THE FALSE TEACHINGS OF UNIVERSALISM - BEWARE!

LoveGodsWord · Apr 26, 2020

I do not agree with all of this article but found it interesting.... (Deleted assumptions posted earlier)

13 PROBLEMS WITH UNIVERSALISM

On the surface, Universalism sounds like a very nice position to hold. No one goes to hell. Love wins. Happy ending. However, Universalism has problems. Here’s thirteen that come to mind.

Universalism is not Just. If evil is not judged, then how is Justice served? If someone does not want to go to heaven, is it just to make them? Do Satan, Adolf Hitler and Mother Theresa deserve the same future? Or do Universalists deny Justice?

Universalism violates individual free will. C.S. Lewis said, “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ And those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done’ All that are in Hell, choose it.” If hell is for those who choose it, then by saving everyone God violates our free will.

Universalism soft pedals, reinterprets, and/or denies the basic teachings of Jesus about hell. Jesus spoke about hell more than any other figure in the Bible. Example: “…so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 12:40-42 NIV). Or, “Then he (the Son of Man) will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'” (Matt. 25:41 NIV). And many other verses.

Universalism soft pedals, reinterprets, and/or denies the basic teachings of Scripture about hell. Debate usually targets words and concepts employed in Hebrew and in Greek. Nevertheless, the New Testament is adamant about a Final Judgment where “the dead were judged according to what they had done” (Rev. 20:12) and some are thrown into a “lake of fire” where “they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (vs. 10). (See The Importance of Hell by Tim Keller for a good summary of these last two points.)

Universalism eliminates the need to accept Christ. Even though Jesus cited the need for people to believe in Him, if everyone gets saved, why bother? Universalists ultimately believe there is no need for a person to follow Christ. Even blasphemy cannot damn someone, so why bow to the Nazarene?

Universalism is deterministic. If salvation is universal and automatic, then ultimately there is no free will. Your eternity is “determined” whether you like it or not. (It’s no accident that Eastern religions that teach there is no hell, also teach that there is no free will.)

Universalism distorts the love of God. Love without justice is not true love, it is permissiveness. Peter Kreeft writes, “Hell is due more to love than justice. Love created free persons who could choose hell… The fires of hell are made of the love of God.”

Universalism strips the Gospel of its power. If everyone goes to heaven, exactly what is the Good News of the Gospel and why do people need it? Better News (at least from the Universalist’s perspective) is that you don’t need the Good News to be saved.

Universalism can give someone a false sense of security. If you’re going to be saved no matter what, there is no need for accountability, repentance, faith, or moral effort of any sort. You are eternally untouchable and have nothing to fear. Love wins, so why worry?

Universalism can have eternal, irreversible ramifications for its adherents if it is not true. Similar to Pascal’s Wager, I am better off living as if Universalism WAS NOT true and being proved wrong, than living as if Universalism WAS true, and being proved wrong. In the first count I will still be saved, in the second count I will not.

Universalism leads to religious and moral indifference. If everyone gets saved no matter how they act, then why act morally, why perform good deeds, why strive to be just or compassionate? The Universalist’s motto could be, “Do what thou wilt.”

Universalism undermines the uniqueness of Christianity. If everyone goes to heaven, then the road is NOT narrow, like Christ taught (Matt. 7:13-14). Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Scientologists, Satanists, even Atheists, will all be saved. So what compelling reason is there for Christianity?

Universalism eliminates the need for evangelism. If everyone goes to heaven, then Christians should apologize to the world and bring all our missionaries home. What is the purpose of turning someone from paganism, mysticism, satanism, or cannibalism, if love wins?

(Source)

LoveGodsWord · Apr 26, 2020

Deleted

FineLinen · Apr 26, 2020

LoveGodsWord said:
Deleted

This is some of your finest work! (lol)

7 Assumptions About Universalism That Are So Often Wrong

LoveGodsWord · Apr 26, 2020

FineLinen said:
This is some of your finest work! (lol)

Let me know when you wish to talk scripture dear Fine. Until then we will have to agree to disagree. Time to leave the gambling lady of second chances and drink of the living waters of eternal life.

