We miss God’s plan when applying ‘an age’ to mean ‘forever.’

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It’s simple: If a person is not saved, then its not the end. Why? Because Jesus Christ doesn’t stop reigning until every person and every creature is saved through His death for sin, His entombment and His resurrection.

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In 2015, I was watching the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup for professional hockey. In one of these games, the Blackhawks were losing after the first period of play. I shut the game off and told everyone that they had lost the game. However, hockey games last three periods. So, there were still two more periods to play. In those two periods, the team from Chicago rose to the challenge and won the game. So much happened in those last two periods.

So what’s my point? I called the end of the first period the end of the game. Therefore, I missed all the wonderful hockey, the great comeback, the teamwork. and all the glory because I ended the game early. How ridiculous is it to call the end when there is still most of the game left to play?

Well, religious people do this all the time. They call the end of God’s plan too early and miss the last two glorious ages of time. Christians will say that Jesus excludes people from the kingdom and that person will be separated from God forever. It is over for them. However, they miss the fact that this is only for a period of time. The game is not over for anyone. Let me explain:

1 By many portions and many modes, of old, God, speaking to the fathers in the prophets,
2 in the last of these days speaks to us in a Son, Whom He appoints enjoyer of the allotment of all, through Whom He also makes the eons; – Hebrews 1: 1-2

God made the eons or ages through Christ Jesus. This is the Almighty’s realm of operation with humanity. God deals with humans in ages of time, not eternity. So, the purpose of this article is to prove that when a person is separated from God in death, punishment, judgement, or any other way, they are separated from God for eons or ages of time, not eternity. Consequently, when the ages of time spoken of in scripture are complete, all humanity will be with God so that He will be All in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).

Christ has saved all creation through His death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection. It will take the full and complete eons of time for the cross to reach every single creature. Ending the plan early and applying eternity to ages of time will cause a person to miss God’s end game of perfecting His entire creation.

Some may disagree with how many ages are in the past and I will touch on this briefly, however, the focus of this article is on the two future ages discussed in scripture.

In the past:

age 1: This is the period of time before Genesis 1:1. Not much is given on this period of time in scripture.

age 2: This is creation as we know it. Genesis 1:1-2 says “In a beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth. As for the earth, it came to be chaos and vacant, and darkness was over the surface of the abyss.” So, the earth came to be chaos and vacant…after Age 1. Age 2 begins with Genesis until the time of the great flood.

The present:

age 3: This is when Noah leaves the arc and is currently our present age. Paul refers to this eon as the current wicked eon.

Again, people can debate on how to breakdown ages in the past but the important thing to note is that scripture speaks of two future ages in which Jesus Christ will rule.

In the future:

age 4: Christ’s return to earth and the 1000 year earthly reign of Jesus Christ.

GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT

age 5: The new heavens and the new earth age. This is after the great white throng judgement and after the former earth and heavens are burned up. The lake of fire is operational during this time. Please view the figure below created by a warrior for truth by the name of Wes Fahlenkamp:

The Aionion/Eonian Times Chart

-Chart created by Wes Fahlenkamp biggestjesus.com

So, we are awaiting the next glorious age when Christ returns to earth to set up His kingdom for 1000 years. Here’s the thing, while Jesus was on earth during His first coming, He spoke only of this 1000 year kingdom for Israel.

24 Now He, answering, said, “I was not commissioned except for the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” – Matthew 15:24

It wasn’t until the apostle Paul came on the scene that the glorified Christ explained what the cross has accomplished for all creation. However, while Christ was on earth He spoke to Israel regarding entrance into this 1000 year kingdom. Christ never spoke of eternity.

Therefore, all the verses that talk about people being punished, judged, left out, not good enough are with the 1000 year kingdom in view. People use these verses to teach that Christ is banishing people for all eternity when He is simply banishing them from the 1000 year kingdom. All of these verses quoted by Christians in an attempt to prove eternal hell simply refers to missing out on this glorious age, not eternity. This is a big deal to Israel, but again, not referring to eternity.

4 And I perceived thrones, and they are seated on them, and judgment was granted to them. And the souls of those executed because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who do not worship the wild beast or its image, and did not get the emblem on their forehead and on their hand- they also live and reign with Christ a thousand years.
5 (The rest of the dead do not live until the thousand years should be finished.) This is the former resurrection. -Revelation 20: 4-5

So, according to the scripture above, those that reject Christ miss out on the 1000 year kingdom and DO NOT LIVE AGAIN until the 1000 year kingdom is over. They are not condemned for eternity but instead miss out on the glorious Millennial Kingdom. This is not their end because they will live again after the 1000 years.

Okay, so what happens after the 1000 year kingdom?

The Great White Throne Judgement. Remember, this is just for unbelievers. All believers have been vivified, made immortal already and will not face this judgement.

Remember, Christians that quote Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John verses have already pronounced eternal judgement on the people being risen to judgement at the Great White Throne. The verses in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John had to do with Christ’s 1000 year reign and now that time period is over.

11 And I perceived a great white throne, and Him Who is sitting upon it, from Whose face earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them.
12 And I perceived the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. And scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened which is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged by that which is written in the scrolls in accord with their acts. -Revelation 20: 11-12

Faith is Christ’s completed work has already given believers a special salvation. They are in. Now, the ‘faith’ period has ended so that judgement will be according to acts (Rev. 20: 12).

This judgement determines placement in the future glorious age of the ‘new heavens and the new earth.’ At this point, the former earth in which we live and the former heaven pass away.

1 And I perceived a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth pass away, and the sea is no more. -Revelation 21:1

Okay, so what happens to these people at the great white throng judgement?

13 And the sea gives up the dead in it, and death and the unseen give up the dead in them. And they were condemned, each in accord with their acts.
14 And death and the unseen were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death-the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone was not found written in the scroll of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. – Revelation 20: 13-15

So, those written in the scroll of life will pass into the new earth to be kept alive by eating of the log of life. These people have been judged, corrected and now gain entrance into the new earth. Who’s to say that these humans are not some of those that have missed out on the 1000 year kingdom?

Those locked out of the wedding feast, in the outer darkness where their is weeping and gnashing of teeth, those in aionion chastening, those in aionion fire could take part in this glorious entrance into the new earth age. They may have missed out on the 1000 years but are not in eternal hell. Instead, these former unbelievers are resurrected to life and kept alive through nourishment from eating of the log of life.

2 In the center of its square, and on either side of the river, is the log of life, producing twelve fruits, rendering its fruit in accord with each month. And the leaves of the log are for the cure of the nations. – Revelation 22:2

Okay, so what about those that are cast into the lake of fire? Surely, they are in eternal hell. First, remember that the lake of fire is in operation during this period of time in which people are living on the new earth and this does not represent ‘forever’ or eternity.

Again, the lake of fire is the second death.

14…This is the second death-the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone was not found written in the scroll of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. -Revelation 20: 14-15

Not a whole lot is said of the lake of fire but we cannot avoid the fact that it is ‘death.’ Scripture refers to the lake of fire as the ‘second death’ in revelation 20:15 and revelation 21: 8.

So, what does God’s word say about death, all death, whether first death or second death? God says death, all death, whether first or second death will be ABOLISHED!

Not only that, but every single enemy of God and Jesus Christ will be ABOLISHED.

Abolished means to render inoperative, to bring to naught, make of no effect. So, the question is: if the lake of fire is the death and people are there…then what happens to those people when death is abolished?

They are made alive! They will not remain in the lake of fire because the lake of fire is death. Death is abolished. Every enemy, in fact, is abolished. So, that means that death, eternal hell, opposition to God, anything evil, cannot possibly exist or have any effect on anyone because all of it is ABOLISHED!

