Okay, now back to the scripture that proves one day sin and death will be destroyed or rendered inoperative. 1 Corinthians 15: 22-28 might be my favorite group of verses in all of scripture. It describes the whole plan in only seven verses. Verse 22 starts with the comparison of Adam and Christ which I have already discussed in some detail. But to review, this verse tells that all will die because of Adam. We can see this because people die and we know that one day we will die. However, the second part of this verse is something we don’t quite see yet. The same “all” used to describe those Adam touches is the same “all” that is used to describe those who will be made alive through Christ. Notice that this verse does not say that “all” in Christ will be made alive but in Christ, “all” will be made alive. That’s everyone! Now, there are some other interesting things about the rest of the verses in this set of scripture:
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. — 1 Corinthians 15: 22 – 28
In the end, Jesus will destroy all things by reconciling them to God. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16). . . and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:20).
You see, all things were created for Christ. Even the evil things and powers we see in the world today. However, those things will be put under Jesus’ feet because of the cross. The last thing the Lord will put under his feet is death. He will destroy death. The Greek word used for ‘destroy’ in this verse actually means ‘to render inoperative, abolish.’ So, death will be inoperative or abolished at God’s chosen time. Therefore, if death is destroyed all that is left is life. People cannot remain dead if death is abolished or no longer operating. This refutes the claims made by those who believe that the wicked would cease to exist (annihilation). However, I believe death being destroyed goes a step further. The book of Revelation talks about the second death. Many people in the church contend that this ‘second death’ is eternal hell. In essence, all the unsaved are cast into the lake of fire and this is the second death. My question is: what happens to the people in the lake of fire, experiencing the second death, when death is destroyed?
The answer is that those in the lake of fire will eventually have life as well, eternal life. Death will be inoperative, abolished. First death, second death, it does not matter. Death will be destroyed so that it no longer has any hold on God’s creation. If people are imprisoned to some eternal hell, then the second death has a hold on them. This is not possible since death has been annulled. Therefore, this refutes the claim of those that believe people are in eternal hell.
Now, I am not saying that people will not be judged. We will all be judged and it starts in the house of God as scripture proclaims. This judgment will be experienced by believers first and unbelievers in a more intense form, later. However, this judgment will be for the benefit of the one being judged. Through judgment, we all learn righteousness. So, the person that makes the argument: “Well then, if there is no hell than I can kill, cheat and steal.” Yes, Jesus died for all sin and that person will have everlasting life but will not be saved until they pass through judgment to learn righteousness. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness (Isaiah 26:9).
The Greatest Words of All
The last eight words in 1 Corinthians 15:28 are probably my most cherished of all words in scripture. It tells us what this experience of life is all about and why we go through evil and all other things. These words tell us what God’s end goal is for all humanity. You see, there will come a time when Jesus puts everything under Him, all of God’s creation, under himself. At this point, Jesus will cease to reign and will be made subject to Almighty God. Jesus only does this when He has finished or accomplished what He set out to do on the cross. Jesus is made subject to God once he has saved all of God’s creation.
Now, here are the words, the end goal for God and our own destiny. Why do we experience what we experience as humans? Why did Jesus do what He did?
…so that God can be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28). God will be all in all of his creation. There is no room for evil, sin or death at this point. All of that nonsense served its purpose and now has been annulled or is no longer operating, destroyed! God cannot be all in all if in some distant corner of the universe or alternate dimension, sin and death still reined in eternal hell. If God is all in all, then all humans have the image of God and are truly sons of God. This is our glorious destiny. God is all in all people. The following six steps outline and review God’s plan to save all mankind.
Step one: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
This sentence, like hundreds of others in scripture destroys the demonic doctrine of eternal hell and human free will. Adam sinned against God and because of that all creation dies. We did not have a free will choice in the matter, what Adam did was imparted to every single human being before we are even born. But this is the good news; Jesus Christ imparts life to every single human being just as Adam imparted death. This means that Christ gives life to the same all in which Adam gave death. EVERY SINGLE PERSON. Again, we have no free choice in the matter. This verse does not say, as Christians would tell you, for as in Adam all die but only those who believe in Christ shall be made alive. NO, lying pastors, it doesn’t say that! The same all that is touched by Adam’s death are touched by Christ’s resurrection!
I guess Adam’s action was more powerful than Christ’s. Religion and Christians would have you believe that. It is simply not true. God’s plan was to have His only begotten son, Jesus, die on the cross. This was the plan from creation, before Adam even sinned. ….The Lamb Who was slain from the creation of the world (Revelations 13:8). God’s plan is that all people die through Adam and all people are made alive Through Jesus Christ. The cross was not an afterthought or part of God’s damage control to save as many people as He could after Adam sinned. No, the cross and Adam’s sin were always a part of God’s plan. God chose to create sons and daughters by using sin, death and Jesus.
God was not left to wonder what to do after Adam sinned, Adam’s sin and the cross of Jesus Christ were part of the plan from the beginning. God created the problem and provided the solution to prepare us for the greatest possible eternal joy. The cross is plan A, not plan B.
Step 2: But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
Believers do have a special salvation. Those who are chosen by God to come to the realization that Christ alone saves them will be saved before those who were not given belief in this life. Christ has been resurrected first, the next group to be resurrected is those who died believing in Jesus and who are living believers when Jesus Christ returns. The living believers when Christ returns are the only ones that don’t experience death before they are made immortal.
…God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers (1 Timothy 4:10). This verse speaks of the special salvation of believers, but, it qualifies non-believers of being saved by God as well. You see, God saves all mankind, but has a special chosen place for those who believe. So, what about those who do not believe?
STEP 3: 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.
The next phase of God’s plan is to end all rule, authority and power. What are these exactly? Ephesians 6:12 says, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principlaties, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. First, we need to understand that the apostle Paul, in this verse, is speaking of wickedness in the heavenly realms. These spiritual hosts are not in hell but in the heavenly realms. This rule, authority and power are pure evil. We are talking demons, Satan here. God says that Jesus puts an end to this entire evil rule, evil authority that the devil and his demons have, and all the evil power. How does Jesus end this evil dominion? That question is answered in Colossians.
And by Him (Jesus) to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in Heaven having made peace through the blood of the cross. Earlier in Colossians 16, it says, For by Him (Jesus) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Okay, now I’m quoting scripture like a Baptist preacher. What does this all mean? It means that God created all evil, demons and Satan himself and once they have served their purpose, God ends their rule, power and authority by making peace through the blood of Jesus Christ. Don’t worry, extreme judgement awaits these evil doers, however, in the end, Jesus Christ brings all of God’s creation under the subjugation of God. That is how he puts an end to all rule, power and authority.
Step 4: For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Jesus prayed to God to forgive those killing Him, He will save all sinners and enemies by reconciling them to God. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Let’s notice two things about the sentences above that are not taught in bible studies or Sunday school. How many times have you heard your pastor teach about the fact that Jesus Christ’s reign will end? I’m thinking rarely if ever. However, scripture clearly says that the Lord’s reign will end. When? Not until the last enemy is destroyed. Through Adam came death and we all die. Jesus Christ will reign until He destroys death. At this point, there is only life, eternal life for all people. Death is not operating at all, it is destroyed. People are not experiencing eternal death (annihilationism) or any type of ridiculous, ludicrous, sick eternal hell. All sin, death and evil have been done away with at this point.
You see Christians have it all wrong. Jesus didn’t die on the cross and rise from the dead and then try to get as many followers as possible. He died on the cross and rose from the dead to save everybody. God works out the individual details in each and everyone’s life as far as timing, belief and that kind of stuff.
Imagine for a second, that there was a mighty cruise ship waiting at the dock and its destination was a beautiful paradise across the ocean. If you got on the ship, you went to the beautiful paradise. If you didn’t get on the ship than the place you were at was going to get hit by a hurricane and everything would be destroyed. According to Christianity, Jesus Christ would run to the ship and then try to call out or get his friends to tell as many people as possible to get on the ship before it leaves. Jesus is on the boat, others follow, but now the boat is leaving and many were left behind to die in the coming hurricane. That is not the loving savior scenario. The truth is that Jesus will tell people about the ship and have others do the same. Then Jesus stands outside the ship and does not board until the last, the very last person on the island gets in the boat. When every last one of the people on the island are on that ship that is when Jesus boards. This is the meaning of these verses. Jesus saved everyone, now everyone is reconciled and subject to God. Now Jesus steps in to be subjugated to God and gives up His reign. Mission accomplished, saved the entire creation, minus not one living thing.
