Ep.1231: What if I’m Not Good Enough for Heaven?
Uncovering the destiny of humanity's billions who don’t go to heaven
CHAPTERS
Theme Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14
The vast majority of Christian belief systems may have a problem. What do they do with the billions of humanity who aren’t true followers of Jesus, but they aren’t terrible people either? These billions try to live a good life by being decent and kind to one another. Many of these have not heard the name of Jesus in any meaningful way. Can we say that God will destroy them for essentially being born in the wrong time and place? That doesn’t make sense! Can we say that they go to heaven when they die? That doesn’t make sense either. Jesus taught us that going to heaven is a call that is difficult and requires deliberate choices. God loves humanity so much that he sent His only son Jesus as our ransom. That being the case, what does happen to those billions who are not good enough for heaven?
Who are the "good" people?
The idea that all good people go to heaven cannot be even remotely defended from the Bible. According to Jesus’ own words, following him requires one to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him daily. This is no recipe that the masses of good-hearted humanity would ever sign up for. Fortunately, the Bible does clearly describe the fate of those whose destination is not heaven. Here’s a big hint: this destination is not some burning place of torment either.
Everyone was condemned to sin and death, but...
Romans chapter 5 is perhaps one of the most detailed explanations of the destiny of all humanity in the entire Bible. The chapter begins with Paul speaking about true Christianity and the amazing gift of grace they have all been given. He then shifts his focus and talks about the entire race of humanity being condemned to sin and death because of Adam. Paul’s undeniable point is that Jesus’ sacrifice unequivocally included every single person who was ever born in Adam. He says that Jesus’ righteous sacrifice gave every one of them “justification of life,” according to Romans 5:18. So, what does that mean? How does that work?
To be "justified" is to be made right before God. Obviously, the people of the world in all of their sin and godlessness are not now in any way made right before God. The Bible tells us this being made right will be as a result of their resurrection. But doesn’t the Day of Judgment happen then? Yes, it does! So, how does this all fit together?
Check out our May 30, 2022 podcast, “What if I’m Not Good Enough for Heaven?” for details. We focus in on what the Bible reveals is in store for those who are not heaven bound. We weigh the blessing of their resurrection against the weight of their coming accountability. What we find is a logical and revealing process of how God’s plan works for and not against them. Join us as we unfold the several similarities and major differences between salvation for Jesus’ followers and for everybody else.
By saying the ones who aren’t good enough for heaven will be blessed, do you mean annihilated and not sent to an eternal hell? Or do you mean they’ll live on the new earth? Will some go to heaven and some live here?
Thank you for writing! The Scriptures teach there will be a resurrection of ALL because of Jesus’ sacrifice. ALL means ALL – Buddhists, Christians, Atheists, Jews, those who lived and died without ever hearing his name – or upon hearing his name did nothing about it.
They will be resurrected on earth and have, most for the first time, an opportunity to hear about Jesus and the wonderful provisions God has made for them. 1 Timothy 2:4 says God would have all men to be saved and THEN come to a knowledge of the truth (not the other way around – this is very important). Knowledge here means “full discernment,” and opportunity very few of mankind have had.
While the Bible tells us there will be consequences for what we have done wrong, all will be done with the goal of rehabilitation and reconciliation and not useless, senseless torture. We are told Satan and his influences will be bound and not allowed to interfere in man’s healing and learning and growing. While a small number of faithful followers will go to heaven, the Bible teaches that the vast majority of humankind will be resurrected on a perfect earth. Also consider listening to: Episode #1174: “Did God Make Heaven and Hell Humanity’s Destiny? (Part I)” Uncovering who goes to heaven and what happens to planet Earth – Christian Questions