Jesus did not come to save the ((world))

[surrender1]

Many don't like the idea that God is sovereign. It creates competition for them.

It's the definition of sovereign that's the problem. In ancient times, it referred to the authority a king has over his kingdom. It's not meticulous control.

 

[Dr Bruce Atkinson]

In some sense the whole world will be saved. It just depends on what you mean by "whole" and "world".

On “the world”:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18-10)

And from Jesus’ famous extended prayer in John 17: “I have given them your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” (John 17:14)

From James: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

Universalism is a heresy. It denies so much of what Jesus taught about the separation of God’s sheep from Satan’s goats, about the narrow gate and how many will not go in, about the reality of heaven and hell-- and the impassable chasm between the two. Universalism keeps people from fully believing and submitting to Christ, thinking that all will be saved anyway. It is a terrible lie of the devil.

 

[Dr Bruce Atkinson]

It's the definition of sovereign that's the problem. In ancient times, it referred to the authority a king has over his kingdom. It's not meticulous control.

Yes. It also refers to God's perfect plan to deal with sin and the rebellion of human beings and angels (demons). It will all work out in the end according to God's will because God IS that powerful. But He is also just and gracious beyond our understanding. He will not force anyone into heaven who does not want to be with Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No unrepentant sinners will be in heaven. All those in heaven will believe and trust in Christ.

And in His omniscience, He has always known who would desire Him and who would not. And He has shown by His teachings that not all will end up with Him. The way to perdition wide and many are those who go there.

 

[surrender1]

On “the world”:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18-10)

And from Jesus’ famous extended prayer in John 17: “I have given them your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” (John 17:14)

From James: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

Paul was "of the world" until he wasn't. So there you have it, God *can* save the whole world.

Universalism

is a heresy. It denies so much of what Jesus taught about the separation of God’s sheep from Satan’s goats,

That's nations. *And* the goats are separated because of their lack of *works* (i.e. feeding hungry, clothing poor) during the tribulation that was imminent. So unless you're a works-salvation person, this should make you rethink what Jesus is talking about here. It's not about the final judgment at Jesus' physical return.

about the narrow gate and how many will not go in,

The narrow gate is the way of peace, which is Jesus' way. Many chose to go the way of violence and were swept away in "the flood" at the coming destruction rather than heeding Jesus' words to flee when the armies were surrounding Jerusalem.

about the reality of heaven and hell-- and the impassable chasm between the two.

One can't create an entire doctrine on a parable. Jesus *never* mentions hell. Hell is mentioned *only one time* in scripture and it's referring the abode of fallen angels ("Tartarus") awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). So, hell is not eternal and it's not for humans.

Universalism keeps people from fully believing and submitting to Christ,

I know many who adhere to the doctrine and they are some of the most committed Christians I have ever met.

thinking that all will be saved anyway. It is a terrible lie of the devil.

Maybe it's your doctrine that's a lie?

Romans 5:18
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

If all means all in the first half then all means all in the second half.

 

[Dr Bruce Atkinson]

It does not say everybody in the world did God love with a great love.
Where we read about God's great love is here.
Only God can answer why he loved us with that great love so that He made us alive. It was not because we believed, as we were following Satan at that time.

Ephesians 2New King James Version (NKJV)
By Grace Through Faith
2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

In Ephesians 1, Paul tells us we, the saints, were 'chosen in Him' (Christ) from the foundation of the world.

Yes, God does not love us because we are lovable, but because He is a loving God. He loved us while yet sinners, but He had (has) a plan to redeem us, to wash us clean, and in the end, to perfect us. Only then will we be truly lovable. But we must first trust Him and submit to His gracious will, accepting fully HIs sacrifice for us on the Cross. There is no other way.

 

[ClementofA]

Universalism is a heresy. It denies so much of what Jesus taught about the separation of God’s sheep from Satan’s goats, about the narrow gate and how many will not go in, about the reality of heaven and hell-- and the impassable chasm between the two.

