Written by: Pastor David R. Baughman
Boston Bar, B.C., Canada
pastordave@mailcity.com
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23The doctrine of eternal torment for 95% of mankind is a doctrine of defeat, as well as one which makes much of the scriptures incomprehensible and our Sovereign God of Love a monstrous failure.
Reconciliation of an adversary is true victory. The modern Church has fallen into the same error as the Israelites, and even the disciples. They, too, expected the Christ to impose His kingdom by force upon unwilling but overpowered enemies. God's plan is for reconciliation.
He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Col 1:18-20
If this is true, why haven't we seen it before?
Because the time was not yet. God Himself has concealed much of the truth from His people, because we have walked as little children rather than as Sons of God, and because we have been satisfied with the traditions of men rather than pressing in to learn from the Father!
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time 1Tim 2:6 He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations Isaiah 25:7 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Prov 25:2
As we begin to walk in Sonship, we will be able to say with Jonathan, "my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me?" 1 Sam 20:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1John 3:2
God is appearing to His people in a way that has never been seen before!
So, why have we been taught that MOST will suffer eternal torment?
But "eternal" cannot mean "eternal", because God says, Ezek 16: 53 I will restore their fortunes, both the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, and the fortunes of Samaria and her daughters
The Greek word here is AION, which translates "eon", or "age", or "era"
The KJV translates this word as AGE, BEGINNING OF THE WORLD, COURSE, ETERNAL, EVER, FOR EVER, FOR EVER AND EVER,FOR EVER MORE, NEVER, WORLD, WORLD BEGAN, WORLD WITHOUT END, WHILE THE WORLD STANDETH.
Eternity isn't spoken of much in the scriptures. The story of the bible is the story of God's dealings with mankind on earth and in time.
SHEOL- Literally "Underworld" -Hebrew equivalent of Hades. David says that God is there, and Job longs to hide there from God's wrath KJV = GRAVE, HELL, PIT
We must note that the translators used the word "hell" when speaking of the wicked, and "pit" or "grave" when referring to the righteous. This completely unjustified editing has caused many to draw conclusions which the writers never intended.
HADES- Literally "Unseen" -place of dead, where Jesus went, He has key KJV = GRAVE, HELL
TARTARUS- in Greek mythology, a place to restrain sinning gods, angels held there awaiting judgment KJV= HELL
GEHENNA- Literally "Ravine of Hinna" - Jerusalem's garbage dump KJV= HELL, FIRE
This is the only word which indicates fire, and is the place Jesus recommended avoiding when He said, And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Mt 5:30 (Note that there is no indication here of eternity.)
Listen to what the scripture has to say about Hinna's Ravine:
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom (in Greek=Gehenna), but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place. Jer 7:32
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury. Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city as Tophet Jer 19:11,12
Now, watch what happens!
And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields as far as the Brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be holy to the LORD. It shall not be plucked up or thrown down anymore forever. Jer. 31:38-40
Hallelujah! Even Gehenna will be holy to the Lord!
This is no fun, of course, but is hardly eternal, either. Jesus uses this word when He tells the story of the uncompassionate servant:
"Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." Matt 18:32-35
We see here that the Tormentors had charge of the servant only till the debt was paid. We read in Hebrews 12:11 that "no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Again, punishment is not eternal, and is for our good.)
These are the words which have created so much confusion. Now let's look at what the scriptures have to say about God, and about His intentions:
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Rom 9:14-17
There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength Isa 45: 21-24
Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev. 4:11
The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psa 24:1
Behold, all souls are mine, saith the Lord. Ezek. 18:4 God is the Father of all men. Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Mal. 2:10
If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.1Tim 5:8
(Is God an infidel? Will He deny the faith? No! He will provide!) God is love. 1 John 4:8.
Love worketh no ill. Rom. 13:10.
There is...one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Eph 4:5,6
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. John 3:16
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust Matt. 5:44, 45
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:35, 36
(Loving our enemies and blessing our cursors is being like God our Father!)
And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. Isa 25:6-8
In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Gen. 12:3 (Abraham)
In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Gen. 22:18
and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Gen.26:3,4 (Isaac)
and in thee, and in thy seed, shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Gen. 28:14 (Jacob)
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed. Gal. 3:8
And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world began. Acts 3:20,21
For if their rejection [i.e., the Jew's rejection of Christ] be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Rom 11:15
For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all. Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Rom 11:32,33
For as it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. Rom 14:11
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing that any should perish but for all to come to repentance. II Pet 3:8,9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will Eph 1:9-11
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.1Tim. 2:1-6
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all. Eph 1:9,10,22,23
He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Dan. 4:35.
I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure Isa46:9,10
The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: Isaiah 14:24
For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? Isaiah 14:27
I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isa 46:11
What he had promised he was able to perform. Rom. 4:21
My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34
Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. Heb. 10:9
...who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Phil 3;21
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2: 13-15
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10
we have heard Him ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world. John 4:42
We have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14
all the ends of the world shall remember, and turn unto the Lord; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him. Psalms 22:27
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name. Psalms 86:9
The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all his works. Psalms 145:9
Even though I [Paul] was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor, yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief. I Tim 1:13 (If the prerequisite for mercy is ignorance and unbelief, then who will fail to qualify?)
Isa. 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Isa.49:6
Out of the belly of hell [sheol] cried I, and thou heardest my voice. Jonah 2:2 (Yes, Jonah was in the belly of a fish, but there can be no doubt that this story is a picture of a rebellious man repenting in sheol, then being pardoned and restored and used of God.)