Shrewd Manager · Apr 26, 2020

LoveGodsWord said:
I do not agree with all of this article but found it interesting.... (Deleted assumptions posted earlier)

13 PROBLEMS WITH UNIVERSALISM

On the surface, Universalism sounds like a very nice position to hold. No one goes to hell. Love wins. Happy ending. However, Universalism has problems. Here’s thirteen that come to mind.

Universalism is not Just. If evil is not judged, then how is Justice served? If someone does not want to go to heaven, is it just to make them? Do Satan, Adolf Hitler and Mother Theresa deserve the same future? Or do Universalists deny Justice?

Universalism violates individual free will. C.S. Lewis said, “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ And those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done’ All that are in Hell, choose it.” If hell is for those who choose it, then by saving everyone God violates our free will.

Universalism soft pedals, reinterprets, and/or denies the basic teachings of Jesus about hell. Jesus spoke about hell more than any other figure in the Bible. Example: “…so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 12:40-42 NIV). Or, “Then he (the Son of Man) will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'” (Matt. 25:41 NIV). And many other verses.

Universalism soft pedals, reinterprets, and/or denies the basic teachings of Scripture about hell. Debate usually targets words and concepts employed in Hebrew and in Greek. Nevertheless, the New Testament is adamant about a Final Judgment where “the dead were judged according to what they had done” (Rev. 20:12) and some are thrown into a “lake of fire” where “they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (vs. 10). (See The Importance of Hell by Tim Keller for a good summary of these last two points.)

Universalism eliminates the need to accept Christ. Even though Jesus cited the need for people to believe in Him, if everyone gets saved, why bother? Universalists ultimately believe there is no need for a person to follow Christ. Even blasphemy cannot damn someone, so why bow to the Nazarene?

Universalism is deterministic. If salvation is universal and automatic, then ultimately there is no free will. Your eternity is “determined” whether you like it or not. (It’s no accident that Eastern religions that teach there is no hell, also teach that there is no free will.)

Universalism distorts the love of God. Love without justice is not true love, it is permissiveness. Peter Kreeft writes, “Hell is due more to love than justice. Love created free persons who could choose hell… The fires of hell are made of the love of God.”

Universalism strips the Gospel of its power. If everyone goes to heaven, exactly what is the Good News of the Gospel and why do people need it? Better News (at least from the Universalist’s perspective) is that you don’t need the Good News to be saved.

Universalism can give someone a false sense of security. If you’re going to be saved no matter what, there is no need for accountability, repentance, faith, or moral effort of any sort. You are eternally untouchable and have nothing to fear. Love wins, so why worry?

Universalism can have eternal, irreversible ramifications for its adherents if it is not true. Similar to Pascal’s Wager, I am better off living as if Universalism WAS NOT true and being proved wrong, than living as if Universalism WAS true, and being proved wrong. In the first count I will still be saved, in the second count I will not.

Universalism leads to religious and moral indifference. If everyone gets saved no matter how they act, then why act morally, why perform good deeds, why strive to be just or compassionate? The Universalist’s motto could be, “Do what thou wilt.”

Universalism undermines the uniqueness of Christianity. If everyone goes to heaven, then the road is NOT narrow, like Christ taught (Matt. 7:13-14). Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Scientologists, Satanists, even Atheists, will all be saved. So what compelling reason is there for Christianity?

Universalism eliminates the need for evangelism. If everyone goes to heaven, then Christians should apologize to the world and bring all our missionaries home. What is the purpose of turning someone from paganism, mysticism, satanism, or cannibalism, if love wins?

(Source)

You see, you've got the strawman by the tail there, and it's really disingenuous to do that, when you have the means and opportunity to learn about UR, and instead you're just ignoring our repeated attempts to correct your obvious misapprehensions.

