Will everyone go to heaven? Who will go to heaven?

TL;DR:

Only those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior will receive eternal life. There’s no second chance for salvation after death, so we must respond to God's call now and share this truth with others.

Not everyone will go to heaven; only those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will receive eternal life (John 3:16). The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and that no one can earn salvation through their own efforts. Salvation is through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, as we confess Him as Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). There is no second chance after death to change one's eternal destiny, so it is crucial to respond to God’s call of salvation now (Hebrews 9:27). As believers, we are called to share this message with others, helping them come to know Jesus and experience the hope of salvation (Matthew 28:18-20).

from the old testament

Although salvation in the Old Testament also came by faith through the promise of the Messiah, it was not fulfilled until the New Testament time.

from the new testament

Who will go to heaven? John 3:16 offers the clear words of Jesus on this issue: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Those with faith in Jesus as God's Son have eternal life. Those who do not are separated from Him for eternity future in what the Bible describes as hell or eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46; Luke 12:5; Romans 6:23).
Every person sins (Romans 3:10), and no one is good enough to achieve entrance into God's perfect presence in heaven by works or human goodness.
Romans 3:23 also teaches that all have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory or perfect standard.
God, in His grace, made the way for those who believe in Jesus Christ by faith to receive salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Romans 10:9-10 confirms who will be saved: "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
Acts 4:12 is clear that this salvation is only through Jesus: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
After this life, there will be no opportunity to choose to believe in Jesus or to change one's eternal destiny. Further, there will be death and then a judgment regarding our eternity (Hebrews 9:27). There will be no reincarnation or second chance after death, only eternity with God or apart from Him.

implications for today

All who trust in Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins will go to heaven. Romans 10:9-10 makes it clear that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead. No one can earn their way to heaven through good works or personal righteousness, as we all fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Jesus' sacrifice on the cross provides the only way to salvation, and through faith in Him, we are promised eternal life with God (John 3:16). This truth should prompt us to examine our hearts—do we trust in Jesus alone for forgiveness and salvation? Knowing that there is no second chance after death to change our eternal destination, we should respond to God’s call of salvation today (Hebrews 9:27).

Those of us who have repented and turned to Jesus for forgiveness are called to help others know and respond to Him, too. Jesus left His followers with the command to make disciples of all nations and to offer every person the hope of new life in Him (Matthew 28:18-20). While millions around the world have believed in Jesus, many have yet to hear of His love for them. Let us not delay in following Jesus’ command to tell others of His salvation. The time to respond to God's call is now. Through us, many can come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

understand

Only those who trust in Jesus will receive eternal life.
Salvation is not earned by works; all have sinned.
There’s no second chance for salvation after death, so we should not delay responding to salvation now while there is still time.

reflect

Do you trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, or do you rely on your own efforts to earn God’s favor?
How does the reality of no second chance after death impact how you view salvation and your current relationship with Jesus?
Are you actively sharing the hope of salvation with others, knowing that many still need to hear about Jesus?

engage

Universalism teaches that all people will be in heaven, either immediately following death or at some time after death, depending on one's particular view. However, a close look at the Bible's teachings clearly indicates that not every person will go to heaven. What do the eternal consequences for those who do not trust in Jesus for salvation reveal about God’s character and His relationship with humanity?
How does salvation by faith alone challenge our cultural values of self-sufficiency and works-based righteousness?
How might understanding the urgency of salvation change the way we approach evangelism and missions?