I have a question regarding those people who died in the desert. Most of Israelites were baptized in Moses and in the Red Sea, and yet they died in the desert. Only Joshua and Caleb survived to reach the Promised Land in their generation. Even Moses and Aaron died without entering! Were any of those who died in the desert right with God? I think it may be possible there were many who died right with God in their generation even though they died in the desert. A common interpretation is that their entering into the promised land is analogous to Christians entering into heaven, but it is unclear whether those who died in the desert were right with God. What do you think?
Yes, I think you are right. Except for Joshua and Caleb, everyone was punished. But that doesn't necessarily mean they all died lost. The parallel between Canaan and heaven is only approximate. If pressed too closely, the analogy collapses (e.g., we are not going to be annihilating the present occupants of heaven in order to take up residence there!)
