A: God prepared the way of human salvation since a time before the ages, so that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ could be saved. About 2,000 years ago, Jesus came to this earth in human flesh and was crucified to redeem all men from their sins. He then overcame death and resurrected on the 3rd day.
Therefore, in the New Testament era, one can be saved if we confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead (Rom. 10:9).
God of love and justice has also made provisions for those people who died without hearing the gospel, or those who lived in the Old Testament era.
In the Bible, the standard of judgment for the sons of Israel was the Law in the Torah. However, the standard of judgment for those who haven't heard the gospel is their conscience, which is the standard to discern between good and evil in one's heart.
God Wants All Men to be Saved
Judgment of Conscience
Rom. 2:14-15 says, "For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them," Namely, the conscience becomes the Law and according to the actions of the conscience one's salvation is decided. This is judgment of conscience.
Therefore, for those who did not know the Law in the Old Testament times or those who didn't hear the gospel in the New Testament, if they act according to the conscience of goodness, it means they kept the Law. However, if they know it is evil in their conscience and yet commits evil anyway, and if they don't act in goodness knowing it is good, it is same as violating the Law.
Hearing the Gospel in the Upper Grave
Those who are saved by the judgment of conscience can't go into heaven directly. They go to the Upper Grave, which is like a waiting place in heaven. The counterpart for this place for hell would be the Lower Grave, Sheol or the Grave.
In 1 Peter 3:19, we can see Jesus preached the gospel to the souls in the Upper Grave after He died on the cross and before His resurrection. John 5:28-29 says, "…for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment." Those who hear the gospel in the Upper Grave will be saved by the name of Jesus Christ and go to heaven.
God Gives Us Back According to Our Deeds
Even today, if there is anyone who dies without hearing the gospel, he'd be judged in accordance with the judgment of conscience. Those who have good conscience and can be saved will go to the Upper Grave, hear the gospel, accept Jesus Christ and receive salvation. God also distinguishes the glory of heaven for those who are saved by the judgment of conscience, according to each one's righteousness and goodness.
God prepared the way of salvation since before the ages to save as many souls as possible, and He also pays back according to each one's deeds even in heaven in order to give them the best things.
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