Did The Apostles Believe in Christian Universalism?

 

Universalist Bible Passages

 

Luke 2:10-12    ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” 

 

Luke 3:6: “All flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

This verse is probably taken from Isaiah 40:5, which says, “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

• Surely these verses point in the direction of universal salvation.
• Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

 

Luke 6:27-36: “But I [Jesus] say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

• If you are a Christian, you have probably read this passage many times to discover what kind of lifestyle Jesus expects from you.
• Have you ever thought of reading it as a description of God? Look at it in that light. Jesus says in the end that if you do these things, you will be like your Father, “for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil” and “your Father is merciful.” Remember also that He is unchanging.
• If God’s attitude toward sinners now is love and mercy, it will always be.
• Could the loving God described above really be happy knowing that even one of His children created in His image is suffering unspeakable anguish in hell forever?

 

Luke 15:4:  “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?”

• Forgive me for coming back to this passage, but it is one of my favourites. To me it is so clear.
• If the average shepherd would keep on looking for one lost sheep and not give up until he finds it, surely our Lord will be no less persistent in seeking out every last one of His sheep, not just until they die, but until He finds them and brings them back safely to His fold. Praise His name forever!
• By asking, “What man of you…,” Jesus gives clear sanction to the right to argue from those feelings shared even by the outcast and sinful, to the divine feelings as I have done in chapter 2.
• It is obvious that that is exactly what Jesus is doing here in this passage. It is as if He said, “If a shepherd won’t give up until he finds one lost sheep, how much more will God refuse to give up on His children!”

 

Luke 19:10:   “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

• The question is this: Will Jesus Christ really do what He said He came here to do?
• He didn’t say He came to save some of the lost. He came to save the lost. And that is everybody!
• Apart from Christ, we are all lost, but He came to seek for us until He finds us (Luke 15:4).

 

#John 1:6-7:  “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.”

• That ALL might believe! That is God’s stated reason for sending John, and that is His reason for all of His dealings with mankind.
• Dare we say that God will fail to accomplish His goal in sending John and all of the other prophets, and His only begotten Son?

 

#John 1:29:   “The next day he [John] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, `Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

• Does the verse say “the Lamb of God, who is going to try to take away the sin of the world!”?
• No!  Jesus is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”  The sin of the whole world, not just a part of it.
• Will He do it?  Does He work “all things according to the counsel of his will?” (Ephesians 1:11).

 

John 3:17:   “God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

• Again, why would God, who is all knowing, send Jesus to save the world if He knew beforehand that most of the world would not be saved?
• That doesn’t make sense.
• God sent Jesus to save the world because He knew His Son would accomplish exactly what He sent Him to do.

 #John 4:42    Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed ^[a]the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

 

 

#John 6:33:  “For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

• Notice He doesn’t offer life to the world – He gives it!
• I am not saying faith and repentance are unnecessary.
• I am saying that verses like Philippians 2:10 about “every knee bowing” and “every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God” look forward to a time when everyone who has ever been born has come to faith and repentance.

  

#John 12:32:   “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

• We have already looked at this verse. Remember Jesus didn’t say that He would draw a select group called “The Elect”!
• He doesn’t say He will try to draw all people to Himself.

 

#John 17:2  For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

 

#Acts 3:21 (NLT):   Jesus “must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of ALL things, as God promised long ago through the prophets.”

Again, what else could this refer to but the complete restoration of every child of God created in His image to a right relationship with Him?

 

We have been looking mostly at the Gospels and Acts. Now we turn to the letters of Paul.  We will find in them the stream of promise still widening, the universal nature of redemption indicated with a precision of language and a variety of illustrations that seem impossible to reconcile with endless evil.  I don’t mean that every passage quoted is in itself conclusive.  I do mean that all are relevant, as links in the great chain of promise, which taken together make a very strong case for universal restoration, which brings up an important question:  If we are to believe in endless evil and endless suffering, how can we account for such passages that, taken in their natural meaning, obviously point to the wider hope?

• That the Bible holds out the hope of universal restoration and reconciliation cannot be denied (Acts 3:21; Colossians 1:20).  If this will never take place, why is it in the Bible?  Why does the Bible raise expectations that will never be fulfilled?
  Paul’s writings deserve special notice.  His writings are the closest thing to a systematic theology in the Bible ranging over the whole field of the divine purpose and human destiny. I want to draw your attention to two points:

1. 1. 1. Not only does Paul assert the sovereignty of God, but it also lies at the center of his teaching.  He sees everywhere a purpose slowly but surely fulfilling itself, a purpose that can be resisted but not defeated.
      2. He gives striking prominence to the resurrection as a spiritual and redemptive force. It is the climax of Christ’s work for man.

 

 

Romans 5:15:   “If many [everyone] died through one man’s [Adam’s] trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift [salvation] by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many [everyone].”

• This verse is another example of those who believe in eternal hell changing the meaning of a word in the same sentence.
• In the first part of the verse, they say the word “many” refers to all men because Adam’s trespass brought death on all mankind,
  • • but when Paul uses the same word in the second half of the same sentence, they say it refers only to those who are born again before they die, because they refuse to believe that God’s grace will reach every man.
• Paul clearly says in this verse that the grace of God and the free gift of salvation abounds for everyone!

 

Romans 5:18:   “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for ALL men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for ALL men.”

• This passage couldn’t be more explicit.  Everyone who was condemned by Adam’s sin will be justified by Christ’s death.
• If the word “ALL” means “all mankind” in the first part of the verse, it means “all mankind” in the second part.
• I highly recommend studying the entire passage (Romans 5:12-21) without a commentary.
• Commentators will just try to explain away the clear teaching of this passage, which is that grace is always stronger than sin.

 

Romans 11:11-31:   “So I ask, did they [Israel] stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles.  Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.  For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?  If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake.  But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.  For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.  Just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.

• Study this passage carefully and prayerfully and see how God, the Master Strategist, is working everything together toward a goal that cannot fail!
• What is that goal? The next verse tells us.

#Romans 11:32:  “For God has consigned (bound over) ALL to disobedience, that he may have mercy on ALL.”   

• God chooses this person or nation and hardens that person or nation … not to save a select group called “the elect” as Calvinists would have us believe … but so that “he may have mercy on all.”

 

Romans 11:36: “For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever.  Amen.”

• Look at each part of this declaration one at a time.
  • • “For from him … are all things.”   This obviously means that all things have their origin in Him.  He created everything.
    • “Through him … are all things”  Everything is sustained by Him.
    • “To him are all things.”   As all things had their origin in Him, so they will return to Him. To Him be glory forever!! Amen!

 

Romans 14:11:  “As I live,” says the Lord, “every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

• The margin of the ESV says, “Or shall give praise.”
• The NASB translates it: “Every tongue shall give praise to God.”
• The CEV: “Everyone will kneel down and praise my name!”
• The words are self-explanatory. Everyone will praise God!

 

# 1 Corinthians 15:22:   “As in Adam ALL die, so also in Christ shall ALL be made alive.”

• Does it really make sense to take the first “all” to mean everyone and confine the second “all” to those who die in Christ?
• It is obvious that Paul has the same group in mind in both halves of the verse.

 

# 1 Corinthians 15:22-28:   “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.  Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.  For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.”  But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.  When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

• At the end, there is no place for sin, evil, or hell, for God is all in all!  If God has to cast some people into everlasting hell, it means that He was unable to get them to submit themselves to Him.
• They won’t be submitting themselves to Him in hell; they will be hating Him and cursing Him for all eternity.
• What kind of subjection is that?
• All will willingly subject themselves to Jesus and to God the Father after He has purged them of all sin and rebellion.
• The same word is used of Christ’s subjection to the Father, and of the subjection of Christ’s enemies to Him.
• Obviously Christ’s subjection to the Father is out of love.
• How can endless evil and torment be described as subjection to Jesus?
  • • Such an interpretation is excluded by the last statement in this passage: “that God may be all in all”!

 

1 Corinthians 15:55:   “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

• If the majority of mankind will go to everlasting hell after death, it would seem that death will have won a gigantic victory!
• I urge you to study this entire section of scripture (1 Corinthians 15:12-58) and notice Paul’s increasing rapture as his argument expands, as the prospect opens up to him of a universe yet to be, from which all sin and death are wiped out.
• Paul’s words give only an imperfect expression of the absolute triumph of Christ, of the flood of glory that will fill the universe in the widest possible sense.  God will be all in all!

 

2 Corinthians 5:19:  “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself.”

• Note that it doesn’t say God was trying to reconcile the world to Himself. He was doing it!
• Study this whole passage carefully (2 Corinthians 5:11-15, 16-21).
• God’s reconciliation of the world to Himself is an accomplished fact.
• When we tell others about Christ, we are just telling them to embrace what has already been accomplished.
• And if they don’t do it in this life, they will in the life to come when EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God!

