Snippets from the hard copy Universal Reconciliation library of rodger

[dialoguewithus]

"ALL IN ALL" - such is the august goal of our God! He will yet be everything to everyone of His creatures, as it is fitting that He should be. Nothing less will satisfy His heart or the heart of our Saviour. Nothing less will vindicate His love or form a fit conclusion for the tragedy of the eons. Let us with joy believe it! Let us exult as we receive it! May these three simple syllables, that an infant's lips can lisp, become the very basis of our being, the background of every act, the key to every occurrence, a light in every darkness, a balm for every wound. They are the pole star of all true philosophy, the consummation of all wisdom. They are the heart of that compend of divine revelation, "All is out of Him and through Him and for Him" (Rom. 11:36), and reflect back upon the dismal story of sin and suffering the bright and beneficent beams of the immanent love of God, for which the darkness and death we now endure is but a fleeting foil.

Well do I recall the days when this part of first Corinthians (15:20-28) was utterly incomprehensible to me. The "truth" which held me in its thrall turned it into a dark riddle, which I had no hope of solving, at least in this life. Its beams were too bright, and, in place of illuminating my whole being, as it does today, it blinded my eyes, as Saul was blinded by the brightness of our Lord's presence on the way to Damascus. But gradually the scales fell away, and now that which was the most obscure has become a light for illuminating all the rest. This experience has taught me to bear with much patience the blindness of others, and to wait until God graciously restores their sight so that they may gaze upon these universal glories. Let us pray that God may open many eyes to discern that far future infinitude of bliss - God All in all.

The paragraph, which closes with these wondrous words must be illumined by their light, or it will prove an insoluble enigma. The vivification of all, the abolition of death, and the abdication of the Son - these truths are too much for the mortal whose heart is still confined in the confessions of human theology. In fact this part of God's revelation is far too magnificent in its scope to be cramped into the creeds of men. Hence we urge all who read these lines to remember at all times, when studying this superlative section of divine revelation that the object of all which the apostle brings before us is a twofold universality in regard to God. Every creature of His will find in Him its all. Keeping this constantly before us we will be able to examine the steps, which lead up to it, beginning with Him in Whom it has already found a fulfillment, the Firstfruit, Christ.

- A snippet from ALL IN ALL by ADOLPH E. KNOCH

http://www.lighthouselibrary.com/read.php?sel=2586&searchfor=

[John317]

In this artcle Gary Amirault responds to the arguments that used to keep him believing that the Bible teaches annihilation, and he explains why he now believes the Bible teaches universal salvation instead.

IMO Gary's article is convincing proof.

No universal salvation. Such a doctrine cannot be found in the Bible.

Here are some clear Bible verses which show that the wicked-- those are refuse to repent and go on rebelling against God-- will be utterly destroyed:

Isaiah 1:28,31

But rebels and sinners shall be broken together,

and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

[31] And the strong shall become tinder,

and his work a spark,

and both of them shall burn together,

with none to quench them.

NOTE: The New Berkeley Version translates verse 28 as "those who forsake the Lord shall be annihilated."

The New American Standards reads "shall come to an end."

Other verses which teach the same thing:

Isaiah 11:4

... with the breath of His lips He shall kill the wicked.

Jeremiah 25:33

"And the slain of the Lord on that day shall extend from one end of the earth to the other. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall be dung on the surface of the ground.

Rev. 21:8

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

Malachi 4:1,3--

[1]For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

[3]And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

Psalm 37:38

But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;

the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 21:9

You will make them as a blazing oven

when you appear.

The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,

and fire will consume them.

Rev. 20:9

And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,

2 Thes. 1:6-10

... when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

[8] in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, [10] when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

2 Thes. 2:8-10

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. [9] The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, [10] and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

[dialoguewithus]

Actually, in 2 Thes. 1, the word, transliterated, is "eonian"; the same word used to describe the fire which burned in Sodom- Jd. 7. There is no word in the Bible which could properly be translated "eternal". Study the matter if you don't believe me. Here are some more texts you might find interesting: Phil. 2:9-11; Col. 1:15-20; 1 Tim. 4:9-11.

John317, how would you explain the fact that God is the Savior of all the infants who died today in India? What about all those (slaves and free, "civilized" and "uncivilized") who die without ever hearing of the One true God?

[rodgertutt]

#90 - WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED? – KENNETH BRIX

“That salvation is of man and HIS works is shared by many of us who are Christians. We’ve portrayed God as having done all He could do to save mankind more than 2000 years ago. So now, supposedly, it’s up to mankind to perform the remaining essential of exercising the good work of faith, or else suffer everlasting consequences.

We have looked upon salvation as a joint effort between man and God, and as primarily what WE do for Him. With this teaching MAN is exalted, self righteousness flourishes, and God is stripped of His sovereignty! But our salvation ‘is not of him that willeth’ (any decision we make of ourselves), ‘nor of him that runneth’ (any effort we put forth of ourselves), BUT OF GOD Who showeth mercy! (Romans 9:16)

Christ was prophesied to take away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29), so how then can a sinless world suffer everlasting punishment in the lake of fire?! How absurd! Christ is the Saviour of the world (Jn. 4:42; 1Jn. 4:14), and He will save it!"

[dialoguewithus]

Romans 11:

33 O, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How inscrutable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 34 For, who knew the mind of the Lord? or, who became His adviser? 35 or, who gives to Him first, and it will be repaid Him? 36 seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all: to Him be the glory for the eons! Amen!

Indeed, who gives to Him first?

Gratuity (/gratuitous): What is given freely.

Acts 11:17 (CLV)

If, then, God gives them the equal gratuity as to us also, when believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I - able to forbid God?

Romans 5:15-17 (CLV)

But not as the offense, thus also the grace. For if, by the offense of the one, the many died, much rather the grace of God and the gratuity in grace, which is of the One Man, Jesus Christ, to the many superabounds. And not as through one act of sinning is the gratuity. For, indeed, the judgment is out of one into condemnation, yet the grace is out of many offenses into a just award. For if, by the offense of the one, death reigns through the one, much rather, those obtaining the superabundance of grace and the gratuity of righteousness shall be reigning in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 9:15 (CLV)

Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gratuity!

Ephesians 3:7 (CLV)

of which I became the dispenser, in accord with the gratuity of the grace of God, which is granted to me in accord with His powerful operation."

Ephesians 4:7 (CLV)

Now to each one of us was given grace in accord with the measure of the gratuity of Christ.

(Genesis 29:15; Exodus 21:11; Job 1:9; 2:3; Jn. 15:25; 2 Cor. 11:7; Rev. 21:6; 22:17)

Ro. 3:9-18 shows what part we can expect to play in the plan of salvation. Salvation is by grace, period. We receive salvation; in no way can we produce or faciltate or cooperate in some independent way, thus obligating God to bless us.

For who is making you to discriminate? Now what have you which you did not obtain? Now if you obtained it also, why are you boasting as though not obtaining? -1 Cor. 4:7.

Now we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the transcendence of the power may be of God and not of us. -2 Cor. 4:7.

Either God will ultimately save all, or else He was either unwilling or unable, or both.

[John317]

Actually, in 2 Thes. 1, the word, transliterated, is "eonian"; the same word used to describe the fire which burned in Sodom- Jd. 7.

Most SDAs are well aware of this fact. But that is not evidence that eonian never means "forever" or "eternally" or "endless."

In the context of Jude 7, it simply means that the fire lasted until it finished burning up what God intended it to burn up, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The significance of "eonian" is determined by its context. For instance, if it is being used in regard to God, who is eternal, it means "everlasting" or "eternally" or "forever."

Thus the Psalms say that "from everlasting to everlasting thou art God." In other words, God has no beginning and no ending. God has always been God and always will be God. God is eternal.

When it is used in regard to human beings, it simply means as long as a human is alive, or it can mean an indefinite period of time.

So, in 1 Samuel 1:22, Hannah gave her young son Samuel to work in the house of the Lord "forever."

Does that mean Samuel is still working in the house of the Lord? No. Samuel is dead and resting in his grave.

1 Samuel 1: 11 explains what "forever" means in this context:

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow and said, "O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life..."

So in the context of human beings, who are mortal, "forever" means "as long as he lives."

Jonah uses "forever" in a context which shows he does not mean "eternally" or "without end":

Jonah 2:6

at the roots of the mountains.

I went down to the land

whose bars closed upon me forever;

yet you brought up my life from the pit,

O Lord my God.

Jonah, of course, was not in the belly of the fish "forever" but was vomited out onto the land after being 3 days inside the fish.

In the case of the death of the wicked, "forever" refers to their utter destruction.

[rodgertutt]

#91 - BE YE RECONCILED – VIRGENE ANDREWS

“I CAME NOT TO JUDGE THE WORLD BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD” Jn. 12:47

“When I first began to believe in the reconciliation of the world, I fell on my knees and put my head on the floor and cried tears of joy. The revelation came to me in a flash, like lightning and immediately I received it as truth.

God was in Christ reconciling the WORLD unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. 2Cor.5:19.

All will be judged then reconciled back to God so that He will be All in all.

God is a consuming fire and will burn out all the dross from everyone."

[dialoguewithus]

"In the case of the death of the wicked, "forever" refers to their utter destruction."

The thing is , they won't be destroyed forever, so according to the principles you expouse, the use of that word is mistaken. Please notice that all mankind will be vivified in Christ, just as they were made mortal in Adam. 1 Cor. 15:20-28.

Certainly they won't be reconciled and then be annihilated. Col. 1:15-20.

Certainly death won't be abolished as long as there are dead people. Rev. 21:8.

Certainly, since no one seeks God unless God so choose, and since He wills all to be saved, He will one day grant faith to all.

Certainly, God is omnipotent, including with regards to salvation (Matt. 19:25, 26); therefore we know He will accomplish His goal, for He IS the Savior of ALL mankind.

[John317]

There is no word in the Bible which could properly be translated "eternal". Study the matter if you don't believe me. Here are some more texts you might find interesting: Phil. 2:9-11

Philip. 2:9-11

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

All the wicked and even Satan will eventually confess that Christ is Lord, but that doesn't mean the wicked and Satan will be saved in God's kingdom. They will simply acknowledge the truth that Christ is Lord and that He has been just and fair in His judgments.

The point here is that their confessions that Christ is Lord doesn't result in any change in their characters.

Originally Posted By: dialoguewithus

]Col. 1:15-20;

Col. 1:15-20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. [19] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

This verse doesn't contradict the many verses in the Bible which plainly declare that the wicked will be destroyed.

Christ's death reconciles the whole universe to God, but it doesn't compel Satan, and those who choose to follow him, to cease their wickedness and rebellion.

Originally Posted By: dialoguewithus

1 Tim. 4:9-11.

1 Tim. 4:9-11

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. [10] For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

[11] Command and teach these things.

Jesus is the Savior of all people, because whether they know it or not, they owe their lives to Him. Without Christ's death on the cross, no one would have life.

But the fact that Jesus is the Savior of all people doesn't mean all people will be saved in God's kingdom and receive the gift of immortality.

[rodgertutt]

#92 - MY UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY – HANNAH WHITALL SMITH

“As an escape from the doctrine of eternal torment, I at first embraced the doctrine of annihilation for the wicked, and for a little while tried to comfort myself with the belief that this life ended all for them. But the more I thought of it, the more it seemed to me that it would be a confession of serious failure on the part of the Creator, if He could find no way out of the problem of His creation, but to annihilate the creatures whom He had created.

One day a revelation came to me that vindicated God, and settled the whole problem forever. I saw that it was true, as the Bible says, that ‘as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.’ As was the first, even so was the second. The ‘all’ in one case could not in fairness mean less than the all in the other. I saw therefore that the remedy must necessarily be equal to the disease. The salvation must be as universal as the fall.

I saw this that day on the tram-car on Market Street, Philadelphia -- not only thought it, or hoped it -- but knew it. It was a Divine fact. And from that moment I have never had a questioning thought as to the final destiny of the human race. The how and the when I could not see; but the one essential fact was all I needed -- somewhere and somehow God was going to make everything right for all the creatures He had created. My heart was at rest about it forever.”

[dialoguewithus]

Jesus was the true light - which is enlightening every man - coming into the world. -John 1:9

This includes every woman and child too. :-)

Certainly those who die without hearing about Him have yet to be enlightened, wouldn't you say, John317?

[dialoguewithus]

Mistaken belief: When we read that God reconciles all in the heavens and on earth, we make this a “possibility” which can’t really be realized, or we ignore the fact that the definition of "reconciliation" is "a MUTUAL agreement", yet when we read of condemnation and the second death we make this condemnation and death “eternal”.

[dialoguewithus]

Forced Subjugation?

Does the subjection of all under Christ’s feet involve forced submission? 1 Cor. 15:20-28. Not at all; first, we see that Christ will subject Himself to His Father. The same word is used because the same action is described; willing and worshipful submission. This is underscored in Phil. 2:9-11, where all bow IN the name of Jesus, a name meaning “God saves”. How is it that every tongue will be acclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord? No one is able to say ‘Jesus is Lord” except by Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:3. So it is apparent that their hearts are susceptible to God’s spirit. “For the Son of Mankind came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10.

How many will He seek? “And I, if I should be exalted out of the earth, shall be drawing all to myself.” John 12:32. The word ‘men’ is not in the Greek; this is universal.

If we read Phil. 3:21, we see the use of the Greek word “kata” (“in accord with/ according to”); see Matt. 9:29 for another example. We are told that the operation which enables Christ to subject all to Himself is in accord with the transfiguration of the body of our humiliation, to conform it to the body of His glory. Nothing could be farther from forced subjugation than this! Paul reveals a wondrous truth in Romans 5:19, and it relates to all mankind: “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.” Reconciliation is a willing and mutual agreement; one-sided conciliation or forced submission doesn’t correspond with God’s plan as described in Colossians 1:15-20.

“Yahweh, our Elohim, You are the Setter of welfare on the hearthstones for us, for, moreover, all our doings You do contrive for us.” Is. 26:12.

[John317]

In the case of the death of the wicked, "forever" refers to their utter destruction.

Originally Posted By: dialoguewithus

The thing is , they won't be destroyed forever,

Do you believe the wicked will be destroyed only for a while?

Where does the Bible teach this?

What is Jesus talking about here:

Matthew 7:13

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Matthew 7:23

And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

Matthew 8:12

while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:30

And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Matthew 25:41

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:46

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Matthew 26:24

The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."

[rodgertutt]

Everyone who is cast into the lake of fire which is the second death will be saved out of it.

Greek scholar William Barclay wrote concerning kolasis aionion (age-during corrective chastisement) in Matthew 25:46

"The Greek word for punishment is kolasis, which was not originally an ethical word at all. It originally meant the pruning of trees to make them grow better. There is no instance in Greek secular literature where kolasis does not mean remedial punishment. It is a simple fact that in Greek kolasis always means remedial punishment. God's punishment is always for man's cure."

See what other Greek scholars say about it too.

AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF WORDS

http://www.tentmaker.org/books/asw/Chapter11.html

Fifteen literally translated (not interpretively translated) Bibles that reveal what God will do with the sinners in Matthew 25:46

Concordant Literal, Young’s literal, Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott, Rotherham’s Emphasized, Scarlett’s, J.W. Hanson’s New Covenant, Twentieth Century, Ferrar Fenton, The Western New Testament, Weymouth’s (unedited), Clementson’s, The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Anointed, The Restoration of Original Sacred Name Bible, Bullinger’s Companion Bible margins, Jonathan Mitchell’s translation (2010).

Regarding the meaning of aionios, many Greek scholars agree with John Wesley Hanson.

AIÓN – AIÓNIOS

http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Aion_lim.shtml

SEE

THE SCHOLARS CORNER THE CENTER FOR BIBLE STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM

Scholar's Corner: The Center for Bible studies in Christian Universalism

http://www.tentmaker.org/ScholarsCorner.html

[John317]

Jesus was the true light - which is enlightening every man - coming into the world. -John 1:9

This includes every woman and child too. :-)

Certainly those who die without hearing about Him have yet to be enlightened, wouldn't you say, John317?

Jesus does send the Holy Spirit to give enlightenment to every person, but not all persons accept the enlightenment. The Bible teaches that many people suppress and reject the truth.

God doesn't force people to accept the enlighenment that He sends them.

2 Thes. 2:9-12

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, [10] and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [11] Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, [12] in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

[dialoguewithus]

Jesus is talking about the oncoming eons (the eons of the eons, a literary equivalent to King of kings or Holy of holies).

[dialoguewithus]

Let us believe all Scripture, putting each truth in its proper place and not pitting one truth against another.

Some, generally termed “Calvinists”, rightly insist on the clear truth that those who are saved in the oncoming eons are chosen beforehand for this gift by God. Yet they err in assuming that those not so chosen will never be saved, for He wills that all mankind be saved and come into knowledge of the truth. 1Tim. 2:4.

Others, generally termed “Arminians”, rightly insist that Christ died for the sake of all mankind. However, they hold the mistaken concept often referred to as “free will”. Because of this concept, they claim that only a few will be saved, the majority rejecting God’s “offer”. The Bible teaches that all mankind will one day be reconciled and constituted just. This will be accomplished in the grace of God through the blood of the Son of His love. Colossians 1:20. The Bible teaches clearly that “the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” This cannot be true if free will exists, for by definition, “free will” cannot be forecast, but depends on each individual, being a chance event. However, there is only one basis for salvation- God’s choice and the sacrifice of Christ, Who was “given up in the specific counsel and foreknowledge of God” Acts 2:23. Foreknowledge and predestination are scriptural concepts; “free will” is based on human inferences from certain Scriptures. We should not be disposed above what is written. 1Cor. 4:6.

Sin, death and judgment all serve their purpose during the eons. Once their function in contrasting with the righteousness and love of God are fulfilled, they will be abolished.

[rodgertutt]

#93 - WHENCE ETERNITY? – ALEXANDER THOMSON

“The inspired scriptures never speak of eternity. They describe nothing as eternal. They contain no term which itself bears our time sense of everlasting. As eternity is not a subject of revelation, our present object is to discover how and when this unscriptural term gained entrance into theology, with most disastrous results.

It may be stated, without fear of contradiction, that the more one explores into the early centuries of Christendom, the clearer does it become that a corrupt theology was alone responsible for displacing the teaching regarding the eons by a dogma respecting ‘eternity.’”

[dialoguewithus]

"Jesus does send the Holy Spirit to give enlightenment to every person, but not all persons accept the enlightenment. The Bible teaches that many people suppress and reject the truth."

So, in the case of those who die in infancy, when does this occur?

[rodgertutt]

Jesus is talking about the oncoming eons (the eons of the eons, a literary equivalent to King of kings or Holy of holies).

#94 - MUST AION MEAN ETERNAL? – PHILIP SCRANTON

“There are many texts in which aion and aionios cannot bear the meaning of eternity. And there are no texts in which the meaning of a limited period of time does not make reasonable sense. Our great loss is that when we ascribe the meaning of eternity to these words, we obliterate from view God’s purpose of the eons. Further, the character of God is slandered, making Him the inflictor of incomprehensible woe.

It does not say that “all in Christ shall be made alive.” It says, “in Christ shall all be made alive.” The word for made alive means to be made immortal. After the great white throne, the unbelieving will participate in the second death – the lake of fire. Finally, at the consummation, when death is abolished, all will be made alive in Christ.”

God is working all things after the counsel of His will and according to His perfect schedule. But the improper translation of “for the ages of the ages” ignores the purpose and climax of history.