Step 5: For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
Absolutely everything is reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. The only thing that is not reconciled to God by Jesus is God Himself. The scriptures specifically say this, if other creation, people, or entities were not reconciled to God, then they would be mentioned here. But no, God is the only one Who is not subject to Jesus Christ.
Now I want to be clear that we are saved by grace through faith. Even the vilest evil is ordained by God to serve a good purpose. However, people will be judged by God and it will not be pleasant. But, judgement is not eternal and in the end, is corrective.
Step 6: Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, So that God may be all in all.
I made the last eight words in this verse very big because those words sum up the destiny of every single person and the reason for Sin, death, judgement, resurrection, Jesus Christ, and all that there is. This is God’s end game, His grand intention. God will be all things in all people. We will have gone through sin, evil and death so we will know, like God, just how wonderful things are at this point, because we went through all the pain.
One of the main reasons that people do not understand the bible correctly is because of the mistranslation of the Greek word aion, aionios. It has been translated in many bibles to mean eternity, when in fact, the word actually means eon or eons, denoting a period of time that has a beginning and an end.
God has a plan for the ages/eons. The present eon we are in now is coming to a close. The future eons or ages that the bible speaks of are Christ’s Millennium Reign and New Heavens and New Earth. Those of us that believe that Jesus Christ’s death and His death alone on the cross were 100% sufficient for humanity’s salvation; these people will be alive during these two glorious ages. Those who do not believe in Jesus or add something to the cross, like their own free will choice, faith in themselves, faith in their faith or trust in any type of work will be resurrected at a later time. Those that have faith in Jesus Christ, a belief of pure grace, are those that enjoy this special salvation. At the consummation, the end of the ages, all people, all the dead, will be raised to life with God when death is destroyed. So again, and I am repeating this because so few understand these truths, Jesus saved every single human that has ever or will ever walk the face of the earth, on the cross. However, God gives faith to people at different times. Faith is a realization that Jesus died for you and you had nothing to do at all, with your salvation. Your salvation and life’s blueprint was sealed for you just as death was imparted to you.
I understand that Jesus doing all the work for us is a very difficult concept to grasp. After all, children are rewarded and punished for their actions at a very young age. Teachers create entire behavior systems based on rewarding good behavior and punishing bad behavior. Prisons are built for those who make bad choices. SORRY, God’s ways are not our ways and the cross of Jesus Christ does not operate that way. God did not create a behavior system, He sent His Son. Jesus Christ completed the task; our systems are useless when it comes to salvation. All of our failures and sins were put on Jesus at the cross, not on a behavior chart. In fact, the behavior chart was completely eliminated because God sees us, behavior wise, as He sees His Son Jesus. If we still want to use the behavior chart or add any works, then we have to be perfect and keep the entire law. Good luck.
Love your Enemies
Christians say that Jesus Christ is the only way to get to heaven. I believe this one-hundred percent, however, my belief differs from Christianity because I believe the cross is for all mankind and all eventually find their way home through the cross. This process is all of God.
Do you remember what Jesus said about the people who were killing him while he was on the cross? He said a prayer to his father. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing (Luke 23:34).” Think about this, Jesus was asking forgiveness for those who were taunting him, spitting at him, and nailing him to the cross. These people were nowhere in the ballpark of making a personal confession for Jesus Christ. They were killing the Son of God. Yet, Jesus asked for their forgiveness. Do you believe the father denied the Lord’s request? No way! The Jews and Romans that were crucifying Christ were performing what God had ordained them to perform since the beginning of creation. The Son had to go to the cross to save humanity. Therefore, the world’s worst evil became the greatest good because the cross will save all mankind. Did God will it this way or does God actually will people to act in seemingly bad ways?
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you appointed. They (Pilate and Herod) did what your power and will (God’s) had decided beforehand should happen (Acts 4: 27-28). God decided beforehand, before Pilate and Herod had any say so, to use these men to bring Jesus to the cross. It was God’s will, not Herod’s, Pilate’s, or any other human beings free will choice. No, it was God’s will to use these men to conspire and eventually bring Jesus to the cross.