How can eternal hell if it existed (which is doesn’t) or death hold any of God’s creation if every enemy and all death no longer exists no can effect anything or anyone? My God, may we understand these words.

Here’s the thing and this is why many religious people trip up. The book of Revelation is the last book in the bible but it DOES NOT peek into the furthest reaches of time. Revelation or the Unveiling of Jesus Christ talks about a time when Christ will rule in the 1000 years and the new heavens and the new earth. During this time, creation is still not perfected and many creatures will not be saved. Christians think these people are lost forever. Not so.

The apostle Paul speaks of a time after Revelation to a time when Christ is finished ruling and reigning, a time when all creation is perfected. See, Jesus Christ will rule and reign as long as there is a need to do so. Once all creation is perfected and God is every creature’s all, then Christ no longer needs to reign. Therefore, Christ gives up His reign and is subjected to the Father along with every creature that He saved.

15 And the seventh messenger trumpets. And loud voices occurred in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of this world became our Lord’s and His Christ’s, and He shall be reigning for the eons of the eons! Amen!” -Revelation 11:15

In conclusion, during Christ’s time of reign in the next two eons of the 1000 years and the new heaven and new earth, there are many people that are on the outside, not perfected, dead, unsaved, separated. However, the mistake is to think they are in this state forever.

The ages are not over until Christ gives up His reign and He only gives up His reign when every creature ever created is with God. To say that people are lost forever is to end the game too early, before the consummation. At the consummation, all are saved through Jesus Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection.

The proof is below:

21 For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a Man, also, comes the resurrection of the dead.
22 For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified.
23 Yet each in his own class: the Firstfruit, Christ; thereupon those who are Christ’s in His presence;
24 thereafter the consummation, whenever He may be giving up the kingdom to His God and Father, whenever He should be nullifying all sovereignty and all authority and power.
25 For He must be reigning until He should be placing all His enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy is being abolished: death.
27 For He subjects all under His feet. Now whenever He may be saying that all is subject, it is evident that it is outside of Him Who subjects all to Him.
28 Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all. – 1 Corinthians 15: 21-28

Grace and peace to you all.

an email dialogue and word study

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Hello, this is an email dialogue I’ve had with a person in disagreement with word meaning in scripture. If you want to take a deep dive into the words God uses in scripture, than have a read.

Email: Eternal punishment is taught in the Word of God and it’s dishonest to deny it. Matt 18:8, 25:41-46; Mark 3:29; Heb 6:2; 2 Thess 1:9; Jude 6-7 and Rev 20:14… What is your scriptural evidence against it? We can’t just make up our own doctrines. Jesus taught on hell more than anything else.

My answer: Hello, I assure you that an honest assessment shows that eternal punishment is certainly not taught anywhere in a properly translated scripture.  We must realize how important it is to understand the words that God uses in scripture. 

First, you said that “Jesus taught on hell more than anything else.”  The truth is that ‘hell’ is an English word and Jesus didn’t speak English, so He never used the word ‘hell,’ ever, in all of scripture.  Jesus used the word ‘Gehenna’ in the Greek scriptures which refers to the Valley of Hinnom just outside of Jerusalem.  This was a garbage dump where dead bodies of criminals were thrown in Jesus’ day and has absolutely nothing to do with eternal conscious torment.   The people of this day knew exactly what Gehenna was so why do you claim that Jesus speaking on ‘Gehenna’ is Jesus speaking on hell?  Why would Jesus use a literal place that has nothing to do with eternal conscious torment to teach eternal conscious torment?  Jesus does not talk about the concept of hell but instead scripture is misinterpreted by those who have invented this false doctrine.

Second, the word ‘eternal’ is a mistranslation.  The Greek word used in the New Testament is ‘aion,’ Strong’s 165 and ‘aionion’ Strong’s 166.  Aion properly translated means ‘age’ and aionion is the adjective form that means ‘agelong.’  This can easily be checked in scripture to prove that these words cannot mean eternal.   One instance is Titus 1:3 which says God gives promises before times aionion.  This word must mean ‘agelong’ otherwise how would God give promises before ‘eternity’ began?

We also must understand that Jesus spoke of the 1000 year kingdom, not eternity.  Many will miss out on this kingdom.  However, the glorified Christ told the apostle Paul of the time after the 1000 year kingdom when all will eventually be saved by Christ’s work on the cross. 

My scriptural evidence against hell?  Besides the fact that the word ‘hell’ is never used and the concept is not taught, these scriptures and many more make eternal separation from God an impossibility.  Here are just a few:

10 (for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers (1 Timothy 4:10).

21 For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a Man, also, comes the resurrection of the dead.  22 For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified (1 Corinthains 15: 21-22).  This verse does not say that all in Christ will be saved, but in Christ, ALL (the same all that die in Adam, everyone) will be saved. 

28 Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).

18 Consequently, then, as it was through one offense for all mankind for condemnation, thus also it is through one just award for all mankind for life’s justifying (Romans 5:18).

20 and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens (Colossians 1:20).

Romans 8:18-25 says that believers are firstfruits in order to save, not condemn, the rest of creation. 

Romans 11:32 For God locks up all together in stubbornness, that He should be merciful to all.  Hell shows mercy?

Hugh, please read these scriptures in context and tell me how eternal hell is possible?  An honest study would show you that God will judge, condemn, be separate from His creation for ages of time.  However, each in their own order, God will save all mankind through Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection.  You don’t think Christ’s cross took care of sin?  Scripture says it did.  All are saved, believers first, then everybody else at the consummation.  Please spend some time in 1 Corinthians 15: 21-28. 

The scriptures you present in support of eternal hell are based on the false doctrine of hell developed by the traditions of man.   These verses in no way teach eternal conscious torment. 

Matt 18:8 – Jesus is speaking of the 1000 year kingdom using the foot and eye to implore people that it is better to stop what they are doing and enter the kingdom than to continue and miss the kingdom.  Jesus is not teaching them to mutilate themselves.  Remember, Jesus baptizes with fire which is a good thing.  Fire, though painful, is symbolic of purification.  Do you really think that Jesus is talking about literal fire when He baptizes in Matthew 3:12?  Then He is not talking about literal fire here. 

Matt 25:41-46 – Again, Jesus is not speaking of eternity but age of time.  In fact, do a deep study on Matthew 25:46.  The word used for eternal is aionion which means agelong and the word used for punishment is Kolasis which means corrective chastisement.  So, this verse properly translated says “And these shall be coming away into agelong chastening, yet the just into life aionion.”

Mark 3:29 – These people have no pardon for the eon, not eternity.  Please get a concordance to learn what these words mean.  Are you suggesting that Jesus didn’t take care of this sin on the cross?  Sin may exist for ages of time but Jesus Christ’s cross proves it will not exist for all eternity.  Every enemy is eventually abolished, yet you think they remain forever?

Hebrews 6:2 – Judgement is not eternal and by the way…when people are judged they learn righteousness.  Please look up Isaiah 26:9.  What happens to the inhabitants of the earth when God judges them?

1 Thessalonians 1:9 – agelong extermination from the Lord.  How could this be eternal if Paul says that the same all that die in Adam are part of the All in all of God (1 Cor. 15: 21,28).

Jude 6-7 talks about messengers kept in bondage until judgement day, not eternity.  Justice is aionion or agelong fire, not eternal.  The fire is purification as it is said that Jesus baptizes with Holy Spirit and fire.  You really think this fire doesn’t have a purifying effect when it is the result of Jesus baptizing?

Revelation 20:14 – this says “And they were condemned, each in accord with their acts.”  Where does it say this is eternal.  These people are “cast into the lake of fire-which is the second death.”  Tell me what happens to those in death (second death, first death, any death) when death is abolished?  1 Corinthians 15: 25-27 says death will be abolished and yet you think it lasts for eternity?

