A cold hard fact of life is that the vast majority
of humanity has lived and died without ever
accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior--in fact,
most of them without ever hearing His name spoken aloud.
For many, this fact is more than a statistic,
as they agonize with concerns about a dead loved one,
unsure of their fate in the hereafter.
Yet the true answer concerning the fate of
the unsaved is far more joyous and hopeful than
almost anyone understands.
You need the hope of your Bible's answer to the
question of where the unsaved go when they die.
Stay tuned.
♪
Greetings, and welcome to Tomorrow's World, where we
help you make sense of your world through the
pages of the Bible.
The question we'll tackle today has been a source of
needless doubt, heartbreak, and hopelessness for many
over the centuries:
"Where do the unsaved go when they die?"
The answer to this question is one of the most hopeful
and profound truths of the Bible.
So today we're offering a free study guide to
anyone who requests it, so they can study the
topic themselves in their own Bibles.
The title is Is This the Only Day of Salvation?
and you'll want to keep an eye on your screen for the
information you need to get your own free copy.
In Acts chapter 4, we read of an exchange between the
Apostle Peter and angry Jewish leaders who were
upset that he'd just healed a man in the name of Christ.
Let's read it, beginning in verse 10:
"...let it be known to you all, and to all the people
of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead,
by Him this man stands here before you whole.
...Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is
no other name under heaven given among men by which
we must be saved."
But that causes a problem, doesn't it?
Because of the billions of human beings who've ever
lived, relatively few have ever heard of Jesus Christ
and His message.
Now let's set aside for the moment the fact that most
people who believe they have "accepted Christ"
have not actually accepted Him at all, but have fallen
for what the Apostle Paul calls "another Jesus"
and a "different gospel".
Again, let's set that aside and be as generous
as we can for the sake of this discussion.
Today, Christianity is just about as big as
it's ever been.
For the more than 8 billion people currently on planet
earth, a little less than a third, between 2 and 2 1/2
billion, consider themselves any sort of "Christian."
And if we go back to the beginning of Christianity
around 2000 years ago, population scientists
estimate that as many as 65 billion people have been
born in those two millennia-- the vast majority of whom
have never been any sort of "Christian."
In fact, most of mankind throughout history has been
"unsaved" and never even heard the name of Jesus Christ,
let alone His message.
So, what happened to them?
It isn't just a question about cold statistics.
Many have agonized over the fate of their loved ones,
and others have been turned off of the Bible, believing
the God of Scripture to be cruel and capricious.
Frankly, it's a question I personally wrestled
with as a young man.
I asked everyone I knew and respected--my parents,
my grandmother, my pastor... even my geometry teacher.
They all had answers, but the answers never
completely fit the Bible.
I heard that God might ignore that some people
hadn't had an opportunity to accept Christ for
forgiveness and would just save them anyway.
But that didn't fit Peter's words in Acts 4,
and it seemed to make Christ's sacrifice unnecessary.
And I knew that wasn't the case, since Romans 3:23 said that
"all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Some suggested that maybe God foreknew that those who
never heard the Gospel would not have accepted it anyway,
so He didn't bother to send it to them.
But that doesn't even match Jesus' own testimony.
For instance, look in Matthew 11, starting in verse 20:
"Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most
of His mighty works had been done, because they
did not repent: "Woe to you, Chorazin!
Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty works which were done in you
had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have
repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre
and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven,
will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty
works which were done in you had been done
in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for
the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."
Note that Jesus says clearly, if the people of Tyre,
Sidon, and Sodom were given the same opportunities
that His audience had been given, then they would have
repented before they died.
It all started to make God seem so unfair.
Yet passages such as Acts 10:34 and Romans 2:11 made
clear that God is very fair and "shows no partiality."
Well then, maybe God just didn't care.
Yet, Scripture, too, contradicted this.
1 Timothy 2:4 says that God "desires all men to be
saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
So, maybe it meant that God was simply not powerful enough
to save most people.
But the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation,
declares the sovereign God to be the almighty,
calling Him in Revelation 19:6 "the Lord God Omnipotent".
With so many billions dying "unsaved" who never
had even a chance to be forgiven of their sins,
it can move us to ask as Abraham once did,
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
But the good news is that there is an answer.
And the Bible's truth about what happens to the unsaved
when they die is a beautiful source of joy, comfort,
and hope that everyone needs to understand.
In the rest of our program, we'll explain four key
Biblical facts that will lay out for you the answer to the
question of what happens to the unsaved when they die.