Anyway, back to Jesus forgiving his murderers. If these men were forgiven, then that means God can forgive those who have not chosen Jesus, as this account clearly shows these men despised Jesus. I seriously don’t believe that any Christian denies the fact that God granted Jesus’ request to forgive these men. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that Jesus will forgive us for lesser sins and overcome these sins, even the sin of unbelief. We will all believe eventually and in God’s timing.
Religion paints the picture of a dual, conditional and schizophrenic god. He loves you only if you love him. Yes, Christians and other religions sing and talk of God’s love but what they preach is not love at all. They teach that Jesus died for you but that was not enough. The individual must do something to activate or accept Jesus Christ. Jesus loves you but if you don’t love him then God will burn you for all eternity. In addition, the invitation only extends until your life is over. If you don’t accept Jesus before you die then God’s love ends. How can anyone trust in a love or a God like that? I can’t imagine anymore, though I once did, believing in a God that will love me only if I do certain things for Him. That means that my salvation is up to me and I would always have to be concerned about myself. This takes the saving power away from Jesus and puts it on me. So, in conclusion, it will always be possible that Jesus will turn His back on me if I don’t toe the line.
Thank God that salvation is a sure thing and God’s love never runs out and Jesus does not turn His back on anyone. Scripture says that Jesus saved me and it is a sure thing. In fact, His death applies to me even if I hated Him and was a complete and total enemy of God. For if, being enemies, we were conciliated to God through the death of His Son, much rather, being conciliated, we shall be saved in His life (Romans 5: 10-11). These verses speak of God making humans right with Him WHILE THEY ARE HIS ENEMIES! You see, God saves you and loves you even when you reject him. Jesus’s death on the cross covers all sin, even the sin of unbelief. It does not matter how far you drift from God or what you have or have not done in your life because salvation is not up to you. Salvation is the work of Jesus Christ and we are His achievement (Ephesians 2:10). While we were enemies, Jesus made us right with God. He does not wait until we accept Him or follows rules to show our loyalty. God saves us and loves us at our worst and there is nothing we can do to make Him stop loving us. Now that is a God I can trust in and that is the God of the bible.
The next words of Jesus that I am going to discuss are kind of a rallying cry for Christians, but I am not sure how it is practiced. In Matthew, chapter 5, Jesus instructs the crowds to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. In Luke 6:35, it says Jesus instructed the crowds to love their enemies and do good to them. That is a hard thing to do as I think we could all agree. I find it hard enough to love those close to me the way I should, as opposed to actually loving my enemies. But, what does Jesus mean by loving our enemies? Well, it means showing them love and caring for them, right? So I ask another question, how does the doctrine of an eternal hell show love for the people that are there?
Supposedly, according to Christianity, people who reject Christ will spend an eternity in hell. Well, these people would classify as being God’s enemies, don’t you think? Wait a minute, Jesus instructed us to love our enemies. Does any one of us truly believe that torturing a human being in unimaginable pain, flesh ripping locusts and flames engulfing a screaming being, horrors beyond imagination, actually shows love to that person? Not to mention that this will go on not for a million years, but all eternity, forever. Also, that this torture serves no purpose because the person in hell will never actually get better or be refined. All of God’s judgments are designed to make people better or draw them towards Him. Like any child properly disciplined…When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness (Isaiah 26:9). God’s judgment, though fierce, corrects and is for the benefit of the person being judged. Judgment flows from God’s mercy and is not designed to satisfy God as an end in itself.
Now, all Christians will stand at once and tell me that it was their choice to reject Jesus and they chose to go to hell (like anyone would make a free will choice to go to such a place). But let’s say that is true, that makes them God’s enemies. Again, Jesus instructs us to love our enemies. Is God asking us to do something that He won’t do? He is if we believe in an eternal hell. God is torturing his enemies while we are instructed to love ours or worse yet, is letting his enemies be tortured and doing nothing about it. Either way, God does not love his enemies and the process doesn’t make any sense. The truth is that God does love his enemies. He proves this in Romans, Chapter 5. God sent his son to die for his enemies and one day God will bring all of his enemies under subjugation to Christ (I Corinthians 15:25) and will bring them all home to heaven. That is love!
Saved ignoble 
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