Question: Hello.

Shalom and greetings, Greg. This is Marlene. My family and I are from the Jewish heritage. We are also believers of Yeshua, Jesus. For almost 24 years my heart has always been troubled about the condemnation for the Jewish people according to some fundamentalist Christians who state those who were in the holocaust are in hell presently. It pains my heart. I love the Lord and I know Jew and gentile alike need the Messiah and that he is no respecter of persons. Yet it is getting increasingly more difficult to sit in various churches or denominations out there because my heart breaks hearing this theology. Could you please comment how you feel about those Jewish people that died in the concentration camps and where they are? I cannot walk away from El Shaddai. He is the author and finisher of my faith, but at 53 now I am starting to question certain things I have been taught in regards to salvation and hell, etc.

Bless you and please remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Marlene

Answer: Dear Marlene,

The animosity between Christianity and Judaism has a long history. The organized Christian church is responsible for much anti-Semitism, a fact that is troubling but nevertheless true. This does not mean that Christianity is to blame, but some of its adherents and followers have strayed from the gospel and have concluded issues without adequate biblical support.

The judgment – and the basis of judgment – is a topic that some believe the Bible clearly defines and outlines. Others feel that the Bible does not give enough information, and thus we cannot give dogmatic conclusions. Plain Truth Ministries falls into the latter camp. We believe that God will make (or has already made) just provision for all. We believe that God has not given complete responsibility for reaching unbelievers to any one group or collection of people – including the body of Christ. We do believe that Christians should share their faith – but we also believe that we do not know everything there is to know about God, and that one of the things we do not know is exactly how he reveals himself to all humans. God is bigger than our denominational conclusions about the afterlife. We do know that judgment belongs to our Lord and Savior, and we are comfortable that he alone will decide these kind of issues – no human or consortium of humans.

The thief on the cross is a good example. This man did not have a long history of knowing Jesus Christ – but was saved based upon his profession of faith. I am fairly certain that the decision that Christ made would not have been reached by some Christians – they would have felt that the thief was "not ready" – that he had not "brought forth fruits of repentance" – that he "needs time to prove himself" – etc., But the fact is that the thief went to paradise with Jesus.

We have many questions and answers posted about the topic of heaven and hell, and I hope that you will take the time to review them.

One has to wonder how a genuine Christian could come to the conclusion that the Jews who suffered hell on earth in concentration camps are now suffering eternal torment in an everburning hell fire. The gospel of Jesus Christ does not lead us to such a conclusion.

May God bless you, Marlene – seeking God and coming to know him is a lifelong journey. You should be encouraged that you are coming to know God now in a way you never have before.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht