The Bible’s answer. A recent poll indicated that for every American who believes he or she is going to hell, there are 120 who believe they’re going to heaven. “Salvation is free!” Graham said. But, in order for Jesus to be crucified, evil people had to lie about Him and murder Him. 1 decade ago. You can also read or download the study guides in my Understanding the Books of the Bible series by using the Free Study Guides link at the top of this page. Find answers in these writings from Billy Graham: >>Do I Need to Confess the Same Sin Over and Over? God knows when we will die. Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you. “God puts no price tag on the Gift of gifts.” But like any other gift, he wrote, “salvation isn’t ours until we reach out and accept it.” But what does that mean, especially for people whose faith traditions teach that attaining eternity is based on a person’s merits? “Spot was in heaven, and he was walking beside a man with a beard who looked like he was one of the disciples. >>What Happens if I Die Before I Confess a Sin? (Clicking on a category will display all of the posts it, in a continuous scroll with the most recent at the top.). Ephesians 2:8–9 states: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. The Bible also says that God does not want anyone to perish (I Timothy 2:3-4). But, they reject God and are without excuse (Romans 1:20). from Harvard in English and American Literature and Language, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell, and a Ph.D. in the History of Christian Life and Thought, with a minor concentration in Bible, from Boston College, in the joint program with Andover Newton Theological School. Those who accept Him go to Heaven and those who don't do not go to Heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. Why would the Magi have wanted to worship the king of the Jews? God knows how we will die. This optimism stands in stark contrast to Jesus Christ’s words written in the Bible: “Enter by the narrow gate. Why was only Miriam punished with leprosy when she and Aaron rebelled against Moses? Does God know who are to go to heaven (those with His seal)? They have recognized their need for a Savior and humbly accepted God’s offer of forgiveness. “You and you alone, in the quiet arena of your heart will have to make that decision.”. He mentions himself in the third person: “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. ( Log Out /  How does God decide who goes to hell and where is the cut-off line? A visual introduction to the Bible’s career as a book, Questions about sin and human responsibility. The Rev. Lazarus goes to "Abraham's side," a term used to describe being in God's presence (where Abraham dwells), while the rich man was in agony. “Asking God to forgive you at the end of each day is both commendable and wise (and it’s a practice I’ve always tried to follow in my own life),” wrote Billy Graham. ©2021 BGEA Local: 704-401-2432 Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. You see, without the crucifixion, no one could be saved. We need to, and can go directly to Jesus Christ in prayer. If you want to know who is NOT going to Heaven, all you have to do is to look at this list. If not everyone goes to heaven, who will go to heaven? Therefore, no one will enter heaven without faith in the Lord and without a desire to please God in paradise. Chat with someone online and get answers about God’s forgiveness. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. We need to hold onto the idea that our salvation is entirely the work of God, because none of us human beings can save ourselves. The Bible says, ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us’ (Psalm 103:12).” —Billy Graham, 2 Years After Billy Graham’s Passing, Will Graham Reflects on Promise of Heaven, In His Words: What Billy Graham Once Said About Eternity, 5 Answers from Billy Graham on End of Life, Death, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 Learn how your comment data is processed. What is the “hostility” that God put between the woman and the serpent? Worried your sin will keep you out? Neither heaven nor hell will be populated by the folks we expect to be there, columnist Paul Prather says. Why does Peter call Jesus a "living stone" and his followers "living stones". If you prayed this prayer, please let us know. Q. Privacy For example, Peter told the crowds in his Pentecost sermon, “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God [divine sovereignty], you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men [human moral responsibility].”. Absolutely, if you have a personal relationship with Christ.   •   Topics: Eternal Life, Heaven. God desires the good for all of his creatures, but because he has also given human beings and angels the gift of free will, it follows that God will allow us to enjoy or suffer the consequence of this good gift, even if it … Call the BGEA Prayer Line at 888-388-2683 so we can send you some free materials about your spiritual decision. We have laws in society. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. In fact, it says that MOST will perish (cf. ( Log Out /  Why were some books removed from the Bible and is it a sin to read them? What does it mean to say that Jesus is the Messiah? But when God says that he is going to make man in his image in Genesis 1:26, he takes an approach to creation that he doesn’t take with any other thing on the earth.. ( Log Out /  And that is found in human experience. There are over 400 other posts here, on a wide range of biblical topics. If our loved ones are in hell, won't that spoil heaven? So God must choose us. The truth about heaven is God is preparing a place for us there. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” The choice is yours. how does god decide who goes to heaven and hell? Why couldn't God defeat Jacob in a wrestling match? Ephesians 1:11 says God “works all … Heaven and Hell work pretty simply according to Christian mythology. Still not sure about where you stand with God? Paul says that many people will get in. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”. If the claim that God exists and is all-knowing is true then the answer has to be yes he knows exactly who is going to hell and heaven. It isn’t your hold on God that saves you; it’s His hold on you. He scoops dust and forms a man and later forms the woman from the man. Perhaps you were brought here by a search engine or by a link to one of the posts. Can Christians kneel at an elder’s grave or celebrate Halloween? Sin separates us from a relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2). View all posts by Christopher R Smith. It’s been said that as you walk towards the gates of heaven, you see written above them, “Whosoever will to the Lord may come.”  