Question. - We are asked whether or not we believe in universal redemption and what we consider to be the full scope or meaning of the term?
Answer. - We Reply: To our understanding many who use the expression, "Universal Redemption", fail to understand clearly its signification. They mean universal and eternal salvation, which is another matter entirely.
The Bible teaches universal redemption in its statement that Jesus Christ, "by the grace of God, tasted death for every man," and that He "gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6) Again, "He is the propitiation for our [the church's] sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2) All these text speak of the redemption of mankind and all clearly and positively declare that it will be universal - that is, that it will apply to every member of the human race.
The universality of redemption, having been thus established, the next question would properly be, What is included in the word redemption?
The answer is that in the Greek, as well as in the English, the word has the significance of purchase - of the acquiring of something by the giving of something else in its stead. This thought is emphasized several times in the Bible. Not only are we told that we are bought with a price, even the precious blood of Jesus, but we have Jesus' word for it, that He gave Himself a ransom (corresponding price) for sinners. (Matthew 20:28) The word used in the Greek is anti-lutron, signifying a price in exact offset. The Apostle Paul gives exactly the same thought when he says, "the Man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [anti-lutron] for all." (1 Timothy 2:5-6) Paul again emphasized the same thought when he says, "As by a man came death, by a Man coves also the resurrection of the dead; for as in Adam all die, even so all in Christ shall be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)
Thus we have the matter of redemption and the
redemption-price for mankind emphasized and particularized. It surely is
universal. It covers every member of the human race. The sin came by one
man, and he alone was sentenced by the great heavenly Court to die. His
wife and his children share with him in this penalty - not by direct
sentence, but indirectly - for the measure of life which we have came from
Father Adam, and it was only a spark, its right to exeist having been
forfeited before it came to us. It was thus, however, that our great
Creator provided universal redemption. By this decree against one person
He made it possible that one perfect man might redeem the condemned one.
It was to this end that our Lord, the great Logos, left the heavenly
Courts, humbled hinself and was made flesh, the Man Christ Jesus, who
tasted death for every man. His death is sufficient for the satisfaction
of the claims of Justice against the first man, and all the results of
that sentence in that man's race are provided for.
In order to see what the Human race may expect as a
result of this universal redemption, we must notice what Father Adam was
before he sinned. Redemption implies the bringing of Adam and his race
back into the condition in which he was before he sinned. Note
therefore:
He lived under divine blessing, which provided for his
every need and maintained him in life as long as he was obedient. His claims had not been decided as respects eternity.
He was in the school of experience, gaining knowledge, and was assured of
a continuance of his life as long as he remained obedient and used his
knowledge in harmony with his Creator's will. He was, therefore, a probationer for eternal life.
Had Adam continued obedient under certain tests, he would have been
recognized as a graduate in the school of experience and as no longer
porperly subjected to tests and trials. But he never reached this
position. He failed in this trial time, and never attained his graduation
therefrom. Universal redemption, therefore, means a bringing of Adam
and his race back again to the probationary state in which Adam was when
he sinned. That which was lost is that which was redeemed, and which is
to be restored. God's provision, the Scriptures tell us, is for "times
of restitution" and those times, or years, of restitution are for the
bringing of Adam and his race back to all that they at first had. The
Scriptures intimate very clearly that the experiences of mankind - first,
under the reign of sin and death, and secondly, under the restitution
blessings of Messiah's kingdom - will give such ample knowledge of God and
of His plan that t the conclusion of Messiah's reign, every member of the
human race will have had his probation in full - full knowledge, full
opportunity.
The Scriptures show us that some, when granted all these
blessings, will resist them and, sinning wilfully, will be accounted as
unworthy of any further favor of the Almighty, and will be destroyed in
the second death. They show us clearly that in the end of the Millennial
age, some, even of those who will attain full human perfection, will not
be accounted worthy of eternal life, but on the contrary, will be
destroyed in the second death, because , having enjoyed their share in the
unversal redemption, they have not improved the opportunities for such
character development as would meet the divine requirements. Their
destruction is shown in Rev. 20:7-10. It is also pictured in the
destruction of the goat class in the parable of the sheep and goats in
Matt. 25:31-46.
But some one will inquire, Will not the redemption which
God has provided still pursue them and recover them from the second death?
We answer, No! During the Millennium, Christ will give to all every
assistance necessary and proper. "The world will be judged in
righteousness." (Acts 17:31) Besides, to suppose anything further to
be done for these after they have gone into the second death through their
own wilful course, would imply another sacrifice for sins. The sin which
brought death to Father Adam was wilful sin. This the death of Jesus will
fully offset, but the sin which will bring the second death will be
individual, wilful sin on the part of every one who will die the second
death, and the cost of redeeming each one of those sinners would be the
death of a sinless one as a sacrifice for each.
The case of Adam is altogether different from what it
will be with the race then. Each one of those sinners would be equally as
guilty as was Adam himself, and each one will be personally condemned to
the second death. If each one were to be redeemed again, he would need a
personal Savior. The Bible intimates a considerable number of goats at
the end of the Millennial aged, who will come under the second death
penalty and it would require an equal number of perfect sacrifices for
thier redemption from that sentence. What good would that do if they had
not profited by all the experiences of the present life and all the
experiences of the Millennial restitution time? We could not imagine
their profiting by any experiences.
Evidently, therefore, the divine plan is the only wise
one. No redemption will be given for the recovery of such from the second
death, nor is there any kind of hope for them. Who would die for them?
Who would redeem them? Not Christ for the Apostle Paul distinctly points
out, "Christ dieth no more." (Romans 6:9) Would a company of the
holy angels voluntarily die for them under all these circumstances and
conditions, seeing that they had sinned against such light, knowledge, and
loving provision? Would any of the Church, the Bride of Christ, die for
them? We believe not. Would any wise or intelligent being give his life
a corresponding price for one who was incorrigible under such favorable
conditions? We think it unreasonable to suppose.
Universal Redemption Defined
Universal Salvation Explained