God has placed the basic knowledge of His existence and power within man as man views this world.
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 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. (Romans 1:19-20)
2007-10-22 08:41:04 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God has also given man an awareness of his own sinfulness:
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient, being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventers of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who, knowing the Judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:28-32)
2007-10-22 08:41:32 · update #1
The most spiritual people on this earth have never read a bible, doesn't that say a lot? The Amazonian tribes and the Dogons in East Africa and many of these isolated tribes live in societies that don't aspire to wealth or worry about having more. We have more chance than going to hell than they ever will!
2007-10-24 17:33:22 · answer #1 · answered by djdundalk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very difficult topic to explain. Society has distorted the final events of this earth. And the only way to understand what will happen to the 'lost' is to read carefully the Holy Scriptures.
Throughout the Bible, we see evidence that men will be punished according to His law. When Adam and Eve sinned, they knew that the 'wages of sin was death'. But along with that, we also see evidence of a loving God who was willing to do anything to rescue us from death, including the sacrifice of His son.
Then came Satan's strategies at changing the way we view God. Is God love? or is God unfair and unjust? Is God enjoying our punishment? or is He pleading with us to be Holy and be with Him for eternity?
-Cain killed his brother. Is he still burning in hell for this sin? God would not be a God of love and compassion if Cain was still burning and suffering for a murder he committed thousands of years ago. This would make God unfair, and this is exactly what satan wants us to believe. Cain will receive his punishment; but not yet.
-Throughout history, there are people who never heard of The Lord. God will judge them according to their actions. We all have an inner voice that dictates our desire to do good or evil. But once we die, we have no more oportunities. God will judge us according to our life'swork. And God will judge us according to the knowledge we possess.
-When will a punishment take place? After the second coming of The Lord, the saved will live in heaven for 1,000 years. During this time, the world will understand why the lost are being punished. When the 1,000 years are over, as The Lord and the saved return to earth, the wicked resurrect. Satan convinces the wicked to attack the Holy city. God then will cast fire from the sky and destroy the wicked. Some burn more than others(according to their actions) The devil and his angels burn the most. Sin is erradicated from the face of the earth. The earth is regenerated. A new earth is formed; called The New Jerusalem, were God and the saints live forever.This is what the Bible describes as the final events of this earth. Hundreds of years of distorted beliefs have left us wondering how can God send us to 'hell' forever? How is God going to punish for eternity someone who never knew Him?
God would rather love us for eternity.
2007-10-22 18:05:51 · answer #2 · answered by delmar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not everyone hears about in it this life......
The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, John 5: 25. Why are they then baptized for the dead? 1 Cor. 15: 29. Christ preached unto the spirits in prison, 1 Pet. 3: 18-20. For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, 1 Pet. 4: 6
2007-10-22 16:05:09 · answer #3 · answered by Someone who cares 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God didn't give man an awareness of his own sinfulness, man took the knowledge. That very act caused original sin. If God had given man knowledge instead of setting him up to take it, the Bible would be a much shorter book.
Pantheist
2007-10-22 15:54:37 · answer #4 · answered by Equinoxical ™ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are correct. It does not make sense for God to send people to hell (or even punish in any way ) when they have never heard about Jesus.
I believe, and the church I belong to teaches, that when people die they are taught about Jesus and given the choice of accepting or denying Him and His gospel.
2007-10-22 15:50:31 · answer #5 · answered by LDS girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A person does not die without God giving them a chance at least once to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour. And for children that die...or babies...they are innocent and God DOES receive them in heaven.
2007-10-22 15:53:39 · answer #6 · answered by ZAZZLE.COM/SAMMIMLAMV* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is fair in that He will make sure ALL will have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To accept it or reject it. Only then will they be sent to heaven or hell depending on the decision that THEY make.
2007-10-22 15:56:10 · answer #7 · answered by swindled 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said, 'He who does not gather with me, scatters' Mt12v30 & Lk11v23. I read this to mean that he is actively gathering people from all over, even those who have never heard of him. Also, to gather with him would be a great privilage, but obviously this cannot be done without him.
2007-10-22 16:01:40 · answer #8 · answered by Steven Ring 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God doesn't sent "sinners" anywhere. We choose our own destination. BTW all of us are sinners. Don't be too sure "some men haven't seen the Bible" God can reveal Himself to anyone, with or without a Bible.
2007-10-22 15:45:32 · answer #9 · answered by Scott B 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's not God who bannishes us sinners from his presence but our free will that send ourselves there. Even those who do have not hear of Jesus will face him in a Private Judgement and it is here they will know the truth.
2007-10-22 15:49:48 · answer #10 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