Do All People Go to Heaven?
Does grace mean that all people will go to heaven? Will the whole world be saved?
Many people wonder that if Jesus died for the sins of everyone in the entire world, then wouldn’t that mean all people are forgiven and go to heaven when they die?
Some even point to 1 John 2:2 to show that the Bible teaches all people are forgiven.
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
John does say that Jesus died for the sins of everyone in the whole world, but does that mean all people are forgiven?
No. Acts 10:43 says…
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Only those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be forgiven. Jesus died for all people, and He offers forgiveness to all people as a gift. Unfortunately, not all people will receive His gift.
Some people according to Scripture deny the Son and do not have the Father (1 John 2:22-23). Others are described as those who are perishing (2 Cor. 4:3-4), darkness (2 Cor. 6:14-17), or those who do not have the Spirit of Christ and do not belong to God (Ro. 8:9-10).
Furthermore, Scripture declares that turning to God is needed to be rescued from impending wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10) and that God will deal out eternal destruction to those who do not believe (2 Thess. 1:6-10).
With that being said, God does not look forward to that day. He desires that all people receive His gift of salvation.
4 who (God) wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth
(1 Timothy 2:4)
God desires all people to be saved, but not everyone will choose to be saved. He is knocking at the door of all people’s hearts, but He will not break the door down. We must choose to open the door to Him or reject Him.
Will you open the door for Him today if you never have?
It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done, Jesus loves you and He willingly left the glory and riches of Heaven to come here and suffer and die on a cross to pay the penalty for your sin.
That’s how much He loves you. That’s how much He desires to be with you now and forever.
Going to heaven isn’t about having followed a certain set of rules. You don’t get in because you do more good things than bad things.
You spend eternal life in Heaven because of God’s grace, but as I’ve shown already, grace doesn’t mean all people go to heaven.
By God’s grace, He offers forgiveness and salvation to you as a gift, but just like any gift, you must receive it for it to be yours.
The way you receive it is by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). You place your faith in Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
The moment you receive His salvation by faith, you are completely forgiven, made into a new creation, and have eternal life.
The best news is that you don’t have to wait to enjoy that eternal life. Jesus comes to live in you now, and He is Life. As you walk with Him, you’ll begin to experience abundant life, joy, peace fulfillment, and satisfaction in Him.
So, don’t wait. Why go another second without the assurance of eternal life now and forevermore? Receive God’s grace by putting your faith in Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today.