Universalism is basically the belief that all of mankind is universally redeemed in Christ and will ultimately go to heaven and that no one will spend eternity in hell.
It’s a very tempting thought. Certainly in our hearts we’d like to know that everyone makes it to heaven. It would be strange to wish that some go to hell. And hell really is quite hard to reconcile with a loving God. Certainly from our current limited understanding it is. How could God create a world where he knew that some would end up in hell for all eternity? This is the question that many would like answered. It presses on us and beckons an answer. It seems irreconcilable that God who is love and loves all, and is sovereign and has control over all, would create a place called hell that he knew that many people would literally end up in.
I must admit, this is still somewhat of a mystery to me. I know that God is a God of love. I have experienced it over and over again in my own life and witnessed it in others. I know Christ on the cross is his love to me. I am intoxicated with the grace and love with which he has drawn me near. I feel completely safe in his arms and eternally secure because of his grace. I know I will spend all eternity with him in the undiluted ecstasy of his love. And yet at the same time there could be numbers suffering in eternal hell fire because they never received Gods free gift of righteousness through faith in Christ. People, that when he created this world, he knew would reject him and end up in hell and yet he went ahead anyway! Was he ok with sacrificing a multitude in order to gain a multitude?
Who has the answers to these questions? Certainly there is some mystery here that, as humans, we will struggle to comprehend while here on earth. I know that as a human I have no right to question God’s justice since my only true sense of justice originates from him. I know that there is no darkness or evil in God and never can be, even though I can’t fully explain the mystery of how evil can exist. I know that God is love and can be nothing else but love. Yet how does my mind understand the mystery of a multitude of human beings suffering in an unending punishment called hell?
I believe the vexing exasperation that many experience in attempting to understand this mystery has allured them to a place where they are tempted to turn a blind eye to Scripture and turn to emotionally-charged logical deductions to try and explain these things. “I just can’t understand how a loving God would create a world where he would have to send people to hell if they reject Jesus. I know that God is loving and therefore his love covered all of us at the cross and therefore all of mankind is saved.” Or they even going as far as to dismiss hell altogether.
And then they look for Scriptures that sound like they back up what they are saying. Most times, if not always, these scriptures are taken out of context. And the quickest way to do that is to use the Greek! I don’t believe the original Greek is our final authority for the interpretation of any particular word in a verse, but in fact the context of where that word is found is our final authority. The Bible is it’s own interpreter. A Greek word could have anywhere from 1-15 different meanings. It is an irresponsible use of the Greek to quote a particular word and then look through the numerous meanings to find one that best suits what you’re trying to say. No. The question should be “what is the context and which variation of the word best suits this context in which the word is found?”
Don’t ever be intimidated by people who quote the Greek. Just because someone quotes the Greek, don’t automatically assume they are being faithful to Scripture.
I’ve looked at this idea of universal redemption and I just cannot give myself over to it simply out of integrity to Scripture. Many Universalists will argue their theology using emotional hypotheticals, logical deductions, random scriptures and scriptures out of context rather than the solid bedrock of Scripture in its true context. I do not do away with logical deduction either but it must fit properly into Scripture and not go beyond it.
It’s not good enough to question certain doctrines and leave them confusing for people as though that now allows for the mysteries and defends Gods integrity. We need to give scriptural reality even if we cannot fully reconcile it all with our current limited knowledge.
I’ve listed a host of scriptures below that establish two very clear things:
- That there is a real place called hell where many will in fact suffer for all eternity and ignoring or dismissing it doesn’t stop it from being real.
- That not all are saved and going to heaven, but it’s only through personal faith in Christ that an individual is saved and therefore we are called to preach the glorious Gospel to all mankind.
Let’s let the scriptures speak for themselves…
(You might think that this will kill your joy to look at this. Hey if our joy means we need to distort Scripture and the nature of God then I don’t want that joy! I believe Paul the apostle lived in a state of pure joy whilst also facing the reality that many are lost and on their way to hell. His joy did not temper his godly urgency to see people saved. In fact it probably increased it knowing what it was to walk in the joy of intimacy with God and knowing that so many were not.
Also, it is good to reckon with the fact that many are going to hell and not live in ignorance of this in order to keep your bliss. Whilst hell is not our biggest motivation to reaching the lost, it certainly is somewhat of a motivation and is in fact impossible to separate from your motivation. Especially if your own loved ones are heading there!)
Eternal punishment:
2 Thes 1: 7-10:
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2 Pet 2:9:
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Heb 10:29:
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Mt 25:46:
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
References to humans going to eternal hell:
Mt 18:9:
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Mk 9:45-48:
And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Lk 16:23:
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Outer darkness / weeping and gnashing of teeth:
Matt 8:11-13:
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.Matt 22:12-14:
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt 24:50-51:
The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt 25:30:
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Lk 13:27-29:
But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Second death/lake of fire:
Rev 20:6:
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power…
Rev 20:12-15:
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:8:
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Rev 2:10-12:
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Wrath of God:
Eph 2:2-3:
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 5:5-6:
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Col 3:5-7:
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
Jn 3:36:
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Rom 2:5-8:
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rom 5:9:
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Judgment unto hell:
Heb 9:27, 28:
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
2 Pet 2:9:
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2 Pet 3:7:
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Lk 20:16 -18:
He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.17And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Rom 2:12:
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Enemies of God:
Lk 19:26,27:
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Heb 10: 26, 27:
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Jude 7 – 15:
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 eternal fire. 8Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
2 Pet 2:17:
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Salvation and heaven only to them that believe:
Jn 3:16:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Rom 3:22, 26:
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe… 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
2 Thes 1:10:
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Rom 10:9-13:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Gal 3:22:
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Eph 1:13:
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Jn 5:24:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Rom 4:22-24:
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Rom 11: 23:
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
Lk 18:17:
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Acts 26:18:
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Romans 10: 14, 15:
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Final word:
We don’t need to explain the mystery of hell in an effort to defend the integrity of God’s nature and love. God’s love has been revealed to us in Christ. That’s it! Focus on Christ, focus on the Gospel!
John 3:16:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Christ on the cross is the manifestation of God’s love revealed to mankind.
Romans 5:8:
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
And once we come to know God’s love through faith in Christ there is no fear of judgment or punishment but perfect love in the Father:
1 John 4:18:
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
