Is entry into God's Kingdom open to ALL or only to those predestined to be there?

[Marston]

52 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

According to Christian belief, while Jesus's love for humanity is indeed universal, salvation is a gift that requires an individual response of faith and acceptance.

Jesus loves us all and does everything possible to try and persuade everybody to follow him. When some ultimately reject Jesus, however, Jesus then rejects them too and sends them away to suffer forever.  

[Marston]

2 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

Beware the wrath of God.

Christians intent on trusting God and His Word are enlightened as to the cause of God's Wrath and Judgment from this passage among others. 

Please take several days to read and re-read this passage, meditating and praying over it, seeking edification, illumination, and enlightenment to banish ignorance and deception.

People sent to Hell are where they need to be as determined by Jesus. I'm thankful to be saved and look forward to being with Jesus in our Heavenly Father's Kingdom! 

Thank you for sharing God's word with me!

[Tristen]

3 hours ago, Marston said:

Jesus judges and then sends some to Heaven and some to Hell. It's his decision. If Jesus didn't want them in Hell then they wouldn't be in Hell. 

Incorrect. 

God is perfectly just - and therefore has no choice but to send all who have sinned to hell. Since all humans (except Jesus) have sinned, all humans deserve hell (by the standard of perfect justice). The condemnation of hell was therefore already over all humanity independent of Jesus' judgement.

Through pure love, Jesus paid an unfathomably high price to provide us an escape from hell. Self-evidently, Jesus' desire was for as many as possible to be saved from hell, and into God's eternal life.

The importance of freewill to God is demonstrated in that His salvation plan means we must accept/receive the provided pardon. It cannot be forced on us. The claim that Jesus does not force His will on us is logically distinct from the claim that Jesus wants people in hell.

The only "decision" in Jesus' hands was whether or not to suffer the cross on our behalf. He opened the door to life and invited us in. We therefore cannot logically attribute the refusal of some to accept His invitation as Him wanting them in hell.

Jesus does not send "some to hell". "Some" simply refuse to accept His offered pardon.

 

 

 

[Dennis1209]

On 2/22/2025 at 1:18 AM, ayin jade said:

God knows everything, including their hearts. This has been a discussion topic among my family. My husband watched his little sister, barely a few years old, get hit and killed by a truck. At the time, his family were not Christians. So this topic is rather personal. 

My personal belief, besides trusting in the Lord to do what is just, is that He knows what they would have done as adults, what their hearts are like when young, so He would know what choices they would have made.

Some believe there is an age of accountability where kids get a "free pass" until they are considered adults, but I have not found a scriptural basis for that.

 

There is so much more to the age of accountability theologians talk about, but it is too lengthy to post. As said, the Bible does not directly address this question. King David experienced the loss of a young son; what did God tell us through His word? David was unique in the sight of the Lord:

Acts 13:22 (KJV) And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

The question in my mind is, does the following apply to David only, all babies incapable of understanding Salvation, the mentally impaired, or Christian children under the age of accountability? God is loving, makes no mistakes in the womb, is omniscient, and knows our choices and decisions (1 Sam. 23:11-13).

The one passage that seems to identify with this topic more than any other is 2 Samuel 12:21–23. The context of these verses is that King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, with a resulting pregnancy. The prophet Nathan was sent by the Lord to inform David that, because of his sin, the Lord would take the child in death. David responded to this by grieving and praying for the child. But once the child was taken, David’s mourning ended. David’s servants were surprised to hear this. They said to King David, “What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” David’s response was, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” David’s response indicates that those who cannot believe are safe in the Lord. David said that he could go to the child but could not bring the child back to him. Also, and just as important, David seemed to be comforted by this knowledge. In other words, David seemed to be saying that he would see his baby son (in heaven), though he could not bring him back.^[1]

 

 

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^[1] Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered, vol. 2 (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2014–2021).

[Littlelambseativy]

1Timothy 2: 3-6 

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself a ransom for all, 

As I interpret the above scripture above there is “no” question that Jesus came so that “all” might be saved. That salvation depends on “free will” only. God,  cannot decide who enters heaven it is up to man (us). God in His foreknowledge knows who will accept Jesus’ gift of eternal life and thereby predestines the one who accepts that gift of salvation. (As I attempt to put Pastor Jack Hibbs words to this to make foreknowledge easier to understand) ….it is as we were watching the Rose Bowl parade from the Goodyear blimp. We can see the beginning of the parade ( to God all of human history) as it passed by but we also can see the floats as they pass the mid point yet, we can also see the last float that will come by…all at the same time! Because of our position above the parade route. ) That is how God predestines, He sees the past, present and future of our lives and knows if we will accept or reject Jesus’ gift of eternal life. As Timothy says, it is for all but only man (each one) decides where we will spend eternity.

[AnOrangeCat]

6 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

The question in my mind is, does the following apply to David only, all babies incapable of understanding Salvation, the mentally impaired, or Christian children under the age of accountability? God is loving, makes no mistakes in the womb, is omniscient, and knows our choices and decisions (1 Sam. 23:11-13).

I've thought about those sorts of people in relation to Salvation as well. My own go to is when Jesus concluded a parable with the thought that those who know the Master's will and don't do it are punished more harshly than those who do wrong and don't know any better. Jesus even doubled up on the concept by stating to whom much is given much is required. I find that looking at those whose ability to understand is undeveloped or impaired in this context really meshes well with God being both loving and just.

[FreeGrace]

On 2/23/2025 at 12:31 AM, Marston said:

Tristen said:

To suggest Jesus "wants" any human in hell is, respectfully, absurd.

Jesus judges and then sends some to Heaven and some to Hell. It's his decision. If Jesus didn't want them in Hell then they wouldn't be in Hell. 

Have you considered what the Bible says?

1 Tim 2:4 - who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The chapter begins with "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-"

The Greek is literally:  "all men (anthropos)", which refers to all people, both men and women.  The same is true of v.4.  God does desire everyone to be saved, which is why Jesus died on the cross for everyone.

What God also wants (and what pleases Him) is faith.  Heb 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

[Marston]

3 hours ago, FreeGrace said:

1 Tim 2:4 - who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Do you believe that God gets what God wants? 

[FreeGrace]

3 hours ago, Marston said:

FreeGrace said:

1 Tim 2:4 - who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Do you believe that God gets what God wants? 

[Admin Edit]  It seems the question pits itself against Scripture.  The verse is clear, so no question is needed.

I see this question mostly among the reformed crowd.

Obviously, there are things God actually accomplishes.  But God also has what some call a "permissive will".  Did God cause sin?  No, Satan rebelled against God.  Adam rebelled against God.

You know why?  Both had the freedom to do so.  God obviously wants His creatures to be free to act from their own wills, or He wouldn't have created them with the ability to make their own choices.

Edited February 24 by Michael37
Content removed

[Marston]

1 hour ago, FreeGrace said:

No, Satan rebelled against God.

Did he? I recall Satan visuting Heaven and asking God's permission to torment Job. Is it possible that Satan is doing EXACTLY what God created him to do?