Scripture Quotations All scripture quotations given in this on-line book God's Plan for All, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. By permission from Thomas Nelson, Inc, the authors have given additional explanatory words shown in brackets within the base text and also emphasised certain base text words and phrases in bold. In addition to the New King James Version, there are a few Scripture quotations from the following versions, as indicated in the text: NIV Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. KJV King James Version. YLT Young’s Literal Translation. In addition to the above, the authors have given their translation of a few scripture verses based on the literal meanings of certain Hebrew and Greek words. Such verses are distinguished by the insertion of SLT next to them. SLT stands for Sulem’s Literal Translation. There are literally dozens and dozens of scriptures, in both the Old and the New Testaments, which clearly speak of the universal reconciliation and salvation of ALL. We shall list only fourteen of these scriptures in this chapter, starting with Colossians 1:15-20. We shall give a detailed commentary on this key scripture because it states the truth of the Universal Reconciliation of ALL things, precisely, clearly and powerfully. Colossians 1:15-20 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile (apokatallasso) all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. How marvelous and how wonderful this scripture is! This is unquestionably and without any doubt, the full good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no bad news here whatsoever. Think about it! God will do what? God will reconcile ALL things on earth and ALL things in heaven through Jesus Christ having made PEACE through the blood of His cross. Please note that the construct of the verses above are such that they leave absolutely no room for any doubt whatsoever that the word ALL can only mean ALL without any exception. Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, repeats the word ALL seven times before coming to the key verse, verse 20, where it says that God will reconcile all things to Himself through Jesus Christ. If you believe verse 16, in that Jesus Christ created all things in heaven, all things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, then you have no option but to also believe verse 20, which says that Jesus Christ will reconcile to God the Father the same all things, which He created. Traditional Christianity, because of its long established and entrenched belief in the doctrine of Eternal Torture in Hell, is unable to accept at face value, the glorious truth contained in verse 20. This is why it has failed to understand God's Plan of Universal Reconciliation, which God is working out in Ages through Jesus Christ. If you believe in the doctrine of endless torment in hell, then you do not believe in Colossians 1:15-20, and in your mind you have added to or taken away from the truth contained in these verses. Jesus Christ warns us not to add to or take away from His Word. (Revelation 22:18-19) The Bible is the Word of God and it never contradicts itself. The doctrine of hell and the truth of universal reconciliation through Jesus Christ cannot both be true at the same time. All contradictions in the Bible are totally due to either man's mistranslation or misinterpretation of the original relevant Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek words. We challenge anyone, including theologians and Bible scholars, who believes in the doctrine of Eternal Torture in hell, to show us how their belief can be reconciled with the scripture Colossians 1:15-20, without adding to or taking away from its clear inspired meaning. In this book, we will show you that the Bible from Genesis to Revelation upholds the truth of universal reconciliation and that it is the doctrine of hell, which is false and completely unbiblical. We will show you that there is not a single verse in the Bible, including those verses spoken by Jesus, which in any way contradicts the truth of universal reconciliation as stated in Colossians 1:15-20. You may find it shocking to accept the full truth of Colossians 1:15-20, which clearly states that God will not only reconcile all men unto Himself, but He will also reconcile all fallen angels. 'Thrones or dominions or principalities or powers', as given in verse 16 above, definitely include Satan and the fallen angels. The truth that God will even reconcile Satan and the fallen angels exalts God's power, wisdom, love, forgiveness and His justice to the full. As God tells us to overcome evil with good, He also does the same. (Romans 12:21) God will ultimately overcome all evil with good, so that the purpose of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for universal reconciliation is fully accomplished. Don't misunderstand, God is not soft on sin, and He never condones sin. God's power, love and His judgement will break all rebellion whether it is from men or angels. In God's time and in His order, which extends beyond this present age, all fallen men and all fallen angels will repent and willingly come to accept, by God given faith, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Eternal Kingdom of God of the New Heaven and the New Earth will not be established until God has reconciled all things in heaven and all things on earth through the blood of the cross. The Greek word for reconcile used in Colossians 1:20 is apokatallasso. There are only three places in the whole of the New Testament where apokatallasso occurs. These are in Colossians 1:20, 21 and Ephesians 2:16. The context of these verses shows that reconciliation to God is only possible because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of the whole world. (1John 2:2) Universal Reconciliation is also known by other terms such as Universal Salvation, Christian Universalism and Biblical Universalism. Universal Reconciliation appeals to many non-Christian groups such as Humanists, and 'New Agers', but we reject all beliefs and teachings which are not supported by the Bible. Unfortunately, there