For those who know religion, please help with this...?

Question

Did all the People who lived before Christianty was even formed go to heaven or hell when they died?--like ancient greeks, prehistoric people, etc..

Does a native in the middle of the Amazon Forest who dies never even knowing about Christ go to Hell due to his ignorance?

If alien species exist in the universe, which the scientific odds seem to suggest, do they too have the opportunity to go to heaven and hell?

Do Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, etc go to heaven if they lead a good life but not necessairly believe everything in the Bible?

Obviously some difficult questiosn I have always pondered and am curious to see others opinions on the matter. Please feel free to elaborate on these!!!

Answer 1

Well, fortunately, this will never be solved. A person uses the existence of heaven to make them feel better about death. Different religions use different methods to calm them about dying. Heaven is just a matter of perspective. As for there being a hell, logically it was created to keep societies in line during their life. Most religions don't even have a hell. Most religions don't have a heaven either.

Answer 2

These are questions that no person has the answer to, but here is what I believe:
God is just and all-knowing. He will make the correct decision as to the eternal fate of those who lived without ever being aware of Christ, whether it's because they lived before Christ did, or because they lived their entire lives in a remote inaccesible location, or they died at an early age (before being even cognizant of right and wrong), or similarily they were mentally slower than others that prevented them from becoming familiar with morality.
I feel that since God has always existed, it's rather doubtful that our planet has been his only creation. I'm sure that, if He created other planets with intelligent beings, He gave them similar opportunities (free will, a Saviour, etc.). I just wonder if any of them succeeded in abstaining from ever sinning!!!
People born after the proliferation of Christianity with the knowledge of His life and resurrection and who also deny his deity and offer of salvation will be judged accordingly. I have not completely formed an opinion on "eternal damnation" due to some questions I have regarding the translation of the Greek words for "eternal" (some insist that the word "eternal" has been incorrectly translated, and should read "an eon", which does have a definite ending point). I think that God will perhaps refine the non-believers through fire (although I don't know if it will be a literal fire). I think that His goal may be to force non-believers to recognize what His Son did for them, and if they have gone through their entire life in denial of that salvation, He's gonna drive that point home. Judgement will not occur until after Jesus Christ has made His return... it's called the Great White Throne Judgement, I believe. At that point, all non-believers will be judged, and from what I deduced from the Bible, it will not be a mandatory "life sentence" for all. He will examine each individually and sentence according to the person's character and actions they made in their life.

Answer 3

Well, I guess a person's answer is going to depend on whether or not they believe in heaven and hell.

I believe there is a god. I don't believe there is a hell. I believe that everyone gets the chance to go to heaven. Maybe not right away, but eventually, through reincarnation I guess, to learn whatever it is we're supposed to learn.

The universe is a big place, it would be very, I don't know, self-centered maybe, to think that WE are the only thinking beings in it.

I don't follow any organized religion. I can't even explain why I feel the way that I do. I've been to church. I've read some of the bible. It's just very hard for me to think that if there really is a god, he or she or whatever a god could be would make things so complicated to get back to him. Love, acceptance, understanding, peace are what I believe in. I don't need a book or a building or a bunch of rules to help me, or anyone for that matter, live a good life.

Answer 4

Read The Gospel of MARK chapter 13 verses 26-27

On Judgment Day - Jesus said he will gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth and from the heavens (heavens meaning the sky and outer-space). Interestingly enough, people fly in the skies and we have Astronauts in Space aboard the International Space Station!

THATS Kind of a really interesting thing since Jesus was talking about the future - and in his day no one could fly in the skies nor dwell in space.

ALL living creatures with intelligence will be called into Judgment. If the angels are sent to gather the elect (chosen) of God - then there has to be a salvation message and a knowledge of right and wrong... if God gathers his elect to safety - the remainder will have quite the reverse.

When Jesus died he went into hell to offer all those who died not having this salvation plan - a chance at redemption, irregardless of what others will argue to the contrary. We have this promise that the Gospel message will be preached to the people of the Earth so that they may have the opportunity to accept salvation.

If there are any who died without hearing of Jesus and what he done for us - God is not unjust - they will by no means enter heaven without being saved and if God is a just God (as I know he is) he will deal with that situation on his terms. TOWARD those who may not have heard the Gospel.

There is no partiality with God. As for the Dead - we can not worry about them, and must leave the matter in the hands of the Eternal God who knows better than we. In a manner of speaking, let the dead bury the dead - as for us, we follow Christ.

We who are alive and have the opportunity for Salvation must make a decision. If we blow it, it is on our own heads, and God is not at fault. We choose; Life or death.

Just as Adam and Eve in the Garden who chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil over the tree of life - we face a similar choice. Knowledge of good and evil.., pursues evil as well as the good. Had Adam and Eve chose the Tree of life they would have lived for ever.

Choose - the forbidden tree or - The Tree of Life.., "Jesus".

Answer 5

It all comes down to believing God, doesn't it?