I have no doubt that people are cast off for the 1000 year kingdom and during the ‘new heavens and the new earth’ age, some will be in the lake of fire.  However, when these two glorious ages are complete, sin and death are abolished and will exist nowhere in God’s perfected universe.  In the fullness of time, Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection will reach every creature created by God (Colossians 1: 15-20). 

His response: So what you are saying is that nothing in our Bibles is as it seems and it should be discarded altogether. I do have a concordance but have been busy on other things. So far, everything has been mostly correct in its translation. I don’t know if you are familiar with NDEs but there are a number of them that describe a hot pit of fire where there is torment over sin and the participants are not allowed to leave. I’ve never done a deep study on this because eternal punishment used together multiple times seemed pretty clear. I have to admit it is unsettling to hear someone tell me that the Bible I’ve read for over 50 years is completely useless because it was written through the lens of men and not inspired by the Spirit. Wow. Just wow.

My response: That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m saying that everything in scripture is inspired by God and useful. That is exactly why we need to know what God said. Bibles have been mistranslated for years and it takes a bit of work to separate what God says in inspired scripture from mistranslations over the years. So, are you saying its not important to understand what words the inspired writers actually used? Are you suggesting we rely on Rome to translate scripture based on their ignorance of the Greek and desire to control people with the thought of hell?

I think you should be more unsettled in the fact that you have not done a ‘deep dive’ on eternal hell, nor have studied the scripture that clearly proves that God will eventually save all creation through Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection. Instead, you have just accepted the false doctrine of eternal hell.

As far as NDEs go, the key word is ‘NEAR.’ The mind and demons play tricks on a dying brain. However, whatever these people see is not ‘in death’ because the dead ‘know nothing’ according to Ecclesiates 9:5. So anything they know or see would be while they were still alive because in death, there is no consciousness. I trust scripture, not NDEs.

Side note, how could a person be sent to hell before they are judged? The great white throne judgement doesn’t take place until after Christ’s 1000 year reign.

You haven’t responded to the scripture I’ve presented, nor am I asking you to. But, please ponder them and look at the questions I’ve presented. Then, take finding out what the inspired writers of scripture actually said seriously. If not, you will never know what God has actually said.

His response: Strongs… Eternal – forever, 166, aionion; Punishment – punishment, torment, 2851 kolasis; Lake – lake, pond, 3041, limne; Fire – on fire, fry, burn, 4448, puroo… What concordance are you reading, Deep Dive?

My response:

We look at a concordant to see what words were used in the original scripture and then study what those words actually mean. I prefer A.E. Knoch’s concordant Old and New Testament: https://www.concordant.org/

For instance, AE Knoch uses one Hebrew/Greek word for one Engish word. Strong’s uses 166 to mean agelong and eternal. How can a word be an opposite of itself? The KJV that influences Strong’s work, in my opinion, uses one Greek word to mean multiple English words so the meaning is distorted. In Titus 1:2, aionion 166 is used twice, once translated as time and once translated as eternal. How can a word mean time and the absence of time? The translators knew that nothing could happen before eternity began, so they translated it time. But, in the very same sentence they left the same word 166 to mean ‘eternal.’ This proves they knew that word means ‘agelong or pertaining to time.’

Strongs defines word 165, ‘aion’ as follows:  Noun.  a space of time, an age

Strongs defines word 166, ‘aionios’ as follows:  Adjective.  agelong, eternal

Do you see the problem here?  The noun ‘aion (165)’ means age.  So, how can the adjective form of the word take on an opposite meaning of the base word it comes from?  It would be like saying hour means something different than hourly.  The Greek word ‘aion’ means age.  So, why would its adjective mean eternal?  Makes no sense.

Not to mention that Strongs uses the definition of 166 aionios to mean agelong and eternal.  This is not possible because agelong refers to time and eternity is the complete absence of time. 

This is the influence of the King James Version and bad translations.  With whatever concordance you use, it must be checked with scripture to determine proper meaning.  I will show you that scripture proves that these words absolutely cannot mean eternal. 

Again, eternity is not a very long time.  Eternity means the absence of time.  So, no word can mean its opposite.  Therefore, a word cannot mean agelong and eternal.  Its one or the other, not to mention that the adjective form of the word cannot mean something opposite of its noun form. 

So my point…Strongs 165 aion and 166 aionios both have to do with ages of time or eternity.  It has to be one or the other, not both. 

*Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of this world became our Lord’s and His Christ’s, and He shall be reigning for ever (165) and ever (165)!  Amen!”  This according to the KJV.  So, does Strongs word ‘aion’ here mean eternal or age?   First, how can Christ rule forever and ever?  Are there two eternities?  Of course not.  Plus, the usage of ‘aion 165’ absolutely cannot mean ‘forever or eternal’ in this verse because JESUS CHRIST’S REIGN COMES TO AN END.  HE DOES NOT REIGN FOREVER.

1 Corinthians 15: 25-26 – For He (Christ) must be reigning UNTIL He should be placing all His enemies under His feet.  Then, once death is abolished, the Son Himself is subjected to God (v27,28). 

** Jonah 2:6 I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD, my God.  Now, as I’m sure you know, the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek.  So, each Hebrew word has a Greek equivalent in order to translate the Hebrew into the Greek.  ‘Olam’ Storngs word 5679 is the Hebrew equivalent to ‘aion 165 and aionios 166.’  The word Olam is defined as long duration.  So, again, not eternal. 

So Olam in the Hebrew is equivalent to aion and aionios in Greek.  In Jonah 2:6 this word ‘olam’ is used to describe how long Jonah was in the belly of the fish.  The KJV and other bibles translate it as ‘forever’ or ‘eternal’ and yet…we know Jonah was only in the belly of the fish for three days.  In Jonah 2:10, scripture says that God released him. 

So olam, aion, and aionion all have equivalent meanings.  How can this be ‘forever, eternal’ if Jonah was released after three days.  Are three days and eternal the same thing?  No. Its impossible for these words to mean forever, eternal. 

***Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal (166) life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time (166) began.  Nothing is more dishonest than Titus 1:2.  Here, in the very same sentence the word ‘aionion 166’ is translated in two different ways.  Shameful. 

The KJV says ‘in hope of eternal (aionion) life’ the Greek word aionion is translated to mean eternal.  The translators know this is not the right translation because the word aionion is used again when talking about God making promises before ‘time (aionion) began.’  The KJV people knew that nothing could happen before eternity began so they translated the word properly to mean time.  However, this proves the same word used earlier in the sentence cannot mean ‘eternal.’  It should be translated as ‘agelong’ life. 

****1 Timothy 1:4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.  There is a Greek word that means ‘endless.’  If God wanted to talk about something ‘endless’ then He would have used this word:  562 aperantos. 

This word that means ‘endless’ is used once in all of scripture in 1 Timothy 1:4.  God didn’t use this word in scripture when denoting life or death for the ages, He used aion and aionion because those words mean agelong and pertaining to an age. 

Separate message from same person: I have trouble wrapping my mind around a creator who would doom people to hell before they’re born. He knows what people are going to do before the foundation of the world and from what I read, most people are going to hell. I can’t understand it and I don’t see how anyone can understand it?

My response: God is love and dooming people to eternal hell is ‘not love.’  So, one of these are false.  God does all.  He chooses for some people to remain in disbelief and miss the glorious 1000 year rule of Christ, some will be in the lake of fire during ‘the new heavens and new earth age.’  However, nobody is doomed in hell for eternity.  At the consummation, God will be All in all that die in Adam (1 Corinthians 15: 21-22, 28).  Every creature ever created will be reconciled to God through the blood of the cross (Colossians 1:15-20).  See God has a special salvation for believers in that they get in early, however, unbelievers are not cut off forever because they still have a salvation that comes later (1 Timothy 4:10). 