But before that, let me give you a brief opportunity to
request today's free offer, Is This the Only Day of Salvation?
With this free study guide, you will be able to sit down
with your Bible and see the hope-filled truth with
your own eyes and in the pages of your own Bible.
One of our Tomorrow's World magazine subscribers from Texas
ordered this booklet and wrote to us to express her thanks:
"My prayers were answered when my blinders were taken
off by the power of God through your literature.
I have just finished reading your publication,
Is This the Only Day of Salvation?
I often wondered about the unsaved but could not find
any answers that I knew in my heart to be true.
Now, I know."
You need to know, too.
Here's the information you need to get your own free copy,
and I'll be right back to look at the four facts
that explain the fate of the unsaved.
♪
For today's free offer call...
Or go to...
This clear and straight-forward resource
will help you understand this vital truth--
straight from the pages of the Bible.
If you're calling for the first time, you will also
receive a free annual subscription to Tomorrow's
World magazine.
Six inspiring issues discussing news, science,
and modern culture will help you make sense of
your world from a biblical perspective.
Call today and join millions around the world
who are turning to Tomorrow's World for
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
Call now!
Or go to...
♪
Welcome back.
Today, we're explaining the true fate of the unsaved
when they die.
And the key to understanding the hope-filled answer lies in
grasping four Biblical facts.
Fact #1: All who have died, saved and unsaved,
await a resurrection.
Most think that, once you die, your immortal soul either
flies off to heaven and bliss, if you're saved, or plunges
into the depths of hell and torments if you're not.
But this isn't the case.
Of all humans who have ever lived, Paul says in
1 Timothy 6:16 that the only one who has immortality at
this time is Jesus Christ.
Instead, the consistent teaching of the Bible, in
both Old and New Testaments, is that we are mortal, and
that after we die, we await a resurrection from the dead.
Again, don't just believe me--believe your Bible.
When Paul was challenged on multiple occasions, he didn't
say that his hope lied in going to heaven one day.
Read for yourself in Acts chapter 24 and verse 15...
"I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept,
that there will be a resurrection of the dead,
both of the just and the unjust."
He refers to the resurrection as his hope in Acts 23:6,
as well, and he discusses it in many other passages.
As we'll see, he even devotes much of 1 Corinthians 15 to
describing the resurrection, a future time when
Christians will finally "put on immortality."
Frankly, the focus of mainstream Christianity
on "going to heaven" or "going to hell" is simply
not the focus of the Bible, the Apostles,
or Jesus Christ and the Church He founded.
God's word consistently points us to the resurrection
from the dead as our hope and focus.
My colleague here on Tomorrow's World,
Gerald Weston, recently dived into that topic in depth
on his program "When You Die--Then What?"
You can find that program on our website
at TomorrowsWorld.org or on our YouTube channel.
So, the short answer to today's question about
where the unsaved go when they die is that--
according to the Bible-- the unsaved are awaiting a
resurrection from the dead, just like the saved are.
But that's where things get very interesting...
Fact #2:
Faithful Christians will rise in the First Resurrection.
As already mentioned, we read of this resurrection
of the righteous in many places.
For instance, let's look at one of my favorite passages
in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4...
"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you
sorrow as others who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of
the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the
trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words."
You know it's interesting how many seek to comfort
the grieving by speaking of their loved ones in
heaven, when the Bible itself says that it is
the resurrection of the dead at Christ's return
that should be our source of comfort.
But that's another discussion for another time.
This resurrection of the righteous dead is spoken of
in great detail, as well, in 1 Corinthians 15,
where Paul writes that the faithful are given "spiritual
bod[ies]" of "glory" and "power" it takes place
at "the last trumpet" when Christ returns.
The Apostle John says in 1 John 3 that at the
resurrection when Jesus Christ "is revealed"
we will finally see Him "as He is" in glory,
and we "shall be like Him."
Honestly, there are too many beautiful verses related
to that resurrection for us to recount now.
But one passage is particularly vital
for our purposes today.
We find it in Revelation 20, where the beginning of Jesus'
reign with the glorified saints is described.
Let's read verse 4...
"And I saw thrones, and they sat on them,
and judgment was committed to them.
Then I saw the souls of those who had been
beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God,
who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had
not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands.
And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."
Now that thousand years is the Millennium that
begins with Jesus' return to earth.
Here we're told that the glorified, resurrected
Christians will reign with Him for those thousand years.
