Snippets from the hard copy Universal Reconciliation library of rodger

[John317]

...

It is impossible that an omnipotent God can fail in His purpose so that some would forever resist unconditional love opting for annihilation. This would be totally irrational. ...

That's not taking into consideration what the Bible has revealed about the topic.

The human heart is evil and therefore many people do prefer sin to righteousness. The only reason we have a desire for God and righteousness is due to the working of the Holy Spirit. While the Holy Spirits tries to lead all people to the truth, only a relative few accept the Holy Spirit's impressions.

You're going by human reasoning, and human reasoning doesn't reveal the truth. We need the Scriptures-- the Word of God-- to know the truth about these subjects.

Our omnipotent God, powerful as He is, also allows for human freedom. As Jesus Himself said, most people want to walk on the broad highway that goes to destruction, i.e., that leads to their being lost.

For instance, you prefer to believe your own human reasoning and the opinions of uninspired people rather than the inspired Word of God. God won't compel you to change your mind. He will impress you to do it, but it's your choice whether to accept His Word or accept the opinions of men.

What will you decide?

[John317]

My own personal beliefs are IMO expressed best by others.

OK, but why aren't you own personal beliefs on this topic best expressed by the Bible?

Your beliefs might be best expressed by uninspired men, but you should understand that I don't care what those people say.

The problem is that if I reply to what those uninspired quotes say, you will just give me more uninspired quotes, instead of telling me in your own words what you think yourself.

That process doesn't make for much conversation or dialogue.

[rodgertutt]

What will you decide?

Here is what I will decide.

THE GREATNESS OF SALVATION – WILLIAM MEALAND

“A time is coming when Christ, the Beloved Himself, stands before His Father Who is Love, with the entire universe in train. What a thrilling reception, what a glorious presentation that will be! The great end for which the God of expectation waited, in perfect assurance, and for which Christ gave Himself. How fully will such a conclusion accord with the delight of His will!

There was a time when such greatness of salvation was more widely believed.

http://hellbusters.8m.com/updcontents.html

But the imposed beliefs of the dark ages spoiled all this. Christendom was held as with iron bands in the grip of priest-ridden assent. And although their teaching is kept in the background, it is still there, giving that fatal bias which so clouds the perception of grace. Thus, we find resort to the limiting of Scripture by Scripture, to the seeing of finality when God’s purpose is in continuance, and the ignoring of those passages which so blessedly bring out the fullness and triumph of saving grace. But how happy should they be who, brought to a present belief, enjoy to the full the prospect of future salvation for all, even the reconciliation of the universe.

Stage upon stage, the Victor of Golgotha will move on His momentous and victorious way. Then will He show that ‘the Father has delivered all into His hands’ John 13:3. And in those capable hands, the world, even though it be by tumult, will be led to peace. What a perfect expression God’s grace finds in such a scene! What a realization of the truth attendant on so great a salvation! How rapturous a vision, too, of the One Who carried it to such a conclusion, Who sought until He found, Who loved until He won!”

[rodgertutt]

I don't care what those people say.

Yes. I understand that to be true.

But some people do care and they rejoice in being able to believe that sooner or later, because of what Christ accomplished by His death and resurrection, He is going to save everyone from everything from which they need to be saved, especially their stubborn will.

GOD JUSTIFIES, VIVIFIES, SAVES AND RECONCILES ALL – E.G. JONES

“In 1Tim. 4:9-11 we are told that the living God ‘is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of those who believe,’ and with this 1Tim. 2: 4-6 concurs. Many seek to limit it to believers, but they overlook the significance of the double statement. That there is a special salvation for believers is plainly stated, but this does not limit the other part of the statement, rather does it emphasize it.

The salvation of believers is a special work; they are a special class in the ‘all mankind.’ God’s will for mankind is salvation, not as an experimental salvation toying with the will and choice of men, but as their Disposer – God.

My dear brethren, let us embrace this glorious truth which God has revealed for us. Let it so become a part of us that our lives will be reflecting it. Let it fill our hearts with the love of God and His glorious Son. Let us be rendering praise to the living God, the universal Creator and Reconciler, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

‘To Him be glory for the eons! Amen!’ ”

[dialoguewithus]

"But you're evidently forgetting or ignoring the fact that God gets no pleasure from manipulating or forcing people's wills."

Isaiah 26:12 (CLV)

Yahweh, our Elohim, You are the Setter of welfare on the hearthstones for us, for, moreover, all our doings You do contrive for us."

Rev. 17:17

Ro. 3:11-18 (If God didn't "manipulate" people's wills, NO ONE would be saved.)

Ro. 9:15-24

Everyone plays the part God has assigned him, including Judas. Jn. 13:18, 19

God does have His hand in EVERYTHING; nothing surprises Him, nor has He lost control of the universe (all that is) Ro. 8:20

Jn. 12:37-40 shows that some cannot be in God's kingdom ("not for all is the faith"); verses such as Col. 1:15-20; Phil. 2:9-11; Jn. 1:9, 29; 12:32 ("Draw" speaks of effective, causative agency. Hence, this is as true of cases in which it is applied to acts of human behavior as of incidents in which it is concerned with the movements of inanimate objects. Therefore, "draw" is by no means a "weak" term, but a powerful expression.); 1 Cor. 15:20-28; 1 Tim. 4:9-11, among others show God will abolish death and reconcile all after the eons of the eons.

Christ will rule with a club of iron among His enemies after He returns to earth; the plan of salvation will be far from completed when the firstfruits are harvested. Ps. 2; Ps. 110; Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15.

Yes, God promises judgment, punishment, wrath, and destruction.

He also promises a universal reconciliation. Based on scripture, and on common sense, I believe the former, temporary things will precede the latter, permanent state.

[dialoguewithus]

Romans 5

Verse 15: 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.

Here, Paul says the grace of God in Christ is NOT like the offense of Adam. Why not? Because the GRATUITY in grace SUPERABOUNDS to the many who are dying in Adam. “Gratuity” emphasizes that the gift of immortality for all mankind is not due to anything in us (Ro. 3:10-18). It’s not something any of us "deserves”; it’s an unmerited gift. The similarity with the death due to the offense of the one, is that, the immortality due to the obedience of the One is also corporate, and is not based on individual choices, but upon the choice of the one, and later, the One. How does the gratuity in grace superabound to all mankind above the condemnation from Adam’s offense? First, Christ will reconcile ALL, in the heavens, and on the earth. Col. 1:15-20. Second, Christ will constitute all mankind just, and will secure a permanent reconciliation; there won’t be any more sinfulness or mortality; therefore, there will be no more sin. We can say with certainty that if, as is commonly assumed, the sacrifice of Christ were to save only SOME of those who were condemned in Adam, then the gratuity in grace WOULD NOT superabound; it would fall short.

Verse 18: Consequently, then, as it was through one offense for all mankind for condemnation, thus also it is through one just award for all mankind for life's justifying.

AS it was through one offense for all mankind for condemnation, THUS ALSO, that is to say, in like manner, it is through one just award, from God, through Christ, for all mankind for life’s justifying. Just as universal as the condemnation, just so universal is the justification of life. Just as condemnation passed onto all mankind due entirely to the act of one man, THUS ALSO, justification passed onto all mankind due entirely to the act of one Man.

Verse 19: For even as, through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners, thus also, through the obedience of the One, the many shall be constituted just.

JUST AS, through Adam’s disobedience, the many (all mankind) were constituted sinners (mortal), THUS ALSO, through Christ’s obedience, the many (all mankind) will be constituted just (immortal).

The scriptures teach us that God grants to each, faith, repentance, and reconciliation, when the time is right for that individual, according to His plan. Once all are reconciled and made immortal, death will have been abolished, and Christ’s mission will be complete; at that point, He will give up His throne to His Father, and God will be All in all. 1 Cor. 15:20-28.

