Why would God make us humans knowing that many have no hope and are destined to the lake of fire and yet we preach to repent of your sins God knowing that they have no hope?
Let’s be clear about one thing…the Lord does not want anyone to go to the lake of fire. We read in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that all should come to repentance.” We also read in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that HE DIED FOR ALL, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” The Lord Jesus Christ died for everyone so that all could go to heaven if they would believe on Him as Lord and Savior.
It is a dangerous thing to think there is no hope. The Lord had judged Judah and had enjoined them to return from their evil way, yet their response was terrible. Jeremiah 18:12 says, “And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.” When one determines there is no hope, that person will live according to his own desires and the imagination of his evil heart. He will turn from the Lord and live an unrighteous, sinful life.
Who are those who truly have no hope? Ephesians 2:12 tells us, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” It is those who are WITHOUT CHRIST that are WITHOUT HOPE. However, the offer of salvation is to everyone, so that none must be without hope.
The Lord Jesus died for you even as He died for me, even as He died for all.
A few verses that illustrate that truth are:
* John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
* 1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD.”
* Hebrews 2:9, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should TASTE DEATH FOR EVERY MAN.”
In all of history, there has never been anyone born without an opportunity to be saved for eternity. However, it is only those who respond in faith that will reap the benefits of the Lord’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross. In other words, Jesus’ death was SUFFICIENT for all, but only EFFECTUAL for those who believe in Him as their savior.
1 Timothy 2:4 tells us that Lord, “…will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” The Lord Jesus, Himself, promises us that, “…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37). Are you without hope? Only if you are without Christ are you without hope. Yet, He invites you to come to Him and be saved. In Matthew 11:28 Christ says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (448.2)