The terrible things that happen in the world make it difficult for some to believe in God, let alone Christ. They cannot understand why God allows the things He does—how can a loving God let people suffer in illness, in political turmoil, in natural disasters, in terrible accidents? How can He allow cruel people the upper hand in dealing with others?

We know the Bible teaches these things are permitted, for a time, to let mankind experience firsthand the awfulness of sin and its effects. God has a glorious kingdom here on earth planned for ALL of mankind, during which humanity will be educated in righteousness. 

Daniel 7:14 (NASB) prophetically tells us: And to him (Jesus) was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and his kingdom is one which will not be destroyed. Peoples’ experiences now with sin and evil will help them freely choose God’s righteous way in the kingdom and ultimately opt to follow His laws, thereby ensuring their eternal life. 

We also know Jesus is the crux of this marvelous plan, the one who made possible the forgiveness of our sins under Adam and the re-establishment of our relationship with God. In 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 we read: For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.

So, why doesn’t everyone accept Jesus as their savior? There are probably as many reasons as there are people who deny him. Many were raised in different religious traditions and may not have had an opportunity to learn of Jesus and what he has done for mankind. Many doubt the biblical accounts of Jesus’ miracles. Many have observed “Christians” acting in un-Christian ways and condemn the whole religion as hypocritical. Some people just don’t want to be constrained in their lifestyles; they don’t want to be obligated to follow Jesus’ example of kindness, love and self-sacrifice.

But it is also obviously not God’s intention to convert the world to Christianity at this time. If it were His intention, it would have happened already. All can agree that if His purpose for the past 2,000 years had been to turn humanity to belief in Jesus as their savior, that purpose has largely failed—but God’s promises and intentions never fail! Isaiah 55:11 (NASB) tells us: So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. 

How, then, do we explain this seeming lack of effective action on God’s part?

This period from the time of Jesus being on earth until now has been set aside not to convert the world, but to develop the church; faithful followers of Jesus who will reign with Christ in the kingdom and help to educate mankind, to bring them up to God’s standard of righteous behavior. The world is first saved; then comes their conversion. We know this from 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (KJV): For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

The sequence of the events is clear in this verse.

In Mark 16:15, Jesus tells his disciples to Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Great progress has been made in this endeavor, as the Bible has been translated into all the major and many of the minor languages of the world. But notice Jesus is telling his followers to preach, not to convert. The conversion of the world is left in God’s hands.

During the coming kingdom, ALL people will have every opportunity to be introduced to the truth about Jesus—how he gave his life to release the entire race from the sin we inherited under Adam, how he can teach us to live in harmony and love with all and thereby ensure eternal life for ourselves. No harmful, hateful behavior will be tolerated. People who did not accept Jesus now as well as those who died without ever hearing his name, will be able to know the Jesus’ true character and follow him then. It will be a wonderful time of restitution of all things lost under Adam’s disobedience, but also a time of recompence for those we have mistreated in this lifetime. It will be time of healing of the earth and of humanity. We have much to look forward to!

Revelation 21:3-4: And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.

Additional Resources:
PDF Booklet: God’s Grand Plan of the Ages

Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1364: “Is the Gospel a Success or a Failure?”
Learning how and when the gospel touches disciples and unbelievers
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes