The Restitution Of All Things A.K.A. Universalism

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FineLinen

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"The times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets..."

And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto You: Whom the heavens must receive until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21).

Peter’s statement speaks clearly of the times of the restitution of all things. Restitution, according to the best English usage, means the act of restoring something that has been taken away or lost; the act of making good or rendering an equivalent as for loss or injury. (Funk and Wagnall’s Dictionary)

This is in exact harmony with the Greek work temuriak which means restoration.

Some will no doubt reply to this by stating, as many do, that Peter was not promising that God would restore everything but only those things of which the prophets had spoken. I wish, however, to show as clearly as possible that the grammatical construction of this sentence declares the exact opposite to be the truth. I mean that Peter was actually saying that all the prophets from the beginning of the world had prophesied that there would be a restoration of all things and that the restoration would indeed be universal and would include all things.

You will notice that in the scripture quoted (Acts 3:21, King James Version) there is a comma after the word things. This comma indicates that the clause following : “which God hath spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began” – is what is known as a non-restrictive clause. A non-restrictive clause is one which can be omitted without changing or destroying the meaning of the principal clause or main statement. (See Mastering Effective English by Tressler-Lewis, Revised Edition, Pages 545-546.) It simply adds further information.

Now read the scripture, omitting the clause in question, and you will find the meaning is clearly stated and nothing of the sense is destroyed. If this clause were modifying the word things, it would be restrictive and no comma would be used. -George Hawtin-

http://zedek.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/The-Restitution-of-All-Things-By-George-Hawtin.pdf
 
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FineLinen

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"Some have asked what good does it do to believe that God will save all men . You might as well ask what good it does to believe that God will save some men … Every evangelist believes that it is God’s will to save some men during this present time, or he would not be an evangelist. And if a man does not believe that God will save any men past this present age, what does he expect to be doing in the ages to come? To what end, then, is such a man’s “sonship” ministry?

Why strive and labor to be a Son, to set creation free, if what God is accomplishing in redemption during this present age is all there is…If there is no out-working of redemption in the ages to come, no extension, nor expansion of the kingdom of God beyond the formation of the Body of Christ, they why not settle for the fundamentalist’s version of heaven and content ourselves with spending eternity shouting up and down the golden streets, waving palm branches and strumming harps?" – J. Preston Eby
 
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FineLinen

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The walk with Christ Jesus is one of expanding horizons of union and communion. In fact, "being born anew" reaches to the present ongoing tense of "be being". I know not the depth of your union with Him, but abiding in Him is an ongoing relationship of love between God and His called out ones. It is not out of fear, not doing this or that, not enduring to the end, simply walking in union with your Lover.

"From Him the all comes, through Him the all exists, and in Him the all ends.."

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FineLinen

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The Offer

Imagine this scenario. An automobile manufacturer builds a vehicle model which it hopes will become a great success. During testing, however, it becomes apparent that the car suffers from a severe design flaw and would pose an imminent danger to the public were it released for sale. Instead of correcting the flaw, the manufacturer decides it has a better idea; it mentions the flaw on page 122 of the owner’s manual and explains there how the owner can have the defect corrected at the nearest dealership “free of charge”.

Does it appear rather lopsided that the vehicle is sold to unsuspecting customers with little if any mention of the design defect? Does it appear rather absurd that the responsibility for discovering the dangerous defect and having it corrected falls upon the buyer, when the builder could have fixed the problem before taking the car to market?

Imagine this scenario.

Because of the sin of our forefather, Adam, we all inherit sin and mortality. None of us are tested as he was, in order to see if we will be a righteous person or a sinner; we are all given mortality. Our choices have nothing to do with our present condition as sinners; we are born that way.

As for salvation from sin and death, that will depend on finding the proper message and acting on it in an effective manner; otherwise the condition we inherit at birth will be our everlasting downfall.

Does it appear rather lopsided that the condemnation is universal and our choice has nothing to do with it, but our salvation from that condemnation requires our active participation? Does it appear rather absurd that the responsibility for obtaining salvation depends, in the final analysis, upon each individual, while we re in no way responsible for our needing that salvation in the first place? Doesn’t
it seem strange that perdition is an inherited condition, while salvation is only an “offer” made to those fortunate enough to stumble upon it?

Fact is, salvation is not an offer we happen upon; it’s a gift.

And a Savior is One Who saves. In 1 Timothy 4:9-11, we read, “Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching.” God is the Savior of all mankind, for salvation is the destiny of all. 1 Cor. 15:20-28; 1 Tim. 4:10; Jn. 12:32; Col. 1:20; Eph. 1:10; Rom. 5:18, 19; Phil. 2:9-11.

God is the Savior of believers especially because He prefers some from the beginning for salvation now and during the eons of the eons (2 Thes. 2:13; Rev. 20:4, 5). Others are vessels of indignation, as indicated in Romans 9, and will not be saved until the consummation mentioned in 1 Cor. 15:24.

Salvation is not an “offer”; God enlightens all, at the time He chooses. John 1:9-13. – Kenneth Larsen-
 
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FineLinen

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Arminian>>>Calvinist>>>Universal Reconciliation

Arminian

Unless you are lucky enough to find out about my Son during this lifetime, and even if you are that lucky, if you don’t have the good sense to cooperate with my Son properly before you die, then I am going to raise you from the dead and I will either annihilate you, or sustain you alive in an inescapable state of eternal torment.

Christ's apparent mission: To save from annihilation or eternal torment only those who are lucky enough to hear about Jesus before they die, and also have enough good sense to properly cooperate with Him before they die.

Calvinist

Since there is nothing you can do about it because you are totally depraved and you are not one of the elect, it is obvious that I created most of you for the purpose of either annihilating you or letting you suffer eternal torment. However, I am going to unconditionally choose a few of you to go to heaven where you will be happy forever.

Christ's apparent mission: To let everyone be annihilated, or suffer eternal torment except the unconditionally elected few that He rescues by His irresistible grace.

Universal Reconciliation

Sooner or later, because of what Christ accomplished by His death and resurrection, I am going to save all of you from everything from which you need to be saved, including your stubborn will.

Christ's scriptural mission=

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world" (1 John 4:14).

Jesus Christ will be completely successful in accomplishing the reason why His Father sent Him. Jesus Christ IS the Saviour of the world & He will save it!
 
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FineLinen

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All does not mean all?

1 Cor. 15:22

For as in Adam some die, so also in Christ some shall be made alive. But each in his own order; Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished some rule and some authority and power.

Rev. 5:13

And some created things that are in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and some things in them, I heard saying, To Him who sits on the throne and the Lamb, be blessing and honour and glory and dominion and power forever.

Col. 1:18-20

He too is that head whose body is the Church, the Firstborn from the dead, he is to the Church the Source of its life, that in some things He might occupy the foremost place/ to be in some things alone supreme. For it pleased the Father that in him the divine nature in some of its fulness should dwell. And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by him to reconcile some things unto Himself; by him, I say, whether they be things on earth, or things in heaven. And you that were sometimes alienated…

Acts 3:20,21

And He will send Jesus, your destined Christ, yet heaven must retain Him, until the restitution of some things. (when some things are put right)

1 Cor. 15:28

And when some things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put some things under Him, that God may be some in some.

1 Cor. 15:25,27

For He must reign until He hath put some enemies under His feet…For He hath put some things under His feet. But when He saith some things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put some things under Him.

Romans 11:32

For God has consigned some men to disobedience that He might have mercy upon some.

Eph. 4:10

Yea, He who came down is the same who is gone up, far above some heavens, that He might fill some things with His Presence.

John 5:28

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which some that are in the graves shall hear His voice. Those who have done good will to live and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

1 Timothy 2:4

For this is good and pleasing in the eyes of God our Saviour; who will have some men to be saved and come to an increasing knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:6

“For there is one intermediary (One who brings God and men together) who gave Himself a ransom in behalf of some to be testified in due time.”

Cor. 5:15

“For the love of God overmasters us because we judge that if one died for some, then were some dead; And that His purpose in dying for some was that men, while still in life, should cease to live for themselves, and should live for Him who for their sake died and was raised to life.”

Col. 1:16

"For by Him were some things created, of things in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen (angels or archangels and some of the powers of Heaven)…some things were created by Him, and for Him (some were made by Christ for His own use and glory.)

John 3:35

“The Father loves the Son, and has given some things into His hand (has given Him control over less than everything). Whoever trusts on the Son possesses eternal life and he who does not obey the Son, God’s displeasure hangs over him continually.”

Gal. 3:20

“But the Scripture has concluded/consigned some without exception to the custody of sin, in order that the promise by faith in Christ Jesus might be given to some who believe in Him.”

Heb. 1:2

God…hath in these days spoken unto us in His Son who is the predestined Lord of the universe. (whom he has appointed heir of some things)

2 Cor. 5:14

For the love of Christ constraineth/overmasters/compels/controls us, and this is the conviction we have reached; if one man died on behalf of some, then some thereby became dead men. Christ died for some, so that being alive should no longer mean living with our own life, but with his life who died for some of us and has risen again.

Heb.8:11

And they shall not teach some men his neighbor, and some his brother, saying get to know the Lord, for some of them shall know me from small to great. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness…

Acts 10:36

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of some.

Rom. 11:36

For from him some things come; through Him some things exists; and in him some things end.” (For of him and through him, and to him are some things.)

Eph. 4:6

One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of some, who is over some, and works through some, and dwells in some.

Heb. 12:23

To the festal gathering and Church of the first-born, enrolled as citizens in heaven, and to God the Judge of some men and unto some spirits of righteous ones made perfect.

James 2:10

For whomsoever shall keep the whole law, but fails in a single point, has become guilty of violating some.

Romans 3:22,23

…the righteous of God which comes by believing in Jesus Christ. …For some have sinned/ none have attained the glorious likeness of God/lack the glory that comes from God/ are deprived of the Divine splendour.

John 17:2

As thou has made him sovereign over some of mankind that he should give aeonios life to some thou hast given him.

Romans 9:5

The patriarchs are theirs and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ. May God who is supreme above some, be blessed throughout the ages.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack/does not loiter/ is not dilatory concerning his promise, according to some people’s conception of slowness; but He bears patiently with you, because it is not His will for any to be lost, but for some to come/reach repentance.

Phil. 2:10,11

In order that in adoration of the Name of Jesus some knees will bow themselves and openly acknowledge with joy, in celebration and praise, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. This profession and confession of His lordship shall be open and freely proclaimed, acknowledged joyfully by some beings in the heavens, by some beings on the earth and by some beings in the underworld.

Please Remember…

All does not radically mean all.

Whole is not whole.
 
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FineLinen

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Originally Posted by MysticPhD
Sorry, F.L., you have it wrong. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ because you are saved...." by what He accomplished for us all.
shocked.gif
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Dear Mystic: F.L. despises having it wrong
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Salvation is in the present continuous tense in koine (with other aspects of Father).

We are saved>>>We are being saved>>>>We will be saved

http://jonathanmitchellnewtestament....ed-techniques/
 
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FineLinen

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I have thought of salvation in that sense for a long time, and I sometimes think of it as, "Saved, by golly!"

Dear Lazarus: It was becoming a mite lonely over here on this link regarding the sacred secret of our Father. You have come just in the nick of time. LOL

I have again been considering the wonder of the heavens in recent days. Do you know astronomers have actually looked at mere dots of light in the heavens? Yup, mere dots with millions more stars and galaxies cascading from them.

Where were we?

Yes, my friend, the mighty salvation of our God is in the present continuous aspect of excelling glory.
 
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FineLinen

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Secret=

apokruphos = Hidden/ kept secret

"It is in Him, and through the shedding of His blood, that we have our deliverance—the forgiveness of our offences—so abundant was God's grace, the grace which He, the possessor of all wisdom and understanding, lavished upon us, when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it—the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him. And you..."
 
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THE question of Universalism is usually argued on a basis altogether misleading, i.e., as though the point involved was chiefly, or wholly, man's endless suffering. Odious and repulsive to every moral instinct, as is that dogma, it is not the turning point of this controversy. The vital question is this, that the popular creed by teaching the perpetuity of evil, points to a victorious devil, and to sin as finally triumphant over God. It makes the corrupt, nay, the bestial in our fallen nature to be eternal. It represents what is foulest and most loathsome in man, i.e., the most obstinate sin as being enduring as God Himself. It confers the dignity of immortal life on what is morally abominable. It teaches perpetual Anarchy, and a final Chaos. It enthrones Pandemonium as an eternal fact side by side with Paradise; and, gazing over its fetid and obscene abysses, is not afraid to call this the triumph of Jesus Christ, this the realization of the promise that God shall be "All in All" -Thomas Allin- (Christ Triumphant)

"Punish a man for his sins, that is just: punish him for ages...that may be just: but make no end of punishing him for that sin, reduce him from a man to a devil, let him become for ever vile, that is not just. The only justice to a sinner in a case like our human one is mercy, is to make his punishment finite according to his works...and of such a nature as not simply to torment the man, but to drive him back to the way of God." -. T. P. Forsyth M.A.
 
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Lazarus Short

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I have again been considering the wonder of the heavens in recent days. Do you know astronomers have actually looked at mere dots of light in the heavens? Yup, mere dots with millions more stars and galaxies cascading from them.

Did you know that most, like 99%, of the Universe is electrically-charged plasma?
 
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THE question of Universalism is usually argued on a basis altogether misleading, i.e., as though the point involved was chiefly, or wholly, man's endless suffering. Odious and repulsive to every moral instinct, as is that dogma, it is not the turning point of this controversy. The vital question is this, that the popular creed by teaching the perpetuity of evil, points to a victorious devil, and to sin as finally triumphant over God. It makes the corrupt, nay, the bestial in our fallen nature to be eternal. It represents what is foulest and most loathsome in man, i.e., the most obstinate sin as being enduring as God Himself. It confers the dignity of immortal life on what is morally abominable. It teaches perpetual Anarchy, and a final Chaos. It enthrones Pandemonium as an eternal fact side by side with Paradise; and, gazing over its fetid and obscene abysses, is not afraid to call this the triumph of Jesus Christ, this the realization of the promise that God shall be "All in All" -Thomas Allin- (Christ Triumphant)

"Punish a man for his sins, that is just: punish him for ages...that may be just: but make no end of punishing him for that sin, reduce him from a man to a devil, let him become for ever vile, that is not just. The only justice to a sinner in a case like our human one is mercy, is to make his punishment finite according to his works...and of such a nature as not simply to torment the man, but to drive him back to the way of God." -. T. P. Forsyth M.A.

Hell is preached by those who subscribe to a God Who tells us that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Yet they cling to their revenge theology, even with Jesus having begged His Father to forgive those who were killing Him.
 
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Hell is preached by those who subscribe to a God Who tells us that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Yet they cling to their revenge theology, even with Jesus having begged His Father to forgive those who were killing Him.

Hi there Laz. It continues to amaze me that individuals allow a revenge theology to be in their thinking. It most surely cannot come from the One whose final words were "Father, forgive them."

“…we have the redemption through His blood, the release from sins, coming with the rich gift which He poured into us with all wisdom and intelligence; making known to us the mystery of His intention, with His decision which He had determined with Himself to administer at the completion of the periods, when everything was to be centred again in the Messiah, both upon the heavens and a upon the earth : in Him, by Whom we have also inherited according to His purpose Who foresees and energizes all things, which have been prepared to accomplish the intention of His will;…”

The restitution of the all is a “mystery” that must be “made known” by the Lord. This mystery is His “intention” & "His “decision” determined “with Himself”.

There is no consultation with anyone, it is exclusively determined within Himself!
 
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