God doesn’t just know what people are going to do, He plans the end from the beginning (Isiah 46:10) and He writes our days in His scroll before one of them came to be (Psalms 139:16).  Get this, God does what He pleases with people on earth (Daniel 4:35) and He wills all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).  God gets what He wants.

Grace and peace to you all…

Romans 9 speaks of the impossibility of ‘human free-will.’

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I think many people read the scriptures to find answers to their questions. So, if you have a question and someone in scripture asks that very same question and it is answered, wouldn’t you pay attention to that question and answer considering you had the exact same question? I believe so.

For instance: Should I love my enemies? Well, in Matthew 5:44, Jesus says “love your enemies.” Even though Christianity teaches that God will torture His enemies in fire for all eternity, not showing an ounce of love. But, I digress. The true God saves all humanity through Jesus Christ. Therefore, the command of Jesus to love our enemies makes perfect sense. So, question answered.

Relating to God’s sovereignty and His complete control over all creation, I have heard the question many times and it goes like this: If God causes us to do evil, then how could He judge us for doing that evil?

When people ask this question, they do not realize that they are asking the same question the hypothetical protester asks the apostle Paul in Romans chapter 9. The question is asked and answered by Paul. However, people today continue to ask the same question as if there is no answer. But again, Paul gave an answer. So, why do dissenters continue to ask it? It is because, I believe, they do not like the answer given in scripture.

Well, to set up Romans chapter 9, let’s look at just a few things that Paul says about God’s sovereignty and man’s lack of free will:

1. First, Paul says that before Jacob and Esau were even born, every decision they made good or bad was determined by God. Paul is setting up the fact that God determines everything. Everything that happened in Jacob and Esau’s life was not ultimately according to their acts but of God’s choice that determined their acts.

11 For, not as yet being born, nor putting into practice anything good or bad, that the purpose of God may be remaining as a choice, not out of acts, but of Him Who is calling,
12 it was declared to her that “The greater shall be slaving for the inferior,”
13 According as it is written, “Jacob I love, yet Esau I hate.” -Romans 9: 11-13

2. Second, Paul goes on to hint at the objection of God’s sovereignty. Someone might argue that its not fair that God chose the actions and determined the outcome of Jacob and Esau before they were even born. Paul says, “Not that there is injustice with God? May it not be coming to that!” Well, here is Paul’s response and with it, goodbye to human free will.

15 For to Moses He is saying, “I shall be merciful to whomever I may be merciful, and I shall be pitying whomever I may be pitying.”
16 Consequently, then, it is not of him who is willing, nor of him who is racing, but of God, the Merciful.
17 For the scripture is saying to Pharaoh that “For this selfsame thing I rouse you up, so that I should be displaying in you My power, and so that My name should be published in the entire earth.”
18 Consequently, then, to whom He will, He is merciful, yet whom He will, He is hardening. -Romans 9: 15-18

So Paul makes it clear that God is the One that hardens hearts. Therefore, as Paul references earlier in this chapter, Pharaoh did evil things because God hardened his heart. So, all evil done with a hard heart can be credited to God’s purpose.

As a result, it is clear that God causes people to have a hard heart, otherwise, scripture is clearly denied. So, the question that comes to many people’s mind is this: How can God judge a person for evil when He is the One that hardened their heart to do evil?

This is the question Paul asks by pretending to take the position of someone that would object to God’s sovereignty. Paul says, “You will be protesting to me, then, Why, then, is He (God) still blaming? For who has withstood His intention?”

Paul anticipates the argument of How can God blame a person He caused to do evil…the very question that is asked so often today. From the protester’s point of view, Paul is asserting the undeniable truth that NO ONE can withstand God’s intention. Otherwise, the protest wouldn’t make any sense.

On a side not, a very important truth is that all people have gone against God’s stated will (what God tells them to do), but NO ONE can go against God’s intention (what God has planned for them to do).

So, here is Paul’s answer to the objector’s question of today, like it or not:

20 O man! who are you, to be sure, who are answering again to God? That which is molded will not protest to the molder, “Why do you make me thus?”
21 Or has not the potter the right over the clay, out of the same kneading to make one vessel, indeed, for honor, yet one for dishonor?
22 Now if God, wanting to display His indignation and to make His powerful doings known, carries, with much patience, the vessels of indignation, adapted for destruction,
23 it is that He should also be making known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He makes ready before for glory — -Romans 9: 20-23

To summarize, not that its needed…Paul is saying that God organizes every circumstance of life to cause people to act according to His preordained plan that Nobody can go against. That is what Paul means when He says God is the Potter and we are the clay. Not puppets! Not robots! Clay! We are molded by God to do exactly what He has planned for us to do.

Some are vessels of honor and some are vessels of dishonor created by God. Remember, no matter what we think about this, Paul addressed our perceived ‘injustice’ and our ‘protests’ against this being unfair. It is answered. God is God and we are not.

With that being said, we must understand that when God judges people for having a hard heart or doing evil; it is not punishment. It is not like God produces the circumstances for us to act in a certain way and then says, “why did you do this action?”

No, God’s judgement is correction (Isaiah 26:9) and it always leads to the good of the one being judged. Though judgement is not pleasant, those whose hearts have been hardened will experience unspeakable joy when God shows them why He did what He did. This joy and understanding of God will be magnified because of the experience of having a hard heart.

Remember, 32 For God locks up all together in stubbornness, that He should be merciful to all. – Romans 11:32

God perfects all in the end through Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection.

Grace and peace to you all.

Every knee will bow and every tongue acclaim that Jesus is Lord. Is this forced?

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Philippians 2: 9-11 are three scripture verses that clearly teach the eventual salvation of all creation. In fact, Paul specifically mentions every knee and every tongue from celestial and terrestrial and subterranean. What else is there?

9 Wherefore, also, God highly exalts Him, and graces Him with the name that is above every name,
10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should be bowing, celestial and terrestrial and subterranean,
11 and every tongue should be acclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, the Father. -Philippians 2: 9-11

Even those that don’t believe that the cross is powerful enough to save all creation would admit, I think, that the above verses refer to all creation. After all, every knee and every tongue from those celestial, terrestrial and subterranean makes that clear.

However, the argument is that this is a forced confession from unsaved creatures after their time for salvation has passed. I’ll attempt to show you from scripure how this argument carries no weight.

First, the time for salvation does not run out until the consummation when all enemies are destroyed and all are subject to Christ Jesus and then to God. God will then be All in all of His creation. Therefore, the time of salvation is open until the last creature is perfected.

Second, if this was a forced confession from unsaved creatures that God and the cross failed to reach…how would this forced confession be “for the glory of God, the Father?”

Jesus Christ came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and God wills all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). If any of these creatures in Philippians 2: 9-11 are not saved then that would mean God could not pull off what He wanted to accomplish. So again, how would this failed attempt to save bring the Almighty glory?

It wouldn’t, unless you think God is some sadistic phychopath that takes pleasure in forcing His creatures to acknowledge the One Who saves while making sure they are not saved. Not to mention that ‘not saving’ these creatures goes against what God wanted to do in saving all mankind (1 Timothy 2:4). So God failing at His own plan does not bring Him glory at all. Not to mention that Jesus Christ came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), in which Paul is the foremost.

So, Christ saved the foremost sinner, Paul, and came to save all sinners. Yet, these sinners in Philippians 2: 9-11 are unsaved sinners forced to acknowledge Christ…like through a divine submission hold. Does this failure give glory to Christ? God?

No. What gives glory to God and Christ is all creation bowing the knee to Christ and confessing with the tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord. This coming from hearfelt gratitude, praise, and awe flowing from abundance of joy from REDEEMED, AND ONLY REDEEMED CREATURES. That is the only way these verses are “for the glory of God, the Father.”

In closing, let me show you how it is not possible for these creatures in Philippians 2: 9-11 not to be saved.

These verses speak of every single creature in the heavens, on earth, and under the earth. Every tongue confesses, every one acclaims that Jesus is Lord. However, scripture also says that no one is able to say ‘Lord is Jesus’ except by the holy spirit.

3 Wherefore I am making known to you that no one, speaking by God’s spirit, is saying, “Anathema is Jesus.” And no one is able to say “Lord is Jesus” except by holy spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:3

So, all the creatures in Philippians 2: 9-11 have the holy spirit because they say that “Jesus is Lord.” Again, one cannot do this unless they have the holy spirit. Therefore, how can it be that any of these creatures are separated from God for all eternity when they actually have the HOLY SPIRIT? Simple. They cannot.

These verses speak of a time when the power of the cross and God’s grace has reached every creature ever created. This is after those excluded from the wedding feast in the 1000 year kingdom…this is after judgement…this is after the lake of fire and death itself is abolished.

God wills all men to be saved and He does all of His will. Jesus Christ came to save sinners and that is exactly what He does. Every single one. These verses speak of a time when this is accomplished and every single one of God’s creatures give Him glory from heartfelt thanksgiving and praise because He accomplished the All in all through His Son, Christ Jesus

Nothing gives God Almighty more glory!

Grace and peace to you all.

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Where did God come from? The answer to this question proves that human beings do not have a free will.

Let me explain.

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In a beginning God created the heavens and the earth. -Genesis 1:1

Some of this explanation is paraphrased from Kent Hovind’s debate with an atheist. We can all agree I think, that a Being that creates time, space, and matter needs to be outside of that time, space, and matter.

Genesis says that God created time (In a beginning), space (heavens), and matter (earth). In fact, God makes the eons of time through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2).

If God created time itself then He does not move through time like we do, but stands outside of it. A human makes a computer but does not run around inside of it, example given by Mr. Hovind. A movie writer creates a script, but does not enter the script. He stands outside of it.

So, everything within this ‘time’ that God created is subject to time and therefore, not free. Wait a minute someone will say, “God can make time and then let His creatures be free within that time period, right?” Not if those creatures are subject to the time, but let’s say ‘yes’ for arguments sake. But, definitely not if God declares what will happen in the end from the beginning. This would make ‘freedom from God’ impossible.

Scripture says that God declares the end from the beginning. This is because everything in this ‘time’ creation is in God and absolutely cannot operate apart from Him.

For in Him we are living and moving and are (Acts 17:28).

So, how can any creature operate independently from the God in which they live, move, and exist? Its like our heart using its free will to beat.

The ages of time created by God are a complete package from God’s perspective with every detail and minute action from every creature unfolding according to plan. The end is as accomplished as the beginning because God is outside of time. However, we as humans, walk through this time ignorant of the future as it unfolds.

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure -Isaiah 46:10

The above verse is for real but few grasp what it really means. Isaiah 46:10 says that God determines what happens in the end from the beginning, long before the end arrives. God DOES NOT move through time to see what human beings do or what decisions they make in order to determine the end. God DOES NOT wait for free will choices to determine the end.

If fact, the second part of this verse says that God will do all His pleasure. Does that sound like a God that allows evil and humans to thwart His plan? Or does it sound like a God that uses evil and determines human choice according to His ultimate intention? How about Daniel 4:35, does this seem like a God that allows Himself to be subserviant to the human will?

All those abiding on the earth are reckoned as naught; according to HIS WILL He is doing with the army of the heavens and with those abiding on the earth. And there is NO ONE who shall stay His hand and say to Him, What have You done? – Daniel 4:35

People will argue that God knows what decisions we will make so He can determine the end. They do this to hold on to the lie of human free will. However, this verse in Isaiah 46:10 says that God declares the end from the beginning, long before anyone makes a choice. If God declares what will happen in the end, then He has to be in control of the decisions of man that produce the end.

Look at it this way: The ages of time are created by God as a complete package, already accomplished from beginning to end. This is because God is outside of time and therefore does not run around in it. Now, God can enter time and play a role like a movie director playing a part in his own movie. God does this many times in scripture in order to interact with His creation. However in these instances, God is entering His creation and not subject to it like we are. The false doctrine of ‘human free will’ teaches that God is subject to the decisions of man. Not true.

If we know what God declares the end to be, then we know what everything from the beginning is leading towards. Well, in 1 Corinthians 15:28, God reveals His end game for all creation to be subject to Him so that God may be All in all.

This is the end, the completion of the ages of time created by God: That He will be all in everyone of His creatures. Jesus Christ’s completed work on the cross will eventually present all of us as children of God.

21 that the creation itself, also, shall be freed from the slavery of corruption into the glorious freedom of the children of God. -Romans 8:21

If we know the end then we know everything that happens from the beginning will lead to that exact end. Therefore, every joy, pain, good choice, bad choice, every experience we have is hand crafted by God for Him to become All in you. This is already accomplished from God’s perspective, we are just moving through time to experience everything that God has already set for us.

So, again with the choices. We each have our own wills that God has given us and we make choices every single day. However, God does not move along with us on the timeline of our choices waiting to see what we do or do not do. No, remember He created time and plans the end from the beginning. Therefore, our choices are part of His creative process that has already been completed.

11 in Him in Whom our lot was cast also, being designated beforehand according to the purpose of the One Who is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will -Ephesians 1:11

God operates all according to His will, not ours. What is His will then?

3 for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Saviour, God,
4 Who wills that all mankind be saved and come into a realization of the truth. -1 Timothy 2: 3-4

It’s as simple as this: God wants and wills all mankind to be saved and He works ALL according to His will. In the end, God gets what He wants. Anything that happens within God’s creation of time, including every single human decision, leads to this end of God being All in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).

Grace and peace to you all!

People will claim His name but deny the Cross

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Could Jesus Christ’s teachings and even feigned belief in Him be used to draw people to the Man of Lawlessness in the end times?

I believe so…

Now, the scripture I present in the article are of course true and I will draw conclusions based on the truth of those scriptures. However, the conclusions I draw are just a possible scenario stemming from my own perspective and opinion.

Also, though I will speak of American politics as an example…this does not mean that America is the be all end all in end times. In fact, I believe Israel is prominent in the years prior to Christ’s return. However, I am using the United States as an example of how the beast system and the man of lawlessness can draw people into the fold.

In speaking of the American political landscape, the evil of the current system is coming more and more out into the open. This will continue to happen leading up to the presidential election in November of 2024. This big government authoritative rule is evidenced by:

• Worldwide lock-downs
• Wars
• Terror attacks
• Pedophilia
• Inflation
• Assassination attempts
• Human trafficking
• Censoring on unprecedented levels
• And on and on…

Many of these evils will be exposed and President Donald Trump is being groomed as being the one to end it all. Politicians and celebrities alike now are touting Trump as the only man that can save America and even the world.

If its not Trump, then sub any world leader or perhaps even the self-human will. They will all play together.

As I have stated before, I believe both the left and the right of the political aisle serve the same masters. So the left will be exposed for this evil only in order to drive people to the right, only to fulfill the same goal. Once the evil of the world is fully exposed, people will flock to the hero’s that have overcome this evil.

These people will talk about ‘the summit of human achievement’ and that we all must turn from this evil and join them in righteousness. They will even talk of Jesus and His teachings as well as belief in God. However, this is the deception that I want to address:

Praising Jesus Christ’s teachings and saying that we should be like Him is something very different than believing in His death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection as the only way in which we must be saved. How does this play into end time deception?

