Is there a chance though that those who never hear the gospel may be let off more lightly, and if so wouldn’t it be kinder not to preach the gospel lest anyone who should hear it not accept it and consequently suffer more in the hereafter than they would have done otherwise? If everyone who dies in ignorance of the gospel is doomed no matter what their reasons for it might have been, does that include all those from the pre-Christian era, even the great Old Testament prophets who must likewise have drawn their last breath without having acknowledged Christ as their saviour?
The first of two questions is: “Is there a chance though that those who never hear the gospel may be let off more lightly, and if so wouldn’t it be kinder not to preach the gospel lest anyone who should hear it not accept it and consequently suffer more in the hereafter than they would have done otherwise?” The first cause for alarm in this question pertains to the reliance on “chance” that God will not abide by his Word (the Bible) respecting final reward and punishment (i.e., souls disobedient to the Gospel will not be punished despite biblical teaching otherwise, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). A dictionary definition of the way in which the word “chance” is used above is: “4 a : the possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain situation; also : the degree of likelihood of such an outcome (small chance of success)” (Merriam). Since God has specified clearly in the New Testament that obedient souls will be saved (Hebrews 5:8-9) and that disobedient souls will be lost, and since God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), Final Judgment respecting how God will react to human obedience and disobedience is not uncertain at all; there is no chance whatsoever that disobedience will be overlooked in Judgment.
Second, to be lost and yet punished more lightly is neither a satisfactory goal for one’s eternity nor an acceptable excuse for not telling someone about the saving Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). Second Peter 2:20-22 may suggest degrees of punishment, but eternal punishment in a burning, devils’ hell even if someone else’s fire is hotter is not a suitable option for anyone’s eternity (Luke 16:23-24; Matthew 25:41, 46).
Third, souls are not lost primarily because Jesus came, but because souls are already lost Jesus came to earth (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Hence, whether anyone hears about the Gospel is immaterial respecting one’s being lost; mankind is already lost (John 3:17-18), but can be saved by Jesus Christ through obedience to the Gospel or divine Truth (Romans 6:17).
The second question is: “If everyone who dies in ignorance of the gospel is doomed no matter what their reasons for it might have been, does that include all those from the pre-Christian era, even the great Old Testament prophets who must likewise have drawn their last breath without having acknowledged Christ as their saviour?” The able student of the Bible knows that God gave three religious dispensations to humanity: Patriarchy, Judaism and Christianity. Patriarchy was replaced with Judaism, and Judaism was replaced with Christianity. Humanity has always been bound to obey the law of God under which he lived. However, the efficiency of Patriarchy and Judaism, as well as Christianity, depends on the blood of Jesus Christ. “And for this cause he [Jesus Christ] is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first [Old] testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). Man may judge it inconvenient, but biblical Truth declares:
And to you who are troubled rest with us, 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 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
Works Cited
Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield: Merriam-Webster, 1993.
