Is heaven only for Christians? - That's convenient

[Jack]

(removed)

You don't even know that Jesus said THE FIRE is FOREVER? He mentioned it several times! Oh that's right, you said:

Quoting STV to me: "Death and Hell are demons that you worship."

 

[Jack]

Is it true? Heaven is only for Christians? What does that even mean?

"The Kingdom of God" is more accurate than "Heaven".

 

[Jericho]

So you leave a door open for non-Christians to enter heaven on merit? Which you consider choice? Is Jesus the only way then?

Not merit, but there may be grace for those who died in ignorance or innocence. However, to those who have heard the gospel, more is demanded. I suspect God is particular about who He wishes to spend eternity with, and I think that is reasonable. I mean, if someone chose to spend a lifetime without Him, why would God choose to spend an eternity with them?

Jesus is the way, the truth, the life (John 14:16). Those who believe in Him shall have eternal life. That is the crux of Christianity. If it sounds exclusive, well, that's because it is. If Jesus is, in fact, the only way, then who are we to argue with that? We don't make the rules; God does; all we can do is live by them.

 

[Jack]

Not merit, but there may be grace for those who died in ignorance or innocence. However, to those who have heard the gospel, more is demanded. I suspect God is particular about who He wishes to spend eternity with, and I think that is reasonable. I mean, if someone chose to spend a lifetime without Him, why would God choose to spend an eternity with them?

Jesus is the way, the truth, the life (John 14:16). Those who believe in Him shall have eternal life. That is the crux of Christianity. If it sounds exclusive, well, that's because it is. If Jesus is, in fact, the only way, then who are we to argue with that? We don't make the rules; God does; all we can do is live by them.

God of the Bible knows EVERYTHING! No better Judge!

Psalm 147:5 (NKJV)
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.

 

[St. SteVen]

Not merit, but there may be grace for those who died in ignorance or innocence. However, to those who have heard the gospel, more is demanded. I suspect God is particular about who He wishes to spend eternity with, and I think that is reasonable. I mean, if someone chose to spend a lifetime without Him, why would God choose to spend an eternity with them?

Jesus is the way, the truth, the life (John 14:16). Those who believe in Him shall have eternal life. That is the crux of Christianity. If it sounds exclusive, well, that's because it is. If Jesus is, in fact, the only way, then who are we to argue with that? We don't make the rules; God does; all we can do is live by them.

Two things can be true at the same time.
Yes, Jesus is the way. But does that end with physical life?
Grace and mercy can be extended at any time when it is appropriate. (each in turn)
It's for the ignorance or innocence, and for those who have resisted all their lives.
Anyone who claims they hate Jesus hasn't met Him yet.

1 Corinthians 15:22-24 NIV
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father
after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

 

[Behold]

Yes, Jesus is the way. But does that end with physical life?

It didnt end when His physical life ended.

John 14:6 is eternal truth.

 

[Jericho]

Yes, Jesus is the way. But does that end with physical life?

I'm not sure what you're asking here.

Grace and mercy can be extended at any time when it is appropriate. (each in turn)

Grace and mercy does have its limits when it comes to accountability.

and for those who have resisted all their lives.

I disagree. I think God tries to reach out to everyone during their life in different ways. Some will respond, some won't. Some love darkness more than they love the light. There are those who will never choose to walk into the light no matter what.

Anyone who claims they hate Jesus hasn't met Him yet.

There are people who knew Jesus when he was on earth who were either indifferent or hated him. That much will not change.

 

[St. SteVen]

I disagree. I think God tries to reach out to everyone during their life in different ways. Some will respond, some won't. Some love darkness more than they love the light. There are those who will never choose to walk into the light no matter what.

There are still unreached people groups.
Countless billions have gone to the afterlife with no knowledge of Jesus.

 

[Jack]

There are still unreached people groups.

Define "unreached".

Countless billions have gone to the afterlife with no knowledge of Jesus.