Many Christians who accept, or hope for, the salvation of all do not deny what Jesus taught or the Scriptures. Some people just don't like their interpretation of them. Just as Christians who accept universal salvation don't agree with your interpretation of the Scriptures.

You are listed as Anglican. An internet search re Anglican universalism might be an eye opener for some Anglicans. For example:

Whoops! Browser Settings Incompatible

 

[ClementofA]

Universalism keeps people from fully believing and submitting to Christ, thinking that all will be saved anyway.

Universalism didn't appear to hinder the Bible authors or Church Fathers like Origen.

The Church Fathers on Universalism

What are the fruits of hell believers? Crusades, inquisitions, burning people to death? How many have rejected the gospel as a result?

 

[Dr Bruce Atkinson]

Paul was "of the world" until he wasn't. So there you have it, God *can* save the whole world.

That's nations. *And* the goats are separated because of their lack of *works* (i.e. feeding hungry, clothing poor) during the tribulation that was imminent. So unless you're a works-salvation person, this should make you rethink what Jesus is talking about here. It's not about the final judgment at Jesus' physical return.

The narrow gate is the way of peace, which is Jesus' way. Many chose to go the way of violence and were swept away in "the flood" at the coming destruction rather than heeding Jesus' words to flee when the armies were surrounding Jerusalem.

One can't create an entire doctrine on a parable. Jesus *never* mentions hell. Hell is mentioned *only one time* in scripture and it's referring the abode of fallen angels ("Tartarus") awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). So, hell is not eternal and it's not for humans.

I know many who adhere to the doctrine and they are some of the most committed Christians I have ever met.

Maybe it's your doctrine that's a lie?

Romans 5:18
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

If all means all in the first half then all means all in the second half.

Wow. 2000 years of traditional Apostolic interpretations are against you.

At death, God apparently judges us immediately and we go to the afterlife place where we fit in. Hebrews 9:27 reads: "...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment."
Speaking of judgment, there is coming the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). Four metaphors of Jesus in the Gospels come to mind regarding this event: (1) The goats will be forever separated from God's sheep (Matt 25:31-34, 41). (2) the chaff will be forever separated from the wheat (Matt 3:12, Luke 3:17), (3) the weeds will be forever separated from the true crop-- and then be destroyed (Matt 13:24-30). (4) In God's perspective, some people by their very nature are not of the same species as His own people, some being children of Satan rather than children of God (John 8:40-47, 1 John 3:10). Heaven will have no children of Satan. God knew who would be saved from the beginning, that is, who are children of God and who are children of the devil. We cannot tell who is who yet and so we should never judge; a person may repent and turn out to be a lost sheep, not a goat.

In heaven there is a 'forever living process' occurring. Life with God is love, light, joy, hope, peace, pleasure and all that has to do with living; therefore separation from God must mean an absence of these things. This is Hell: hate, darkness, despair, bitterness, conflict, pain, and dying. The Lake of Fire is called the "second death" which suggests that there is a 'forever dying process' occurring, where the "the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:48, quote from Isaiah 66:24). These warnings were made to human beings, not to angels/demons.

 

[surrender1]

Yes. It also refers to God's perfect plan to deal with sin and the rebellion of human beings and angels (demons).

And we have been shown by God himself exactly *how* he "deals with sin and rebellion." As God's enemies were murdering Jesus on the cross, Jesus asked his Father to forgive them, because Jesus does only what he sees the Father doing. God through Jesus shows us a better way. A way that does not include force or violence. A way that includes submission and peace. It is through this "narrow way" that God deals with sin and rebellion. And it is this "narrow way" we are to enter into his kingdom.

It will all work out in the end according to God's will because God IS that powerful.

Man's power is might and force, often because man is limited in his wisdom and resources. God's power is not like man's power. God will accomplish his will through a way that is not like the way of men (i.e. force, violence) when they want to accomplish their will.