are also some liberal Christian groups who claim to believe in Universal Salvation through Jesus Christ, yet they reject the authority of the Bible as the Word of God. We reject any and all liberal interpretation of Universal Reconciliation that is not totally in line with the Word of God, the Bible. We know that our book will create a great deal of controversy in the Christian world because Universalism is considered a heresy by mainstream Christianity. However, God has powerfully revealed to us that HE IS THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN. (I Timothy 4:10) We are now compelled to communicate the FULL GOOD NEWS of the gospel of Jesus Christ as widely as possible and by all means available to us. We know that there are some standard objections to Universal Salvation, such as, 'If God is going to save everyone, then why bother evangelising and why should unbelievers repent now?' or 'Surely you don't mean that even Hitler and Satan will be reconciled?' Furthermore, 'Doesn't this teaching take away our God given freewill to accept or reject Jesus Christ?' In our book, we will show you, from the Bible, that all such objections are unfounded. The Bible means ALL when it says ALL We need to first expose the fallacy of those who say that the Bible rarely means all when it says all, before we give fourteen of the many glorious scriptures which uphold the truth of Universal Salvation through Jesus Christ. Charles H Spurgeon, a very influential preacher in the nineteenth century, did a great disservice to the Word of God when he preached that the word all in the Bible very rarely means all, but that it usually means some of all sorts. Below is a quote from one of Spurgeon's sermons. "The words 'world' and 'all' are used in some seven or eight senses in Scripture; and it is very rarely that 'all' means all persons, taken individually. The words are generally used to signify that Christ has redeemed 'some of all sorts' some Jews, some Gentiles, some rich, some poor, and has not restricted his redemption to either Jew or Gentile." (Spurgeon, Particular Redemption, A Sermon, 28 February 1858) One can easily prove how wrong Spurgeon was by examining the biblical verses in their context, where the word 'all' is used. The Greek word for all is pas, which is used 1243 times in the New Testament. We have examined every verse where pas has been used, and we could not find even one single verse where pas means 'some of all sorts' as preached by Spurgeon. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the context immediately makes clear to whom or to what all or every refers. We give below a couple of examples. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all (pas) our fathers were under the cloud, all (pas) passed through the sea, 2 all (pas) were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all (pas) ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all (pas) drank the same spiritual drink... In this scripture, 'all' refers to all our fathers. Acts 2:6-7 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.7 Then they were all (pas) amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all (pas) these who speak Galileans?" In this scripture, the first 'all' refers to the multitude and the second 'all' refers to the group of Galileans, who were speaking in different languages. There are only very few verses in the New Testament where the context of the verses does not immediately make clear to what or to whom pas is referring. Spurgeon and all those who believe in hell have seized upon such verses to explain away all verses, which uphold the truth of universal salvation. We give below a couple of examples of the very few verses where the context of pas is not so immediately obvious. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things (pas) through Christ who strengthens me. The argument goes that in this verse pas can only mean some of all things as obviously Apostle Paul did not mean that he could do all things. This is fallacious reasoning and misunderstanding of the scripture. The correct understanding of the verse is that Apostle Paul could do all things in line with the will of God through Jesus Christ who strengthened him. Matthew 3:5-6 5 Then Jerusalem, all (pas) Judea, and all (pas) the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. This scripture speaks of the ministry of John the Baptist. The argument goes that all in this scripture can only mean some of all, since obviously everybody in Jerusalem and Judea and the region around the Jordan were not baptised by John the Baptist. Again, this is fallacious reasoning and misunderstanding of this scripture. The context of this scripture shows that not everybody who went out to John the Baptist was baptised by him, as verse 7 below makes it clear that he did not baptise many of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 3:7 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” The correct way to understand Matthew 3:5-6, in the context given, is to see that people went out from Jerusalem, all parts of Judea and all the region around the Jordan to John the Baptist and were baptised by him. Exactly how many of these people who went out and were also baptised is not given. A better translation is given in the NIV as follows: Matthew 3:5-6 (NIV) 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Spurgeon was a strong believer in the doctrine of hell, and he needed to justify his belief by negating many scriptures, which use 'all' when referring to universal salvation. All preachers who, like Spurgeon, say that the Bible 'rarely means all when it says all' are adding to or taking away from the truth of many clear scriptures such as Colossians 1:15-20 that speak about the universal reconciliation of all things through Jesus Christ. We now list below fourteen of many scriptures, which shine out the biblical truth of Universal Reconciliation. We have chosen ten from the New Testament and four from the Old Testament. Let us believe the Word of God, taking it at its face value and accepting that in these scriptures all means all and every means every. Fourteen Glorious Universal Reconciliation Scriptures 1. Colossians 1:15-20 We have already discussed this scripture in detail above. 