No.
Philippians 2:10-11
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Note on "acknowledge" in Philippians 2:11
S1843 eksomologéō (from 1537 /ek, "wholly out from," intensifying 3670 /homologéō, "say the same thing about") – properly, fully agree and to acknowledge that agreement openly (whole-heartedly); hence, to confess ("openly declare"), without reservation (no holding back).
And they will---because they do see the justice of it and they do not want to be with God---Satan has no wish to be with God, he wants to be God. They will bow before him and acknowledge His supremacy.
No, but that is what the Damnationists and Annihilationists are up to.
"Believe in Jesus, or burn in hell with no hope of escape. Which would you prefer?" Coercion by threat of harm. Mafia stuff. An offer we can't refuse.
So it is coercion---spend some time in hell until you change your mind---isn't that what you are saying?if hell is a "refining fire"---then we do not need Jesus to have died for our sins---they're "refined away"
Right. I hope you don't think I am claiming that you are not saved. That was not my intent. However, you are probably familiar with that stand being taken by your denomination. Those who aren't Adventists are probably lost. (or will be at the final judgment)
Adventists think no such foolish thing!! We believe many from different denominations will be saved. God makes the decision for only He knows the heart. "Other sheep have I which are not of this fold."
That is a lie that is told by the Anti-SDA's. Even EGW says there are many in other churches that will be saved.
That's a serious consideration.
After weighing the facts I have decided that I would rather be a Universalist and be wrong than a Damnationist and be right.
The greater hope has had a HUGE influence on the way I view life and others. I don't see a world full of hell-bound souls that are not worth my time. I see a world full of souls that will one day bow to Jesus as Lord. They still need to be led to salvation in this lifetime in order to avoid the consequences of not doing so. But God is working in everyone's life at his own pace. People are saved because God saves them, they are not lost because we didn't save them.
We do not save anyone, but we can deter many from making that choice. If we do so, there will be a judgment against us for doing so. They can be lost because you said nothing when you had the chance.
Only The Holy Spirit can lead us to salvation. And that is the sin that is never forgivable---grieving away the Holy Spirit. Which is what the lost have done--they can no longer hear the Holy Spirit, which means they can have no salvation, by their own choice.
But what are the consequences of not choosing salvation? Time in the refining fires of hell? For how long? Yes, He does work at His own pace---unless they have driven away the Holy Spirit.
We see a world full of souls that are seeking the Lord, consciously or unconsciously, and we are to teach them how to come to Him, but as the scriptures say---I quoted those---if you do not warn them of what can happen, their blood will be on your hands.
I agree that we will be held accountable for those in our sphere of influence that we did not witness to. My best friend is agnostic. And I don't hide my faith from anyone. On the other hand, I don't run around beating people over the head with my Bible either.
Consider this. There are a growing number of individuals that will not embrace our God due to our Damnationist or Annihilationist picture of who he is. They could never believe in a God that would do such things. These individuals would obviously be more receptive to a gospel that comes from those of the Universalist POV.
With that in mind, it might be a good idea to be a bit more open to the possibility that we have something important to offer, even if you don't agree with it completely. I have provided a biblical basis, have I not?
Imagine if you and I were at a public social event, not a church event. We were meeting new people and the subject of religion came up. Someone gave their opinion that they could not believe in a God that throws people in hell. Which of us is better equipped to minister to that person?
The truth is the truth. People seek justice and mercy---the parents of the 3 year old want justice for the life of their 3 year old child who was raped and beaten to death---those that died in the haulocaust want justice, the Native American who had his family butchered so some one could have their land want justice, the black slaves want justice. It takes all of 3 secondds to be wanting a burn to end and you will say or do anything to make it stop---Is that what is to be expected as justice from your God? All those priests who molested all those children---they get what? All those men who have beaten their wives' senseless and some of them to death, what do they get---Ask anyone who has been horribly abused, or had a family or loved one abused or killed, some of them tortured---they want justice and where do they get it and what is it. Until a year ago I never even heard of Universalists. The people I've met were horrified at an everlasting burning hell---rightly so, for it is not just---but there are those who think annihilation is a horrible injustice for the murder of millions of people. 5 minutes in the refining fires of hell"---to them is a gross injustice.
I want to believe in and present the truth---no matter what it is. God is love, God is mercy---but He is the only one that can really hand out justice, for He alone can read the heart. You make no room for those who do not wish to live in a world where God reigns---and there are many. You simply refuse to acknowledge that such people exist. But they do. I choose to believe that |God will do what is loving, merciful and just. To me, annhilatilon, makes the most sense, biblically.
Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Mal 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.