What if others will be in heaven?

[Marathoner]

48 minutes ago, Amigo42 said:

I agree with you that they all cannot be correct.  That is not logical.  There is universal truth.  I'm just saying within that universal truth, how do we truly know all that God has planned.  I don't really know.  Jesus is indeed the only way, but again, what if it's possible for people to be saved by his blood even if they don't realize it?  How about unborn babies who never had the opportunity to learn about Jesus?  This is what I mean.  There are areas that I think we may not fully understand in this life.  

I wrote specifically concerning the judgment and I'm not concerned that some failed to comprehend those words, seeing as how they're swift to judge and slow to understand. I perceive this to be the heart of your OP, for you confess that the Son of God is the only way and this is the truth. He is indeed. 

Hence we who are in Christ --- our lives are hidden in Him --- are not condemned with the world (refer to 1 Corinthians 11:27-32) for He is the way, the truth, and the life, and He gives us life everlasting. The second death has no power over us. 

Universalism is heretical for if this were remotely the truth then the dead --- those who perished outside of Christ --- would not be resurrected to be judged by the Lord. Theirs is the second resurrection at the end of all things, when the last remaining enemy (Death) is destroyed as the scripture testifies: 

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV)

I testify that salvation in the Lord is the most astonishing of things to be experienced by man on this earth for the Son of God is pleased to reveal Himself to us: He knows us, and we come to know Him. He hides us in Himself and thus we belong to Christ forevermore. Our place is with Him, seated with the Lord in the heavenly places.  

This is not accomplished on the "down low," my friend. However, as others have pointed out in this topic, it is not our place to know if so-and-so (Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan, atheist or otherwise) has been chosen by the Almighty, who is well-pleased to reveal Himself to them in the fulness of time. I was a clueless agnostic when the Lord called me from this world.

I wrote about the judgment described in Revelation 20 when the resurrected dead are judged according to their deeds (works): those whose names are not written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire. We may infer that there *might* be some whose names are indeed written in the book of life and so they will be spared...

But as our brother @Josheb wisely points out, not as Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, atheists, or whatever. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, atheists, et, al., shall stand before His throne to be judged by the Living One. I define "the dead" as those who were not crucified with Christ, buried with Him in death, and raised with Him in newness of life. 

Hence Christ is indeed the only way, for He judges both the living (us) and the dead alike. Unless the Lord is pleased to reveal His judgment to us, we have no way of knowing the fate of our neighbor on this earth. Don't be troubled by this, @Amigo42. Be at peace for the judgments of the Lord are righteous and perfect in every way.   

[Hopefully]

1 hour ago, Amigo42 said:

It's just difficult to think that all people who have lived otherwise righteous lives will be doomed for "everlasting" fire for a truth they haven't even learned. 

“God judges everyone the same. It doesn’t matter who they are. People who have the law and those who have never heard of the law are all the same when they sin. People who don’t have the law and are sinners will be lost. And, in the same way, those who have the law and are sinners will be judged by the law.
 

Hearing the law does not make people right with God. They will be right before him only if they always do what the law says. Those who are not Jews don’t have the law. But when they naturally do what the law commands without even knowing the law, then they are their own law. This is true even though they don’t have the written law. They show that in their hearts they know what is right and wrong, the same as the law commands, and their consciences agree. Sometimes their thoughts tell them that they have done wrong, and this makes them guilty. And sometimes their thoughts tell them that they have done right, and this makes them not guilty. All this will happen on the day when God will judge people’s secret thoughts through Jesus Christ. This is part of the Good News that I tell everyone.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:11-16‬ ‭
 

“And the Good News I have shared about God’s kingdom will be told throughout the world. It will be spread to every nation. Then the end will come.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:14‬ ‭

[Hopefully]

@Amigo42

All this will happen on the day when God will judge people’s secret thoughts through Jesus Christ. This is part of the Good News that I tell everyone.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:11-16‬ ‭

This really is good news to put our minds at ease because we truly love people and want good for them.

[Marathoner]

Indeed, I was the chief of fools in the estimation of my friends and relatives for when Christ called, I answered Him. How could I not answer Him? He revealed everything I had ever done and said, Come to Me. There is nothing too great for the Lord God Almighty. 

Not even a bonehead like yours truly. 

