Hello my cousin
I am glad you are interested in the subject of whether everyone will be saved or not.
All I ask is that you look at it with an open mind. The big problem is tradition. It was also like that in Jesus’ time and He had something to say about it. See Matt 15:6.
Most ministers went to study at the seminary or college of the denomination in which they grew up. They accepted as truth what they were taught there by their professors and lecturers. Those professors and lecturers also received it from their predecessors, in their student days. And those predecessors also received it like that from their predecessors. As students, they were not encouraged to question the traditional teachings and customs. In fact, if anyone as a student were to criticize it, he would be heading for trouble.
Since the church became the state church of Rome in AD 380, numerous unscriptural teachings, traditions and customs have infiltrated it. Luther’s reforms were wonderful, but the Protestants still retained many unscriptural teachings and practices of the Roman church.
Therefore, I encourage people who are hungry for the truth to do their own Bible study and to objectively examine and evaluate what others teach in the light of what Scriptures say. Like what the people in Berea did in Acts 17:11. A concordance (alphabetical index of all the words in the Bible and where they occur) is a valuable tool. One must also learn to distinguish as follows: for whom is/was the Word intended ?; for which dispensation does it apply?; does it apply to us today? (2 Tim.2:15)
After having completed my army training, I associated with more than one church denomination or church group in the years to come. It was like a journey where I came to new insights from time to time – discovered “new places” as it were. Until about 5 years ago, I could not see that God was going to save everyone.
My eyes began to open when I came across an article on my computer, which I had saved about 6 years before. It was Analytical Study of Words by Louis Abbott. When I read it, it became clear to me that what we understand by “hell” is not what the Scriptures teach. And further, the Scriptures in their original language, both the “Old Testament” and “New Testament,” do not contain the word “eternal.” This book by Abbott is available at www.tentmaker.org/scholarscorner.html. (By the way, this website offers a lot of information on the subject at hand).
Look at the following texts (ESV):
2 Pet 3:8-9
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Isa 46:9-10
…for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
Job 42:1-2
Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Matt 19:23-26
And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
1 Tim 4:10
For to this end we toil and strive,2 because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.
John 1:29
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.
1 John 4:14
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
John 12:32
[Jesus answered] …And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
1 Cor 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 John 2:1-2
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Col 1:19-20
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Rom 14:11
…for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess2 to God.”
Phil 2:10-11
…so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Rom 11:32
For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
1 Cor 15:22-25, 28
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet…. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
You can find comments about these texts on my website www.GodisGod.co.za under the article DOES THE BIBLE TEACH THAT EVERYONE WILL BE SAVED?
There are many more verses that I could mention. You will find it at the tent maker website I mentioned above.
I would like to briefly mention the objections that are usually raised:
• Jesus’ references to throwing a person’s body into fire that cannot be put out and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mat 8:12, 25:41; Mark 9:43-44
• Jesus’ admonition that the way to life is narrow and there are few who find it, while the way is broad that leads to destruction (Mat. 7:13-14)
• Paul’s admonition that people who do certain things will not inherit the kingdom (1 Cor 6:9).
My question is: Is there any indication in these texts that it has to do with a person’s fate at his death? Another question: If the Scriptures teach that all who have died will rise from the dead and that there will then be a judgment (see John 5:28-29 and Rev 20:5, 12), what is the meaning of that if have they already been judged at their death? Third question: If these texts are to be interpreted according to the traditional interpretation, what do you make of the texts mentioned above which clearly state that it is God’s will that all be saved, that He sent His Son precisely for that purpose, and that what God intends, He will bring to fruition?
For a more complete discussion of these texts that are raised as objections, see the article/book Hell Explained or Bible Threatenings Explained by J W Hanson at www.tentmaker.org/scholarscorner.html.