But note the next verse...
"But the rest of the dead did not live again until the
thousand years were finished.
This is the first resurrection."
Note that.
The resurrection of faithful Christians is only the
first resurrection.
A "first" implies, at the very least, a "second".
And, indeed, the verse says that "the rest of the dead"--
that is, those who were not saved--"did not live again
until the thousand years were finished."
So there is a later resurrection of those
who were not Christians in this life, taking place
1,000 years after the first resurrection.
God highlights this timing in many ways in Scripture,
though few read carefully enough to notice--or else
are so caught up in their own, pre-conceived ideas that
they don't read the Bible for what it truly says.
My friends, we're on the verge of answering today's
question about the fate of the unsaved--right in the
pages of your Bible.
We only need two more points to complete the whole picture.
Before we continue, allow me to pause very briefly to
give you an opportunity to request your own
in-depth, free study guide on today's topic--titled
Is This the Only Day of Salvation?
Thousands of people have already felt the comfort
and joy that comes with having their fears for their
loved ones lifted and replaced with hopeful anticipation.
Don't miss out on experiencing that joy for yourself.
Order your copy right now, and I'll be right back
to explain, in detail, the fate of the unsaved.
♪
This clear and straight-forward resource
will help you understand this vital truth--
straight from the pages of the Bible.
Call now!
Or go to...
♪
Welcome back.
Our last point left us on the very edge of revealing
what happens to the unsaved after they die.
Let's jump right back in, with our next fact:
Fact #3:
Those who died in ignorance will rise in the Second Resurrection.
Again, this second resurrection was implied in Revelation 20
and verse 5.
In fact, let's read verse 5 again, along with verse 6...
"But the rest of the dead did not live again until
the thousand years were finished.
This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.
Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be
priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him
a thousand years."
Now, this passage is focused on the First Resurrection,
but reading it carefully tells us a great deal about
the Second Resurrection.
For instance, it highlights that the second death has
no power over those in the First Resurrection.
That implies that those who rise in the Second Resurrection,
at the end of the 1,000 years are still mortal--given
physical bodies once again, just as they had in this life.
Later in the same chapter, we read even more about
this resurrection of the unsaved to physical life:
"Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it,
from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.
And there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,
and books were opened.
And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.
And the dead were judged according to their works,
by the things which were written in the books.
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death
and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.
And they were judged, each one according to his works."
There is so much here to unpack.
Let's take a closer look, but let me highlight again
that today's free resource dives into all of this with
so much more detail.
But for now, we'll have to move quickly.
Notice that the passage says that "books were opened"
and the works they then did were judged by what was written
in the books.
Well, by what books are Christians judged
in this life?
The books of the Bible.
And the Greek word for "books" in Revelation 20 and verse 12
is biblion, the Bible.
Just as 1 Peter 4:17 and James 2:12 say that Christians are
in a time of judgment now, those in the Second Resurrection
will have entered a time of judgment, as well.
Note, too, that it says that the "books were opened".
This is important, because the books of the Bible
are not open to everyone in this life.
In John 6:44, Jesus is plain that no one can
"come to [Him] unless the Father ... draws him."
And when God does call someone, He opens the Scriptures to
their understanding--just as He did with the disciples
on the road to Emmaus and with His apostles.
In this life, God calls people to follow His Son
and opens the Bible to their understanding.
And Revelation 20 describes this same process happening
with the unsaved in the Second Resurrection.
And verse 12 adds...
"another book was opened, which is the Book of Life."
Now, keep in mind:
Everyone whose name had been written in the Book of Life
had already been resurrected in the first Resurrection--
the resurrection of the faithful.
The only reason for the Book of Life to be opened again
in the second Resurrection is for more names to be
written in.
My friends, God truly is fair.
Everyone who has ever lived will have an opportunity to
have his or her mind opened and to learn the truth.
Those who have never heard the name of Jesus Christ
and had His life-saving message opened to them
in this life will have that opportunity.
Understanding this beautiful truth answers other mysteries,
as well.
For instance, in the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul
laments that his fellow Jews and Israelites were refusing
to accept the Gospel and that God had "blinded" them,
"given them a spirit of stupor", so they would not understand.
Every day around him, his fellow Jews were dying unsaved--
unable to see that their own Savior had come in their day.
Yet, rather than despair, Paul states in Romans 11
that those who have, in his day, "now been disobedient"
will eventually "obtain mercy", explaining,
"For God has committed them all to disobedience,
that He might have mercy on all."