The holies of the holies (plural/plural) were the two inner confines of the tabernacle. (1Kings 8:6 literal translation instead of the most holy place.) They were more holy than the outer court and the camp and all the places outside the camp. In like manner, the ages of the ages are the two greatest ages of history because of what will transpire during their time.

It does not cast the smallest shadow on the brilliance of God’s glory to say that glory be attributed to Him during the climatic eons when His purpose will be realized by all and His glory seen more clearly than ever before.”

[John317]

#92 - MY UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY – HANNAH WHITALL SMITH....

Hannah Smith's problem was like that of all who believe in Universalism-- she rejected the Bible's plain, clear testimony of what happens to the wicked, in order to accept her own ideas and wishes.

[dialoguewithus]

Enlightenment for Some Now

Exodus 14:4 (CLV)

Thus I will make the heart of Pharaoh steadfast, so he will pursue after them. Then I will be glorified in Pharaoh and in all his army; and the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh. Hence they did so.

Romans 9:17, 18

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." Consequently, then, to whom He will, He is merciful, yet whom He will, He is hardening.

Deuteronomy 2:30 (CLV)

Yet Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through it, for Yahweh your Elohim made his spirit obstinate and made his heart resolute, that He might give him into your hand (as is known this day).

Job 17:4 (CLV)

For You have secluded their heart from intelligence; Therefore, You shall not exalt them.

Psalms 51:10 (CLV)

Create for me a clean heart, O Elohim, And renew within me an established spirit.

Proverbs 19:21 (CLV)

Many are the designs in a man's heart, Yet the counsel of Yahweh, it shall stand firm.

Proverbs 21:2 (CLV)

Every way of a man seems upright in his own eyes, Yet it is Yahweh Who regulates the hearts."

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (CLV)

He has made everything fitting in its season; However, He has put obscurity in their heart So that the man may not find out His work, That which the One, Elohim, does from the beginning to the terminus."

Isaiah 6:10 (CLV)

And see you to see, yet you must not be knowing. Stouten the heart of this people, and their ears make heavy, and their eyes make squint. Lest they are seeing with their eyes, and with their ears are hearing, and with their heart are understanding, and, turning back, then healing is theirs."

Isaiah 44:18 (CLV)

They do not know, nor are they understanding, for He plasters their eyes, from seeing, and their hearts, from intelligence.

Rev. 17:17

for God imparts to their hearts to form His opinion, and to form one opinion, and to give their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God shall be accomplished.

[rodgertutt]

Originally Posted By: rodgertutt

#92 - MY UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY – HANNAH WHITALL SMITH....

Hannah Smith's problem was like that of all who believe in Universalism-- she rejected the Bible's plain, clear testimony of what happens to the wicked, in order to accept her own ideas and wishes.

Hannah Smith didn't have a problem.

#95 - TARDY OF HEART TO BELIEVE ALL – F. NEIL POHORLAK

Do you find your heart tardy to believe that God will have all mankind to be saved?” 1Tim. 2:4

“Those who would not yield an inch from the position that all have sinned means all, do not hesitate to rob God of His all in all shall be justified, all shall be reconciled, all shall be vivified, that God may be All in all.

This is God’s grand goal: all saved, all justified, all reconciled, all vivified, that God may be All in all. This goal will see fruition when the eons have run their course. Do not confuse God’s goal with His process.”

[John317]

Forced Subjugation?

Does the subjection of all under Christ's feet involve forced submission?

No. I'm not suggesting anything like that.

The wicked confess that Christ is Lord because the evidence is overwhelming, just like Judas confessed that he had sinned. But his confession wassn't based on faith and therefore didn't lead him to true repentence.

There's a difference between people who confess their sins and repent in faith, and people who are merely sorry they got caught. Satan and the wicked finally do "confess that Christ is Lord," but not because of true faith. Their confession is the result of the evidence that proves they were in the wrong and that God is righteous. Notice the text says nothing about the wicked being converted.