[dialoguewithus]

The Two Josephs

Joseph was unjustly given up by his brethren to the most unjust fate, due to their blindness and hatred. He later testified to his brothers of God’s hand in his life: “And you, you devised against me evil, yet the Elohim devises it for me for good, that it may work out as at this day, to preserve alive many people.” Gen. 50:20. The parallel with Christ’s sacrifice is stark: “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). Just as Joseph was used by God to save his people, so also the second and greater Joseph (Christ Jesus) is God’s instrument to save, not only His people Israel, nor even all humanity, but all creation! Colossians 1:15-20. Just as God transforms the sin of Joseph’s brothers into blessings for his people, thus also, He transforms the murder of Christ Jesus into salvation for the world!

“For to vanity was the creation subjected, not voluntarily, but because of Him Who subjects it, in expectation that the creation itself, also, shall be freed from the slavery of corruption into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Romans 8:20, 21.

[dialoguewithus]

“While the Holy Spirits tries to lead all people to the truth, only a relative few accept the Holy Spirit's impressions.”

Exodus 14:8 (CLV)

Thus Yahweh made the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt steadfast; and he pursued after the sons of Israel. The sons of Israel were going forth with a high hand,

Exodus 14:17 (CLV)

And I, behold Me making the heart of the Egyptians steadfast that they may enter after them; for I shall be glorified over Pharaoh and over all his army, over his chariots and over his horsemen.

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.

Isaiah 47:10 (CLV)

And you are trusting in your knowledge. You are saying, `No one is seeing me.' Your wisdom and your knowledge, it turns you back. And you are saying in your heart, `I, and only I, further!'

It’s not that the Holy Spirit tries to lead all to the truth; He does it. Yet some God leads during this life and many of those included in Jn. 1:9 and 12:32, including all those who have no “opportunity” to hear the truth during this life, He will lead to God later. It’s not that God tries to be the Savior of all mankind; He IS the Savior of all mankind, yet ESPECIALLY of those who believe (now, for those in that group- “the vessels of mercy” of Ro. 9, will enjoy eonian life in expectation now and in immortality during the oncoming eons, which are two). I can place all the national ads for car repairs I wish; if you don’t allow me to fix your car, I’m not your mechanic. Likewise, all creation will one day be reconciled with God; then He will be the Savior of all mankind in actuality; He is exactly that now in promise. Those who accept the Holy Spirit’s impressions are those to whom it is granted by God. The student of the Bible will find that faith, repentance and reconciliation are gifts in grace, gratuitously granted to whomever the Giver (the only Placer) chooses. Therefore, we can not boast, for we have nothing which we did not obtain from God, and as relates to the stubborn, the Muslims, the Jews, the Buddhists, the children who perish, etc: there but for the GRACE of God go I.

[dialoguewithus]

I can place all the national ads for car repairs I wish; that doesn't make me the mechanic of every car owner in the nation. God isn't the Savior of all mankind because He "offers" salvation to everyone; "Savior" means "one who saves".

Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!

Behold the One Who, not only creates all, but also reconciles all! Colossians 1:15-20.

Behold the omnipotent God, the one Who never falls short, never fails, and cannot be outsmarted or out-willed by anyone! "Not stronger than He are we!"

[Q.E.D.]

It is abundantly clear that Universalists have little more than the shifting opinions of men for the foundation of their faith. It is ever so much flowery loquacity devoid of any real life changing power from God since it is not based on "Thus saith the Lord" but mere fantasy.

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:5

Q.E.D.

[dialoguewithus]

1 Timothy 4:

9 Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome 10 (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, 11 especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching.

[John317]

It is abundantly clear that Universalists have little more than the shifting opinions of men for the foundation of their faith. It is ever so much flowery loquacity devoid of any real life changing power from God since it is not based on "Thus saith the Lord" but mere fantasy.

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:5

I agree. It's also apparent that at least some of them aren't seriously interested in discussing the Bible evidence but only want to post people's quotes and opinions.

From this I've decided to turn away.

[dialoguewithus]

Does God “offer” salvation to all, and it’s up to each one to either accept it or reject it?

