You're right, there's a bunch outside the city. I believe they are being called by the Spirit and the bride:
I disagree -- partially -- with universal salvation. I think universal resurrection is Biblical... but universal salvation is not.30+ Bible verses, that either in isolation or in combination with other verses support universal salvation for non-believers to ponder and believers to enjoy, use and add to (I will then add them to the OP):
1. Luke 2:10
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
2. Luke 2:30-31
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
3. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
-in combination with Job 42:2 and Psalms 115:3 and Jeremiah 29:11 I find this forms a very compelling argument that universal salvation will be achieved-
(4.) I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
(5.) But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
(6.) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
(For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.-NIT)
7. 1 Timothy 4:10
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
8. Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
9. Luke 3:6
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
10. Isaiah 40:5
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
11. John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
12. Romans 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
13. Ephesians 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
14. Colossians 1:19-20
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
15. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time
16. Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all
17. 1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
18. Romans 8:21
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
19. 1 John 4:14
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
20. John 3:17
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
21. John 12:47
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
22. John 6:33
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
23. John 4:42
And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
24. 1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
25. John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
26. 2 Timothy 1:10
our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
27. Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
28. 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
29. Ezekiel 36:25-27
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
30. Revelation 21:5
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
31. Romans 5:5
hope does not disappoint
32. Romans 10:9
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
33. Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
34. Romans 14:11
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
35. 1 Corinthians 15:28
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
36. Acts 3:21
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed.
Yes. You might say that preaching universalism takes a lot more confidence (faith) than preaching hell (just to be safe). An argument from fear therefore.
I don't deny the second death. But I don't deny the reconciliation of all things to God either.
How so? By taking away the ability to torture forever and ever?
I think we glorify God's love. Eternal concious torment is not just. Annihilation is... not that loving.
Consider the Justice of God:
I've heard that theory before by preachers that I really respected at the time but I can not accept it as just to torture anybody forever, no matter how supposedly infinitely holy God is or how infinitely holy His law may be. If your theory holds true one could argue it is just for God to torture everybody forever for even disrespecting the tiniest insect. No thank you, you can have that God. I'll have my loving God, who wouldn't even torture Adolf Hitler if half the world begged Him to do it.
That is an amazing list of Scripture.