Sin is judged in UR, as we've told you repeatedly. It results in restoration/ rehabilitation of the offender and the victim. So why continue to push falsehood?
UR perfects individual free will. All men want God, they just don't know Him, so they reject Him out of sin and error.
UR doesn't softpedal etc Jesus' teachings on hell. Western dogma perverts his teachings. Jesus taught that Gehenna was a place of correction. Holy fire is a purifying and life-giving agent. Everyone will be salted with fire, and salt is good.
UR does not eliminate the need to accept Christ. Why do you persist in pushing these bold-faced lies? UR says Jesus is the only saviour, all men will come to God through Him.
UR is deterministic. Yes, agree. God knows the end from the beginning, and the end is salvation. It's not brain science.
UR doesn't distort the love of God. My that is rich coming from ECT/ annihilationists. 'Hell is more due to love' - totally twisted, get that Kreeft guy some psychiatric help.
UR gives absolute power to the Gospel. Because it ultimately achieves its purpose absolutely. What sort of untenable claims are you making here?
UR gives ppl a real sense of security that GOD LOVES THEM. And that's what it's all about!
Damnationist/ annihilationist thinking can have eternal consequences, as ye judge so too shall ye be judged. Oh the irony in this claim.
UR leads to religious/ moral indifference - why not let God worry about that? This is exactly the lack of faith that hell proponents have - somehow the Gospel won't work without terrorising ppl. False! That's the thinking that leads to hell.
UR undermines uniqueness of Christianity!? Now I've heard it all. Every pagan tinpot deity and its dog uses the threat of boogeymen in the afterlife to maintain adherence to the rules. That's not what Jehovah is about.
UR makes evangelism worthwhile - you've actually got something good and true to tell ppl, rather than a sordid bunch of emotional manipulation and 'breathing out threats' against them if they don't play ball.

LoveGodsWord · Apr 27, 2020

Shrewd Manager said:
You see, you've got the strawman by the tail there, and it's really disingenuous to do that, when you have the means and opportunity to learn about UR, and instead you're just ignoring our repeated attempts to correct your obvious misapprehensions.

Sin is judged in UR, as we've told you repeatedly. It results in restoration/ rehabilitation of the offender and the victim. So why continue to push falsehood?

UR perfects individual free will. All men want God, they just don't know Him, so they reject Him out of sin and error.

UR doesn't softpedal etc Jesus' teachings on hell. Western dogma perverts his teachings. Jesus taught that Gehenna was a place of correction. Holy fire is a purifying and life-giving agent. Everyone will be salted with fire, and salt is good.

UR does not eliminate the need to accept Christ. Why do you persist in pushing these bold-faced lies? UR says Jesus is the only saviour, all men will come to God through Him.

UR is deterministic. Yes, agree. God knows the end from the beginning, and the end is salvation. It's not brain science.

UR doesn't distort the love of God. My that is rich coming from ECT/ annihilationists. 'Hell is more due to love' - totally twisted, get that Kreeft guy some psychiatric help.

UR gives absolute power to the Gospel. Because it ultimately achieves its purpose absolutely. What sort of untenable claims are you making here?

UR gives ppl a real sense of security that GOD LOVES THEM. And that's what it's all about!

Damnationist/ annihilationist thinking can have eternal consequences, as ye judge so too shall ye be judged. Oh the irony in this claim.

UR leads to religious/ moral indifference - why not let God worry about that? This is exactly the lack of faith that hell proponents have - somehow the Gospel won't work without terrorising ppl. False! That's the thinking that leads to hell.

UR undermines uniqueness of Christianity!? Now I've heard it all. Every pagan tinpot deity and its dog uses the threat of boogeymen in the afterlife to maintain adherence to the rules. That's not what Jehovah is about.

UR makes evangelism worthwhile - you've actually got something good and true to tell ppl, rather than a sordid bunch of emotional manipulation and 'breathing out threats' against them if they don't play ball.

Trouble is you do not have supporting scriptures for your claims and this is the issue of what is being discussed here in this thread. I personally believe it is a dangerous teaching that leads people to think that they can live like the devil today because there is always second chances tommorrow when there is none at the 2nd coming. There is no strawman here dear friend only scripture. You either have scripture for your claims or you do not. All you have provided above is your opinion devoid of scriptures. Until then dear friend we will have to agree to disagree. Let me know when you want to discuss the scriptures. Only God's Word is true dear friend and we should believe and follow them over the teachings of the gambling lady of second chances.

Shrewd Manager · Apr 27, 2020

LoveGodsWord said:
Trouble is you do not have supporting scriptures for your claims and this is the issue of what is being discussed. There is no strawman here. You either have scripture for your claims or you do not. All you have provided above is your opinion devoid of scriptures. Until then dear friend we will have to agree to disagree. Let me know when you want to discuss the scriptures. Only God's Word is true dear friend and we should believe and follow them over the teachings of the gambling lady of second chances.

Ok, do you disagree with any of the following scriptural axioms?

Jesus (Yahushua) means 'God's Salvation'.
His mission is to save the world from perishing.
Through him all things were made.
He is the Omega, the end, the telos.
He is the right hand of God.
God wants all to be saved.
God has the power to save all.
God knows the end from the beginning.
All things will be put under His feet.
God will do His pleasure.
God is love.
God will make everything new.

LoveGodsWord · Apr 27, 2020

Shrewd Manager said:
Ok, do you disagree with any of the following scriptural axioms?

Here lets be specific and supply the supporting scriptures....

Shrewd Manager said:
Jesus (Yahushua) means 'God's Salvation'.

The Greek name of JESUS is Ἰησοῦς; Iēsous which is of Hebrew origin [H3091]; Jesus that is, Jehoshua (Yahushua; יהושׁוּע יהושׁע Hebrew), - Jesus. The Angel told Mary to call his name JESUS referring to Johsohua because he will save his people from their sins *MATTHEW 1:21. The name Joshua or Yahushua to which the name JESUS refers mean God's salvation or Jehovah saved. So yep agreed. Key scripture here is MATTHEW 1:21 He shall save HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS! The scripture does not say all people will be saved from their sins.

Shrewd Manager said:
His mission is to save the world from perishing.

His mission is revealed in the scripture provided in the first reply above from MATTHEW 1:21
21, And she shall bring forth a son, and YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS. He has made provision for the sins of the whole World but the scriptures teach that the whold world will not accept the Gift of God's dear son *2 THESSALONIANS 1:6-10; HEBREWS 10:26-31; MATTHEW 25:31-41; MATTHEW 7:12-23. As it is also written; He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name *JOHN 1:10-12

Shrewd Manager said:
Through him all things were made.

Indeed and through his blood JESUS has made provision for all things in heaven and earth are reconcilled *COLOSSIANS 1:18-20. However once again as shown aboven not all things in Heaven and earth will choose God's free gift of reconciliation *2 THESSALONIANS 1:6-10; HEBREWS 10:26-31; MATTHEW 25:31-41; MATTHEW 7:12-23. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name *JOHN 1:10-12

Shrewd Manager said:
He is the Omega, the end, the telos.

JESUS is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty *REVELATION 1:8. JESUS the creator of all things in heaven and earth the beggining of all things in Heaven and earth *HEBREWS 1:2l JOHN 1:1-4. Provides salvation from sin and offers it for all mankind *JOHN 3:16. Those who receive him receive his salvation *JOHN 1:10-12. Those who do not receive him receieve God's vengence and a numbers with the wicked and the devil and his angels when he returns to put an end to all sin *2 THESSALONIANS 1:6-10; HEBREWS 10:26-31; MATTHEW 25:31-41; MATTHEW 7:12-23. Sin began in Eden (GENESIS) and ends at the second coming (REVELATION).

Shrewd Manager said:
He is the right hand of God.

Indeed, JESUS is at the right hand of Gods' power *LUKE 22:69 etc

Shrewd Manager said:
God wants all to be saved.

God is not willing that that anyone should perish but that everyone should come to repentance and be saved *2 PETER 3:9. Sadly not everyone who choose Gods salvation *2 THESSALONIANS 1:6-10; HEBREWS 10:26-31; MATTHEW 25:31-41; MATTHEW 7:12-23

Shrewd Manager said:
God has the power to save all.

God can do all thing through Christ who strenthens us (believers) *PHILIPPIANS 4:13. Those who do not believe and do not follow God's Word he has no way to reach and they are have chosen to number themselve among the wicked by rejecting God's Word and the free gift of God's salvation that all must receive by Faith *EPHESIANS 2:8-9; JOHN 3:16-21

Shrewd Manager said:
God knows the end from the beginning.

Sure he knows the end from the beggining ISAIAH 46:10. God knows who will accept his gift of salvation and who will not *JOHN 1:10-12.

Shrewd Manager said:
All things will be put under His feet.

God has put all His enemies under his feet *1 CORINTHIANS 15:25 meaning that JESUS will triumph over them.

Shrewd Manager said:
God will do His pleasure.

It is God who works in us (believers) to will and to do of his of His own good pleasure in those who believe his Word (believers) *PHILIPPIANS 2:13

Shrewd Manager said:
God is love.

God is a God of love, mercy, justice and judgement. Summed up also in this scripture; The LORD is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation *NUMBERS 14:18. God's greatest act of LOVE is revealed in God sending his only son to die the death that we deserve to die for our sins to fulfill God's justice and judgement for sin (death) so that we can be reconciled to God. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends *JOHN 15:13. JESUS laid down His life and gave his life for our sins receiving God's judgement for sin so that we can be reconciled to God. Universalism makes a mockery of God's love and justice in the death of JESUS were God's love is revealed.

Shrewd Manager said:
God will make everything new.

He makes all things new for those who are his. *REVELATION 21:5 and says He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son *REVELATION 21:7 but to the wicked and unbelieving he says shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Hope this is helpful.

a-lily-of-peace · Apr 27, 2020

FineLinen said:
That is your best post to date.

If pursued by the Spirit of the Lord it will lead you (and any one in that pursuit) to new avenues of expansion & life.

Pharmakeia is closed aligned with the koine therapeuó

The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations.

Sorcery is the opposite of healing. John 10:10.

FineLinen · Apr 27, 2020

LoveGodsWord said:
Not really dear FINE.

Dear Love: in the spirit of camaraderie I will now be posting to you in the warmth that you have shown. My precious wife of nearly 60 years rarely calls me dear. Other names yes.

So dear Love, thank you again for this remarkable link.

Two of the finest books, (both by men), are there for all of us to read. The first is by the remarkable Andrew Jukes already presented for us. The other is by an Anglican priest of 100 yrs. ago, Thomas Allin.

Christ Triumphant

Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin

JacksBratt · Apr 27, 2020

FineLinen said:
It must be a terrible thing knowing such a righteous sinner

Search = Righteous Sinner....

Zero results...

It's an Oxymoron... FineLinen...

No such thing as a "Righteous Sinner"

There are "sinners" who are saved and washed in the blood.
There are "sinners" who refuse to accept Christ.

FineLinen said:
such as us who have made extraordinary wise decisions,

Not "extraordinary" or "wise"... decisions..

It is a humbling of the heart.. acceptance of our hopelessness if we rely on our own abilities. Accepting the fact that we are lost without Christ's gift on the cross.

It's a decision of accepting that there is only one way to the Father.... Through Christ.

FineLinen said:
would be cooped up with plain old sinners.

Not cooped up... I hardly think that paradise could be compared to being "cooped up".

JacksBratt · Apr 27, 2020

FineLinen said:
It must be a terrible thing knowing such a righteous sinner such as us who have made extraordinary wise decisions, would be cooped up with plain old sinners.

How can the One who does all things well do such an awful thing?

Source, Guide & Goal of ta pante

Please address post #297 or #253....

FineLinen · Apr 27, 2020

JacksBratt said:
Search = Righteous Sinner....

Zero results...

It's an Oxymoron... FineLinen...

No such thing as a "Righteous Sinner"

Follow the bouncing ball > >

Adam1 = "many made sinners."

Last Adam = the same rotten sinners "many made righteous".

FineLinen · Apr 27, 2020

JacksBratt said:
Please address post #297 or #253....

I am in an unusual pleasant mood today so again I will attempt to give a brief response.

There are the first fruits of Abba's grace. They are known as the malista, or if you prefer the elect. They are not the whole harvest, they are chosen beforehand to express Him where they are and wherever they go.

God IS the Saviour of all men (note the radical all)

especially = (malista)

those who believe/ trust in Him. Command & teach.

Please Note

God is NOT the Saviour of only those who believe.

God is NOT the Saviour of some (tis) that believe.

God IS the Radical Saviour of the radical all, them & us!

JacksBratt · Apr 27, 2020

FineLinen said:
I am in an unusual pleasant mood today so again I will attempt to give a brief response.

There are the first fruits of Abba's grace. They are known as the malista, or if you prefer the elect. They are not the whole harvest, they are chosen beforehand to express Him where they are and wherever they go.

God IS the Saviour of all men (note the radical all)

especially = (malista)

those who believe/ trust in Him. Command & teach.

Please Note

God is NOT the Saviour of only those who believe.

God is NOT the Saviour of some (tis) that believe.

God IS the Radical Saviour of the radical all, them & us!

So, again, no answer...

Thank you....

I won't waste my time asking again.

Also..... Jesus paid the price for all the sins of all mankind. Those that accept... are saved
Those that deny and reject.. are not.

FineLinen · Apr 27, 2020

JacksBratt said:
Also..... Jesus paid the price for all the sins of all mankind. Those that accept... are saved
Those that deny and reject.. are not.

Salvation is, and always has been, from Him, through Him and for Him. It is not dependent upon the created, but the Creator of the ta pavnte. The purpose which He has cherished in His own Being shall prevail! !

quote-whenever-god-begins-something-we-have-the-assurance-that-he-will-finish-it-nothing-will-aiden-wilson-tozer-95-2-0292.jpg

FineLinen · Apr 27, 2020

I am a convinced universalist.

I believe that in the end all men will be gathered into the love of God.

In the early days Origen was the great name connected with universalism. I would believe with Origen that universalism is no easy thing. Origen believed that after death there were many who would need prolonged instruction, the sternest discipline, even the severest punishment before they were fit for the presence of God. Origen did not eliminate hell; he believed that some people would have to go to heaven via hell.

Origen

He believed that even at the end of the day there would be some on whom the scars remained. He did not believe in eternal punishment, but he did see the possibility of eternal penalty. And so the choice is whether we accept God’s offer and invitation willingly, or take the long and terrible way round through ages of purification.

Gregory of Nyssa offered three reasons why he believed in universalism.regory of Nyssa

First, he believed in it because of the character of God. “Being good, God entertains pity for fallen man; being wise, he is not ignorant of the means for his recovery.”

Second, he believed in it because of the nature of evil. Evil must in the end be moved out of existence, “so that the absolutely non-existent should cease to be at all.” Evil is essentially negative and doomed to non-existence.

Third, he believed in it because of the purpose of punishment. The purpose of punishment is always remedial. Its aim is “to get the good separated from the evil and to attract it into the communion of blessedness.” Punishment will hurt, but it is like the fire which separates the alloy from the gold; it is like the surgery which removes the diseased thing; it is like the cautery which burns out that which cannot be removed any other way.

But I want to set down not the arguments of others but the thoughts which have persuaded me personally of universal salvation.

First, there is the fact that there are things in the New Testament which more than justify this belief. Jesus said: “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32). Paul writes to the Romans: “God has consigned all men to disobedience that he may have mercy on all” (Rom. 11:32).

He writes to the Corinthians: “As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22); and he looks to the final total triumph when God will be everything to everyone (1 Cor. 15:28).

In the First Letter to Timothy we read of God “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” and of Christ Jesus “who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim 2:4-6). The New Testament itself is not in the least afraid of the word all.

Second, one of the key passages is Matthew 25:46 where it is said that the rejected go away to eternal punishment, and the righteous to eternal life. The Greek word for punishment is kolasis, which was not originally an ethical word at all. It originally meant the pruning of trees to make them grow better. I think it is true to say that in all Greek secular literature kolasis is never used of anything but remedial punishment.

The word for eternal is aionios. It means more than everlasting, for Plato – who may have invented the word – plainly says that a thing may be everlasting and still not be aionios. The simplest way to out it is that aionios cannot be used properly of anyone but God; it is the word uniquely, as Plato saw it, of God. Eternal punishment is then literally that kind of remedial punishment which it befits God to give and which only God can give.

Third, I believe that it is impossible to set limits to the grace of God. I believe that not only in this world, but in any other world there may be, the grace of God is still effective, still operative, still at work. I do not believe that the operation of the grace of God is limited to this world. I believe that the grace of God is as wide as the universe.

Fourth, I believe implicitly in the ultimate and complete , the time when all things will be subject to him, and when God will be everything to everyone (1 Cor. 15:24-28).

For me this has certain consequences.

If one man remains outside the love of God at the end of time, it means that that one man has defeated the love of God – and that is impossible.

Further, there is only one way in which we can think of the triumph of God. If God was no more than a King or Judge, then it would be possible to speak of his triumph, if his enemies were agonizing in hell or were totally and completely obliterated and wiped out.

But God is not only King and Judge, God is Father – he is indeed Father more than anything else. No father could be happy while there were members of his family for ever in agony. No father would count it a triumph to obliterate the disobedient members of his family.

The only triumph a father can know is to have all his family back home. The only victory love can enjoy is the day when its offer of love is answered by the return of love. The only possible final triumph is a universe loved by and in love with God. -Dr. Wm. Barclay-

JacksBratt · Apr 27, 2020

FineLinen said:
Salvation is, and always has been, from Him, through Him and for Him. It is not dependent upon the created, but the Creator of the ta pavnte. The purpose which He has cherished in His own Being shall prevail! !

Tell me, in this quote of Aiden Wilson Tozer... does it say that God will grant salvation to those too intelligent, too arrogant, too prideful or too narcissistic to accept it.

a-lily-of-peace · Apr 27, 2020

To me, treating the lake of fire as a purification ritual after Jesus specifically said not to go there gives terrible echoes of Genesis 3:1 / Leviticus 18:21.

FineLinen · Apr 27, 2020

JacksBratt said:
Tell me, in this quote of Aiden Wilson Tozer... does it say that God will grant salvation to those too intelligent, too arrogant, too prideful or too narcissistic to accept it.

I have absolute confidence in the God who raises the dead. I also realize that the fallen children of Adam are in great need of reconciliation with the Father, as He lifts each & every one on His time table by His love & grace into at-one-ment.

Titus%203-5%20Saved%20Because%20Of%20His%20Mercy%20gray.jpg

THE FALSE TEACHINGS OF UNIVERSALISM - BEWARE!

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Veteran

Well-Known Member

Through him, in all things, more than conquerors.

Well-Known Member

Through him, in all things, more than conquerors.

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Veteran

Searching for Truth

Searching for Truth

Senior Veteran

Senior Veteran

Searching for Truth

Senior Veteran

Senior Veteran

Searching for Truth

Well-Known Member

Senior Veteran

Similar threads