Because the man of lawlessness can use Jesus’s teachings to lure people into following him while also using teachings from other various religious leaders. However, one cannot believe in Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and Resurrection as the only way for salvation and at the same time, herald any other teachers from the world’s religions.

Jesus Christ’s teachings did not enter death for humanity, nor did human belief enter death for humanity. Jesus Christ entered death for humanity. There is a big difference.

A few examples to illustrate my point:

1. Donald Trump has said that Jesus is more famous than he is and people actually claim that is an admission of belief. Trump speaks positively about Jesus while also embracing the teachings of other religions, especially Judaism.
2. Elon Musk is a very influential person and Trump supporter. He was recently asked if he would accept Jesus during an interview. He responded that he believed in Jesus’s teachings of forgiveness, the golden rule, turn the other cheek, etc. This particular video says Elon Musk says ‘yes’ to Jesus…look what he says about Jesus, they tout.

My point is that many people will endorse Jesus like the ‘He gets us’ campaign in showing Jesus as some sort of social justice warrior and a great leader. However, if they do not realize Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection then believing in His teachings will not exclude them from promoting the beast system. In fact, many will be tricked into believing these men are Christ followers.

I’m going to say it again. Just because these leaders put Christ in a positive light, does not mean that they won’t use that to draw you away from Him. How do you draw someone away from Christ?

You draw a person away from Christ by focusing on teaching and human righteous behavior to overcome sin and death. Teachings and human righteousness can be manipulated by people in power. Knowing Christ’s work alone for salvation cannot.

Righteous behavior and belief can be manipulated. For instance:

1. In our political situation, the evil that will be exposed is so bad that people will gravitate towards anything that overcomes that evil. Therefore, there is a real danger of people following this new righteousness at any cost for fear of being associated with the previous evil. This is exactly what happens in scripture when people believe that it’s their own behavior and not Christ’s death for sin that saves them.

End time rulers can deceive the masses by saying people must adhere to this ‘Human righteousness’ that overcame the great evil. If not, you are endorsing the old, obviously evil system. They will say things like this is the ‘summit of human achievement.’ You must behave this way. It will start out good but will turn quickly.

2. Even belief in Jesus Christ can be manipulated to get people into the beast system. People, including leaders, can claim to believe in Jesus Christ, accept His teaching, and praise Him while denying that its Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and resurrection that saves humanity. Even the religion of Christianity denies Christ’s complete work on the cross. They claim its their ‘free will faith’ and ‘behavior’ that saves them. This can be used by end-time spiritual leaders that define what you must ‘believe’ and how you must ‘behave.’ This is what religion does. There can be no deception with a person that believes Christ alone accomplished salvation. This cannot be manipulated by humans because humans do nothing to achieve it. It is 100% God’s work through Christ Jesus.

Conclusion:

Nobody, including Christian warriors that praise Jesus, will save the world before Jesus Christ Himself touches His two feet on this earth. Scripture says that the world will be in the worst shape its ever been prior to Christ’s return. So, any political movement to replace the current cabal will be the next evil that Jesus will replace. There will be no saving of this world until Jesus returns, so those claiming they will save the world prior to this, will not succeed.

The main point I want to make is that many people will use the name of Jesus Christ while denying that He will come in the flesh to set up His kingdom.

7 for many deceivers came out into the world, who are not avowing Jesus Christ coming in flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. -2 John 1:7

Some people will promote Christ’s teachings and His life as part of a greater cause to save humanity while denying that its through Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection that the world will be saved.

Beware of those that herald Christ without heralding the salvation that His work on the cross alone brings. Beware of those that claim to turn the other cheek but deny the death of Christ. You will not be deceived if the human is out of the equation and you rely on Christ alone for salvation.

Grace and peace to you all.

God is the God of evil or Evil is the God of God…

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So many times I have heard this argument:

A human must make a ‘free-will’ choice to do evil because if God planned for him to do evil, then that would make God evil. They think that this argument gets God off the hook for evil committed in the world. It does not.

First, just to touch briefly on the fact that God is not a man like us. Therefore, He can cause us to do evil and eventually turn that evil into good. Therefore, while the action remains an evil deed committed by us, God uses it for an ultimate good and thus…is not evil. Many examples of this in scripture:

For instance, God planned for specific people to murder Jesus which eventually led to the greatest good in saving all mankind. So, it was evil for these people to murder the Son of God and yet God planned it in order to save humanity (Acts 4: 27-28). Same thing with Joseph and His brothers in Genesis. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery which was extremely evil and yet God did this in order to save Israel which was extremely good. It was still evil committed by the brothers, but God did it for good so He is not evil.

God will justify every sin and every evil in this manner. Evil itself is a creation of God, after all, He’s the one that put it in the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and EVIL. Remember, we cannot have a knowledge of what good is unless we have an experience of EVIL.

It is an experience of evil God has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it. -Ecclesiastes 1:13

I am Yahweh, and there is no other. Former of light and Creator of darkness, Maker of good and CREATOR OF EVIL, I, Yahweh, make all these things. -Isaiah 45:7

People refuse to acknowledge the scripture that teaches that God is the Creator of evil because they think it must mean that God is evil. He is not. Temporary evil is a set-up for us to enjoy never ending joy with God.

We can’t understand immortality if we didn’t have an experience in mortality.

We can’t understand resurrection if we didn’t have an experience of death.

We can’t understand righteousness if we didn’t have an experience of sin.

We can’t understand justification if we were never condemned.

We can’t understand what its like for God to be our all if we never had a feeling of separation from Him

…and on and on.

Once evil serves its purpose, it will be abolished forever. Taking the responsibility of evil off of God actually takes God off His throne. Why? Because now God has to react to a presence of evil that was not His creation and is not part of His plan. This belief makes the Almighty God subject to evil when God is the Subjector of all and hence is subject to nothing.

So, those that do not understand evil’s place in God’s plan have to get God off the hook by saying that man chooses evil and God is not responsible. Therefore, this clears God of any evil.

However, human free will does not get God off the hook in anyway.

If you have read my articles or watched my videos, you know that I do not believe in human free will. Scripture totally disproves it. In this article, I was going to present a few scriptures that prove God is responsible even if we had free will. However, these scriptures will just disprove human free will, like all scripture does.

If evil stops God from getting what He wants, then he is not fit to be called God. Something came into His creation that is more powerful than Him. Okay, many will then take the argument that God gave us ‘free will’ to choose to love Him or not. Therefore, evil was necessary. However, even if this was true, which its not…if God still has power over our circumstances, then our will is not free.

A few examples:

God stopped Abimelech from sinning. In Genesis 20, Abraham said that his wife Sarah was his sister. This is what God said to Abimelech:

The One, Elohim, replied to him in the dream: I too know that you have done this in the sincerity of your heart, and I was also keeping you back from sinning against me. Therefore I did not allow you to touch her. -Genesis 20:6

So, according to those that believe in free will, humans can commit sin independent of God. Yet, God can stop someone from sinning at any time as in the case of Abimelech. So, why doesn’t God stop heinous sin before it happens? He can stop sin in one case and not the other? So, free willies have to either believe that God only has power to stop certain sins or is selective in stopping some sin and not others.

Neither makes any sense.

How about the conversion of Saul of Taursus? This is a man who made as strong of choice as a person can possible make. This choice was against Christ as Saul chose to imprison and breath murderous thoughts toward believers in Christ. Jesus Himself asked Saul, “Why are you persecuting Me?”

If anyone ever made a ‘free will’ choice to reject Christ, it was Saul of Taursus. Of course, God has to respect ‘human free will’ and allow Saul to do this evil. According to the ‘free will’ doctrine, God gave Saul the ability to choose freely. Well, Saul made his choice. Did God honor this choice? Did God say ‘Well, I gave Saul free will and he rejected me?’ Did God allow this evil to disrupt His plan? Was God a gentlemen that respected Saul’s decision? Hell no to all four of these questions!

