People in third world countries

[Smalcald]

How would the knowledge of how God will handle those who have not heard the Gospel change what we do and what we believe?

The fact is we don't know the ways of God are beyond our understanding. There is nothing specific in scripture about this. I think we know three things though, God is both just and merciful, and we have an obligation as Christians to spread the Gospel of Christ.

My personal speculation, and that is all it is but speculation, is that every human being will be handled in the exact same way, that we will all have an exactly equal chance to reject God's grace through His son Christ. How will He accomplish this? As Paul says, oh the depth and riches of His knowledge far past our understanding. Maybe at the moment of death, maybe at that point people who have not had the chance to hear the Gospel will hear it from Christ Himself? Who knows?

I believe many many Muslims will be saved, I believe many many Hindu's will be saved, of course they won't be Muslims or Hindu's at that point, and many Jews in the end will come to believe. I don't think we have the authority or calling to speculate on whole groups of people, as salvation is individual in nature, it is not done by group.

Of course all salvation will come only through Christ, for the Muslim and for the Christian.

[Smalcald]

I just wanted to add that I think it is important to recognize that the majority of the world's Christians live in Asia, Africa and Latin America, not the US or Europe.

One of the biggest problems I think we have in spreading the Gospel around the globe is the terrible witness of our own country as any sort of moral guide to others.

[Remnantrob]

the reason we don't have the greatest number of christians here at home(USA) is because many people seemingly have everything they need so they feel there is no need for God. People in other country really have no other reason to live so the gospel is pure treasure to them.........I wish it were the same to us.

[Guest quadding101]

There have been many that have never heard of the God of the bible or Jesus. The way God will judge these people is according to their knowledge of good and evil. If there is any (there will be a very few) that did right they will have the opportunity to accept Jesus. God is just. Most today will hear or have heard of Jesus. The world has become very wicked and God has about had His fill of it and the end is very near. God is going to make one last great effort to win as many as He can before He says it is enough and the antichrist will come. There is also a few things God will do with Israel yet, so that will delay the end for a time. God is going to reveal Himself that there is no doubt as to whom the true God is but because so many r so wicked it will have little affect on whom they will serve. Millions will accept Jesus but it will be so few compared to even the number that is today in the church,that call themselves followers of Jesus. I know I sound like a bit of a nut to some but all I can tell u is, u will see all I have said come to pass. It is a matter of time.

[Smalcald]

I was thinking about how hard spreading the Gospel is right here in the US and about what has been said. One thing I remembered was the lesson of the poor beggar Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man who shunned Lazarus went to hell, and when there asked God to send angels or let him go to warn his brothers, God said even if a dead man or an angel went to them they wouldn't believe, they have the Word and the Prophets, that is enough.

Some people are just not going to believe, even if we could perform huge miracles, it wouldn

[Rachel72]

There have been many that have never heard of the God of the bible or Jesus. The way God will judge these people is according to their knowledge of good and evil. If there is any (there will be a very few) that did right they will have the opportunity to accept Jesus. God is just.  Most today will hear or have heard of Jesus. The world has become very wicked and God has about had His fill of it and the end is very near. God is going to make one last great effort to win as many as He can before He says it is enough and the antichrist will come. There is also a few things God will do with Israel yet, so that will delay the end for a time. God is going to reveal Himself that there is no doubt as to whom the true God is but because so many r so wicked it will have little affect on whom they will serve. Millions will accept Jesus but it will be so few compared to even the number that is today in the church,that call themselves followers of Jesus. I know I sound like a bit of a nut to some but all I can tell u is, u will see all I have said come to pass. It is a matter of time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

quadding101: Can you tell me what God has to do with Israel yet, before Jesus returns?

Thank you, I am very interested. I should know this if I was reading the Bible more, but of course, I don't.

Rachel

[Dad Ernie]

I've never stated that God doesn't care about those who perish and without receiving some sort of draw to God in their lives.  I was just stating that God will not come until every one has been given some type of knowlege of the Gospel of Christ.  But, there are instances where a question comes to mind on whether someone would perish w/o even a whisper of the gospel.  For example, you notice that the bible writes in the context of people who had dealings with God's people.  There is no mention of Chinese or Native Americans in the bible.  But I don't think that God will be unmerciful with them.  I'm sure that all men, whether good/bad have a knowledge of what is right and what is wrong.  I believe that God will judge those who weren't able to hear the gospel, by the "light" that was given to them. Sorry If  this is in opposition to what you may believe.  But I do agree with you that God is doing everything possible to allow the world to know that there is a savior.

Greetings Remnant Rob,

I recently heard a sermon over the radio, by I believe, Ravi Zacharias. It was in regards to whether there remain people who "have not heard". I would like you to consider first the following verse:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

This verse is speaking of "God the Father", and so are the following verses:

Romans 1:19-21 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Througout all time and all of creation, God has manifested Himself through all that man can perceive whether on this earth or in the heavenly realms. All reasonably intelligent men have to come to the conclusion that God is the architect of all creation. Even simple men, pondering the complexities of creation will come to that conclusion. Whenever this has been denied, it is because of an alternative agenda on the part of the observer. Mainly his pride, saying in his heart "there is no God" and thus have become fools.

Those at the Tower of Babel had reached the point of intelliectual sophistication that they decided they had the ability to reach the highest heavens. God says of them: "They are now all of one mind and nothing is impossible for them." So we see in that very early day when all men still had one language, also had one major problem and that was "pride of self". They wished to exalt man, which means to dethrone the one true God. In all cases through history, where you see man denying God (THE FATHER), the agenda was to "EXALT MAN". It remains that way today.

Now, as you might see, I have emphasized "God the Father", because I am NOT speaking specifically of Jesus. But this is what happens: When man comes to the conclusion that "THERE IS A GOD", and since there is a God, to ask Him FOR WISDOM. That is "Who He is", "What is His purpose", "What is man's purpose", "What relationship we are to have with Him". Then what comes next is God's response to that person's request of Him. He will ALWAYS reveal His Son, for He (God the Father) will reveal Jesus to those who seek God with all their heart. Whether it be the deepest darkest part of Africa, or in the middle city, God is ALWAYS revealing Himself "through His creation", and it is ONLY when a person sets him/herself aside and sincerely seeks to know God does God respond. This is when the Gospel of Jesus Christ comes into play. God will always respond by the message of His great love for His Son and in turn, His great love for us.

So NO ONE can say at the judgment that they never heard because all around them, every day of their life, God has been drawing them to Himself through the things His hands have made. Certainly it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is God's power unto salvation, but this God will reveal to them that truly seek Him.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie