It’s perhaps one of the most interesting questions in Christendom. “If you have never heard the Gospel – what happens to you?”

Well, there’s several verses which pertain to it. There’s several schools of thought.

Here is my take.

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.” (Psalm 19)

God’s creation testifies to His existence. Also:

” For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from (by) faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

It’s not brain surgery, in my humble opinion. Whatever men need to know about God – He has revealed. I’ll say along with James Holding: “Those who want to know it, will be given the knowledge needed for salvation. Those who seek God will have God sufficiently revealed to them.”

Also, as he notes: “Nevertheless, it is not lack of hearing the Gospel that causes condemnation; it is sin that causes condemnation, and it is not hard to arrive at a deduction that sin is offensive to whatever powers one may suppose to be at hand (indeed, the religious history of sacrifice and penance suggests a broad awareness of this!) and that there needs to be some connection or bridge in order to achieve a reconciliation.”

One last thing: Jesus said, Himself, that the Gospel is hidden from those who think themselves wise.

“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.”

I’m not interested in a “God isn’t fair” argument. God is NOT fair. He is Just, and He is Merciful. All deserve His Justice – by which all sin results in death. So, regardless of whether they heard the gospel or not – they are condemned. However, God is also merciful – so, He offers a chance to be saved from His Justice, by His Mercy. This is the Gospel. Are all granted the specific mercy of hearing the Gospel? No. Do you need the Gospel to be saved? Well… not exactly. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” But does the Gospel contain that? Yes. In today’s society, it’s hard to imagine someone who has not heard the Gospel. In far countries, and in foreign lands, it is possible noone has heard. From what missionaries tell us, though – it is more frequent to see a foundation laid in that place for the Gospel, than it is to not see one.

So, my basic wrap-up?

Who are we to say what happens?

If God grants us the Gospel, we are recipients of His mercy. He grants that mercy to whomever He will. We all deserve Justice. Some receive His mercy. Even that is much, much more than we deserve.

So… who knows? Our goal should be to “go, tell it on the mountain – over the hills and everywhere”. Only God knows exactly what happens. All I know is that His Justice – AND His Mercy – are utterly, inconceivably far above mine. Second-guessing either is just as utterly foolish.