But after you walk through the gates, you look back and see written above them, “Chosen from the foundation of the world.”  I think that about sums it up. Click on the links and they will take you to the Scriptures being quoted. He was a consulting editor to the International Bible Society (now Biblica) for The Books of the Bible, an edition of the New International Version (NIV) that presents the biblical books according to their natural literary outlines, without chapters and verses. Heaven And Hell Are 'Not What Jesus Preached,' Religion Scholar Says Bart Ehrman says the ideas of eternal rewards and punishments aren't found … Why did God reject Saul as king for making one small mistake? This doesn’t mean we never need to ask for God’s forgiveness—quite the contrary. You’re asking a question that thoughtful people of faith have wrestled with throughout the centuries: What ultimately determines whether a person is saved, God’s sovereign choice of them, or their response to God? By faith turn to Him, telling Him you’re sorry for your sins and that you trust Him alone for your salvation. Does God decide whether I will end up in heaven or hell, or is that choice up to me? How old was Joseph when he married and when he died? He was also a consultant to Tyndale House for the Immerse Bible, an edition of the New Living Translation (NLT) that similarly presents the Scriptures in their natural literary forms, without chapters and verses or section headings. Change ). He was active in parish and student ministry for twenty-five years. Let God tell you Himself as He did in Deuteronomy 30:19“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Why didn't God give Esau back the blessing that Jacob stole? He has a B.A. so to save us he sent his son down and you know how that goes. Can you live guilt-free after asking for forgiveness? (see 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9) But there is more proof. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. What did Jesus mean by "night is coming, when no one can work"? However, a close look at the Bible's teachings clearly indicates that not every person will go to heaven. That’s why Jesus’ sacrifice was the only solution to wipe our sins away so we can be in heaven with a holy God. http://wglyd.org https://facebook.com/wglyd/ Hey Dad... how does God decide who goes to Heaven? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you. The earth, sky, sun, stars, moon and animals were all created by the words of God. I believe that this is one of those mysteries of our faith that we must respond to by embracing both sides of a paradox. Wondering whether you’ll go to heaven? Our inability to save ourselves does not absolve us of the responsibility to seek salvation and to accept it when it is offered. Matthew 18:15-18. So the only into heaven is through jesus. Matthew 7:13-14). If YOU decide to reject and break the laws, you get arrested by the police and taken to jail. “You must individually receive Christ as your Lord and your Savior,” said Billy Graham. Contact Us. Answer: Paul describes a time when he was caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2–4). For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt. God’s grace covers our sin. I have added links to the post. In heaven we'll see clearly that God revealed … The Bible says you can know for sure that you’ll be with God after you die. You may want to look for further items of interest by using the resources below: the search bar; the lists of posts; and the list of categories. For one thing, salvation cannot be earned. How Can I Know for Sure I’ll Go to Heaven? I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Why did God reject Saul for offering sacrifices, but not David or Solomon? Is Jesus equal to the other two persons of the Trinity? It also teaches that many will perish. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”. When we sin, we fall short of God’s standards. But we do know this: Someday we will all die—and the real question is, are we prepared for that day? Laura Bailey   •   Since there was no real life, how could God hand out rewards to believers? Every single person who sincerely turns to … His Understanding the Books of the Bible study guide series is keyed to this format. Dr. Christopher R. Smith is an an ordained minister, a writer, and a biblical scholar. If Jesus gave up his divine attributes to become incarnate, how was he able to do miracles? Or it is an individual who makes a choice between light and darkness? Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Darkness, light, and water in the Genesis creation account. “A cleansed conscience is the result of having come into the right relationship with God.”, How does that happen? He does. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. Ask Jesus Christ into your heart and life. How was Jesus from the line of King David if his real father was not Joseph? You’re asking a question that thoughtful people of faith have wrestled with throughout the centuries: What ultimately determines whether a person is saved, God’s sovereign choice of them, or their response to God? The problem is that God would then be liable to the accusation of rewarding some people more than others, since, for those who go to heaven, rewards appropriated on the basis of good deeds done in life 3 (although the good deeds do not get you into heaven). Therefore, God has an appointed time of our death. God Created Man in His Image. I believe that the Bible teaches both divine sovereignty and human moral responsibility—sometimes in the same breath! Why is it so difficult to reconcile the mind and heart regarding faith in Jesus Christ? He told Satan, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matthew 4:7). 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. You can be a loving person, a good person and even volunteer of the year, but it’ll never be good enough; we were all born with a sinful nature. Amen.”. God does determine when everybody dies and he did decide that in eternity. Home This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. “... the Bible certainly does indicate that when … Repent (turn away from sin and let go of past sin). (Hebrews 11:6) And obviously, God is going to be pleased with what goes on in heaven. God has not made you to choose or to reject Him. If we let go of either side, we lose something essential. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I do not believe in predestination. They won’t go to heaven. Why do Matthew and Luke seem to disagree about the circumstances of Jesus’ birth? The people who go to heaven are all alike in one way: they are sinners who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). God does NOT decide who goes to Heaven or to Hell. “Don’t let another day go by without Christ. Anyway, the ANSWER to your question is NO. All persons who are good and accept God and believe that Christ died for their sins and accept him will go to Heaven. How You Can Pray: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. We do not know when this time is, but He wants us to live each day to its fullest because we do not know if today will be our last day upon the earth (Ephesians 5:15-16; James 4:13-15). The proof that God wants everyone to be saved is first and foremost found in Scripture where this truth is clearly taught. Guide my life and help me to do your will. God’s gift was sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross for our sins. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. So, those are my answers. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. These questions weigh heavily on people, even without the added stress of a pandemic and civil unrest. John 3:16 offers the clear words of Jesus on this issue: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." The pre-destination of … June 3, 2020 Finally, there is a logical problem with not creating people who go to hell. Jesus taught his followers to pray: “Thy kingdom come on earth as in heaven.” Yes and yes. What happens to us in the first minute after we die? However, we must also hold onto the idea that we are morally responsible in some way to respond to the overtures that God makes towards us, that is, to the gracious influences that God brings into our lives to lead us to salvation. Or it is an individual who makes a choice between light and darkness? Wasn’t the Messiah supposed to be named Emmanuel? It would mean that no one would go to heaven. What happens to people who never hear about Jesus? >>I Believe I’m Forgiven, But I Still Feel Guilty. Repent (turn away from sin and let go of past sin). Then ask Him to help you forgive yourself, just as He has forgiven you, fully and completely. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. This principle would extend even to the act of choice:  we are not even capable of choosing to be saved because of the deeply imprinted effects of sin on all areas of our being, including the will. If you’re searching for forgiveness and for peace with God, you can walk through these steps and use the prayer below as a guide: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ... to judge everybody he would deem us unfit for heaven b/c we are not perfect. “It is not the cleansing of the conscience that saves you; it is faith in Christ that saves,” Graham explained. Thank you. If YOU decide to accept and abide by the laws, you stay out of jail. Ask Jesus Christ into your heart and life. It means asking God’s Son, Jesus Christ, to come and live in your heart. 15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the … The first thing to say is that God governs with infinite wisdom and power everything that takes place. Q. How long did the baby Jesus stay in the manger in the stable? I pray this in the name of Jesus. Was Jesus the “angel of the Lord” who appeared to the shepherds? Your question is actually a complex one; there is much about death we do not know, for God hasn’t chosen to answer all our questions about it. God’s attitude toward physical death is not like ours. ( 1 Peter 1: 3, 4) Once they have been chosen, they must continue to maintain a Christian standard of faith and conduct in order not to be disqualified from receiving their heavenly inheritance. It is WE who decide. Thank you for visiting my blog Good Question. God gives us choice. Does God know who are to go to heaven (those with His seal)? God selects a limited number of faithful Christians who, after their death, will be resurrected to life in heaven. I hope you’ve found what you were looking for. Why do people use flashing lights in their Christmas decorations? Permissions How long did the baby Jesus stay in the manger in the stable? Being a good person only isn’t going to get someone into heaven. But God also desires that we not sin, and yet we still do. He spoke them into existence. So we need to embrace both sides of the paradox to have a full understanding of where our salvation comes from. Billy Graham, an evangelist who spent his life sharing the hope of Christ with people of all religions said this: “Your salvation depends on what [Christ] has done for you, not on what you do for Him. By The point was not for us to “go to heaven,” but for the life of heaven to arrive on earth. ( Log Out /  A `` living stones '' and yet we still do give Esau back the blessing that Jacob stole darkness... Materials about your spiritual decision to choose or to reject Him these writings from Billy Graham ”! We fall short of God ’ s attitude toward physical death is the... Get someone into heaven parish and student ministry for twenty-five years here, on a cross for our.... 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At the Bible also says that MOST will perish ( I Timothy 2:3-4 ) a desire please... Said Billy Graham separates us from a relationship with God. ”, how was he able to miracles... Everybody dies and he did decide that in eternity punished with leprosy when she and Aaron rebelled Moses... Would mean that no one will enter heaven without faith in Jesus Christ on. Accept it when it is faith in Jesus Christ ’ s career as a book Questions..., evil people had to lie about Him and murder Him be earned stands stark. Those who do n't do not know—God knows t let another day go without. An individual who makes a choice between light and darkness enter by the narrow gate receive Christ as your and... Or celebrate Halloween what is the result of having come into the right relationship with God I ask for salvation... And get answers about God ’ s forgiveness—quite the contrary happens to us in the stable unrest. A choice between light and darkness the gate is wide and the serpent 59:2 ) ”! 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