But He is also just and gracious beyond our understanding. He will not force anyone into heaven who does not want to be with Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No unrepentant sinners will be in heaven. All those in heaven will believe and trust in Christ.

And the very ending of the Bible (Rev. 21) says that the gates will *never* be shut. Given enough opportunity and time, God can save any lost and wandering soul living outside the gates. If I have enough patience to wait for my wayward son, surely God has enough to wait for his. I'm willing to bet God's patience is endless.

And in His omniscience, He has always known who would desire Him and who would not. And He has shown by His teachings that not all will end up with Him.

The end of Revelation gives room for hope.

Romans 5:18
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

If all means all in the first half then all means all in the second half.

 

[Waggles]

Man I hate interfaith. if I could I would burn any concept of it, its world peace from the minds of all
men. But I have not that power.

Don't worry the Lord Jesus himself will burn up everything that is unrighteous before him ....

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward,
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,
and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,
and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2 Peter 3:9-12

 

[ClementofA]

In God's perspective, some people by their very nature are not of the same species as His own people, some being children of Satan rather than children of God (John 8:40-47, 1 John 3:10).

In God's perspective all men were enemies of God before they were saved. Including you, assuming you are a Christian now. The worst sinner has already been saved (1 Tim.1:15).

As for answers to verses you posted that you think oppose biblical universalism, they are answered on many sites, such as:

Scholar's Corner: The Center for Bible studies in Christian Universalism

 

[Waggles]

I am crazy enough to believe if God wants ALL to be saved then we should pray for all people. But hey whatever helps you sleep better at night.

Hope for all is good. I rushed out and told my family, my friends, my neighbours, strangers and work mates the good news of
how they could receive the Holy Spirit and overcome all doubt about the truth of Jesus Christ and salvation.
I was on fire and bursting at the seams full of joy...
But one of my sisters replied to me, "Yeah, but you needed saving!"
I have preached the gospel to hundreds of people and sadly I can count on one hand the number of people who have believed the
gospel (Acts 2:38) and come into the body of Christ.
My own daughter will not let me witness to my grandchildren, even though she honours my testimony.
Faith is a peculiar mystery in us humans.

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be
which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

 

[Hank77]

Let us not forget as Simple Men that God is God and if he wanted ALL PEOPLE to be saved -- that is Exactly what He would do -- period. ...

Could God desire that all people repent and be saved but only on His terms?

 

[Hank77]

I have preached the gospel to hundreds of people and sadly I can count on one hand the number of people who have believed the
gospel (Acts 2:38) and come into the body of Christ.

You may have only planted the seed and someone else watered that seed. Don't be sad, you don't know how many of the seeds grew into full growth believers. Some day you will know and God will recognize your efforts.

 

[surrender1]

Wow. 2000 years of traditional Apostolic interpretations are against you.

As pointed out above... The Church Fathers on Universalism

At death, God apparently judges us immediately and we go to the afterlife place where we fit in. Hebrews 9:27 reads: "...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment."

Maybe God judges immediately, but Heb. 9:27 doesn't say or even imply "immediately". It just says "after". That could be immediately after death or that could be years after death.

Speaking of judgment, there is coming the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).

