Is Everyone Going to Heaven?

 May 14, 2024

Tuesday

It seems that old heresies just get recycled again and again. One that has gained ground among many is the idea that since Jesus died for the sins of the world, everyone will go to heaven whether or not they have any faith in Christ. This emphasizes the love of God without understanding the justice of God. It ignores so many verses in the New Testament that I can't recite them all. So, I will give more of a summary than a complete treatise on the subject.

If everyone goes to heaven, then what does John 3:16 mean?

John 3:16 (NASB 2020) ¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

Salvation obviously has a condition here. Those who believe in Him will have eternal life. I would argue that this is more than a perfunctory nod of the head. It is a commitment that places Jesus at the center of all decisions. It is a trust that places the believer in the Lord's hands. It is a day-to-day walk with the Lord. Can we honestly say that everyone has this commitment? Do you think that Adolph Hitler had this commitment? Do you really think that you will one day be standing next to him in heaven?

If everyone goes to heaven, then what does Matthew 7:21-23 mean?

Matthew 7:21–23 (NASB 2020) ²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. ²² Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Jesus declares that some people think they are going to heaven simply because they have acted like they know Him. They call Him Lord. The next verse points out that they have done things for Him. Some of these things are amazing but they do not come to the level of knowing Him. They practice lawlessness because they do not know Him. And on top of that, He doesn't know them either. Jesus casts them out. These people are not going to heaven.

If everyone is goes to heaven, why would Paul pray for his fellow Jews to have salvation?

Romans 9:3 (NASB 2020) ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

Paul saw that we are all cursed without Christ. He is willing to have himself cursed if only his fellow Jews would have salvation. Of course, no one can trade their salvation so that others may have it. Paul realizes the eternal condemnation that lies ahead for those who never have faith in Christ. He would do anything to see his fellow Jews saved.

If everyone goes to heaven, then what is going on in Revelation 20:15?

Revelation 20:15 (NASB 2020) ¹⁵ And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

This certainly doesn't sound like heaven. After Jesus sent out seventy of His disciples, they came back marveling that they could cast out demons. Jesus told them that this wasn't the real cause for joy. He told them that they should take joy in the fact that their names were written in heaven. Why even have joy in something if there is no downside in not having it?

This is not a matter of God being selfish or arrogant in wanting everyone to do as He says. This is a matter of justice that God must act upon or He cannot be just. The following verse states both sides:

Romans 6:23 (NASB 2020) ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Justice is served by death. It is not the physical death that so many think it is. It is the death of being forever separated from God. It is a torment that comes from that separation. However, God graciously offers heaven to those who will receive it. If a rescue helicopter comes to save someone who is sitting on top of their house because of a flood and that person will not get in the basket that will save him, how is it the fault of the rescuers?

No, not everyone is going to heaven and that should cause us to pray and work to love people into the kingdom of God. Believing everyone is going to heaven is just a fairytale.