Richard Hollerman

We know that the world around us seem to think that everyone is fine and going to God when they die. Yes, they think that their everyday life is good and to be commended. But is it—really?

On the cell phone we have been seeing and hearing interviews regarding the present catastrophic mayhem in Israel. But this would be true in Africa, in Asia, in South America and in other places also. This is what I mean.

Somehow, even though we may only live for 70 or 80 or even 90 years on earth, we somehow think that we will live beyond the present period of time and then continue on in a Better Land. One of the interviews that were shown online was a girl who had lost her family and maybe her friends. She kept referring to her “brothers and sisters” (although she was Jewish). Yes, they may have been her “brothers and sisters” (in a Jewish sense) but the real question would be: Were they lost? Were they saved? Were they prepared to meet God if they should die?

The program related to the thousands killed, raped, beheaded, slain, injured, held hostage, and tortured in Israel. But the same could be said regarding the many killed in other lands—in Europe, in Russia, in India, in Africa, and elsewhere. There are some nine billion people on earth, and surely we could be referring to Iceland, to Australia, to Serbia, or to New Zealand. Probably they think that they are saved in these places too, and not only in Israel. But they all believe differently. They all live differently. And we are referring to not only 40 or 70 years, but in other centuries and even other millennia! Thus, we are referring to billions and billions of people—all lost and going to Hades, then to Hell!

Although there are others on earth, along with the nine billion inhabitants, we know that there are some who are atheists. Sadly and regretfully, we know that there are hundreds of millions of people who don’t believe in God or who have a totally perverted view of Him. Of course, although they don’t believe in God or a “Higher Power,” they are all lost and separated from God. But most of the world population is utterly mistaken and wrong about who they believe in and how they are to live.

Thus, even though there may be nearly two billion Muslims (of various kinds) in the world (for instance), they all are wrong, especially since they follow a false prophet. And, of course, we are not only speaking of two billion Muslims, but those who have gone before them for many years!

Then there may be 1.3 billion Roman Catholics, and they may be wrong on dozens of points (see elsewhere on this website). And, of course, other world religions, such as Hinds, Buddhists, Confucianists, and other religions such as Taoism, Shinto, and many others that are wrong—utterly wrong.

What about professing “Christians”? Methodism, with their baby baptism, their feminism, and other aspects are also wrong. Then there would be Anglicanism, with their infant baptism, their feminism, their organizational problems, is also wrong. The same would be true of Calvinism and Presbyterianism, Lutheranism, and so many other professing “Christians.”

We are left with our wringing hands just wondering how to take all of this in. Isn’t anyone correct in their views and lifestyle? If these groups are heretical, what then? And if people now are wrong, what about those who lived 50 or 100 or 500 or 1,500 years or longer ago? What shall we say about these deluded and denuded people?

There may not be an answer to some of this, but we do know that God is true and His Word is true! Let us seek for answers and follow the Word in all things. We say this even when Judaism, Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Islam, and Hinduism are false and these dear people may be under God’s wrath (Romans 1:18; 2:2, 5-6, 8-9. 11; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

We also say this regardless of what our dear friends, neighbors, and family members may think and do. God is true and always will be. He is true, regardless of what others may think and what they may believe. We are accountable to God ourselves and must do His will at all times. Regardless of what a dear, sincere soul in Israel may think, we know that God is true and we are accountable to Him. How will she answer? And how will you answer?