Never Heard the Gospel -- Are They Going to Hell?

[Matthew6:33]

Are people that have never heard the Gospel going to hell?

Not sure where I stand on this. My pastor said the other day that we need to get out there and do missions and share the Gospel because there are millions of people out there that have never heard the Gospel and they are headed to hell.

I thought that God chooses us before we are born because He knows that we will choose Him by our free will?

Does God need us to preach the Gospel in order to get people saved? Does God need anything from us?

Is God unable to save someone if nobody shares the Gospel with them?

Is God unable to reveal Himself in any other way?

His angle just rubbed me the wrong way because it made it seem like God needs us to work and do something to get people saved.

I was always of the mindset that God wants us to get involved because He wants to bless us with coming alongside Him and His work that He is doing and will 100% accomplish. The blessing will be taking part in his work and seeing a glimpse of His glory and growing closer to Him.

Thoughts?

 

[1LoverofGod]

This is my thought.
After the rapture the gospel of salvation will still be preached during the tribulation, by the Two Witnesses, by the 144 thousand, and by an angel.
I know Jesus said no one comes to him unless the Father draws them to him.
Anyone seeking God will be drawn to Jesus.

If anyone has died not ever hearing the gospel, I imagine they would be judged by their works.
I may be wrong on this one

 

[RonJohnSilver]

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20

I don't claim to understand how this works but the Bible is clear. People can see enough of God through nature to understand that they need a savior. How much understanding is required? I don't know but I do know that God is completely fair and will not condemn someone for lack of understanding.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Is God unable to reveal Himself in any other way?

There are accounts of people in Iran being visited in dreams and finding Christ in that way.

 

[mattfivefour]

I was always of the mindset that God wants us to get involved because He wants to bless us with coming alongside Him and His work that He is doing and will 100% accomplish. The blessing will be taking part in his work and seeing a glimpse of His glory and growing closer to Him.

Exactly.

God does not NEED anything from us. In fact, He doesn't need ANYTHING. Period. But ... He has chosen to share His work with us. What a privilege to have this opportunity given us and then to be told that in doing what He calls us to share in we will be given rewards ... on top of our salvation! How wonderful is that???

Does God need us to preach the Gospel in order to get people saved?

While God does not need us to preach the gospel, He calls on us to preach the gospel. As the Holy Spirit tells us through Paul's letter to the Romans: "How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?" (Romans 10:14)

Is God unable to save someone if nobody shares the Gospel with them?

Of course not. God is able to do anything He desires. Yet as much as He wants people saved, He wants us to be part of His plan. Therefore He calls on us to be part of it; and we show our appreciation for our salvation and our love for Him by doing what He asks us to do.

Is God unable to reveal Himself in any other way?

He can do whatever He wants. The Bible is full of various ways in which God reveals Himself. And in the world today there's are countless testimonies of Him revealing Himself to people without any intercession by --or effort of-- man.

 

[Everlasting Life]

I think remembering that God desires all to be saved is a great lens to view some of those questions through. God's character is just, loving and righteous.

Because of this, He's made sure there's plenty of evidence of Himself, just in creation alone. And, God's creation indeed speaks quite obviously in testimony of God as creator.

A Chinese woman I met shared her testimony of this very thing. Raised in an isolated village, she only knew government as 'god'. No concept of worshipping a diety of any sort ever entered her mind.

But, while walking outside one day and becoming overwhelmed with the great beauty of creation she realized that there had to be Someone who created such beauty.

She then spoke to Whoever that was asking for more revelation of Who this Creator was..... waited and disappointingly got no answer.

Three days later a Missionary showed up, a first time experience for this village. He shared the Gospel, bibles and how to live as Christians. For the whole village was saved!

She later learned that in the very day she responded in prayer to God's evidence of Himself through creation, this Missionary, who was traveling to a different place suddenly was redirected to this village!

God not only answered her prayer in His timing but also worked His much bigger plan, saving her and her whole village!

