Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Romans 1:16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 1:16 ¶ I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. |
Bible Question:
Dear brother John: Your question "What about those who have never heard?" As you have indicated this question is often posed. I have used the words of Abraham as he anticipated the impending doom upon Sodom, he could say "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" ( Gen. 18:25) This of course would cause us to leave some things which we do not fully understand in his righteous care. Nevertheless, we know that Jesus is the only way to heaven regardless of our background. We also know that the Lord Jesus Christ himself is coming "in flaming fire taking vengance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" ( 2 Thess. 1:8) In short, there is only one way to heaven and that is to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This obedience begins the moment we are placed in him by faith in his finished work. Conversely, those who have rejected the gospel are accountable and will be judged. What about those who have never disobedyed the gospel? Viewing this from a dispensational view, I have a few suggestions: Today, according to Eph. 3:2 live in the good of the dispensation of grace and all humans on earth regardless of nationality and as individuals can have their sins forgiven through Christ and have a personal relationship with him forever. When Christ comes 1 Thess 4:16 those who have been redeemed will be caught up to meet him in the air. It is then that the time of the great tribulation begins. It is also a time when God turns to Israel nationally and by his grace saves a remant to his glory. For those who have rejected the gospel during the day of grace there will be not second chance, they will believe the lie of the wicked one who will be revealled. What has this got to do with those who have not heard? In Rev. 7 we read of the remnant out of Israel saved or sealed v. 4-8. Remarkedly, in v. 9 we read of "a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues stood before the throne..." Who are these people who are given white robes? "these are they which came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb" V14 This multitude of people do not appear to be Israel or the church who is with Christ. Is it possible that these are those who have never heard during the day of grace, but in the time of tribulation God has reached them by his grace and saved many? I would be interested in your thougts Robert |
Bible Answer: Dear Robert, I welcome your participation and contribution in helping to solve this question. I believe the God we love is a righteous judge. He will do right. (Ps 50:6) "And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge". My thoughts concerning those from among all tribes and nations: I do not think we have specific information concerning this great multitude. But at some point they would, by necessity, have become members of the Church (the Body of Christ). Apart from Christ no one will be saved. On that basis I cannot agree with your speculation that: "This multitude of people do not appear to be Israel or the church who is with Christ." The multitude must have at some point, prior to their personal deaths or Judgement Day, have believed in Christ unto salvation. Any other conclusion would not have a scriptural foundation. At least not one I'm aware of. The problem as I see it is: If people are told that their salvation rests on their choosing Christ as their saviour and they bring up the question of those who never get to choose, how are they to be answered? What NT (or OT for that matter) text can we point them to? Given my screen name you probably can guess where I'm headed. John |