 

# Ephesians 1:9-10   He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

• God’s “purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time,” is to “unite ALL things in him [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth.”
• What other meaning could these verses possibly have than the clear meaning that is right there? In the fullness of time, ALL things (“all people,” according to the context) will be united in Christ and God will be all in all!
• That is why Paul talks in verse 12 (Ephesians 1:12) about “we, who were the first to hope in Christ.” We, who are believers now, are the firstfruits. The rest will follow in due time.
• His purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time,” is “to unite ALL things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
• If all things in heaven and earth are to be united in Christ, how is there any possibility of an endless hell … or a creation permanently divided?

 

# Ephesians 1:22-23:   “And he [the Father] put all things under his [Jesus’] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him  who fills all in all.”

• The Greek verb used here for all things being under Christ’s feet is used in 1 Corinthians 15:28, referring to the subjection of Christ to the Father.
• As we saw in looking at that verse, Christ’s subjection of Himself to the Father is willing submission out of His love for the Father. That is the same submission Jesus will someday have from “all things.”
• Notice the last phrase of verse 23: “the fullness of him who fills all in all.” God fills everything in every way.
• The idea of a place existing for all eternity where people are forever shut out from the presence of God doesn’t fit in a universe where God fills all in all.

 

Ephesians 4:8: “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

• Who are these captives?  Luke 11:22, which we have already looked at, tells us.
• When Christ, the stronger man, broke into the strong man’s (Satan’s) house, he carried away all his belongings.
• 1 Peter 3:19, 4:6  tells us that  Christ went and proclaimed the gospel to the spirits in prison (Hades) that they might live in the Spirit as God does.

 

Ephesians 4:10:  “He who descended is the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”

• After looking at Ephesians 1:23, … IF Christ fills all things, how can there be an everlasting hell where people are forever shut out from the presence of Christ?
• The doctrine of eternal hell totally contradicts so many verses of scripture.
• The day is coming when God will completely eradicate sin from existence, not just keep it tucked away in a dark corner of the universe called hell forever!

 

# Philippians 2:10-11:  “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

• Don’t let that word “should” throw you. The NASB, NLT, NCV, CEV, The Message, and other translations all say “will“.  (See some examples on biblehub)
• The key phrase is “to the glory of God.”
• If people are just bowing outwardly out of fear or awe, while their hearts remain unbowed, that doesn’t glorify God. Some day, every creature everywhere will willingly bow in worship and adoration as it says so clearly in Revelation 5:13: “And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, `To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’ “
• This is so obviously genuine worship!
• Would God, who loves all mankind, really cast anyone into everlasting torment who worships Him like this? Obviously, John is looking past the judgment to a time when everyone everywhere has at last been reconciled to God and God is all in all! Hallelujah!!
  • • The song, called “Ancient of Days”, quotes this verse almost verbatim. It goes, “Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto Him who sits on the throne. From every nation all of creation bows before the Ancient of Days. Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory. Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship.”
    • “Too bad I seem to be the only one in my church who believes the words as they’re being sung.” ~ Gary Amirault

 

# Philippians 3:20-21:   “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject  all things  to himself.”

• The way that the subjection of all things to Christ is to be understood is clear from the context, “who will transform our body to be like his glorious body.”
• No believer doubts that Christ is able to subdue all things to Himself, but this passage shows decisively what that means. It is making them like Himself, NOT casting them into everlasting torment!

 

# Colossians 1:15-17   The Son is the image of the invisible God,  the firstborn over all creation.  ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him  all things hold together.   

 

# Colossians 1:19-20   For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth  or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.  

• Through Christ “God was pleased … to reconcile to himself ALL things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
• If God’s goal in sending Christ was to reconcile everything to Himself, nothing can thwart that goal because He “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11).

 

# 1 Timothy 2:3-6:   “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people  to be saved  and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

• There are basically three ways this passage can be interpreted: 

1. The Arminian-God desires all people to be saved. He gave His only Begotten Son to save everyone. But He can’t save anyone except those who are willing to be saved.
   2. The Calvinist-God has two wills that “appear” to contradict each other – His revealed will  and His secret will.  Even though His expressed will is for all people to be saved, He really doesn’t want anyone to be saved, except for the elect whom He chose before the foundation of the world, and whom He effectually calls to Himself.  They call this “apparent” contradiction a paradox or an antinomy. But … if it walks like a duck … and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.   In other words, if it looks like a contradiction … and sounds like a contradiction … it probably is.
   3. The Universalist-God wants all men to be saved.  He sent Jesus to die for all men.  God is sovereign.  Therefore, all will eventually be saved.