2. 1 Timothy 2:3-6 (KJV) 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have (thelo) all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. This is a powerful scripture as it stands, because God's sovereign will to save ALL people and have them come to the knowledge of the truth cannot be frustrated by man's limited fallen freewill. This scripture becomes even stronger once we understand that the primary meaning of the Greek Word thelo is to be resolved or determined as given in Strong's Concordance (Strong's Number G2309). Unfortunately, the NKJV and the NIV use the weaker meaning of thelo, which is to desire. God not only desires that all men are saved, but He has resolved and determined that all men are saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 3. 1 Corinthians 15:22-26 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. Only the false doctrine of hell prevents people from believing the obvious truth contained in this scripture. It is one hundred percent clear that the 'all' who die in Adam is exactly the same all that shall be made alive in Christ, which means each and every human being that has ever lived, including Adam, will be made alive in Christ, i.e. saved. 4. Romans 5:18-19 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many (all) were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many (all) will be made righteous. It is clear that ‘many’ in verse 19 refers to ‘all’ in verse 18. These verses once again confirm the truth that every person, without exception, will be justified and made righteous through Jesus Christ. 5. 1 Timothy 4:9-11 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach. Notice that it is a command from God to teach the truth that God is the Saviour of All People. How can God be the Saviour of All people and yet not save them ALL? 6. John 4:42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world". Yes, Christ is indeed the Saviour of the world. How can He be the Saviour of the world and yet at the same time not save the whole world? Remember that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2) 7. Romans 11:32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. This verse refers to all people, Jews and Gentiles, who die as unbelievers. It is not God’s purpose to save all people before they die but only a few, His Elect. However, God’s mercy will prevail on all people, and ultimately in God’s time and His order, all people will be saved. 8. Acts 3:19-21, 25 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed’. Note that God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began about the time when Jesus Christ will restore all things. This is the time when Jesus Christ will return to this earth to fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant and to bless all the families of the earth, as confirmed in verse 25 above, which ultimately means the salvation of all people. 9. John 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." This verse speaks about Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection. Ultimately, in God’s time and His order, which extends beyond this age, all people will be drawn to Christ because of the finished work of the cross. 10. Revelation 21:1-6 1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End..." Yes, the time will come, at the creation of the New Heaven and the New Earth, when Jesus Christ will bring to completion God's Plan of Universal Salvation, which He is working out in biblical Ages. This will be when there will be no more pain, no more crying, no more sorrow and no more death. This will be when God the Father Himself will come down to earth to dwell with ALL people and He will be ALL in ALL. If a tormenting hell existed then these verses would be false. 11. Genesis 12:2-3 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." God made a covenant with Abraham to bless all the families of the earth through his Seed, who is Jesus Christ. All the families of the earth mean Adam and Eve and all of their descendants. Chapter 7 'God's Purpose for Israel' gives a detailed explanation of these verses, and explains how and when God will fulfil His promise to bless all the families of the earth. 12. Isaiah 25:7-8 7 And He will destroy on this mountain The surface of the covering cast over all people, And the veil that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. Notice that God Himself will destroy the veil of unbelief that is spread over all nations. 13. Psalm 98:1-3 1 Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. 2 The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. This is a prophetic Psalm. His Right Hand and Holy Arm who gained the victory is referring to the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God because of the victory of the cross. 14. Isaiah 45:22-25 22 "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. 24 He shall say, 'Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, And all shall be ashamed Who are incensed against Him. 25 In the LORD all the descendants of Israel Shall be justified, and shall glory.'" This is another beautiful and clear Old Testament scripture upholding the powerful truth of Universal Salvation. Notice that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess because they receive righteousness and strength from the Lord. This agrees with Philippians 2:9-11, which also says that everyone will worship God and give Him all the glory. Those who believe in hell twist these scriptures to interpret that God will force unbelievers to worship Him in hell. A forced worship can never give glory to God. The Bible from Genesis to Revelation upholds the truth of universal salvation and reconciliation through Jesus Christ in other scriptures besides those listed in this chapter. We welcome your input. Please CONTACT US if you would like to make any comments on this or any other chapter in our on-line book, 'God's Plan for All'       Copyright © 2005 All rights reserved GOD'S PLAN FOR ALL