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. Ps 139: 7,8
Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, that thou wouldest conceal me until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! Job 14:10-13
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive (BRING BACK TO LIFE) the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls that I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him; I hid my face and was wroth; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. Isa 57:15-18 (Who has mourners? The dead!)
For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, and there is none remaining, bond or free. ... See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand. Deut 34: 36-39
Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. Psalm 90: 3
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Psalms 78:34-35
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; Psalm 49:14
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 1 Sam 2:6
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave (or Hell, Sheol), I will be thy destruction. Hosea 13:14
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide; neither will He keep His anger forever. Psalms 103:8,9
I will restore their fortunes, both the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters Ezek 16:53 (These have already been destroyed, but will be restored!)
for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28,29 (damnation=krisis, or judgment)
Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Eph 5:14
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. John 5:25
Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, FOR THE REBELLIOUS ALSO, THAT THE LORD GOD MIGHT DWELL AMONG THEM! Psa 68:18
Therefore it is said, When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. In saying, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. Ephes 4:8-10
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. I Pet 3:18-20
For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that even though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. I Pet 4:6
As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee. Zechariah 9:11-12
Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ... He ... spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Acts 2: 27-31
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Rev 1:18
Luke 16:19-31 The story of the rich man and Lazarus is too well known to reprint here. The word HELL in this passage is HADES, the unseen, the abode of the dead. This picture of a fiery afterlife is almost certainly not intended to be literal, any more than the Syrophenician woman (Mark 7:25-30) was a literal dog under the table. This story portrays the changing roles of the Jews and Gentiles as Jesus was rejected by Israel and brought the Kingdom to the nations. In any event, the rich man was certainly benefitting from his chastening: he became humble, thirsty, concerned about his brothers, and was taught personally by Abraham. There is no evidence here for an afterlife of endless torture.
But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. I Cor 15:54
(The last enemy to be destroyed is death. This apparently refers to all death, both physical death and spiritual death. Then the only thing that shall remain is...Life!)
I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying , know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jer. 31:33,34
The Lord will not cast off forever. But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies, for He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. Lamen. 3:31-33
there was given Him dominion, and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed. Dan. 7:14
He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy. Micah 7:18
Peter saw, in the vision of the vessel like a sheet knit at the four corners, that all men came down from heaven; that they are all encircled in the kind care of God while here on earth, that God has cleansed, and that all will be drawn up again into heaven. Acts 10:15; 11:5-10
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto [the] many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience [the] many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall [the] many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 5:6-21
The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also SHALL BE delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Rom. 8:19-22
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! ...For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Rom. 11:25-36
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. Ps 30:5
Thus the Lord will make Himself known to Egypt (Egypt! the enemies of God!), and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day. And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. Is 19: 21-25
For the Lord will not cast off for ever Lam 3:31
In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. Micah 4:6,7
He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Col.1:13-20
Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19
What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when (not ‘if') he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing... I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Lk 15:4-7
we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe 1 Tim. 4:10
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men Titus 2:11
Jesus said, Father forgive them; they know not what they do. Lk 23:34
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (this seems to mean, well, everyone, right?) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (and what else is needed to be saved??) Philip 2 : 9-11
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to be borne at the proper time. I Tim 2:5,6
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. Titus 2:11 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Is 53:6
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. I John 2:2
And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. I John 4:14
we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. John 4:42
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world John 8:12
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners 1 Tim. 1:15
these next 5 go together..
Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. John 17:2
All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37
(So, how many does the Father give to Him? Read on...)
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.John 3:35 In these last days He has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. Heb 1:2
I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him. Jn 3:17
(Whew!)
And they sang the song of Moses... and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the Nations. Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy; For all the nations will come and worship before Thee, for Thy righteous acts have been revealed. Rev 15:3,4
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: ... And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. II Cor. 5:14-19
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Rev 21: 3-6 (the fire makes everyone thirsty!)
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, (this seems to me to cover just about everyone...) heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Rev 5:13 (cannot say this except by the Spirit)
1-The Evil And the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are both the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for the ages of ages. Rev 20:10
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged each according to their works: and death and hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. And if any one was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. Rev 20: 13-15
But to the fearful and unbelieving, and sinners, and those who make themselves abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. Rev 21:8 (Note that this is NOT the END OF ALL, as the works of the Devil have not yet been destroyed)
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;Ge 19:24 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.Lu 17:29 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eonian fire. Jude 1:7
(now watch what happens to Sodom...)
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Mt 11:23,24
I will restore their fortunes, both the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, and I will restore your own fortunes in the midst of them, As for your sisters, Sodom and her daughters shall return to their former estate Eze 16:53,55
As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. Eze 1:13
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? ... Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Dan 3:24,25
(This tells us much about the purpose of fire- it burns away bonds!)
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: Joel 2: 1-3
Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. Zech 2: 4,5
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. Zech 13:9 (this third part is the Chosen Remnant!)
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Jer 23:29
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Cor 3: 11-15
Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.Isa 54:16
Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out on them My indignation, all My burning anger; for all the earth will be devoured by the fire of My zeal. For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him shoulder to shoulder. Zeph 3:8-9
For our God is a consuming fire. Heb 12:29
The wages of sin is death; BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
So...
Everyone gets fire, and fire is for cleansing. Jesus died for all, and all will be reconciled to God. Sin results in the death of all, and Jesus will defeat death. When the curtain falls, our loving Father will be ALL in ALL!
Hey, don't take my word for it! Take a hint from Berea, where "they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" Acts 17:11
That we may know Him, the only true God. Amen