Can A Merciful God Condemn A Man To Hell Who Has Never Heard The Gospel, And Justify Himself In Doing So?
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You have to remember that all people are guilty of sin and the reward of which is death. You also have to remember that it is by God's Sovereign choice those who have been selected to be saved and that through faith. But to go further, God says that no one, even those currently will be without excuse, as the following reveals:
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The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
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For some time now, the scientific world through all media, has been cramming evolution down our throats. Instead of recognizing God's handy work of creation, they attribute it to evolution. Putting it into perspective, this is what it means in the same scripture that they exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.
God was not and is not obligated to save anyone, period! It is only by His love, grace and mercy that He saved some out of the human race. Though some might think, God is not being unfair by not saving others, because once again, no one deserves salvation. It's a free gift and He gives it to whom ever He wants to.
Regarding this, we are told in Revelation 13:18 & 17:8 that the people whose names were not written in the book of life before the world began, will follow after and worship the beast. This tells us two things 1) that there were peoples names that were not written in the book of life before the world began and 2) that names were written in the book of life before the world began. God chose those he wanted to save before this whole thing got started (Romans 9:6-29)
So, the short answer to your question is that, God is One doing the saving and has already chosen them before the world began. Those who do not hear or believe in between now and the time that the angel preaches the gospel and die in their sins, are those who were not chosen by God to be saved.
Here is a simple illustration: A man is standing out on a street corner handing out $20 bills. But, he is only giving them to those that he wants to. Is the man being unfair because he is not giving $20 to everyone? No, He is not, because it is his money and none of them deserve it and he doesn't owe it to them. He has the right to give it to whomever he wants to.
I know that many people don't like to hear this teaching, but that is the truth of the matter. I hope that this sheds some light on this subject. I would suggest reading Romans 9:6-29 and Ephesians 1:4-5, 11 and Romans 8:28-30.
Jesus said, "no man can come to me except the Father draws him." This means that the Father is the One drawing those whom He chose before the world began to His Son and there are those whom He is not drawing.
The words "predestined, foreknown, elect and chosen, do not infer the idea of random salvation. For as Paul said to make his point, "Before either Esau or Jacob were born, before they had done anything good or bad, God said, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have less liked." And then he also says regarding Pharaoh "I raised you up for this very purpose to display my power." Therefore, God has mercy upon whom He will have mercy and He hardens whomever He will harden." When the scripture states "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish," he is speaking about those in the world throughout history whom He chose before the world began.
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The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
=================================================
For some time now, the scientific world through all media, has been cramming evolution down our throats. Instead of recognizing God's handy work of creation, they attribute it to evolution. Putting it into perspective, this is what it means in the same scripture that they exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.
God was not and is not obligated to save anyone, period! It is only by His love, grace and mercy that He saved some out of the human race. Though some might think, God is not being unfair by not saving others, because once again, no one deserves salvation. It's a free gift and He gives it to whom ever He wants to.
Regarding this, we are told in Revelation 13:18 & 17:8 that the people whose names were not written in the book of life before the world began, will follow after and worship the beast. This tells us two things 1) that there were peoples names that were not written in the book of life before the world began and 2) that names were written in the book of life before the world began. God chose those he wanted to save before this whole thing got started (Romans 9:6-29)
So, the short answer to your question is that, God is One doing the saving and has already chosen them before the world began. Those who do not hear or believe in between now and the time that the angel preaches the gospel and die in their sins, are those who were not chosen by God to be saved.
Here is a simple illustration: A man is standing out on a street corner handing out $20 bills. But, he is only giving them to those that he wants to. Is the man being unfair because he is not giving $20 to everyone? No, He is not, because it is his money and none of them deserve it and he doesn't owe it to them. He has the right to give it to whomever he wants to.
I know that many people don't like to hear this teaching, but that is the truth of the matter. I hope that this sheds some light on this subject. I would suggest reading Romans 9:6-29 and Ephesians 1:4-5, 11 and Romans 8:28-30.
Jesus said, "no man can come to me except the Father draws him." This means that the Father is the One drawing those whom He chose before the world began to His Son and there are those whom He is not drawing.
The words "predestined, foreknown, elect and chosen, do not infer the idea of random salvation. For as Paul said to make his point, "Before either Esau or Jacob were born, before they had done anything good or bad, God said, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have less liked." And then he also says regarding Pharaoh "I raised you up for this very purpose to display my power." Therefore, God has mercy upon whom He will have mercy and He hardens whomever He will harden." When the scripture states "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish," he is speaking about those in the world throughout history whom He chose before the world began.
(This isn't about Universalism.)
God does not do that.
Jesus took the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross. (John 3:16)
If someone has never heard the Gospel, they are saved by that sacrifice because they had not the opportunity to hear the Gospel and choose to believe.
God created all people in His image and likeness. Jesus sacrifice saved the world, especially those that believe.
The Epistle of 1st Timothy chapter 4
10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
God does not do that.
Jesus took the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross. (John 3:16)
If someone has never heard the Gospel, they are saved by that sacrifice because they had not the opportunity to hear the Gospel and choose to believe.
God created all people in His image and likeness. Jesus sacrifice saved the world, especially those that believe.
The Epistle of 1st Timothy chapter 4
10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
No!