*Gehenna* is commonly translated “hell.” Gehenna is derived from a valley nearby Jerusalem that originally belonged to a man named Hinnom. “This was a valley near Jerusalem, and appears to have held this name perhaps as far back as the time of Joshua. This valley was used by the more idolatrous kings of Judah as a place where they would sacrifice their own children to the god Moloch. It may also have been the location where, in a single night, the Messenger of Yahweh killed a massive number of Assyrians from the army of Sennacherib. Going from there, it was traditionally associated with the location Isaiah refers to in his final chapter ('they shall go out' implies exiting Jerusalem into the valley), where *dead* bodies are devoured by unquenchable fire (i.e. fire that does not stop burning until it has completely consumed everything in its path) and undying worms (i.e. the maggots that unceasingly feast upon corpses). In ancient Aramaic translations of this chapter of Isaiah, the dead bodies are explicitly stated to be in the Valley of Hinnom, where the wicked suffered the 'second death'. Jesus confirms the traditional association by describing the Valley of Hinnom in the same way Isaiah describes the location filled with unquenchable fire and maggots. The Valley of Hinnom is only ever used by Jesus (with a single, extraneous usage by James) when speaking to his fellow Jews. He uses it especially when warning them about sinning unrepentantly. Jesus uses the Valley of Hinnom because it had become a common symbol for God's divine punishment. In this sense, it is analogous to the lake of fire (especially since both are referred to as the 'second death'). According to Jesus, God is able to destroy both body and soul in the Valley of Hinnom.” (“The History of Hell” by Mark Edward). See Joshua 18:16, 2 Kings 23:10 and 2 Chron. 33:6. I’d like to emphasize Luke 12:5 where it states that *after* God has killed the wicked ones, He has authority to cast the wicked *dead* into “hell” (actually, Gehenna), which is why it is called the “second death”—the dead body goes through a second death in the unquenchable fire that devours the dead body until it has been completely consumed.

Four metaphors of Jesus in the Gospels come to mind regarding this event: (1) The goats will be forever separated from God's sheep (Matt 25:31-34, 41)

That's nations. *And* the goats are separated because of their lack of *works* (i.e. feeding hungry, clothing poor) during the tribulation that was imminent. So unless you're a works-salvation person, this should make you rethink what Jesus is talking about here. It's not about the final judgment at Jesus' physical return.

(2) the chaff will be forever separated from the wheat (Matt 3:12, Luke 3:17),

Same as above. It's about AD 70.

(3) the weeds will be forever separated from the true crop-- and then be destroyed (Matt 13:24-30).

Same as above. Jesus' primary mission was to warn those living at the time to repent for the kingdom was at hand. Destruction was coming. And did come.

(4) In God's perspective, some people by their very nature are not of the same species as His own people, some being children of Satan rather than children of God (John 8:40-47, 1 John 3:10).

And he called Peter Satan. So, you're wrong about your literal take on that.

Heaven will have no children of Satan.

That's just a figure of speech. Sinners are outside the gates that are always open. That means God can still work to redeem them. That may be offensive to some but that's what can be gleaned from many scriptures. I remain hopeful. I see a God who can do the unthinkable, the unimaginable...the God of surprises.

God knew who would be saved from the beginning, that is, who are children of God and who are children of the devil. We cannot tell who is who yet and so we should never judge; a person may repent and turn out to be a lost sheep, not a goat.

That phraseology--children of devil, lost sheep, goat nations--was first and foremost for AD 70 folks. We can still take the lessons but that wasn't written to us living in 2017.

...therefore separation from God must mean an absence of these things. This is Hell: hate, darkness, despair, bitterness, conflict, pain, and dying.

Which people go through here and now who don't experience God.

The Lake of Fire is called the "second death" which suggests that there is a 'forever dying process' occurring,

It doesn't imply "forever dying" in the slightest. As a matter of fact, if you take just the OT, one would have to conclude annihilation is the correct doctrine. The wicked are destroyed forever (Psalm 92:7), not forever being destroyed.

where the "the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:48, quote from Isaiah 66:24). These warnings were made to human beings, not to angels/demons.

Yeah, it refers to maggots that unceasingly feast upon corpses...you know, *dead* bodies.

 

[surrender1]

the worst most wicked religion ever to be born. and by grace I will die long before I accept
any version of its world peace and unity.

Yeah, the idea of world peace and unity is so godless. There is no way God would want to accomplish world peace and unity.

Jesus is the savoir of the world, but not the whole world will come to him to receive it.

And if God allows postmortem conversion are you going to be offended?