An unschooled, unkempt, and wild-eyed bonehead in the eyes of some. 
An unwashed heathen bonehead in the eyes of my Roman Catholic relatives. I never had the "ominous dominus" dripped upon me by a dude wearing a fancy dress. I can thank my father of this flesh for sparing me and my younger sibling from that particular fate.  
Condemned-to-the-lake-of-fire-because-I'm-not-a-vegan-and-don't-pretend-to-observe-the Sabbath day bonehead ala my erstwhile SDA friends. A mouthful, but that sums it up nicely. 
A heretical bonehead according to some who fail to listen to what I say, nor read what I write. I'm fine with that... so what? Big deal. 

The Lord knows how to deal with boneheads. I'm in good company!  

Edited October 4, 2021 by Marathoner
typo

[Your closest friendnt]

47 minutes ago, David1701 said:

What this shows is that man's conscience will condemn him, even if he has never heard of the law, on the day of judgment.  Legal righteousness, whether the law, or conscience, demands perfect obedience.  One sin results in condemnation, never mind the fact that everyone sins every day (in thought, word and deed).

This is why we need to repent and believe in the Saviour, otherwise we would all be lost.

The day of Judgment, the day when we will appear before the Throne of Jesus Christ is not the same day for every one. 

Scripture does not say that those who have not heard the Gospel and for that reason faith or denial in Jesus Christ cannot be found in them that they will appear before Jesus Christ in that state of ignorance.

The scriptures says that everyone who will appear before the Throne of Jesus Christ will be in the Knowledge to recognize that they bowing down to the one they have believe or refuse to believe. 

The suggestion that even those who had not be given the chance to have their sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ and died that way will appear before Jesus Christ to be deal with is not supported by the message of the Gospel that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world.  Or he died for all. 

[Waggles]

14 hours ago, Kelly2363 said:

What I mean by the prophetic ministry is the entirety of the Word of God in its living meaning.

I found this in the Pentecost faith where the indwelling Holy Spirit opened up the scriptures to me and they became the living word of God.

Also we operate the gift of prophecy at our service meetings, along with tongues and interpretation in full accordance with 1Corinthians 14.

But the gift of prophecy spoken at meetings is not a ministry of prophecy.

[Kelly2363]

12 minutes ago, Waggles said:

I found this in the Pentecost faith where the indwelling Holy Spirit opened up the scriptures to me and they became the living word of God.

Also we operate the gift of prophecy at our service meetings, along with tongues and interpretation in full accordance with 1Corinthians 14.

But the gift of prophecy spoken at meetings is not a ministry of prophecy.

 

No! But the prophet is. And your quote is not all I said. I spoke of prophet and not the gift of prophecy. I stated my intention of meaning drawing two sides of a thread that speaks of the prophet and in that meaning it is the entirety of Scripture that comes into play and not the gift of revealing mens' hearts. But the pastor also utilises the Scripture prophetically yet he is not a prophet. As a child can speak prophetically as the Spirit leads - yet the child may not be a prophet. The prophet is a prophet and nothing more than a prophet. 

Edited October 4, 2021 by Kelly2363
Added last sentence

[appy]

On 10/2/2021 at 9:20 AM, Amigo42 said:

The more I learn about the historic and cultural context in which the Bible was written, the more I realize that we really don't know as much as we think.

What if people will be in heaven who we thought would not be like some Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus?  This might seem heretical, but what if people are saved by the blood even if they don't realize it.  There are people who live righteous lives up to the knowledge they have.  Yes, Jesus is the only way.  However, the patriarchs did not know Jesus such as Moses, David, etc. Yet, these people are saved.  This is food for thought.

I agree that the above quoted question whether intentional or the question is one of curiosity, indeed can and has already been interpreted as a discussion on universalism and or purgatory. Both of these are heretical teachings, and are to be rejected. Why? Because they deny that God has chosen faith and trust in his son as the ONLY way to him. They also deny the coming judgment that is made known to every human instinctively. For God has hardwired the knowledge of himself and our need of a savior, and the coming judgment into the hearts and minds of every person, from Adam till now.

The first 3 chapters of Romans and Hebrews 11 can not stress enough, that faith and trust in Jesus is extremely important. These two things. And in fact, the major requirements for anyone to get into heaven. The people of ancient times were commended, because they believed God and trusted God, NOT because they didn't know about Jesus death on the cross.

Like it or not, it is what it is. All mankind will be judged past and present, because even though they don't know about Jesus, or what he has done for us on the cross, they have knowledge of God's presence, and do have a moral code that they know they are breaking; but chose to exchange what they know to be the truth, for a lie.

The bible says all are without excuse, NOT because they didn't hear the gospel, but because they had sinned. The bible says All have sinned. And it is sin that separates us from God. Not ignorance.

