QUOTE (setfree @ Mar 13 2009, 12:33 PM)
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What matters is what God has revealed in His word. They're scriptures in the Bible that plainly state that not all are saved. "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. 14"For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life,
and few are those who find it," (Matt. 7:13-14). "For many are called,
but few are chosen," (Matt. 22:14). "And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, 24"Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26"Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; 27and He will say, ‘I tell you,
I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers,'" (Luke 13:22-27). "And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
it is the remnant that will be saved; 28for the Lord will execute His word upon the earth, thoroughly and quickly," (Rom. 9:27). These verses are plain and clear. Not all are saved; in fact, few are. Whether or not we think this makes God a failure, or that it makes us sad, or upsets us, isn't really that important. If the Bible says it, that settles it. What is left is to make adjustments in our understanding and feelings in order to bring more in line with what God has stated.
I agree with you that few will be saved by the Gospel. Most will enter Hell. Once that happens the second phase (for lack of a better term) begins in God’s plan. Now those who were lost must be purified and reconciled. Very few are saved form this experience. QUOTE
What Did Jesus Do While He Was in Hades?Many people believe that 1 Peter 3:18-20 tells us that Jesus preached to some departed spirits while He was in Hades: (1 Peter 3:18-20) People sometimes interpret this passage to mean that when Jesus went down to Hades, He preached to some spirits there. However, this interpretation has a number of problems:
That was a nice explanation of what you believe…but you are performing “guided interpretation” instead of letting the text speak for itself. One can generate many doubtful questions to suggest any number of doctrines, but what the Bible says is what the Bible says. The Gospel wasn’t only preached to those who perished in the flood, it was preached to “the dead”, those who perished in the time of Noah being a notable example,
I Peter 4:66For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
And it was preached so that these dead might be judged in like fashion as men who are alive in the flesh, who live for God according to the spirit. This of course requires their redemption from Hell. We can look at only those passages that speak of the majority going to Hell and walk away believing that the vast majority are lost forever burning in God’s own little torture chamber. But if we consider the whole of Scripture and it’s implications we walk away understanding the truth about Hell. For example…these Scriptures are often forgotten, disregarded, or explained away to justify the medieval interpretation of Hell….
I Corinthians 15:22.For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.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. Luke 2:10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. John 12:32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Isaiah 45: 23. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (I Corinthians 12:3. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.)Philippians 2: 10-11. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. I Timothy 2: 1-6. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 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. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.Genesis 28: 14. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Psalm 22:27. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. Ephesians 1: 9-11. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 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: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Colossians 1: 16 and 20. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 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. 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. Acts 3: 20 and 21 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 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. II Corinthians 5: 17-19. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation 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. John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I John 2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 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 John 4:42. 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. I John 4:14. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Hebrews 7:25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Romans 5: 15-21. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 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. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. I Corinthians 15: 22 and 26.For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Romans 11:26. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: Ephesians 2:7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Hebrews 8: 11-12. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Titus 2:11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, I Corinthians 4:5. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. Revelation 15:4.Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. II Corinthians 5: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Romans 11:32 and 36. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen Ephesians 4:10.He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Revelation 21: 4-5. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 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. I Corinthians 3:15. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Mark 9:49. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Hebrews 1:2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; I Timothy 4: 9-10. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 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. (meaning not only)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: Deuteronomy 32: 39. See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. Psalms 90: 3. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. Lamentations 3: 31-32. For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. Isaiah 2: 2. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Genesis 18: 18. Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? Psalms 138: 4. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. Psalms 86: 9. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. Psalms 22: 27. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee Psalms 65: 2O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Psalms 66: 3-4. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. Psalms 145: 9-16.The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Isaiah 25: 6-9. And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
The implications of these texts are profound. They must be matched with those verses explaining that few be saved. The logical outcome is that few are saved from God’s punishment…but all will be reconciled to God after their punishment is complete and all things submit to his lordship. The whole of Scripture must be considered.