My wife recently died. She was a Jew. Will there be Jews in heaven?

~ Tim's Answer ~

When you ask your question, I do not know if you mean that your wife was of Jewish nationality or Jewish in her religion. Certainly, there are many Jews in heaven, just as there are many from other races of people. Jesus was Jewish, as were Peter, James, John, Paul, Andrew, Barnabas, all of the apostles, and most of the early church. We affirm that they will all be in heaven. In fact, the greatness of the gospel is that both Jews and Gentiles now are brought into one body, the church, and have equal access to the Father and to heaven.

However, just as not all Gentiles will be there, neither will all Jews. Scripture tells us that no one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Even the Psalms tells us that we need to

. . . kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Psalm 2:12

While this may not be a popular message in some circles, and though we may wish that there were many paths to the Father, such is not the teaching of Scripture. Scripture teaches us that we are sinners.

For there is no one who does not sin.
1 Kings 8:26

For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.
Ecclesiastes 7:20

For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
Psalm 143:3

Isaiah tells us that there is one coming who would take our sins upon Himself (Isaiah 53:5-6, 8, 10, 12). Now, there is no need for such a horrendous thing to happen, if there was another way to have our sins resolved before God. God would be very needlessly cruel to put our sins on someone else if there was another way to the Father. But Isaiah tells us that this One on whom the sins are laid would justify many by bearing their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11). Daniel tells us that the Messiah would be cut off, but not for Himself (Dan. 9:26).

Jesus came and died for our sins, just as Scriptures foretold. He now offers a life with God, though faith (trusting in) Jesus as our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-13). He calls us to simply come and believe (John 3:16), to turn and follow Jesus. All who do so will be brought into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13-14).

This is the way for all peoples. It does not matter what nationality the person is. There is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles when it comes to access to the Father (Romans 10:12-13).

I hope this helps you.

May the Lord Jesus guide you into His truth.

tim

Do you know Him?