Romans 5:18
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

If all means all in the first half then all means all in the second half.

He even thanked the Father it was hid from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes.

That was in the context of the coming judgment of AD 70. Do you really think God would want any creature to suffer for all eternity?

Man I hate interfaith. if I could I would burn any concept of it, its world peace from the minds of all
men. But I have not that power.
Only the desire to preach the real and only gospel of peace
which is the only peace a man can have. CHRIST , the reconciliation between GOD and mankind.

And God's way is not the way of hate. We are to even love our enemies. That's a narrow way.

 

[Dr Bruce Atkinson]

And we have been shown by God himself exactly *how* he "deals with sin and rebellion." As God's enemies were murdering Jesus on the cross, Jesus asked his Father to forgive them, because Jesus does only what he sees the Father doing. God through Jesus shows us a better way. A way that does not include force or violence. A way that includes submission and peace. It is through this "narrow way" that God deals with sin and rebellion. And it is this "narrow way" we are to enter into his kingdom.

Man's power is might and force, often because man is limited in his wisdom and resources. God's power is not like man's power. God will accomplish his will through a way that is not like the way of men (i.e. force, violence) when they want to accomplish their will.

And the very ending of the Bible (Rev. 21) says that the gates will *never* be shut. Given enough opportunity and time, God can save any lost and wandering soul living outside the gates. If I have enough patience to wait for my wayward son, surely God has enough to wait for his. I'm willing to bet God's patience is endless.

The end of Revelation gives room for hope.

Romans 5:18
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

If all means all in the first half then all means all in the second half.

There is always great hope for those who believe in Jesus Christ and accept the free forgiveness He offers.

Redemption and Salvation
While the terms are often used interchangeabley, "redemption" and "salvation" are distinct terms with different meanings.

Redemption: Our Lord "gave himself as a ransom for all." You show by your scripture quotes that you understand the universality of what Christ accomplished on the Cross. This is what "redemption" means. And because Christ was resurrected, all will be resurrected (but there are two resurrections indicated in the scriptures, one for the saved and one for the damned , see summary at https://www.gotquestions.org/resurrection-first-second.html).

Salvation, however, requires accepting that redemption. None who reject it can be saved. Redemption is free forgiveness but no one who does not think they need forgiveness can receive it. It is like if you were told that you had a million dollars waiting for you at the post office but you had to show up personally to receive it; some people refuse to believe it is real and never show up. If you do not repent, then you cannot be forgiven (and that is one's own choice, God says it is there waiting). And this choice must be made while alive on earth-- "... it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

There is coming a time (the Day of Lord) when God, in essence, says “Time’s up!” He is not going to allow sin to forever exist, not in His Creation and certainly not in His Kingdom. But some people are children of the devil and not children of God, they are not lost sheep, they are goats. And you cannot turn a goat into a sheep, even if they bleat similarly. Different species.
“Children of the Devil” -- Goats and wolves in sheep’s clothing as opposed to God’s sheep (both lost and found) – these references are to people, not just nations.
Jesus: John 8:42-44, Matthew 13:37-42, John 6:70
John (1 John 3:10)
Paul (Acts 13:10)

To summarize: All are redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ and by His resurrection (you got this part right) and all will be resurrected. However, salvation requires fully accepting this redemption (admitting they are sinners in need of it). None who reject this redemption (refusing to repent and trust in Christ) can be saved. There will be two Resurrections according the scriptures, one for those going to heaven and one for those going to perdition (as indicated in Rev 20).
“And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev 20:15) along with the false prophet, beast, and Satan.

 

[ShermanN]

1. I've come to believe that Jesus truly is Savior of All (1 Tim. 4:10) as scripture declares Him to be, not just Savior of Some as is believed by most of Christendom. Paul affirms that just like the sin of Adam got us all in this mess with sin and death, the sacrifice of Christ gets us all out of the mess (Rom. 5:18). And Jesus came to reconcile All of creation, not just some, but All (Col. 1:20). A one day every knee shall bow in worship and every tongue joyfully proclaim Jesus is Lord (Rom. 14 and Phil 2)! And it was God who consigned us All over to disobedience so that He could have mercy on us All (Rom. 11:32)! Not just some, but All!