Here is what I think about your questions:
First, I believe that in the beginning, everyone knew the true God. He had already revealed His plan to send a Redeemer, and He had already specified Who that Redeemer would be (Himself). Those who died believing Him were the ones Jesus went and released from death.

There have obviously been people who have died without hearing the gospel message. Will God condemn them? I seriously doubt it. God is just, and compassionate. I believe that He knows our hearts, and judges accordingly.

God is the Creator of the entire universe. So, of course, He would be the Creator of any other life in the universe. It follows, then, that God would reveal Himself to them, as well, and that they, too, would have the same opportunity as everyone else. Next time I meet an alien, I'll remember to ask him about it.

People in every faith have the opportunity to listen to God. Again, I believe God judges the heart. Most folks in those religions have had the chance to hear the gospel message by now, I think. What will they do with it?

I think there are several reasons God chose to be born and live as a man among men. For one thing, I think He truly wanted the experience of being a man, and I think He wanted to know, first hand, what temptation is really like. I also think He wanted people to know Him as He truly is. And yes, I believe He came to be our perfect sacrifice. It's hard to imagine a God Who loves me that much. But then, that is why I am a Christian. :)

Answer 6

Nothing is too difficult for God to explain ... and He already has, in the Bible. With His help we can understand anything we need to know! Scripture-references (sometimes live-links) are a part of the text of the following online articles:

Is There Life After Death?
... Do You Have an Immortal Spirit?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2001/7/15/article_01.htm

What Has Happened to Hellfire?
... A Brief History of Hellfire
What Really Is Hell?
... Life After Death? ... Unending Torment? ... All-Consuming? ... Hell Emptied!
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/7/15/article_01.htm

An Inheritance You Can Count On
... “The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth”
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/10/1/article_01.htm

Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine." (1Th 5:21)

Answer 7

ppl before Jesus came around, were judged according to works.

native in amazon, gets to make a choice before God. he wont go to hell until he has rejected Jesus, so when he dies he will get that option, if he has lived a good life. coz anyone who doesnt know about God, are judged by the law that they DO know. then when they get to heaven, they are obviously going to accept Jesus, coz He is right there in front of them.

aliens, if they existed, would be God's creation, therefore if they had a spirit, they would return to God as an animal (as only humans have the capacity to make the choice and be saved, animals go to heaven, they dont know any better, and aliens would be a form of animal) but aliens do not exist. people who claim they have seen aliens, have just seen demons being idiots.

muslims, hindus, buddhists, jews etc... EVERYONE will go to heaven on one thing, a choice. If they believe in Jesus and accept Him as there savior and ask Him to be saved, they are heaven bound. its not by doing good things, and its not by not doing bad things, its by a personal relationship with God, no matter your race or nationality. if u believe in false gods, ur not going to heaven. the bible, has not much to do with it. its GOD. but the bible is important for spiritual truth and growth and revalation.

Answer 8

God, watches over everyone! He guides us his way, it doesn't matter if we have read the Bible completely or not. It is God's decision who will be going to Heaven or Hell! not ours! I don't believe that Ignorance has anything to do with it, Everyone is aware of there being a God! Because he is in all of us! What matters is if we want to follow his guidance or not! I truly believe that in the past the natives, all of the prehistoric, and ancient, people as well as everyone living in this world today, decided which way that they had wanted to follow! (The good way or The bad way!) Even though they did not know anything about God & Satan,, the way that we know about them today! God, was always in their Hearts, Minds, Bodies, and Souls! It was their decission who they wanted to follow! I hope that this helps answer your question!
God Bless You!!!

Answer 9

1. The people who lived before Christ died on the cross (before Christianity as we know it was formed) were saved by looking forward to the cross. See Hebrews 11--their faith in God saved them.

Natives in the forests and people who have never heard about God are still accountable for their sins. God says no one is without excuse and that every one is given light to follow.

As far as the aliens go, I've never seen any evidence at all to suggest they exist.

According to the Bible, if you trust in Christ for your savior and accept the sacrifice He made for you on the cross, you'll go to heaven. If anyone believes that (Muslin, Hindu, etc) they will go to heaven. Unfair in our eyes maybe but God is much more loving than I am. But being good will never get you to heaven.

Answer 10

Very beautiful question!

Yes, everyone has the opportunity to claim their rights to Heaven or Paradise on Earth or the Golden Age. Because when God comes he comes for the salvation of all his children - all the human souls of the world. He will not choose a religion to come through but establish his own true spiritual order.

In the year 1937 God started speaking through the medium of Prajapita Brahma, in India and revealed the truth about the world and its natural way of unfolding. He revealed that he is the purifier of souls, He does not interfere with the law of entropy. He revealed the process of purification through this knowledge and made it open to everyone to participate.

It is only those who choose to follow his directions or participate in the process will earn the right to heaven. So it is our choice but everyone needs to be aware that He has come and is offering the inheritance free of charge.