In Luke 12:48 we read...
And the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
God is love and mercy. He does not condemn us to hell, we condemn ourselves to hell.
In Luke 12:48 we read...
And the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
God is love and mercy. He does not condemn us to hell, we condemn ourselves to hell.
The gospel of the kingdom will be preached again during the tribulation. It will be heard by all and then the end will come.
The gospel of grace has already been preached in all the world in Paul’s day. It’s gone out to all nations, in all the world and every creature under heaven.
Romans 16
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Colossians 1
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
The gospel of grace has already been preached in all the world in Paul’s day. It’s gone out to all nations, in all the world and every creature under heaven.
Romans 16
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Colossians 1
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Burn baby burn!!!
This is like one of those questions that try to make it look like GOD is unjust.
When a young child dies, he/she will indeed go to heaven, even though they haven't heard the gospel, but more importantly, understand it.
Adults however, don't have it so easy.
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
When Adam sinned, he died spiritually.
Children are not born dead spiritually.
Their sins are not held against them.
But like Paul, when a child grows up and understands the law, whether they are taught the law of Moses or not, for it is written in their heart, they die spiritually.
At that point, they will be judged according to the law written in their hearts.
Either way, God is a just God.
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once [at one time]: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
(FAA) And I was alive without the law at one time. But when the commandment came, sin came to life, but I died,
This is like one of those questions that try to make it look like GOD is unjust.
When a young child dies, he/she will indeed go to heaven, even though they haven't heard the gospel, but more importantly, understand it.
Adults however, don't have it so easy.
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
When Adam sinned, he died spiritually.
Children are not born dead spiritually.
Their sins are not held against them.
But like Paul, when a child grows up and understands the law, whether they are taught the law of Moses or not, for it is written in their heart, they die spiritually.
At that point, they will be judged according to the law written in their hearts.
Either way, God is a just God.
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once [at one time]: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
(FAA) And I was alive without the law at one time. But when the commandment came, sin came to life, but I died,
The gospel as the law. A merciful God has condemned mankind to suffer the pangs of hell that end with this life. Hell is a living suffering, the same wrath of God that is being revealed from heaven. By the same law that condemns one.(no grace) He has mercy and grace on another that will rise to new life. ..
Romans 2:12 For "as many" as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and "as many" as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Romans 2:12 For "as many" as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and "as many" as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
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The first issue I would have with this question is whether God needs to justify Himself.
God is God. He doesn't need to justify anything he does with his creation. He is accountable to no one whatsoever.
The second issue I have is that God is obligated to extend mercy to anyone, let alone everyone.
Westerners have this equal-entitlement, equal opportunity mentality that is unScriptural.
The third issue I have is that mankind is somehow deserving of anything, including chances, other than eternal death. The fact that God extends salvation to anyone is amazing, because all are astounding sinners in full rebellion like their father Adam until he gives them a heart of flesh to replace their stony heart.
Vain man thinks he can define the parameters of the acceptable actions of God. That's the essence of idolatry, and the foundation of free-willer theology.
God is God. He doesn't need to justify anything he does with his creation. He is accountable to no one whatsoever.
The second issue I have is that God is obligated to extend mercy to anyone, let alone everyone.
Westerners have this equal-entitlement, equal opportunity mentality that is unScriptural.
The third issue I have is that mankind is somehow deserving of anything, including chances, other than eternal death. The fact that God extends salvation to anyone is amazing, because all are astounding sinners in full rebellion like their father Adam until he gives them a heart of flesh to replace their stony heart.
Vain man thinks he can define the parameters of the acceptable actions of God. That's the essence of idolatry, and the foundation of free-willer theology.
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Burn baby burn!!!
This is like one of those questions that try to make it look like GOD is unjust.
When a young child dies, he/she will indeed go to heaven, even though they haven't heard the gospel, but more importantly, understand it.
Adults however, don't have it so easy.
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
When Adam sinned, he died spiritually.
Children are not born dead spiritually.
Their sins are not held against them.
But like Paul, when a child grows up and understands the law, whether they are taught the law of Moses or not, for it is written in their heart, they die spiritually.
At that point, they will be judged according to the law written in their hearts.
Either way, God is a just God.
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once [at one time]: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
(FAA) And I was alive without the law at one time. But when the commandment came, sin came to life, but I died,
This is like one of those questions that try to make it look like GOD is unjust.
When a young child dies, he/she will indeed go to heaven, even though they haven't heard the gospel, but more importantly, understand it.
Adults however, don't have it so easy.
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
When Adam sinned, he died spiritually.
Children are not born dead spiritually.
Their sins are not held against them.
But like Paul, when a child grows up and understands the law, whether they are taught the law of Moses or not, for it is written in their heart, they die spiritually.
At that point, they will be judged according to the law written in their hearts.
Either way, God is a just God.
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once [at one time]: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
(FAA) And I was alive without the law at one time. But when the commandment came, sin came to life, but I died,
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God is a merciful God, and his mercy and love for man was demonstrated on the cross, his mercy and love was extended to all flesh, even the Gentiles. Sin separates man from God and the only way a man can be made God's righteousness is by accepting the atonement that Yeshua did on the cross, there is no other no exception according to the Scripture. God will make sure that no man has an excuse, which means man will eventually hear the Gospel of salvation.
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