Secrets from Beyond The Grave

1:18-20:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Men, from all parts of the world, can see the magnificent creation of God--the sun, moon, and stars; the rivers, mountains, and trees; the animal kingdom--and come to a conclusion that there is a Creator behind this detailed creation. As these simple men see the creation, they will begin to ask questions in their hearts and search for the Creator. I am not speaking here of those who are following a false religion and worshiping demons and idols but of individuals in remote areas of the world where there is no printed page, no television, radio, shortwave, satellites, or computers. In Luke 12:47-48, Christ gave a parable in which He said: And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. The fact is that people cannot hear the gospel unless they hear a minister preach the gospel. For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" --Romans 10:13-15 There are many people who have yet to hear the gospel because there are not enough people going to where they are to minister to them. However, once a person hears a clear message of the gospel, then that person is responsible for the truth he or she has heard. Those who have never heard the gospel still have within them a special pull that causes them to question where they are from and what their life is about. Seven Beliefs About the Unevangelized We all know that millions of people have died without hearing the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ, and there are many more people living in certain parts of the world today--especially within the 10/40 window--who still have not heard. Many Christians, especially those who once adhered to some other religion such as Hinduism or Buddhism, want to know what happened to their relatives who died without hearing the gospel. When my sister was researching material for a book she wrote, she came across a paper that was written by Dr. LaVerne P. Blowers, assistant professor of Christian missions at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana. The paper was titled "Are They Really Lost? What Is the Status of the Unevangelized?" Throughout church history, many scholars have researched answers to the question, "What happens to people who do not hear the gospel before they die?" Dr. Blowers's paper summarizes the different beliefs that have been held by scholars and theologians throughout church history. You might not be aware that there have been seven different beliefs throughout