Do people who have never heard the gospel go to Heaven or Hell?
Some people may assume that those who never heard the gospel will be granted immunity for their sins and allowed into Heaven upon their death—especially if they lived in remote or primitive locations “outside” of God’s reach. Or they may presume that these individuals will be condemned to Hell “unjustly” because they never had an opportunity to hear the gospel and be saved.
However, both conclusions are biblically unfounded.
The Bible consistently teaches that the unredeemed cannot go to Heaven when they die. John 3:36 states, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Similarly, Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Revelation 21:8 also declares plainly, “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
On the flip side, God does not sentence unbelievers to Hell unjustly or discriminatorily because His judgments are righteous, holy, and just. Psalm 96:13 says, “For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.” Deuteronomy 32:4 states, “The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.” Likewise, Revelation 15:3-4 declares, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for all the nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Considering these facts about unredeemed sinners and God’s righteous judgment, how can those who have never heard the gospel be justifiably condemned to Hell (followed by the lake of fire) if they never had an opportunity to be saved? The answer is because they refused to believe what God revealed to them, which would have led them to the gospel and redemption.
Scripture emphatically states that God does not want anyone to die in their sinful condition, but desires for every sinner to repent and be saved (see 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Timothy 2:3-4). Therefore, God has provided everyone with everything they would need to ultimately receive Jesus’ gift of salvation, should they respond to Him in faith.
First, God gave every individual two primary forms of revelation that adequately testify of Him: Creation and Conscience. The created universe and the unique intricacies of each created thing reveal God’s existence, majesty, splendor, eternal power, and divine nature and attributes (see Romans 1:18-21). Additionally, He placed an internal law of right and wrong in each person’s heart, affirming their good conduct or accusing them of sin (see Romans 2:12-16).
Second, Jesus has given each individual a measure of faith, making it possible for them to believe in Him, because salvation would be impossible without it. Scripture says that Jesus is not only the Author and Perfecter of faith, but the Provider of it also (see Hebrews 12:2, Romans 12:3, and Ephesians 2:8-9). It also says in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Third, the Father draws every individual to Jesus because nobody would seek Him of their own accord (see John 6:44 and Romans 3:10-12). He may accomplish this task using His written Word, a missionary, pastor, preacher, new or seasoned believer, angel, vision, dream, or other means of His choosing.
Fourth, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit into the world to affirm everything God has revealed and to convict people of their sins, convince them of God’s righteousness, and warn of God’s coming judgment (see John 16:7-11).
Considering these biblical facts, every person has been equipped with the ability to respond to God, hear the gospel, and ultimately be saved, should they willfully yield to Him by faith along the way.
However, those who remain steadfast in their rebellion and unbelief, refusing to humble themselves and repent, will suffer the eternal consequences of their sins, despite the things God provided and revealed (see John 3:16-21 and Romans 1:18-32).
I hope this information provides you with an understanding of where those who “never hear the gospel” will spend eternity and why.