God, the creator of the world very much can make sure His Gospel gets anywhere in the world. He's in charge, powerful, and working His perfect plan.

And, I can't help noticing God's desire that all are saved showcased in this situation. This is the wonderfully, good and loving intentions of God.

This woman has gone back to China as a missionary herself now (please pray for her) as God's now using her to bring the Gospel to others of her native land.



Praise God!

 

[pixelpusher]

But, while walking outside one day and becoming overwhelmed with the great beauty of creation she realized that there had to be Someone who created such beauty.

It is quite wonderful how He reveals Himself through the Creation, and more to those who incline their heart to want to know Him. This reminded me of my experience, which I've shared on the boards in the past. I had heard of God and Jesus all my life, and though I "believed" in God, was also brought up on evolution in public school with the confusion that caused. One day while snorkeling on a sunken shrimp boat in the clear waters of the Florida panhandle, I was struck by the diversity of the fish down there, their beautiful colors, how each kind seemed to have their own behaviors, and just the organized order of things even in that underwater world. It was during that swim I became convinced there was a Designer and no way this was all the product of random chance. It would still be several more years before I met my future wife, and the Pastor who during pre-marriage counseling led me through the Scriptures to where I was convicted of sin and asked Jesus to save me. Then He started chiseling the crud off me, and that work continues. Fortunately He doesn't give up easily!

 

[RonJohnSilver]

Read on the internet the stories of Jacob DeShazer and Mitsuo Fuchida. DeShazer, a WW2 Prisoner of War who became a believer because his captors gave him a Bible. It was in English so they had no idea of what it was and they hoped it would occupy his time and keep him docile. Instead he read how Jesus said to love your enemies and he decided that when the war ended he would become a minister, which he did. He then returned to Japan as a missionary. Among those who heard his testimony was Mitsuo Fuchida, the airman who had led the bombing at Pearl Harbor. He also became a Christian and then came to America, became a US citizen and a Baptist minister and missionary. From warriors to captives to returning to the former enemies as missionaries. Amazing stories of how God is faithful to those who seek him and even those who don't know that they are seeking Him.

 

[Everlasting Life]

It is quite wonderful how He reveals Himself through the Creation, and more to those who incline their heart to want to know Him. This reminded me of my experience, which I've shared on the boards in the past. I had heard of God and Jesus all my life, and though I "believed" in God, was also brought up on evolution in public school with the confusion that caused. One day while snorkeling on a sunken shrimp boat in the clear waters of the Florida panhandle, I was struck by the diversity of the fish down there, their beautiful colors, how each kind seemed to have their own behaviors, and just the organized order of things even in that underwater world. It was during that swim I became convinced there was a Designer and no way this was all the product of random chance. It would still be several more years before I met my future wife, and the Pastor who during pre-marriage counseling led me through the Scriptures to where I was convicted of sin and asked Jesus to save me. Then He started chiseling the crud off me, and that work continues. Fortunately He doesn't give up easily!

Love your testimony! Thanks for sharing.

It seems God patiently and gently worked in your life, drawing you to him.

 

[Everlasting Life]

Read on the internet the stories of Jacob DeShazer and Mitsuo Fuchida. DeShazer, a WW2 Prisoner of War who became a believer because his captors gave him a Bible. It was in English so they had no idea of what it was and they hoped it would occupy his time and keep him docile. Instead he read how Jesus said to love your enemies and he decided that when the war ended he would become a minister, which he did. He then returned to Japan as a missionary. Among those who heard his testimony was Mitsuo Fuchida, the airman who had led the bombing at Pearl Harbor. He also became a Christian and then came to America, became a US citizen and a Baptist minister and missionary. From warriors to captives to returning to the former enemies as missionaries. Amazing stories of how God is faithful to those who seek him and even those who don't know that they are seeking Him.

Wow, what an amazing story! And to read of enemies becoming united in Christ on the same mission is so cool.

God works in our lives in such wonderful ways.