A deep question that touches on God’s justice and mercy. What about God’s great prophets like Abraham, Moses, and David? What about the millions of people who lived and died before the coming of Christ? Were they doomed because they did not believe in the One who had not yet come?
First: God is just and does not oppress anyone
We start from a basic point: God is just and loving. “Does not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” (Genesis 18:25). God does not oppress anyone, nor deprive a soul of salvation simply because it lived in a time other than its own.
The Bible declares that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Therefore, God’s plan of salvation cannot be limited by time or place.
Second: Faith in God before Christ
Let us consider the life of Abraham, the father of the prophets. The Bible says about him: “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Abraham did not see the Messiah, but he believed God’s promise that all nations would be blessed through his descendants (Genesis 22:18). Christ, according to the Gospel, is this promised seed (Galatians 3:16).
Likewise Moses, who “counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt” (Hebrews 11:26). Yes, Moses himself believed in the Messiah, and chose to suffer with God’s people instead of enjoying the sin of Egypt.
Therefore, the salvation of those who lived before Christ was through their faith in the same God who revealed Himself to them, and their waiting for the promised Redeemer.
Third: What about the sacrifices of the Old Testament?
In the Old Testament, people made animal sacrifices for their sins. Did these sacrifices really atone for sins? The Bible answers: “It is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4).
So, these sacrifices were not the ones that saved. They were merely “symbols” and “images” indicating the true sacrifice to come: Christ. People were bringing these sacrifices with faith, and God was accepting their faith, waiting for the day when He would offer His Son as a perfect sacrifice.
The writer of the letter continues: “For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when He entered into the world, He says: ‘Sacrifice and offering you would not, but You have prepared for me a body” (Hebrews 10:4-5).
Fourth: The story of two men on the cross
A poignant story in the Bible explains this principle. When Christ was crucified, two thieves were crucified with him. One of them believed in Him at the last moment and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
What was Christ’s response? “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
This man was not baptized, did not eat the sacrament, and did not do good deeds. But it’s safe. This teaches us that salvation was and still is by faith alone. The same faith that saved Abraham saved this thief.
Fifth: What about those who have not heard of Christ?
This is a more difficult question, and the book gives us hope. In the book of Romans, Paul speaks of the Gentiles who did not have the Mosaic Law, “If the Gentiles who do not have the law do by nature the things that are in the law, they, because they do not have law, they are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts” (Romans 2:14-15).
That is, a person’s conscience and the testimony of the creation around him can lead him to God. A just God will judge every human being according to the light he has attained. As Abraham says in his conversation with God: “Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put to death the righteous with the unrighteous, and the righteous will be as the unrighteous. Far be it from you! Judges of all the earth Doesn’t he do justice? (Genesis 18:25).
Sixth: Christ descended into hell?
There is a phrase in the Creed (a summary of Christian doctrine) that says: “He descended into hell.” What do you mean?
Some of the early Fathers believed that between his death and resurrection, Christ descended in spirit into “Sheol” (the world of the dead) to preach the good news to souls who were awaiting salvation. This is supported by what is stated in the First Epistle of Peter: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, dying in the flesh.” But made alive in the Spirit, in whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:18-19).
This gives us hope that God has not forgotten anyone, and that His justice and mercy extend to all times.
Conclusion for thought
God’s salvation is not limited by time. Christ is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and not the sin of just one generation. His sacrifice is sufficient for all humanity, throughout all ages.
Those who lived before him were saved by their faith in the soul of God, His revelations, and His promises. We who came after him are saved by faith in him. A just God will judge every human being with the truth and light he has attained.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).