(Aquila;52965)
Praise the Lord everyone!I'm new here and please forgive me as I learn the rules. In a few threads around here I saw two different theological views being represented about Hell: Eternal Hell and Annihilationism. But there is a third view that is gaining some ground in Evangelical community. This view is known as Universal Reconciliationism or Universal Salvation. I thought that it might be interesting to discuss this view here also, especially in light of the ideas of Eternal Hell and Annihilationism. The Universal Salvation view holds that Hell is temporary and that all will eventually be saved. This view was believed by many during the first four centuries of the Church and was a view held by Origen. Down through Christian history this view was adopted in various forms by various theologians classified as "Christian Universalists". So here goes...Here are a few Scriptures this view is based upon...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. John 12:32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 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. 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. 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. I 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. Romans 8: 20-21. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God 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. 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 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. Also consider Christ's own parabolic descriptions of Hell...Luke 12:42-4812:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.In the above parable Christ indicates that in eternity the unprepared and the unbelievers will be punished. However, their punishment varies in both intensity and duration. The “stripes” (or punishments) come to an end. Jesus also said…Matthew 18:23-3418:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.Here we see a man delivered to the tormentors “till” (or until) he has sufficiently paid for his wrong. Matthew 25:4125:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Here we see that the lake of fire is to be the permanent abode of the devil and his angels. Then Jesus goes on to say…The Greek language also brings another possibility to the table. Jesus said, Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting (aionios) punishment (kolasis): but the righteous into life eternal.The term “aionios” doesn’t literally translate “everlasting” or “eternal”. The term “aionios” is based on the Greek root noun “aion” meaning “age” or “eon”. The term “aionios” is an adjective meaning “pertaining to the aion” or “age enduring”. The term is used for anything that doesn’t have a defined end or beginning. It could indeed be “eternal”…or it may also indicate a limited period of time whose duration is unknown. For example the hills and the mountains are referred to as being “everlasting” in Genesis 49:26 and Habakkuk 3:6. The Greek term used here is also “aionios”. These verses don’t mean that the mountains and hills are “eternal” but rather the time of their end or destruction is unknown. So here Jesus may be describing a period of time that whose duration is unknown or unrevealed. Also it’s important to note that the term “aionios” is an adjective that is to be understood in context of the noun it’s describing. For example if it speaks of God certainly the word is to be understood as “eternal” because God is eternal. However, if used in respect to mountains or hills it is to be understood as being “age enduring” or as “having an unknown end”. That brings us to the next point….It is the “punishment” that is described by the adjective “aionios”. The Greek term used here for “punishment” is “kolasis”. This is a very interesting Greek term that has puzzled Bible scholars for millennia. The term “kolasis” is based on the root word “kolazo” meaning to “prune”, “correct”, or “to make better”. So the Greek language here would allow the phrase “everlasting punishment” to mean an “age long pruning” or “an age long correction”, the length of the age, though being unspecified, may have an end. This view would be that the Gospel (or good news) is that Christ’s blood is sufficient and has redeemed the entire human race from eternal torment. Yet God will punish sin with severe, yet temporary, punishment or torment in Hell. Eventually all men will be reconciled to God leaving only the devil and his angels burning in the lake of fire. This presents a triumphant Gospel that succeeds in saving the entire human race. In this view Christ’s blood has sufficiently provided the atonement for all mankind’s salvation…yet those who chose to believe and obey Christ enter the Kingdom of God and escape the “everlasting punishment” or “age long correction” spoken of in Matthew 25:46. Please note, in this view, though all are saved, it is entirely through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Christ is indeed the Savior of the World. What are some of your thoughts? God bless.
Acquila, Any time you want to know what the Bible says about something, you must consider all thing said and all things said must be in harmony. Sometimes you have several scriptures seeming at varience with each other. Here is where CONFLATION takes place. This means to put both scriptures and come up with one meaning, coming from both. The term Universalism, Apocatastasis, not in harmony with many other scriptures, and the concept cannot be reconciled. First, consider what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, the greatest sermon ever given, Matt chapters 5,6,7. At Matt 713,14, Jesus said that many go in through the wide gate that leads to destruction, but FEW go in through the narrow gate, leading to life. At Luke 13:23,24, a certain man asked Jesus if the ones being saved would be few? Jesus said to exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow gate, because many will seek to get in but will not be able. Certain ones mentioned in the scriptures have a destiny that cannot be changed, Matt 25:41, Rev 20:10. There is only one way a person can gain salvation, that is through a belief and hope in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, John 1:29, Matt 20:20, Acts 4:12, Rom 3:23-25, Gal 2:16. Paul says that ONLY the Remnant of the Jews would be saved, not all, Rom 9:29, Paul did everything he could to save SOME of his kinsmen, Rom 11:14. The term used several times in the Bible about All being saved, does not mean that ALL WILL be saved, but means ALL who obey the commandments of God and Jesus, in this way all that are saved will be saved. Notice Rom 11:26, which says that in this manner all Israel will be saved. The manner was explained in preceeding scriptures about all, both Jews and people of the nations must be grafted onto the Garden Olive,Rom 11:17-24. This is the manner that they will be saved, ALL who follow the course prescribed.In 1John we are told about antichrists. No antichrist will be saved!! When the Bible gives prophecies they are CERTAIN to come true. In Revelation we are told about Armageddon, where the Kings of the earth and their armies are gathered together to wage war with Jesus, Rev 16:13,14,16, Rev 19:11-21. All these killed at Armageddon will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, The Second Death, Rev 20:14,15, 21:8. There is no resurrection for ones who fight against Jesus and his armies. These go into the SECOND DEATH!!!
