Colossians 1:19-20 - Interpretations

[Prodigy]

Colossians 1:19-20
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 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.

Many of you believe in everlasting punishment in the form of torture or annihilation so my question is, how do you interpret this scripture?

My interpretation is that God will reconcile all things in heaven [Satanic host] and all things on earth [mankind] through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

 

[Colossians]

No. There is a redundancy built in to the verse: the "reconcile all things" means "reconcile all things which will be reconciled". That is, the scope of "all" is understood as a targeted scope.

Similarly, Rom 11 tells us "all Israel shall be saved", speaking not of the physical nation, but the church. This also constitutes redundancy, for if Israel is the church, then there is no need to promise that it will be saved.


Summarising, items in scripture are understood as redundancies by virtue of the teaching of the greater body of scripture, and perform such a role for the purpose of emphasis.

 

[Van]

Understanding Colossians 1:19-20

I think the fulness in verse 19 refers to Jesus being God incarnate, God the Son.

And through Him refers to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, paying the penalty for sin. However, not everyone has received that reconcilation, not everyone is covered by the blood of the lamb. Only those "in Him" covered by His blood have be reconciled, as is stated in verse 22. And the proof of being "in Him" is that believers in Christ continue in their faith - verse 23. In summary Jesus paid the penalty for everybody's sin, but only believers in Christ receive that reconcilation.

 

[Prodigy]

Colossians,

Exactly, God will reconcile all things whether on earth or in heaven through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The only things on earth that need reconciled is mankind. The only things in heaven that need reconciled is the Satanic host. This scripture declares that all things in heaven and earth that need reconcilation will be reconciled to God.

Heaven and earth will be fully reconciled to God because it is written.

 

[Prodigy]

Van,

The scripture states God WILL reconcile to himself all things on earth and in heaven through the shed blood of Christ. That is prophetic meaning that it must happen.

 

[Ben johnson]

This is a discussion on "Universalism". Therefore, it's moved to "Unorthodox Theology".

 

[Van]

Hi Prodigy, I am sorry but I do not think my efforts to explain my view of scripture will help you alter your view of Universalism, perhaps others might take up the challenge. I have indicated that the view in my opinion is incorrect. All I can say is consider the need for advocates to redefine term after term after term, as you did in a prior post, and the words of Jesus who said we should live by the word of God.

God Bless
Van