Well, I could go on and on with passages that affirm Universal Reconciliation, but people have a hard time receiving them in faith because of their traditional belief in Hell. But Hell is not a biblical doctrine, but a tradition of men. For starters, the Hebrew and Greek words translated into the English versions as Hell do not mean Hell, neither Sheol, Hades, not Gehenna. Sheol and Hades mean grave or realm of the dead. And Gehenna correctly translated and not just transliterated is Hinnom Valley. Hinnom Valley is where the Jews erected an idol, Molech, and sacrificed their children in its fires, a horrendous, evil, sadistic act! When Jesus warned of being cast into Hinnom Valley it spoke volumes to the Jews, but did not speak of endless conscious torment. It spoke of the potential destruction of all one loves because of sin, becoming so consumed by sin as to even sacrifice one's own children to the idols in their lives. And it was a warning especially for the children of God. To whom much is given, much is expected! It was a warning of the destructive results of sin in one's life, at least that's the historical biblical context of that warning. Some people speculate that Jesus was referencing the doctrine of the Pharisees as now recorded in the Mishnah and Talmud, but I don't think so considering His statements about their traditions.

Frankly, the doctrine of Hell is at best a doctrine of man, at worst a doctrine of demons. It misrepresents the character of God and forces believers to limit the Atonement in either scope (Calvinism) or effect (Arminianism). But let us not Limt the Atonement and minimize the glory of the Cross; rather, let us revel in the fact that Jesus died for us all and that it is His death and resurrection that saves us!

 

[dqhall]

Yeah, the idea of world peace and unity is so godless. There is no way God would want to accomplish world peace and unity.

And if God allows postmortem conversion are you going to be offended?

Romans 5:18
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

If all means all in the first half then all means all in the second half.

That was in the context of the coming judgment of AD 70. Do you really think God would want any creature to suffer for all eternity?

And God's way is not the way of hate. We are to even love our enemies. That's a narrow way.

1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV)

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Paul's writings are worth reading. A prudent person may discern a better plan for having read Paul. Paul like the Bible is not perfect. Paul may have exaggerated at times. One man can not be responsible for the condemnation of all men. We are judged according to our own actions. We are not the judged for the actions of neighbors, brothers or sisters. The work of one man is not capable of saving all men for all time. If only one person is working, the house will be behind schedule and over budget. A baseball stadium is full of people, but only a few are working. If one desires salvation, one must do more than say, "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord. Win Jesus win."

 

[Hank77]

Help me understand then the Arminian God.

I think you mean the Arminian doctrine seeing that there is only one God.

How can we say that God wants to save everyone if it's entirely man's choice?

NO ONE can come to God without God's intervention.
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
......
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The only reason we love God is because He loved us first.

If God wants to save someone and they reject Him then does that make God a failure?

No why should it? God set the terms by which man would be saved.

Can this God save anyone if no one wants to be saved?

Again there is only One Devine God, there is no other. This is rather a silly question in my view but God can do anything He wants to do. But God has left us with His scriptures telling us what He has done so that man could be saved.

It seems to me that this God makes salvation possible, but He doesn't actually save anyone, as that can apparently only be done through each individual's will.

Man cannot save himself, not by willing it to be so, not by running (working for it), it is purely a gift from God.
But that does not change the fact that man can resist God and even reject God's grace and mercy.
God even told the Israelites, the people that He chose, that they had a choice of life or death, and to choose life/Him.
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Jesus said He would have saved the Jews who resisted Him, covering them with wings of protection as a hen cares for her chicks, but they wouldn't have Him. He loved them so much that He wept for them.