Everyone hopes and wishes that they will go to a better place when they die. What better place could there be than Heaven? We’ve heard a lot about Heaven’s beauty and splendor, and many people long for it to be their final resting place. However, does everyone go to Heaven?
The Bible heavily implies that not everyone will go to Heaven. Sinners will not enter Heaven. Heaven is God’s dwelling place, holy and perfect. God will not allow imperfect, sinful people to enter Heaven since it is a holy place. John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus suggested that He is the only way one can get to Heaven. Therefore, if you deny Jesus Christ and act contrary to His will, you will not go to Heaven.
If you want to know what the Bible says about who goes to Heaven, how Christians can go to Heaven, if everyone goes to Heaven when they die, and much more information, keep reading this article.
Does everyone go to Heaven when they die?
The Bible has, in many instances, suggested that not everyone will go to Heaven. Heaven is a holy place that no random person can enter. God has established rules that will serve as guidelines for those who see his kingdom. To enter Heaven, one must admit they have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. John 3:36 says whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Scholars have suggested knowing and accepting Christ as one of the ways to enter Heaven, and those who do not acknowledge Jesus do not go to Heaven. Furthermore, Luke 13:23–24 implies that not everyone will go to Heaven: Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
Jesus, when speaking with the Pharisees before he went to Heaven, also said in John 7:33–34, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me.” “You will look for me, but you will not find me, and where I am, you cannot come.” Jesus was talking about Heaven, and because of the Pharisees’ pride and self-righteousness, they would not be able to enter it.
What does the Bible say about who goes to Heaven?
The Bible indicates that those who have recognized their sin and unworthiness before God and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior are the people who will go to Heaven. Additionally, those who know that they cannot save themselves and only God can save and redeem them are the other group of persons who God says will see His kingdom.
Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. This verse sums it up very well, hinting that only through faith in Jesus can salvation, which is the key to Heaven’s open doors, be our portion.
Additionally, 1 Corinthians 9:11 intimates that those who are unrighteous will not enter Heaven. This includes groups such as those who are greedy, sexually immoral, adulterers, homosexuals, drunkards, thieves, swindlers, and revilers.
Does the doctrine of universalism apply today?
The doctrine of universalism has grown in popularity over time. Scholars, Christian commentators, Christians, and even theologians have developed numerous theories based on various interpretations of the Bible. Universalism is the belief that our fates do not become fixed at death but that, in the end, Jesus Christ will save everyone.
Many people still believe in this doctrine, and most cite scriptures like 2 Corinthians 5:19, which says that in Christ, God reconciled the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. This scripture is taken out of context to support universalism, but the Bible is more than just for universalism; it hints at being against the doctrine.
Matthew 25:46 says that then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. Here we see two groups of people that Jesus refers to: the unrighteous, who are condemned to eternal punishment, and the righteous, who are promised eternal life, respectively. The doctrine of universalism has been propagated by many as truth. Still, scripturally, it holds no water as the Bible does not have any scriptural backing, and there is not much evidence to prove its credibility.
How can Christians get to Heaven?
According to speculations by theologians, the process of entering or reaching Heaven is quite simple. It is believed that if a person repents of their sins, accepts Jesus Christ as their savior, and lives a godly life by admitting they are incapable of saving themselves. That salvation is only possible through the power of Jesus Christ and His grace; they will enter Heaven.
The Bible in John 14:6 also says that Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Insinuating that believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to see God in Heaven.
What Bible verses talk about who goes to Heaven?
The Bible verses that talk about who will go to Heaven are listed below;
John 5:24
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment but has passed from death into life.
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Revelation 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
Matthew 25:46
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide, and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter by it. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, leading to life, and those who find it are few.
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Luke 13:23-30
Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed, there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”
References
Going to Heaven – how can I guarantee my eternal destination?
Universalism: Will Everyone Go to Heaven?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