Unfortunately, these are not straw men.  I have heard and read each of these views from those who hold them.  Which one sounds most plausible?

 

# 1 Timothy 4:10:  “We have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

• The meaning is so clear it’s transparent!
• God IS the Savior of everyone!
• He is the Savior of believers  now … and He will save everyone else  in due time.

 

2 Timothy 1:10:  “Our Savior Christ Jesus … abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

• Jesus has abolished death, and with death what it implies in scripture — sin and evil.
• Death abolished and death in its worst form, the second death, maintained forever, are plain contradictions.

 

# Titus 2:11:  “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”

• How is God’s grace bringing salvation for all people consistent with the eternal damnation of anyone?

 

# Hebrews 1:2:  “He [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things.”

• What sort of  “things”  do you suppose Jesus Christ is interested in inheriting?   Mankind!

 

Hebrews 2:5-9:   “Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.  It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.”  Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left NOTHING outside his control.  At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.  But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for EVERYONE.”

• Here is one more passage to add to the many that speak of Christ’s kingdom being destined to extend over all things.
• I have already shown that subjection to Christ means not the subjugation of slaves, but perfect harmony and peace in the New Testament.
• The subjection of mankind will be like Christ’s subjection to the Father, done out of love. (See notes on Philippians 3:21 and 1 Corinthians 15:25.)
• Christ has tasted death for everyone!  Therefore, all will be saved in due time.

 

Hebrews 2:14-15:   “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver ALL those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

• If Jesus’ death destroyed the devil as to his having the power of death, how can death continue forever in hell?
• If Christ’s death delivers ALL  from the fear of death,  how can eternal death be waiting for anyone?

 

Hebrews 6:17:   “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.”

• We see God’s unchanging purpose clearly in 2 Peter 3:9 where it says that God is not willing for anyone to perish.
  • The word translated “willing” there is a variant of the word translated “purpose” in Hebrews 6:17.
• If God’s purpose or will is unchanging, and He is not willing that any should perish, we can be sure that God’s purpose will come to pass in His time!

 

Hebrews 9:26:   “He [Jesus] has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

• The NIV translates it, “To do away with sin.”
• So, here’s a question … Did Jesus come to completely do away with sin … or just to safely contain it in hell forever?
• If sin exists forever, Christ’s victory is incomplete, because He came to do away with it completely!  Amen!

 

Hebrews 13:8:   “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

• The same Lord Jesus Christ that loved sinners when He was here in the flesh, who prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” … that same Jesus will love sinners forever because He is unchanging!

 

1 Peter 3:19:  Christ “went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison.”

• 1 Peter 4:6 tells us what was preached to them.
  • Notice 1 Peter 4:6 …  For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
• “The gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
• C. Ryle says, “Some theologians hold that, between His death and resurrection `He went and preached to the spirits in prison’ (1 Peter 3:19) and proclaimed the accomplishment of His work of atonement.”  
• Although he (JC Ryle) himself considered this “doubtful,” he says this view was held by Athanasius, Ambrose, Zwingle, Calvin, Erasmus, Calovius, and Alford. This is the most natural way to interpret these verses if you don’t have to try to prove the unbiblical teaching that all chance for salvation ends at death.

 

# 2 Peter 3:9:   “The Lord is … not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

• The NIV translates it: “The Lord is … not wanting anyone to perish.”
• If the Lord does not want anyone to perish, we can rest assured no one will.
• God is able to change people’s hearts and make them willing to come to Him even if they come “kicking, struggling, and resentful” as C.S. Lewis so eloquently put it in his testimony.

 

# 1 John 2:2:  “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only  but also for the sins of the whole world.”

• So much for limited atonement! Jesus made atonement for the sins of the whole world.
• Would He who knows all things, who knows the beginning from the end, die for anyone unless He knew His death would have the desired effect of reconciling all people to God?

 

 

1 John 4:14:   “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”

• NB: The verse does not say that The Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the few.
• God’s plan was never to save the few, who receive him … and to throw the rest into everlasting torment.
• God’s plan was always to save the world.
• Will He succeed … or will He fail?

 

Revelation 1:18 (KJV) … “I [Jesus] am He that liveth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen: and have the keys of hell and of death.”