God will sort them out. He knows EVERYTHING! He KNOWS everyone who doesn't trust Him / the Bible!

 

[Brakelite]

i suggest you read for WHOM is the lake of fire .
Now when you read
be sure and pay attention to the word UNBELEIVERS .
Be sure and pay attention to those who made and loved A LIE .
And be sure and go back to gensis and SEE what GOD had first told man
Then see what the serpent told eve . guess what . GOD DIDNT LIE when he said IN the day ye eat
of it ye shall surely die . BUT THE SERPENT surely did .
THEN remember JESUS HIMSELF warned about such that would come upon those
WHO BELIEVED NOT . now who ya gonna sit under
serpent theology or what JESUS SAID . THEY WILL PERISH st steven if they beleive NOT that JESUS is the CHRIST .
DIE in their inquity . But who do you beleive JESUS , thus GOD , or men and fables .
You better watch out . You are in danger and know it not .
Better start preaching JESUS and the dire need TO BELEIVE ON HIM and with many reminders
of DOING SO . hurry now . And flee the realm of deconstruction and NEVER look back .

Are you saying that Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, David, Enoch, aren't in heaven? Or aren't saved?

 

[Brakelite]

There are still unreached people groups.
Countless billions have gone to the afterlife with no knowledge of Jesus.

You think God will deal with them unjustly?

 

[St. SteVen]

You think God will deal with them unjustly?

I don't.
But the majority of Christianity seems to think so, until you challenge them on it.
The gospel of Protestant evangelicalism says. "No Jesus, no salvation."

 

[Brakelite]

I don't.
But the majority of Christianity seems to think so, until you challenge them on it.
The gospel of Protestant evangelicalism says. "No Jesus, no salvation."

And they are correct. Without the blood of the Lamb, no-one is saved. Those old Testament prophets, kings, priests, ordinary people, who will sit in the kingdom with Christians, will be there only because of Jesus. Jesus saved them every bit as much as us. They trusted in the blood that their symbolic lambs pointed to, we trust in the historical account of eye witnesses. "Blessed are they who believe without having seen".

Ironically, Jesus calls us witnesses. To what do you think? That's a deeper question than many understand or think about.

 

[soberxp]

we trust in the historical account of eye witnesses. "Blessed are they who believe without having seen".

So it's not including me, because I saw Jesus coming in a cloud and there were angels.2008.10/10Friday

 

[Brakelite]

And they are correct. Without the blood of the Lamb, no-one is saved. Those old Testament prophets, kings, priests, ordinary people, who will sit in the kingdom with Christians, will be there only because of Jesus. Jesus saved them every bit as much as us. They trusted in the blood that their symbolic lambs pointed to, we trust in the historical account of eye witnesses. "Blessed are they who believe without having seen".

Ironically, Jesus calls us witnesses. To what do you think? That's a deeper question than many understand or think about.

And it explains also why there will be many, with no Hebrew links, and not knowing who Jesus is/was, from every age this planet has witnessed, who will also walk with Abraham and Peter and John in the kingdom. People like Nebuchadnezzar. Cyrus the Great. And millions whose names never made it to print or disturbed the memories of those who came after. Why? Because they walked fully in harmony with what light and hope and faith that was granted them by grace, and like all of us, against the tide of popular opinion and cultural orthodoxy. And, in the final analysis, because the blood of the Lamb was shed for them also.

 

[Brakelite]

So it's not including me, because I saw Jesus coming in a cloud and there were angels.2008.10/10Friday

Oooh, Blessed indeed are you.

 

[soberxp]

Oooh, Blessed indeed are you.

"Blessed are they who believe without having seen".

 

[Jack]

I don't.
But the majority of Christianity seems to think so, until you challenge them on it.
The gospel of Protestant evangelicalism says. "No Jesus, no salvation."

Another attack on the Bible! No surprise.

Acts 4:12
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

 

[Brakelite]

"Blessed are they who believe without having seen".

Yes, but Jesus didn't say those who did see weren't also blessed.