is good and loves us." And don't tell me I just don't understand God's justice. It is not just by any standard to have someone tortured for all eternity. God is better than us. If we don't torture people because it is unjust, then certainly God, who is better than us will not torture people.

Ah, but you overlooked a few facts, Timothew- the key is, if you turn your back on G-d as you understand him- like the Prodigal Son he made a decision- he went out, sinned, learned the error of his ways, decided it was better at home so he came home.

I have friends who are very hard core atheists. They have no desire to learn about G-d, they refuse to see the beauty or his existence- what should G-d do with them? He can't let them into heaven- that would mean Christs death, the martyrs, and anyone who worked for Christ would be "paid" the same thing as those who didn't work, right?

And yet, throwing them into hell for all eternity (to me) seems excessive also. A clue was given (is given?) if you study a few out of body experiences aka near death experiences of those who have been sent to hell and why they were sent. With close to 9 million examples in the United States alone, I'm sure you could find a few examples using a search engine. I think Howard Storms personal example makes sense, and theres a gentleman at my Church who is "advanced in years" dying of leukemia and I asked him quietly "Les, are you afraid to die?" Then Les told me how back in the 1950's he almost got killed on a tractor, went to the light, was given the option to come back if he wanted to so he came back.

This man, Les, has never, ever told a lie in his life, his reputation is impeccable- if he told me black was white I'd accept it at face value until proven otherwise. Seriously.

Jesus gives us a major hint- I just discovered this- I mean REALLY DISCOVERED THIS- a few weeks ago and I've been mulling it over in my mind.

The only actual command Jesus gives in the New Testament is to Love.!! Now, ain't that a peach? We've read examples, we've seen him spank adults verbally, we've seen the word games ("If you can raise my daughter....?",,,,"If I can? IF I CAN?" You can hear Jesus's laughter if you read that verse)

And Paul backs this up by saying "Love covers a multitude of sins".

Its not rules and reg's, its love. Its only now at the age of 52 that I have realized I don't know how to love. I don't mean "I love ice cream", or "I love the dog". I mean full, unconditional love that Christ had.

Do I think I'll be allowed into heaven? I dunno. Its where I'd like to go but its Christ's decision, not mine.
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