There is only one passage of text that looks like Jesus is talking about the immediate state after death: the parable or story of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:14-34). Jesus did not tell this story to shed new light on the subject of death. According to the Scriptures that were available at that time, if a person is dead, he or she is really dead; there is no consciousness among the dead and they cannot praise God – see Ps 6:6, Ps 115:17, Eccl 9:5. The story in Luke 16 was directed at the Pharisees to make them feel ashamed. More about this can be found on my website www.GodisGod.co.za under the article The Word “Hell” Is Not In The Scriptures.
Other answers that are sometimes put forward:
• God gave man free will. The people who choose not to believe in Jesus or accept Him have themselves chosen their eternal destiny of hell.
My answer: There is an election of those who now come to the truth in this life (Rom 8:28-29, Eph 1:4). It was not your faith or mine that saved us. This is the faith of Christ (Gal 2:16, 20; Rom 3:22 (note literal translations such as Concordant Version and Youngs Literal Translation which speak of faith of Christ, rather than faith in Christ) and that faith was given to us anyway (Eph 2:8). We have nothing to brag about (Eph 2:9). It is absolute nonsense to argue that all Muslims and Buddhists have chosen hell for themselves. There is no indication in the Scriptures that God will not grant them faith after the resurrection. For example, look at what the scriptures say about Sodom in Ezekiel 16:53 and Mat 10:15 and about Israel in Rom 11:25-26.
• God’s sense of justice grants Him the right to torture forever unsaved people who have not accepted Jesus as Savior.
My answer: If God did not choose them to gain insight into the gospel in this life and did not give them faith, what justice is it to torture them forever? It is blasphemous to say that about Him.
• No one gets a second chance after his or her death.
My answer: We are not talking about a second or third or any chance. God is the Savior through His Son, Jesus Christ. He has decided in advance who will gain faith in this life and who will not. If He decided that Achmat was not going to get that insight and faith now, then Achmat had no chance. The teaching that every man has free will in this regard is not based on Scripture. The time after the resurrection when God opens Achmat’s eyes to the truth, there is no chance that he can resist God’s action. Like what happened to Saul (later Paul) in this life. God is not playing a gambling game. He doesn’t take chances. .. “the One who makes all things happen according to his counsel and will..” (Eph 1:11). Finally, there is no biblical text that says that man’s death fixes his destiny.
Closing Thoughts:
If God is a God of love (and indeed He is!) , and if He is capable of all things and accomplishes all things according to His will (and indeed it is so – Eph 1:11), and if He can foresee all things see (which He can indeed do – Isa 46:10), how can He predestinate or allow billions of people He created in His image to burn forever in hell fire? “Forever” is more than a billion years. Being scorched in fire and tortured forever, just because they did not believe in Jesus in their short life on earth! So ordained by the God who is love!? He who teaches us to love our enemies?
This false doctrine is a blot on God’s Name and a slap in His face!
Apart from the billions in Asia and Muslim countries who have never seen a Bible – perhaps never heard of Jesus, there are children in so-called Christian countries who die before they “could make a decision for Jesus”. Are they also going to burn forever? Or is there an age of accountability? And if the child died before that age, is that OK? What is that age? Why doesn’t the Bible say anything about it?
When God planned to create people, did He foresee that the majority would not follow Him? I believe He has foreseen it as far as this life is concerned. But did He also predestined that billions will be eternally tortured in fire? I say: No. Or did His plans go awry when Satan tempted Eve and Adam sinned? Did He then overlook what was happening when Satan visited the two in the garden of Eden? Why didn’t He stop it?
The Scriptures say everything happened as God planned it. Therefore, in His plan, His Son was already destined to be sacrificed, even before Adam existed (1 Pet 1:19-20, Rev 13:8). When His Son was betrayed and crucified, it was not God’s plans that went awry, but on the contrary, it was exactly according to His plan.
If it were to be the case that the majority of people are going to burn in hell forever, why would one not be able to conclude that in the end God is the loser and Satan the one who wins? The Scriptures teach that Christ will reign until He has put all the enemies of God under His feet – the last enemy being death. Then Christ submits Himself to His Father “so that God may be all in all” (1 Cor 15: 25-28).
The true gospel is truly good news! Glory to God!
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