Last night I couldn’t sleep because I was thinking about those brave IDF soldiers who have died in Operation Protection Edge so far. Now obviously if they were all Messianic Jews, then they will forever be with our Lord, but what about those who never came to Yeshua because of whatever reason? What happens to them? These brave men (and/or women) died not just for their country Israel—they died while protecting the Jewish people, who, despite themselves are still God’s Chosen People. I cannot bear the thought that our Loving Father would consign these brave ones a place along with the wicked. Would you please shed some light from the Word of God for me regarding this one?
This is not an issue of whether God is a loving Father. After all He loved us enough to send his Son to die for us (John 3:16). From the very beginning there has been only one way for mankind to be cleansed of his sin, and that’s through the shedding of innocent blood. This was symbolized in the Old Testament sacrificial system and personified in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin (Hebr. 9:22). Therefore no who hasn’t been washed by the blood of the Lamb can stand in the presence of God.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but through me” (John 14:6). He wasn’t saying, “I decide who gets access to God.” He was saying, “My blood is the only way man can survive in God’s presence.”
It grieves God even more than it does you to see these brave soldiers consigned to hell because He doesn’t want for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He did everything He could do to prevent it. The only thing He can’t do is force people to believe in the one He sent to save them (John 6:28-29). Therefore, He doesn’t consign anyone to Hell. We consign ourselves by rejecting the pardon He purchased for us with the blood of His Son.