First, of ourselves, none of us would accept it. So, we should receive the clear Bible teaching that faith is a gift. Ro. 3:10-18; Eph. 2:6-10; Phil. 1:29.

Second, we know from Ro. 9 and other verses such as Eph. 1:4; 2 Thes. 2:13 and 3:2, that God does not choose to save all in this life.

Third, we know God wills all to be saved. Titus 2:11; 1 Tim. 2:4-6.

Fourth, we know that all things are possible with God. Matt. 19:25, 26; Jeremiah 32:17.

Fifth, we know that Christ enlightens all, and draws all to Himself. John 1:9; 12:32.

Sixth, we know God will reconcile all to Himself. 1 Cor. 15:20-28; Col. 1:15-20; Phil. 2:9-11; Ro. 5:18, 19.

Therefore, seventh, we know that God grants salvation (faith, repentance, and reconciliation) to all, for He is the Savior of all mankind. Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25; 1 Tim. 4:9-11.

[rodgertutt]

Does God “offer” salvation to all, and it’s up to each one to either accept it or reject it?

[rodgertutt]

#196 – COMMENTARY ON THE NEW TESTAMENT – Jerome (347-420 A.D.)

“In the end or consummation of things, all shall be restored to their original state, and be again united in one body. We cannot be ignorant that Christ’s blood benefited the angels and those who are in hell; though we know not the manner in which it produced such effects. The apostate angels shall become such as they were created; and man, who has been cast out of paradise, shall be restored thither again. And this shall be accomplished in such a way, that all shall be united together by mutual charity, so that the members will delight in each other, and rejoice in each other’s promotion.

The apostate angels, and the prince of this world, though now ungovernable, plunging themselves into the depths of sin, shall, in the end, embrace the happy dominion of Christ and His saints."

[dialoguewithus]

“The prophets often "built better than they knew," and uttered truths which later generations comprehended better than they did themselves. Especially is this true of some of their utterances concerning man's final destiny. Even in the times of our Savior, the prophets were not understood even by those who professed to follow them. For instance, the Sadducees did not accept the doctrine of the resurrection, while they professed to follow Moses, and yet Jesus told them that God taught the resurrection to Moses when he said:

I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, for God is not the God of the dead but of the living. Luke 20: 38.

So the Apostle declares:

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 has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3: 20, 21.

We have shown that Moses prophesied the destruction of man's passions and sins, when he announced the death of the serpent. And we must accept the declaration of the Apostle that all the holy prophets, ever since the beginning of the world,

foresaw and foretold "the restitution or all things." Let us consult a few of the prophetic declarations. The sweet singer of Israel often utters the great truth on which he built the hopes he cherished.

UNIVERSAL OBEDIENCE.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass; as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish: and abundance of peace so long as the moon endures. He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. Ps. 72: 6-8. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before you. Ps. 22: 27. All nations whom you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord; and shall glorify your name. Ps. 86: 9.”

-A snippet from BIBLE PROOFS OF UNIVERSAL SALVATION By J. W. HANSON, 1888

http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Bibleproofs2.html

God is the God of the living, not because Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are now living; they aren't. He's the God of the living because all WILL live.

Likewise, God is the Savior of all mankind, not because all now enjoy His salvation; they don't. In fact, many are dead, and many have not yet come into existence. One day, God will save all, therefore He is the Savior of all.

To claim that God "only makes salvation possible", and that He "offers salvation to all mankind", is to say that God offers to be the Savior of each one, and it depends on each one whether He will be his or her Savior. To offer salvation is to offer to be a Savior; it just depends on whether you look at the matter from man's perspective, or from God's. Yet Paul says God IS the Savior of all mankind, for He will save all.