• If Jesus Christ has the keys of hell … what do you think He’s going to do with them?
• How can death eternally separate anyone from Christ when He has the keys of hell and death … and He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance?

 

# Revelation 5:13 …  “And I [John] heard EVERY creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and ALL that is in them, saying, `To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! ‘ “

• How can people be left in hell weeping and wailing and gnashing their teeth if they are ALL gathered before the throne of God and the Lamb, worshipping them and ascribing to them blessing and honor and glory?

 

# Revelation 21:5 …  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”  Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

 

 

From Gary Amirault: 

A few words of caution must be added here.

I hope I have made it clear that in teaching universal salvation, I have not tried to minimize sin, nor have I taught that sinners will be saved while still clinging to their sins.

I believe that many people have terrible sufferings awaiting them after they leave this life – how long and how severe I leave up to a loving and just God.

• • But I believe that God never punishes for punishment’s sake.
  • He always has the sinner’s repentance and restoration in view, and in His wisdom, He knows exactly what it will take in each case to bring about the desired results!

I am opposed to the popular creed partially because I believe that it in fact teaches men to make light of sin in two ways:

1. 1. first, because it teaches a plan of retribution that is so unjust as to make people secretly believe its penalties will never be inflicted; and
   2. next, because it asserts that God either will not, or cannot, overcome and destroy evil and sin, but will bear with them for ever and ever.

I repeat that not a single word has been written in these pages that would indicate that God is just a “good of boy” who winks at sin and considers it a light matter when someone violates His holy law!

God forbid that I should teach such shallow theology!

It is in the light of Golgotha that we see sin as exceedingly sinful, so sinful that nothing less than the death of God incarnate could pay for it.

But let us be careful, lest in thinking we are honoring the atonement we are actually dishonoring it … by limiting its power to save … by teaching that Christ failed in His mission as Savior of the world, making Him a liar.

Because He never said, “If I am lifted up I will draw SOME men to myself,” or “I will TRY to draw all men to myself,” but, “I WILL draw ALL MEN to myself!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Luke 3 verse 6 then all flesh shall see the salvation of God
2. John 1:7 and 9 this man came for a witness to bear witness to the light that threw him ohh might believe the true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world
3. John 1:29 behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world I guess world that means all doesn’t it for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life for God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him
4. John 3:35 and 13:3 the father loves the son and has given all things into his hand
5. John 4:42 we know these are Samaritans believe testifying after they’ve said yes to the gospel through the woman at the well we no longer believe because of what you said woman at the well for we have heard for ourselves from Jesus and we know that this really is the savior of the world
6. John 6:33 for the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world all that the father gives me will come to me and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out this is the will of the father who sent me that of all he has given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up in the last stage
7. John 6:37,39 …
8. John 8:12 I am the light of the world and
9. John 12:32

• John 13:3 … Jesus knew that the father had given all things into his hand
• John 17:2 for you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him (wait a minute, he just said he’s given them all … for you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to those you’ve given him
• Acts 3:21
• Romans 5:18 as through one man’s offence that’s Adam judgment came to all men resulting in condemnation Even so one man’s righteous act that’s Christ the free gift came to all men resulting in the justification of life
• Romans 11:26 from him and to him are all things
• Romans 11:32 “he has shut up all to unbelief so that he might have mercy” … on … good Christians … no, “on all.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 for since death came through a man the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man; for as in Adam, all die, so in Christ, all will be made alive.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:26-28 for God has put everything under his feet and when everything is subject to Christ then the son himself will also be subject to the one who subjected everything to him so that God may be all in all
• Ephesians 1:9-10 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth in him
• Ephesians 1:22-23 and he has put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church which is his body the fullness of him who fills all in all
• Philippians 2:10 you know this one at the name of Jesus every knee will bow of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father
• Philippians 3:21 he will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself
• Colossians 1:15-17 and 20
• 1 Timothy 2:4 … what do you think God desires? … he desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth
• 1 Timothy 4:10 we labor and strive for this because we have put our hope in the living God who is the savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.
• Titus 2:11 (which we’ve read today) … for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men
• Hebrews 1:2 he appointed the saved son heir of all things and through him through whom also he made the universe in these last days he spoken to us by his son whom he appointed heir of all things
• 2 Peter 3:9 and 10 one what is God’s will … and what is not?? God’s will is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to eternal life” or to repentance
• 1 John 2:2 he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world
• Revelation 5:13
• Revelation 21:5 … then he who sat on the throne said behold I make all things new.