Romans 3:25
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

Jesus when speaking to the religious leaders had been telling them from the beginning of his ministry, that he, himself is God in the flesh. But they rejected him in spite of all the proof they had in front of them. The bible teaches that God has chosen something so simple, so that ALL can come to him and in the same way. By believing in Jesus' life, death and resurrection, on our behalf.  In this way, we could never brag that we got to heaven by our own wisdom, strength, or power.

John 6:29
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

John 8:24
I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

All throughout the new testament, we are told to not only believe, but to also place complete trust in Jesus' atoning work on the cross. Jesus said, that his death on the cross was the beginning of the "new covenant" which is put into effect by his blood.  But our part of the agreement is to believe in his life, death and resurrection. 

Without faith (belief) in Jesus' atoning work on the cross we can't get in, no matter how nice we are or whether our good deeds outweigh our bad. 

[Marathoner]

For the sake of the OP and in a spirit of encouragement toward any who might find themselves reading this topic, I'll offer up a portion of what I have seen and heard during my travels. This is for edification only.

I'm not writing with any measure of "authority." I don't write to appease the religious who are consumed with lofty eyes and enamored of their own opinions, which they esteem too highly in considering themselves wise. 

My own religion is rather simple: I live for my Lord Jesus Christ who called me when I was lost in this present darkness, who raised me up when I was on the verge of death, and who poured His Spirit upon me when my feet returned to this earth. I serve Him by serving my neighbor: the poor and the needy... the fatherless... and the widows, for the Lord does not require my hands to attend to Him. I live for Jesus Christ because He gave His Life to me so I might live, and do so abundantly. That is my religion. 

I have witnessed one who, during the course of their long life, had fallen away from Christ and into disbelief. They were bitter, wounded, and left desolate having been disowned by family and friends. Indeed, this one endured unspeakable evil on this earth...

But the Lord never forgot this one at any time. I was blessed to witness the undying love of the living God for this one and how even in their suffering and desolation, this soul gave of themselves freely for the sake of a stranger. They gave this stranger water to drink when he was thirsty... food to eat when he was starving... clothes to wear when he had none of his own... and cared for him when was afflicted, promising to never leave him alone in his sickness without an expectation of reward. They never asked for anything in return. 

At no time did this one grasp that whatsoever they did for that stranger, they did for the Son of God Himself. In this way, then, one who had "fallen away" into confusion and pain was revealed as one beloved of the Lord. In the estimation of their believing (and devoutly religious) family they were apostate, and so this one was shunned and rejected by them. This damaged one beloved of the Lord more deeply than my words here can convey.

The Lord gathered this one in His hand and provided for their every need until their appointed time arrived, returning all that they had done for His sake in a measure which astonished me greatly. Let us remember, then, that no eye has seen nor ear heard what the Lord has in store for those who love Him. We so often confuse the pain and suffering we experience in this flesh with eternal and everlasting concerns, so I'm pleased to share this portion of my testimony with the reader:

We have no idea unless the Lord sees fit to enlighten us with regard to His will and purpose.  

[Your closest friendnt]

On 10/2/2021 at 12:20 PM, Amigo42 said:

The more I learn about the historic and cultural context in which the Bible was written, the more I realize that we really don't know as much as we think.

What if people will be in heaven who we thought would not be like some Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus?  This might seem heretical, but what if people are saved by the blood even if they don't realize it.  There are people who live righteous lives up to the knowledge they have.  Yes, Jesus is the only way.  However, the patriarchs did not know Jesus such as Moses, David, etc. Yet, these people are saved.  This is food for thought.

The people who died in ignorance of the Gospel they will be given the chance to hear the Gospel after they have died. 

And then they will appear before the Throne of Jesus Christ to be judged according to their faith. 

Whether they believe or have refused to believe. 

Those who believed their sins are under the blood of Jesus Christ and they can enter Heaven because Heaven belongs to Jesus Christ. 

This will not be the first time the Gospel was preached to the dead. 

The first time the dead were offered to have their sins put under the blood of Jesus Christ was right after the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. 

When Jesus Christ was descended to the place of the dead and beginning with Abraham and his descendants Jesus Christ preached the Gospel to them before he continued to preach the Gospel the forgiveness of sins in his blood to everyone who had died before him in the world of the dead because Jesus Christ died for the sins of all the people in the world.

So everyone in the world has the God given right to have the chance to put their sins under the blood of Jesus Christ before they appeared before him to be judge according to having believe or having refuse to believe.  

Edited October 5, 2021 by Your closest friendnt