Hi micah7:9,
1Peter 4:5 who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.
1Peter 4:6 For unto this end (what was just said in v. 5) was the gospel preached even to the dead (those in the grave, but did have the gospel preached when they were alive), that they might be judged (at the resurrection of the dead - Great White Throne Judgment) indeed according to men in the flesh (just like everybody is judged while in the flesh), but live according to God in the spirit (Isa 26:9...for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness).
Here is an email that I think will help with what is being discussed here.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,6555.0.html ------------
First email question...
I guess I have one question and only one.
Why did Jesus command us to preach His Gospel?
That's it
Ray's reply...
There are many, but here are a few:
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world FOR A WITNESS UNTO ALL NATIONS; and then shall the end come.
Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, THAT THE GENTILES BY MY MOUTH SHOULD HEAR THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL AND B-E-L-I-E-V-E."
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVES: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
(I Cor. 1:21, Rotherham) For, seeing that, in the wisdom of God, the world, through its wisdom, did not get to knew God, God was well-pleased—through the foolishness of the thing proclaimed [the thing being the Gospel], TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE.
God be with you,
Ray
Second email question...
So, what happens to those who do not believe?
Ray's reply...
Ronald, you are so steeped in Christian paganism that you can't even read your Bible anymore and believe what you read:
In the resurrection to JUDGMENT, ALL UNBELIEVERS WILL BELIEVE:
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
And what will all this GOD KNOWLEDGE accomplish? God our Saviour; 1Ti 2:3-6 "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Phi 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Phi 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
And a hundred more Scriptures just like these..........
God be with you,
Ray