God said that the only way to him was through Jesus. Does that mean that the people that lived and died before Jesus were all sent to Hell, even if they wanted to commune with God?
2006-06-08 20:36:12 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well it depends on the person. From the Bible Moses and Elijah were two that made it to Heaven (Revelation 11:3-6)
3And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
It also says in text outside of the Bible, in manuscripts and hymnals that Jesus, during His 3 days in the grave, he decended to forgive those repentant souls in Hell (Ephesians 4:9)
9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]?
This doesn't mean that all who were in Hell before Jesus lived got a second chance to go to Heaven. There are plenty of those people in the Old Testament that deserved Hell for what they did when they were alive. But God knows all of mankind's hearts and knows those who would have repented, had circumstances been different and they were alive during Jesus' time.
2006-06-08 20:57:16 · answer #1 · answered by jbomb8604 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian, you must believe that the only valid path to God is by being a Christian. But before Jesus and Christianity, Judaism (and Islam and other religions) had the same concepts of heaven and hell and people probably believed that if they weren't repentant they would end up in hell, if they were repentant they would get to heaven when they died.
Going back to before Judaism and other organised and indoctrinated religions, whether monotheistc or polytheistic, concepts similar to heaven and hell probably exist and have existed to give people the reassurance or deterrent that they need.
For non-religious people like me, before Jesus, nothing was probably that different. Except that they didn't have Christmas and carol services or Easter.
2006-06-09 03:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by anydenney 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you will read Matthew 27:50-54 you will read that all that were dead that believed on Jesus were brought up out of there graves and went into the Holy City. Before that there spirits and bodies were resting in there graves. All there sins were forgiven also with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Praise his holy name that we to will have that opportunity.
God bless and I hope this helped you.
2006-06-09 05:38:45 · answer #3 · answered by freckles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no they were in faith doing what God said waiting for the messiah all the old testament practices for the tabernacle are a picture of Christ. Even Abraham knew God would provide himself a sacrifice in place of the burnt offering one day Genesis 22:8
2006-06-09 03:52:33 · answer #4 · answered by Wendy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there were other noble souls before and after Jesus whose preachings and guidance led and will lead towards God. But the whole universe starts and ends with and from 'I'
2006-06-09 03:44:12 · answer #5 · answered by beautu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We will use the term "Old Testament saints" to refer to all those people who were saved by faith in God PRIOR to Christ's atoning death.
The following are just a few examples of Old Testament saints who received salvation by faith...
Abraham had faith (believed) in the Lord, and the Lord accounted it to him for righteousness. Therefore, Abraham was saved.
David was saved by faith in God.
Isaiah was saved by faith in God.
Countless other Old Testament saints were saved through the simple act of having faith in God.
2006-06-09 03:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by doll face 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
JESUS is the fulfillment of the Law. Before Him, there was the Law which has to be strictly followed to be saved...
2006-06-09 03:55:16 · answer #7 · answered by yctuico 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Funny thing about your God, at first he created the universe, and all the stars and planets. Then he is reduced to causing a localized flood, then he has to send some one in his place to tell you he loves you. to he works in mysteries ways. But by all means worship him
2006-06-09 03:41:03 · answer #8 · answered by dougluvn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they all went to hell,but they were waiting for the salvation... it is mentioned many times in the old testimony that every one dies go to hell until the redeemer comes,pay the dept and take them back to heaven
2006-06-09 03:41:41 · answer #9 · answered by foashah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, god didn't say that. Jesus said "I am the truth...", he personified the "truth", and he said the only way to father is by "me", and "me" is truth. So, the only way to father is by truth (logos; knowledge/faith), not Jesus.
2006-06-09 03:52:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