Who Will Not Go To Heaven According To The Bible

Going to heaven is the eternal hope of many believers. But not everyone will make it there according to the Bible. If you want the short answer – unrepentant sinners who reject Christ will not enter heaven.

In this comprehensive article, we will examine several categories of people that the Bible says will not go to heaven and look at supporting verses that provide these teachings. We’ll also overview some key theological concepts around salvation that relate to this question.

Those Who Reject Christ

Unbelievers

According to the Bible, those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will not inherit the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Unbelievers are those who have heard the gospel message of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross but have rejected it.

The Bible warns that unbelievers are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God (John 3:18).

Scripture clearly states that faith in Christ is necessary for salvation (Acts 16:31). Without trusting in Jesus and His sacrifice that paid for sins, the unbeliever remains dead in their transgressions (Ephesians 2:1). Sadly, unbelief leads to eternal separation from God.

The Bible declares that unbelievers will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8). Their rejection of truth will result in everlasting punishment.

Those Who Deny Christ

The Bible also makes it clear that those who deny Christ will not inherit eternal life. To deny Jesus means refusing to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior. It involves living as though His sacrificial death and resurrection did not occur.

Denying Christ’s work and identity as the divine Son of God who takes away the sins of the world is extremely serious.

Jesus said that whoever denies Him before men, He will also deny before His Father in heaven (Matthew 10:33). This indicates that the eternal destiny of those who deny Him is dire. Like unbelievers, they have refused God’s gracious gift of salvation through His Son.

Sadly, denying Christ leads to judgment and condemnation rather than justification and life (John 3:18). The Bible is clear that turning away from Jesus means turning toward an eternity apart from God.

Unrepentant Sinners

Sexual Immorality

According to the Bible, those who engage in sexual immorality and do not repent will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). This includes acts such as adultery, prostitution, pornography, and homosexual behavior.

Scripture repeatedly warns against following fleshly lusts and urges people to live according to God’s standards of sexual purity (Galatians 5:19-21). Unrepentant sexually immoral people essentially love sin more than God.

Greed

Greed refers to an excessive desire for material possessions and wealth. The Bible condemns greed and materialism because it often hinders people’s relationship with God and leads to oppression of the poor (James 5:1-6). Jesus instructed his followers not to store up treasures on earth but in heaven.

He taught that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Greedy people demonstrate that their heart’s affection is captured by wealth, not the Lord.

Drunkards

The Bible denounces drunkenness and warns that no drunkards will inherit God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). This refers not only to alcoholism but also intentionally losing self-control through excessive drinking.

Scripture calls drunkenness unwise and foolish behavior that can lead to poverty and woe (Proverbs 20:1). Additionally, Christians are called to avoid drunkenness and instead be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

Unrepentant drunkards risk addiction to alcohol rather than an abiding relationship with Christ.

False Teachers and Prophets

False teachers and prophets have existed throughout history, seeking to lead people astray from the truth of God’s word. The Bible warns extensively about false teachers, describing their characteristics and condemnation.

Characteristics of False Teachers

False teachers often share some key characteristics:

• They teach doctrines contrary to the Bible, twisting Scripture to support their own ideas (2 Peter 2:1).
• They rely on dreams, visions, or subjective spiritual experiences over the authority of Scripture (Jeremiah 23:25-32).
• They deny core doctrines like the deity of Christ, His resurrection, and salvation by grace (2 John 1:7).
• They promote themselves and their own authority over humility and servant leadership (2 Peter 2:1-3).
• They are motivated by greed and exploit people for money and power (Titus 1:10-11).
• They appear righteous and godly on the outside, but inwardly are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23:1-36).

Condemnation of False Teachers

The Bible contains strong warnings about the danger of false teachers and prophets. For example:

• Jesus said false teachers are ravenous wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing, and we will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20).
• Peter said false teachers secretly introduce destructive heresies and exploit people with false words (2 Peter 2:1-3).
• Jude said false teachers follow their own ungodly desires and will face eternal condemnation (Jude 1:4-19).
• Paul said some false teachers have departed from the faith and deviated from sound doctrine, teaching myths and endless genealogies (1 Timothy 1:3-7).

The Bible makes clear that false teachers face severe judgment for leading people astray and rebelling against God. Scripture instructs us to test all teaching against God’s word, guarding ourselves against those who contradict Biblical truth.

Theological Background

Salvation by Grace Through Faith

The Bible teaches that salvation from sin is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

This core Christian doctrine holds that we cannot save ourselves through good works or religious rituals; rather, God grants salvation to those who put their faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross.

Scripture emphasizes that salvation comes through believing and trusting in Christ, not by meriting salvation through moral effort (Titus 3:5-7, Galatians 2:16). While good works and obedience to God’s commands are important for Christian living, they are a result of salvation, not prerequisites for it.

Salvation is a free gift of God’s mercy and love to undeserving sinners who believe in Jesus (Romans 3:23-26, Acts 16:30-31).

Redemption Through Christ Alone

The Bible teaches there is no salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ, who died for sins and rose again (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). Jesus’ death provides the only atonement for sins, reconciling sinners to God when they trust in Christ (Romans 3:25, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Scripture says He bore our sins on the cross so that through His wounds we might be healed (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24).

The exclusiveness of salvation through Christ alone excludes alternate paths to God. Biblically, Christ is the only true bridge between God and humanity. Trusting in one’s own merits, religious rituals, mystical enlightenment, or philosophical reasoning cannot atone for sin or reconcile us to God.

Salvation is found in Christ alone, through repentance and faith in Him (Luke 24:46-47, John 3:18, Acts 17:30-31).

Conclusion

In closing, Scripture clearly indicates certain groups that will be excluded from heaven. God desires all to repent and put their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. But for those who persistently reject His free gift of salvation, the Bible warns they will face eternal separation from God.