[dialoguewithus]

Paul tells us in his writings at Rom. 9:1-5 of his great sorrow, and that he wished himself to be anathema from Christ for the sake of his brethren, the unbelieving Israelites, but there are those who believe most of mankind is “lost eternally” who do not show such concern. These good people do not have the sorrow Paul expressed. O that they might know that all we have, our faith, our salvation, and our calling come only through the grace of God and the faith of His Son Jesus Christ! It is not through our own works, but through God’s working in us that we have this marvelous grace (Eph. 2:8-10; Phil. 2:13; Rom. 8:28-31; 1 Cor. 1:26-31; 4:7; Heb. 12:2). Many today are like the Jews we read about in the book of Acts, who were jealous, and believed God loved them alone, and who were boasting in their works. We must not be like the man who said he had accepted Christ, that he chose to believe the gospel, hence he was saved, but those who would not accept Christ were lost and on their way to hell. Our Lord said (John 15:16), “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.” Romans 8:29 says: “…whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son. Now whom he designated beforehand, these He calls, these He justifies also; now who He justifies, these He glorifies.” And Ephesians 1:4 says, “…according as He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world…in love designating us beforehand for the place of a son for Him through Christ Jesus.” Jesus said (John 12:31-41) of those who did not believe He would be exalted out of the earth and would be drawing ALL to Himself that “they could not believe,” seeing that God “hath blinded their eyes and calloused their heart.” But again, this condition was not to last eternally, as verse 32 shows. We should be boasting in Christ Jesus (Rom. 15:17) and the faith of Jesus (Rom. 3:26) rather than in our own works.

http://lovewins.us/388/an-analytical-study-of-words/

[dialoguewithus]

Apart from Me, you can do nothing. John 15:5

The unseen and Abaddon lie open in front of Yahweh; How much more, therefore, the hearts of the sons of humanity! Proverbs 15:11

Our hearts lie open before God, Who created us. His omnipotence and love know no boundaries. Not only does He promise to save all; His very nature requires it. To do otherwise would indicate a lack of love, foresight, or power; in none of these is there any shortcoming in God.

[rodgertutt]

#198 – Theodorus of Mopsuestia (350-428 A.D.)

“All sins of everyone will be wiped away, because a true remission consists in the remission not of some sins but of all of them, as the blessed John said: "Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

[dialoguewithus]

John 12:47

Jesus declared that He came so that “I should be saving the world.” “I should be saving” is the Greek soso (4982); verb, aorist subjunctive active, first person singular. http://interlinearbible.org/john/12-47.htm

“Grammatical voice indicates whether the subject is the performer of the action of the verb (active voice), or the subject is the recipient of the action (passive voice). If the subject of the sentence is being acted upon, then the verb is referred to as being in the passive voice.” Jesus is the subject here.

http://www.ntgreek.org/learn_nt_greek/verbs1.htm

“Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood indicates probability or objective possibility. The action of the verb will possibly happen, depending on certain objective factors or circumstances. It is oftentimes used in conditional statements (i.e. 'If...then...' clauses) or in purpose clauses. However if the subjunctive mood is used in a purpose or result clause, then the action should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as a definite outcome that will happen as a result of another stated action.”

Here we see the saving of the world as the result of Jesus having come into the world. That is the purpose of His coming and giving Himself as a perfect Sacrifice- see verse 32. The saving of the world, as with the “drawing” described in verse 32, should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as a definite outcome. The “drawing” of all to Christ is another way of expressing the “saving [of] the world”. And the blindness of those in verses 37-40 corresponds with the distinction made in 1 Tim. 4:10. Those who aren’t granted faith during this life won’t be saved and made immortal until the end of the eons, while those who are granted faith now are “especially” saved; they will be immortal with Christ during the oncoming two eons.

[dialoguewithus]

All in all-

The phrase “all in all”/ Greek “panta en pasin” appears in three verses:

1 Corinthians 12:6 (CLV)

and there are apportionments of operations, yet the same God Who is operating all in all.

Ephesians 1:23 (CLV)

which is His body, the complement of the One completing the all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:28 (CLV)

Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all.

The similar “panta pasin” appears in 1 Corinthians 10:33 (CLV)

according as I also am pleasing all in all things, not seeking my own expedience, but that of the many, that they may be saved.