God didn’t honor Saul’s choice like ‘free-will’ says He has to. No, despite Saul’s decision, this is what God said to him:

15 Yet the Lord said to him “Go, for he is a choice instrument of Mine, to bear My name before both the nations and kings, besides the sons of Israel,
16 for I shall be intimating to him how much he must be suffering for My name’s sake.” -Acts 9: 15-16

10 Now I said, ‘What shall I be doing, Lord?’ Now the Lord said to me, ‘Rise. Go into Damascus, and there you will be spoken to concerning all which has been set for you to do.’ -Acts 22:10

So, God took a man that chose to reject Christ and made him a ‘choice instrument of God’ to do all that HAS BEEN SET FOR HIM TO DO. God didn’t honor Saul’s free will, the Almighty chose for Saul to become Paul well beforehand and nothing can stop this. As if Paul could have made a free-will choice after being visited by the glorified Christ.

So in these two accounts, God can stop sinners from sinning and God can make the most vile sinners do His will. God is not subject to evil, nor to man’s free will. Of course, God plans Abimelech’s desire and Saul’s rejection from the start as well because…

ALL is of God (2 Corinthians 5: 18)

Nobody touched by the cross will be the same and no doubt, everyone will be touched by the cross…

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I do not like the term ‘Universalism’ because it allows people to categorize you into a box that they think they know, but do not.

I prefer to use phrases like ‘the power of the cross’ or ‘Christ’s complete work on the cross,’ etc. You see, people who deny universal salvation deny that Christ’s cross is a completed work and is powerful enough to save unbelievers. So they prefer to use universalism because, I believe, they don’t want to admit that they believe the cross is not powerful enough to save without human effort.

The term ‘Universalism’ gives off an idea to some people that salvation is just given to ungrateful sinners that live their life any way they want and just get a free ride into heaven. It costs nothing.

However, it cost the Son of God everything. If God didn’t send Christ then nobody would be saved and all of us would remain in our death and sin. However, God sent Christ to deal with sin and death forever by abolishing them and every enemy. As a result, at God’s appointed time, death and it’s sting will be no longer anywhere in God’s creation so that God will be All in all of His creatures.

So, one of the rubs against ‘universal salvation’ or the ‘100% success of the cross’ is that ungrateful, horrible people will ride willy nilly into heaven laughing all the way. See, this is a complete misunderstanding of how grace works and what the cross actually does.

Yes, we are saved by grace. We are saved by Jesus Christ’s faith, His death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection. God gives faith to some people to believe in the complete accomplishment of salvation. Others will realize this truth through judgement. All will receive this grace ‘For God is the Savior of all mankind, especially (not exclusively) of believers (1 Timothy 4:10).’

Salvation is all of God and Christ Jesus has saved all humanity according to Romans 5: 18-19, Colossians 1: 15-20, 1 Corinthians 15: 21-28, 1 Timothy 4:10, etc. However, each are saved in their own order or class according to 1 Corinthians 15: 23.

So, I want to speak to those that call me a ‘universalist’ and make the argument that this grace is cheap because any ‘ungrateful sinner’ will get in.

I would like to briefly show that no ‘ungrateful sinner’ will be in heaven. I’m not saying that Christ does not save ‘ungrateful sinners’ because He does. In fact, God chooses the stupid, weak, unwise, and ignoble.

27 but the stupidity of the world God chooses, that He may be disgracing the wise, and the weakness of the world God chooses, that He may be disgracing the strong,
28 and the ignoble and the contemptible things of the world God chooses, and that which is not, that He should be discarding that which is,
29 so that no flesh at all should be boasting in God’s sight. -1Corinthians 1: 27-29

However, what I want to show is that no ‘ungrateful sinner’ will be an ungrateful sinner once God’s grace and Christ’s cross gets done with them.

First: Those of faith

If you have been given faith in the complete work of Christ for your salvation then you have come to an end of ‘self.’ This means you know that Christ alone has saved you and its not by any ‘free will’ choice but because God has chosen you.

A true realization by faith as to what Christ has accomplished for you never causes someone to lax and want to sin. In fact, Paul says that in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world (2 Corinthians 1: 12-13). Think about it in real world terms, if someone saved your life wouldn’t you want to spend the rest of yours living in gratitude and love towards that person? Well, those that realize Christ’s completed work understand that Christ saved them and so much more.

So now, believers live in Christ and are free from the law of sin and death. This grace gives them room to grow in pure love of Christ because they serve Christ because He saved them. However, those that claim you have to ‘behave’ in order to be saved only do so out of fear of death or torment.

You see, grace motivates you to ‘behave’ because Christ has saved you and you don’t need to fear death and sin any longer. The law of ‘behave or else’ causes you to act in fear of punishment in order to earn salvation as opposed to acting in love and gratitude. Believers act right because they are saved, not in order to be saved. If they do sin, yes, grace superexceeds sin in every way.

Yet law came in by the way, that the offense should be increasing. Yet where sin increases, grace superexceeds (Romans 5:20).

So, those that have been given belief as to Christ’s completed work are not ungrateful sinners that do not respect what Christ has done. On the contrary, they realize exactly what Christ has done to sin and death, so that they have the freedom to live for Christ.

In addition to this, God puts the believer through experiences in order for them to work out the salvation that has been accomplished. There will be no spoiled brats in heaven. They will go through everything needed in order to appreciate to the fullest extent all that God has done through Christ.

Second: Unbelieving sinners

Okay, so what about those sinners that do not believe and don’t care at all about Christ? They are just going to skip through the pearly gates?

Not so fast. Yes, it is true that we are saved ‘while we are God’s enemies’ and not when we believe. It can be said that Christ never saved a believer. Why? Because He saves us while we are sinners and enemies. Then, God gives belief to those chosen in order to realize this salvation. Unbelievers just have not come to realization that Christ has saved them.

8 yet God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes.
9 Much rather, then, being now justified in His blood, we shall be saved from indignation, through Him.
10 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: 8-10

So, unbelievers where not given belief by God. Many people think that because they don’t believe that the only viable punishment for them is eternal separation from God. Why? Why is eternal hell or annihilation God’s only option in dealing with His unbelieving creation? “Ooh sorry, there’s nothing God can do because you made a choice,” says the christian.

Unbelief is an offense to God, but God does not reckon our offenses to us because He has conciliated the world to Himself in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5: 18-19). Unbelief is a sin, however, Christ came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). So, do these unbelievers get to heaven without a transformation? Of course not!

It is important to note that God chooses who will believe since before time began (2 Timothy 1: 9-11). Then, works out their experience so at the appointed time, they believe. This human choice is a result of God’s predetermined choice, not a result of man’s free will. So, these believers will have a special salvation in that they get in early and will work with Christ to save the rest of God’s creation. This is described in Romans 8: 18-25.

Now these unbelievers will miss out on the 1000 year kingdom and will have to go through judgement. The judgement of God will be intense and will give the unbeliever everything necessary for correction in order to come to the realization of Christ that those believers have been given by faith.

Its important to note that judgement from God is always for the good of the one being judged and not a vindictive, permanent condition. Judgement is correction as Isaiah 26:9 says and it is not eternal. See, God’s mercy and His judgement are not separate. I’ve heard many times from Christians that ‘God is just.’ Yes He is, but His justice runs through His mercy. This means that God’s justice, judgement or correction is a part of mercy.

