[Biblemat] How about those who die in ignorance (question/answer)

[Don Martin]

Hello Helen,

Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible Questions.
Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org  Please check out Bible
Truths http://www.bibletruths.net  Go to the archives section of these sites
for material and also go to the archives search page and type in any subject
or word you wish to explore. New material is constantly being added to both
sites. Any help you can give us in telling others of these sites will be
greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in really learning more about the Bible, there is an
online Bible study course located in Bible Truths. While on the home page,
scroll down and enter.  While on the Map Site Page, click on "Online Bible
Study Course" in the table.  Click on http://www.bibletruths.net to go
there.

You asked:

A discussion came up after the Q: Who did Jesus die for all or some? The
question asked was what about all those before and after Christ who never
heard of Him? How can they be saved? Did God create expendable people?

Reply:

All men who are saved have been saved by the blood of Jesus.  "How could
this be so regarding those who died before Jesus?" some ask.  The answer is
found in Hebrews 9: 15.  According to this verse, Jesus' blood flowed both
backward in time and forward; thus, applying to all the saved of all time.
I suggest you read, "The Atoning Blood" found in www.bibletruths.net   Enter
through the door on the home page and click on, "Archives and Index," then
click on the letter "B" on the Archives page.  Here is an excerpt:

     "...The second covenant was dedicated not by the blood of animals, but
by Jesus' own blood (Heb. 9: 18-28). Jesus' effective blood benefited those
before his death and those who would follow (Heb. 9: 15). Jesus' covenant is
"everlasting" (Heb. 13: 20, 10: 9, 10, in regards to Jesus' covenant, notice
the expression "once for all," Heb. 10: 10, 9: 28)....."

As to those who die in ignorance, rejecting God's will for them, consider:

Jesus commissioned the gospel to be preached to the whole world (Matt. 28:
19, 20, Mk. 16: 15, 16). The Great Commission was fulfilled within about
twenty-three years after it was given (Rom. 10: 18). The Bible is
everywhere and virtually available to all who really want it. Nations that
are considered extremely backward and disadvantaged actually had the gospel
first, but rejected its influence in their culture.

"And to you that are troubled rest with us," Paul writes regarding Jesus'
return, "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty
angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of
his power..." (2 Thes. 1: 7-9). Ignorance is not over-looked, the
scriptures teach (Acts 17: 30, 31).

Those who will not know the Lord's will when he returns shall be in a better
position, if you will, than those who knew but refused to do (Lk. 12: 47,
48). However, both shall be punished. In this respect, there will be
"difference in judgment."

An article of particular interest could be "Hell" which is located in Bible
Truths. Simply click on http://www.bibletruths.net and while on the home
page, click on the "Great Truths" button. Scroll down until you come to the
subject and click on the "click here."

Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual
matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference (web
addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both Bible
Questions and Bible Truths (see the copyright provision at the bottom of the
home page in Bible Truths).

Cordially,
Don Martin