Let’s look more closely at 1 Cor. 15:28.

The Greek reads “hina e ho theos” (English, “that may be [the] God”). http://interlinearbible.org/1_corinthians/15-28.htm

The verb here is the present subjunctive active; God (the subject) will “actively” become All in all. The use of the subjunctive mood indicates that God being “All in all” will be the definite result of the subjection of all to Him. (The conjunction “that/ hina” connects the “cause” [the subjection of all] with the “result” [God being All in all]). Who are the “all”? The word appears a dozen times in 1 Cor. 15:20-28. The meaning is clear; “all” refers to all beings in the universe, including all mankind (verses 20-23). Other created intelligences as well are included in the “all”, as we can see in verses 24-27. In verse 28, we see that Christ Himself will, like all the rest, come into subjection to God, once He finds all other beings submitted to Him. What does the subjection of all to God involve; what is the nature of the subjection? Paul gives us further information in Phil. 3:21- “Who will transfigure the body of our humilation, to conform it to the body of His glory, in accord with the operation which enables Him even to subject all to Himself.” So the subjection of all is in accord with the impartation of immortality, as we also find prominently in 1 Cor. 15:22, 26. Does vivification correspond to forced subjection? Paul makes the matter even more certain in Romans 5:15, 18, 19. To be constituted just is to be vivified; it is to be reconciled with God, for what alienates us from Him is sin and mortality. We read in 1 Cor. 15 that the last One to subject Himself to the Father is Christ Jesus; the same verb is used as for the subjection of Christ’s enemies. Why should we twist the Bible to try to make the subjection of many of the “all” of 1 Cor. 15, Phil. 2:9-11, Col. 1:15-20, etc., into a forced subjection? Does the mention of grace in Philippians 2 support this theory? Does the fact that all will bow in the name which means “God saves”, bringing glory to God, suggest an unwilling subjugation? Does the reconciliation of all in Colossians 1 suggest the use of force? NO! God is the Savior of all mankind. 1 Tim 4:10. Salvation is God becoming “all” in the one being saved, and He will be “All in all”.

[rodgertutt]

All in all-

The phrase “all in all”/ Greek “panta en pasin” appears in three verses:

1 Corinthians 12:6 (CLV)

and there are apportionments of operations, yet the same God Who is operating all in all.

Ephesians 1:23 (CLV)

which is His body, the complement of the One completing the all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:28 (CLV)

Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all.

The similar “panta pasin” appears in 1 Corinthians 10:33 (CLV)

according as I also am pleasing all in all things, not seeking my own expedience, but that of the many, that they may be saved.

Let’s look more closely at 1 Cor. 15:28.

The Greek reads “hina e ho theos” (English, “that may be [the] God”). http://interlinearbible.org/1_corinthians/15-28.htm

The verb here is the present subjunctive active; God (the subject) will “actively” become All in all. The use of the subjunctive mood indicates that God being “All in all” will be the definite result of the subjection of all to Him. (The conjunction “that/ hina” connects the “cause” [the subjection of all] with the “result” [God being All in all]). Who are the “all”? The word appears a dozen times in 1 Cor. 15:20-28. The meaning is clear; “all” refers to all beings in the universe, including all mankind (verses 20-23). Other created intelligences as well are included in the “all”, as we can see in verses 24-27. In verse 28, we see that Christ Himself will, like all the rest, come into subjection to God, once He finds all other beings submitted to Him. What does the subjection of all to God involve; what is the nature of the subjection? Paul gives us further information in Phil. 3:21- “Who will transfigure the body of our humilation, to conform it to the body of His glory, in accord with the operation which enables Him even to subject all to Himself.” So the subjection of all is in accord with the impartation of immortality, as we also find prominently in 1 Cor. 15:22, 26. Does vivification correspond to forced subjection? Paul makes the matter even more certain in Romans 5:15, 18, 19. To be constituted just is to be vivified; it is to be reconciled with God, for what alienates us from Him is sin and mortality. We read in 1 Cor. 15 that the last One to subject Himself to the Father is Christ Jesus; the same verb is used as for the subjection of Christ’s enemies. Why should we twist the Bible to try to make the subjection of many of the “all” of 1 Cor. 15, Phil. 2:9-11, Col. 1:15-20, etc., into a forced subjection? Does the mention of grace in Philippians 2 support this theory? Does the fact that all will bow in the name which means “God saves”, bringing glory to God, suggest an unwilling subjugation? Does the reconciliation of all in Colossians 1 suggest the use of force? NO! God is the Savior of all mankind. 1 Tim 4:10. Salvation is God becoming “all” in the one being saved, and He will be “All in all”.