For as light Your judgements will be to the earth; The dwellers of the habitance will learn righteousness. -Isaiah 26:9

So do the religious not believe that this 1000 year death sentence and judgement are enough to bring the unbeliever into a realization of truth? Well, for the most vile of sinners the lake of fire awaits. How about being in the lake of fire for years? Is that enough to satisfy the Christian? Do you still need eternal hell?

God doesn’t.

The blood of the cross does the necessary work for all creation with belief and the right dose of judgement for the unbeliever.

and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens. -Colossians 1:20

Grace and peace to you all.

How does the belief in eternal hell actually prove that you reject Christ?

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I remember when a was a Christian and believed in the fable of eternal conscious torment. After studying scripture for myself, I was relieved to discover that God torturing people in fire for all eternity was 100% a myth.

However, in my Christian days, I did not feel good about telling people they were going to hell or even thinking it. It was dreadful. But, I thought it was true so I had to believe it. Still, it was horrible to think that people close to me would burn in fire infinitely for finite sins. Sins that Jesus died for nonetheless.

On the flip side, many Christians today seem to love the idea of pronouncing people to eternal hell. They love the idea that people that were not as righteous as them will burn in fire perpetually. Gleefully, they say its your own fault…you didn’t make the right choices and overcome like I did. So, you deserve it.

The ‘You’ll see’ taunt:

So two baptist preachers come to my house and say to me while leaving, “You’ll see.” This twenty year old up and coming evangelist is referring to his belief that I will be tortured in fire for all eternity. He loves it and can’t wait for me to experience it. He leaves my house feeling as if he did good work for the Lord. After all, he’s wearing a suit.

Online Christians in the droves use ‘you’ll see’ all the time. They want you to go to hell for disagreeing with them. One guy named ‘Duck’ just recently told me that he would be sitting at the table and I will be in hell.

Hey Christian, do you see that the only reason the lie of hell was invented was so that you could take pride in saving yourself ‘apart for Christ’ in order to be better than those that did not do what you did. Think about it. Believing in hell rejects the work of Christ completely.

Yes it does. Salvation is up to you and those not as smart as you will pay for the very sins that Christ died for. So, Christ sacrifice means nothing to you. Only your pride.

Many, not all, Christians pretend to love you until you shed light on their false doctrines. Then, this fake love turns to hate. This hate reflects the hatred of the god worshiped in Christianity. Wanting someone to be tortured in fire for all eternity is sick, psychopathic hatred. The brainwashed christian cannot see this.

“You’ll see,” I’ll be in heaven and take joy in those being burned for all eternity.

I’m pronounced to hell because I say hell doesn’t exist, which it doesn’t. However, for you Christians, when did believing in hell become part of the gospel? I have accepted Christ Jesus as my savior as I know He died for my sins, was dead, and was resurrected for my righteousness. Huh? So what do you actually believe in?

Okay now, contrast that with the ‘You’ll see’ of the true God. I have said “You’ll see” to people that do not believe before. However this is what I mean by that…

To the unbeliever: You’ll see that God is real and Christ died for your sins, was entombed, and resurrected for you. Through judgement, you’ll see that Christ’s work has justified you, made you immortal, made you incorruptible, and a child of God. God will one day overcome your disbelief, your sin, your pain, your loneliness, your death and will be your all.

See, which ‘you’ll see’ reflects an all-loving and all-powerful God?

My ‘you’ll see’ or the self-righteous cackling laughter of the christian ‘you’ll see’ that can’t wait for you to burn in fire while he and his god eat apple pie.

Which glorifies God more? The God that subjects every creature to His power and love through Christ or the god that loses most of his creation to Satan.

Of course, God saving all through Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection.

Check yourself Mr. and Mrs. Religion: The only reason you don’t like this is because it takes away from your accomplishment and gives it to Christ. That is why you believe in eternal hell and want others to experience it…so you get the credit, not Christ.

Grace and peace to you all.

Death is the enemy…

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False translations, Roman control of scripture, the ignorance of church leaders, and the lack of scriptural integrity from the common man have led to a belief in the doctrine of eternal hell.

This false and hideous lie is so ingrained in church and society that mankind believes this is the foe from which we need to be rescued.

So in reality, creating the false enemy of eternal conscious torment actually leads people away from God by thinking it is their ‘free will choice’ that will save them. Therefore, God is no longer God because He loses most of His creation…not to mention this sick and sadistic god tortures his own creatures in fire for all eternity. Would any of you do that to your own kids? I digress.

The almighty God is now a victim of man’s free will. He can do nothing to influence the mighty decision of man. Of course this is false and eternal hell’s objective is exactly that: To get man’s focus off God and on ‘self’ by getting man to focus on the false enemy as opposed to real one.

Okay, so if not eternal hell, then what are we saved from?

Great question. Let’s explore:

In Genesis 2:17, God said to Adam that when he eats from the tree, “To die you shall be dying.” This begins the understanding of the common enemy that is woven throughout scripture. Notice that God did not say, “To eternal fire you shall be tortured.” Okay, that’s the last time I’m going to mention hell because scripture never does.

Adam is a unique human being as he sinned and ‘to die you shall be dying’ was pronounced on him. We, on the other hand, inherit the ‘to die you shall be dying’ part form Adam and because of this, we sin.

12 Therefore, even as through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin death, and thus death passed through into all mankind, on which all sinned — -Romans 5:12

The condemnation of death was given to us by Adam. So Christ saves us from condemnation, death, and sin. As Romans 5:12 says, we inherit death from Adam and because we have this death operating in us, we sin.

Notice in the following verses that we get death from Adam by no action on our part. Therefore, we are justified by Christ by no action on our part. This is what Christ saves us from: The condemnation of death and sin…

18 Consequently, then, as it was through one offense for all mankind for condemnation, thus also it is through one just award for all mankind for life’s justifying.
19 For even as, through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners, thus also, through the obedience of the One, the many shall be constituted just. -Romans 5: 18-19

Now scripture says we are saved from other things, like indignation, vanity, etc. However, all of this is based on death and sin.

So, since because of death we sin, it is important to truly understand what death is exactly in order to understand what we are actually saved from. I have covered this in other articles, so I am going to give the cliff notes version here:

Death is death. It is not life somewhere else. The dead know nothing whatsoever according to Ecclesiastes 9:5. Scripture equates death to sleep because there is no conscious experience for a person that is dead. That is why the dead know nothing. We would remain in this state forever if Christ didn’t enter it and subsequently be resurrected from it. That is exactly what we are saved from…the death state.

Job 14:14 asks if a man dies will he live again? That is the great question posed throughout the old testament and the answer is NO! Man will not live again.

That is…until Jesus Christ came along. Because of Christ, every man will live again!

Again, God said to Adam “To die you shall be dying.” So, we understand that we are saved from the death state. However, we are also saved from all that death brings. The sting of death is sin. So, Christ saves us from all that death brings, including sin.

So to summarize, Christ saves us from the death state and sin.

Now, the ‘dying’ and ‘death’ includes our lives of evil and vanity. WE are subjected to this experience of evil (Ecclesiates 1:13), this old humanity and vanity (Romans 8:20) by God.

Why? So that we will be set free from it. Therefore, Christ Jesus sets us free from the sin, uselessness, and evil that holds us in bondage throughout our entire lives. Christ frees us from the corruption that death brings us. We are freed in order to experience the glorious freedom of being children of God (Romans 8:21-22).

So, what are we saved from?

WE are saved from death (sleep, unconscious state) by putting on Christ’s immortality.

WE are saved from the corruption, sin, and vanity that death brings by putting on the incorruption of Christ.

WE will become brothers and sisters of Christ, like Him in every way. WE are saved from everything He died for.

WE will be filled with God in all things! Saved from every experience of evil given to us in this life. In fact, every experience of evil will magnify our joy when we are perfected.

Grace and peace to you all.

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