I am sure this topic has been dealt with many times here.
It was the passover and I was thinking about how Jesus rose again and how the New Testament began, how it all started from Jerusalem.
But the people in Americas didn't hear the Gospel until centuries after the Church started (and even when they did hear it, it was from catholic missionaries)
People all over the world for centuries and even today have not heard the Gospel.
Does the Bible give us any clues as to what happens to these people? Do they get a chance to hear the Gospel at the second resurrection? Are they judged based on their conscience? Are they just automatically damned due to unlucky time of being born?
I welcome everyone to give their 2 cents. Perhaps someone has something new to add.
Hi, Kolistus.
The Bible indicates that there are several different ways in which God reveals himself to us.
One way would be the following:
Psalm 19
[
1] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
[
2] Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
[
3] There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
[
4]
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
[
5] Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
[
6] His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and they do so day unto day, and night unto night. There is no speech nor language where there voice is not heard, and their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In fact, the Apostle Paul alluded to verse 4 when he wrote:
Romans chapter 10
[
17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
[
18] But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily,
their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Along these same lines in which the creation itself points to our Creator, Paul wrote:
Romans chapter 1
[
18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[
19]
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[
20]
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:
[
21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Creation dictates the need for a creator in the same manner in which a painting dictates the need for a painter, but, sad to say, many hold or suppress this truth in unrighteousness to their own peril.
God also reveals himself via our God-given consciences. The word "conscience" literally means "with (con-) knowledge (science)", so, once again, men will be without excuse before God on Judgment Day.
To this end, Paul wrote:
Romans chapter 2
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13] (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
[
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:
[
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)
[
16] In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
God also regularly speaks to people in dreams or visions of the night:
Job chapter 33
[
14] For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
[
15] In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
[
16] Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
[
17] That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
[
18] He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
I can honestly say, without the slightest bit of hesitation before either God or man, that God has spoken to me (mostly in a corrective manner) via dreams at least hundreds of times. In fact, I long ago came to the place where I pray for him to "open my ears and seal my instruction" every night before I go to bed.
God also strives with us constantly by his Spirit, even as he did with the people in the days of Noah:
Genesis chapter 6
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3] And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
I was an EXCEEDINGLY EVIL MAN before I got saved, yet the last thing that I did every night before going to bed was to kneel down and pray. Nobody was sharing the gospel with me at that time. Instead, God was constantly convicting me by his Spirit that what I was doing was evil. When someone finally shared the gospel with me, I immediately responded to it, and I truly became born again.
God can also communicate the gospel to us simply by observing the lifestyles of those who truly walk with him.
Jesus said:
Matthew chapter 5
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14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
[
15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
[
16]
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
There's a lot of truth to the saying that "You're the only Bible that some people will ever read", and we'd be wise to be mindful of the same.
Of course, God also regularly speaks to people through the preaching of the gospel as well.
Whatever means God employs to reveal himself to people, Jesus said:
"
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." (John 6:45)
One such place where "it is written in the prophets" is right here:
"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isaiah 54:13)
I hope this helps to at least partially answer your questions.
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