Some ask, Why does it say "the many" instead of "all" in Roman 5:19?

This is because the one disobedient man (Adam), and the One righteous Man (Christ) are put in a class by themselves. They are in contrast with "the many."

We may put it as follows:

The one disobedient man plus "the many" equals all mankind made sinners.

The One obedient Man plus "the many" equals all mankind made righteous.

That "the one" plus "the many" made sinners includes all mankind no one will deny.

Even so, "the One" plus "the many" made righteous is all-inclusive and guarantees the salvation of all mankind.

[rodgertutt]

#199 - John Scottus Eriugena (810-877 A.D)

“There will be a conscious return (reditus) and merging of all beings into God. No souls will be left out of this grand return. No one will be damned to wither away into oblivion. There can only be a single destination for all: eternal salvation in God, the whole of humanity as in the image of God eventually to be restored to its divine exemplar.

The object of punishment is not the will of the individual himself, but the misdirection of the will, so the result of punishment is the final purification and redemption of all. Even the devils shall be saved. The ultimate goal is deification, theosis or resumption into the divine being, when the individual soul is raised to a full knowledge of God, and where knowing and being are one.”

[dialoguewithus]

Daniel 7:18 (CLV)

Yet the saints of the supremacies shall receive the kingdom and they will safeguard the kingdom unto the eon, even unto the eon of the eons.

(See the only other use of the phrase “eon of the eons” in Eph. 3:21.)

What does “eon of the eons” mean? The scriptures define their own terms and expressions. In Dan. 2:37 we have “king of kings”, while the equivalent “King of kings” appears in 1 Tim. 6:15, and Rev. 17:14 and 19:16. So, as in English, this phraseology indicates “the greatest one of a class”. A corresponding phrase appears many times in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Daniel, Hebrews, etc. Here’s an example:

Exodus 30:10 (CLV)

Aaron will make a propitiatory shelter on its horns once in the year with the blood of the sin offering of the propitiatory shelter; once in the year shall he make a propitiatory shelter on it throughout your generations. It shall be a holy of holies to Yahweh.

In Hebrews 9:25, we have:

Nor yet is it that He may be offering Himself often, even as the chief priest is entering into the holies of holies year by year by the blood of others,

Here two places are in view; the two holiest places. This phrase corresponds with “the eons of the eons”, as we see in Rev. 22:5 and 20:10. These are the greatest of the eons, being the “millennial eon” and the “New Jerusalem eon”. The final eon on the New Earth is also referred to as “the eon of the eons”, and “the eon of the eon” (Heb. 1:8), being the fruit of the 1,000 year eon.

[John317]

....And the Adversary who is deceiving them was cast into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the wild beast and where the false prophet are also. And they shall be tormented day and night for the eons of the eons. Revelation 20:10. Those who hold to the theory of annihilationism contend that Satan is consumed in the lake of fire, ceasing to exist before the new earth begins. Yet the text is plain: he will be tormented during TWO eons;

You make a good point here. Satan will be tormented day and night for a very long time. Here "forever and ever" doesn't mean "endlessly" or "eternally." It means for an indefinite period of time that will be longer than everyone else's punishment. The "eons" here, as in some other places, simply refers to periods of time. Whenever the word "eons" is used in reference to mortals, it doesn't mean "eternally" or "endlessly." It means as long as a mortal lives or for a period of time.

SDAs have been saying this forever-- ever since they've existed as a church.