What does the Bible say about who will not go to Heaven?
According to the Bible, there are currently no definitive answers as to who will not be welcomed into Heaven. The Bible does provide some insight into who won’t go to heaven though, such as those without faith in God, those who don’t follow the teachings of Jesus, and those with a sinful nature. The Bible also states that anyone who hasn’t repented of their sins, accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, or has been unrepentant after committing a fatal sin, won’t be welcomed in the Kingdom of Heaven.
In the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell of how Jesus said that no one who doesn’t believe in him will be welcomed into Heaven. This is echoed in the statement “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47). There is also the parable of the wheat and tares in the book of Matthew, which suggests that unrepentant sinners won’t receive a warm welcome in Heaven. Jesus warned that those who don’t follow his teachings of love and mercy will face consequences. This can be seen in his words: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt.7:21).
Apart from those who lack faith in God, the Bible also cautions against those with sinful natures. The Bible says that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and that God will not accept anyone who hasn’t “put away all evil and wickedness” (Ez.18:27). It further states that those who don’t seek forgiveness of their sins will not see the kingdom of Heaven (Heb.12:14).
In addition to faith and spiritual purity, the Bible teaches that deadly sins will also prevent a person from going to Heaven. The book of Revelation speaks about those who commit sins such as murder, adultery and idolatry, stating that “the wicked shall be cast into the lake of fire” (Rev.21:8). Jesus also said that those who don’t repent of their sins will not see Heaven (Matt.12:31). This can be a disheartening message, but it serves as a warning to believers to strive for holiness and righteousness in order to gain entrance into the kingdom of God.
The Principle of Repentance
The bible also states that repentance is a primary requirement to enter Heaven. One must confess their sins and ask forgiveness in order to receive that grace. This is further backed up in the parable of the prodigal son, in which the father forgave his son for his past wrongdoings, upon showing regret and remorse. This is an example of God’s commitment to salvation in the form of forgiveness from one’s sins and wrongdoings. Repentance is one of the most important principles for any Christian believer, as it is believed that no sin is so great that it would exclude someone from Heaven.
Furthermore, in the book of Revelation, God says that he will forgive those who repent and ask for his mercy. He states: “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14). This is just one of many passages in the Bible that reinforces the importance of repentance. As such, it is essential for any Christian to be conscious of their sins and to seek forgiveness whenever they have committed wrongs that offend God.
Eternal Damnation
A common fear that many Christians have is that they will not be welcomed into Heaven due to their sins. While it is true that everyone has committed sins and that their punishment may be eternal damnation, it is not a given. As long as one accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and truly repents of their sins, then there is always time for grace and reconciliation with God. The Bible states that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12).
When faced with temptation, it is also important to remember that God tests and chastises those he loves. As long as one perseveres in faith, they are in the grace of God and will eventually have an eternity in Heaven. In the book of Hebrews, it states that “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Heb. 12:11). Therefore, no matter what difficulty one may face on Earth due to sin, all hope is not lost.
Jesus is the Key to Heaven
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is the only ticket one needs to Heaven. It is written in the book of John that “no man can come to the Father except through the Son” (John 14:6). It is through his death on the cross that we are saved and that our sins can be forgiven. As such, it is absolutely essential for any Christian to be in close relationship with Jesus, to trust and believe in him, and to accept him as the only path to eternal salvation.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of being in active discipleship in order to gain entrance into Heaven. Jesus puts it perfectly in the book of Matthew when he says: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:29). One must partake in Jesus’ teachings and live out the gospel principles in their lives in order to gain access to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Remain United in Faith
At the end of the day, the most important thing for Christians to remember is to stay united in faith and trust in God’s perfect plan of salvation. While it is true that none of us are without fault, we still have access to the infinite mercy of God if we seek repentance. As such, it is essential to be mindful of our spiritual health and to spend a good portion of our time in prayer, study and meditation.
The Bible further emphasizes the importance of having fellowship with other Christians. It states that true believers are bound together in unity and love, so that we can hold each other up and help each other on the journey of faith. The Bible teaches us to not be slothful in our spiritual duties, to pray without ceasing, to serve others and to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). This is an important reminder that even though we are imperfect and ultimately unworthy, God still desires to lavish his love on us through His Son.
Living a Spiritually Upright Life
It also pays to remember that living a spiritually upright life goes a long way in keeping one on the right path. One must always strive to be holy and pure in the sight of God. To that end, the Bible instructs us to live our lives in the fear of the Lord, to avoid sin and temptation, and to turn away from those things displeasing to God (2 Cor.7:1). With sincere prayer and faith, we can maintain a life that is in harmony with the will of God and be welcomed into His Kingdom.
If we remain faithful to God and diligent in studying His Word and living according to it, then there will be no doubt that we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. As the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Jesus died so that we may have life eternal and has opened up the gates of Paradise for all of us. If we put our full trust and faith in Him, then we are assured of eternal life in the presence of our Almighty Father.
Seeking Forgiveness of One’s Sins
The Bible is clear that anyone who has not repented and sought forgiveness of their sins will not be welcomed in Heaven. As the Bible states: “repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). As long as we turn to God in true repentance and seek atonement for our sins, we can be confident that God will forgive us and grant us entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus also said that if we confess our sins before God, He will pardon us and cleanse us of our iniquities (1 John 1:9).
Crucially, the Bible draws our attention to the fact that it is the forgiving and merciful nature of our Lord that ensures our salvation. It reminds us that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The Bible demonstrates the power of grace and how even the most wicked person can be saved and gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Opportunity to Live in Eternal Peace
This passage in the Bible serves to remind us of the incredible generosity and grace of our Lord. As the Bible says: “His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations” (Ps. 100:5). The Bible further encourages us to rejoice in the eternal life that God has promised and to not be cast down by our own shortcomings and imperfections. As John reminds us: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).
Ultimately, the Bible is clear that only those who accept faith in Jesus and follow his teachings of love and mercy will be welcomed into Heaven. Everyone else will face the consequences for their wrongdoing. However, this doesn’t discount the fact that the ultimate justice of God is in the form of unconditional love and forgiveness. If one risks the humility and courage to lay down their pride and accept Jesus, they will be able to secure their eternal salvation.