Surrounded by Israelites dying daily without accepting the
Gospel, Paul says confidently in Romans 11 verse 26...
"And so all Israel will be saved".
How could he be so boldly confident?
Because he understood that there was a future resurrection to
come for those that God was not calling today.
In fact, Paul had likely read about that physical
resurrection many times, just as you can in Ezekiel 37.
There, God gives Ezekiel a vision of a valley of dry bones
and describes restoring dead sinners to physical life of
"bone," "sinew," and "flesh", so that He can "put [His]
Spirit in [them]" and they can learn His ways.
God describes these physically restored people as "the whole
house of Israel"--or, just as Paul said in Romans,
"all Israel will be saved".
And the Israelites are not alone in the Second Resurrection.
Jesus Christ plainly says in Matthew 12 verses 41 and 42,
that Gentiles, too, such as the men of Nineveh and
the queen of the South will "rise up in the judgment with
this generation" of Jews.
No one will be left out.
What a glorious time that judgment period to come will be.
But it is not yet the end of the story.
We will see the whole conclusion of the matter
in our last segment.
But first, let me take one final opportunity to
encourage you to request today's free literature:
Is This the Only Day of Salvation?
My friends, this topic is too important for you not
to prove it for yourself.
This booklet, Is This the Only Day of Salvation?
dispels the myths woven by modern Christianity
with the light of God's word, and replaces
despair and confusion with joy and hope.
Get your free copy right now, and I'll be right back to give
you God's word on the conclusion of His great and merciful plan.
♪
For today's free offer call...
Or go to...
This clear and straight-forward resource
will help you understand this vital truth--
straight from the pages of the Bible.
If you're calling for the first time, you will also
receive a free annual subscription to Tomorrow's
World magazine.
Six inspiring issues discussing news, science,
and modern culture will help you make sense of
your world from a biblical perspective.
Call today and join millions around the world
who are turning to Tomorrow's World for
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
Call now!
Or go to...
♪
We've seen that God is fair, and He will give everyone
who's ever lived a real opportunity to have their
minds opened to know His truth and to commit to His Son.
But God will not rob us of our free will, and He will
not force anyone to choose life over death.
And the implication in Scripture is clear that
some will not accept obedience to Jesus Christ,
and will choose to remain wicked, disobedient,
and in rebellion against their Creator.
That brings us to Fact #4:
After the First and Second Resurrections, the incorrigibly
wicked are destroyed in the Lake of Fire.
Let's turn to Revelation 20 again and see what
takes place after the Second Resurrection and
the Great White Throne Judgment period.
We'll see it described in verses 14 and 15...
"Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.
And anyone not found written in the Book of
Life was cast into the lake of fire."
Yes, the incorrigibly wicked who refuse to repent will be
burned up, cast alive into the Lake of Fire where they will be
destroyed and made ashes under the feet of the righteous,
as the Lord of Hosts says in Malachi 4 and verse 3.
At that point, with His Family grown to an innumerable
multitude to include all who are willing to accept
the lordship of Jesus Christ, and the incorrigibly wicked
utterly destroyed forever in eternal death, the Plan of God
will be complete.
And the saved will step into the rest of eternity,
enjoying all of existence--physical and spiritual--
as their inheritance alongside Jesus Christ
and their loving Father, in the Family of God, forever.
No, the countless billions of unsaved in this life who
never had their mind opened by God to the truth of Jesus Christ
are not lost forever.
God really is fair.
He will give everyone a real, true opportunity to
embrace or reject His offer of salvation.
He is not capricious.
He is not random.
And He is not weak.
He is fair.
He is merciful.
And He is the Omnipotent God who reigns supreme--
and who profoundly loves every human being He has created.
And with Him, no one falls through the cracks.
Our short question may have had a long answer.
But it's a beautiful answer.
And it's the answer from God's inspired word.
I hope you won't fail to get your own copy of today's free
offer, Is This the Only Day of Salvation? so you can truly
prove this beautiful truth about the Second Resurrection
for yourself.
And I hope you'll come back next time.
When you do, Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Rod McNair,
and I will be right here waiting for you, ready to share the
truths of God's word, the warnings of end-time prophecy,
and the hope of Jesus Christ's Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Until next time, take care.
♪
For today's free offer call...
Or go to...
Call today and join millions around the world
who are turning to Tomorrow's World for
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
The preceding program is produced by the
Living Church of God.
♪