All Created things and Lord Jesus Christ
‘You have the best preachers, best pulpits, best churches, best equipment, best music, best finances, best blessings and even the best seats & audience; but did you preach the Truth about Lord Jesus Christ?’ – Anonymous
Please consider each point below for edification:
- No second chance? Hope only in this life or eternal Hell next?
- How about Hell?
Please note that only “body & soul” is “destroyed” in “Hell” (afterlife punishment regions, e. g. Gehenna) and ‘not’ the ‘spirit’ in verse below:
- Is “body, soul and spirit” distinct?
Yes, they may have ‘overlaps’ among each other in some aspects but it is clearly distinguished in the ‘same’ verse (sentence) below:
- What’s the Purpose of Hell, even Satan?
1 Corinthians 5:5.
Can the ‘spirit’ be ‘saved’?
Yes, ‘some’ in the ‘Day of Lord Jesus’ (1 Corinthians 5:5) fulfilling this ‘General fact’ too in Ecclesiastes 12:7.
The ‘Destruction of the flesh’ (flesh = ‘body + soul’, not spirit) is in the ‘afterlife Judgments’ (1 Peter 4:5) as even 1 Peter 4:6 clearly uses a similar phrase, namely ‘the dead’ are ‘judged in the flesh (body + soul) as men (deeds done while they were men, Galatians 6:7 – 8, Isaiah 3:11)’ —-> agreeing to Matthew 10:28 —-> but again the “spirit” is still said to eventually “live to God” (post Judgment as order is implied in this verse, 1 Peter 4:6).
Can we see the incredible accuracy in the Word of God and understand why God created ‘body, soul and spirit’?
Yes, God is the only Wise KING, the only IMMORTAL (1 Timothy 1:17).
- What does “made alive” mean?
It means “made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18, an analogy drawn) where post-afterlife Judgment, the “spirit” will “live” (‘made alive by Christ’ as implied by 1 Corinthians 15:22) according to “God” (God’s Will), hence ‘unchangeable’ (Hebrews 6:17, Numbers 23:19) as even 1 Peter 4:6 testifies.
Only a few verses say that?
How many verses from the Old Testament speak of the afterlife punishments or Hell?
Yes, these things are rarely revealed in Scripture because God Willed it such (treasures to those who find it, Deuteronomy 29:29, Proverbs 25:2).
- So, what’s next?
Any spirit of man (simple context established by noting that the “same all” who died due to Adam, is the “same all” or “all men, the many”, Romans 5:18, Romans 5:19) who will also be “made alive” by Christ as it is written in 1 Corinthians 15:22 too.
How?
Apostle Paul explains that this ‘General process’ of the ‘Resurrection of the Dead’ toward being ‘imperishable, immortal’, (1 Corinthians 15:54) is through the ‘spirit’ (saved or made alive, as explained earlier) being given its ‘new spiritual body’ (1 Corinthians 15:44) as ‘God decides that’ (1 Corinthians 15:38) toward “all” too eventually (Revelation 21:5, Ecclesiastes 3:11).
- More Details regarding the ‘Resurrection of the Dead’, post Judgment (1 Peter 4:5 – 6) as when the spirit is living to God or made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22) due to Christ’s Act Alone is described in verses in image:
*the word “incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:42) itself indicates that this is ‘not the Resurrection for Judgment’ (John 5:29, which relates to ‘judged in the flesh as men’ in 1 Peter 4:6, Matthew 5:26) but the post-Judgment part after the “spirit is living to God” (1 Peter 4:6) as “made alive” context is established by 1 Corinthians 15:22 too agreeing to the “Mercy” which triumphs over rejoicingly over ‘any afterlife Judgment sentence’ even in the context of the ‘worst sinner who has shown no mercy too’, eventually as the Context of James 2:13 clearly implies (agreeing also the conclusion of Judgment as apostle Paul wrote, where the ‘Final Word’ is ‘Mercy to All’, Romans 11:32 which will be shown to the “disobedient” too as it is ‘shown first’ to the “obedient” as this context is clearly established by directly consecutive verses in Romans 11:30 – 31 as well) which is all ‘irrevocable’ (including the Gift Of Mercy & Salvation in Christ to all, Romans 11:26).
Isn’t it plain in Holy Scripture?
- But isn’t the “all” or ‘all things’ referring to “the elect (believers) only” since ‘the Father has given only the elect to Lord Jesus’?
No, as the verse below easily debunks this ‘common shallow myth in Christianity at large, ironically’:
- Then, what’s the Scriptural Definition (with “verse”) regarding “all things”?
It refers to “all created things” (Colossians 1:16).
- Where is it written that He (Lord Jesus Christ) will ‘Save’ all created things?
Firstly, save or ‘Reconcile’ is synonymous in meaning, an analogy drawn as it means for “believers” (Ephesians 2:16, Colossians 1:22) in the “present time, now” (please note this equivalent word in verses mentioned, Romans 3:26) while the ‘all things’ will be “Gathered to Him” by the end of the ‘dispensation of fullness of times’ (‘ends of the ages’) as it is meant in Ephesians 1:10.
But does it say, “Reconcile all things”? Only the elect or believers are Reconciled, right?
“All created things” (Context, definition established first in Colossians 1:16) are then said to be eventually ‘Reconciled to Christ’ in (Colossians 1:20).
It includes the “invisible” too (please note this word in Colossians 1:16) and together with the word “visible” found in this ‘same’ verse, it means that our Blessed Savior Reconciles from ‘anywhere’ (be it Hell or Gehenna or even the Lake of Fire too) as these things are part of either the “visible or invisible” as it is written.
How about non-living things?
Yes, as due to the “decay, corruption” (of sin & its effects, e. g. the tree dies even though it didn’t sin), all creation needs to be Reconciled back to Him in some way to make ‘God all in all’ in the End (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28).
The meaning of “subjection of His enemies” too in the “end” (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28) is being ‘Reconciled’ (Colossians 1:20) & ‘Gathered too in Him’ (Ephesians 1:10) as the ‘definition of all things’ (Colossians 1:16) certainly includes the “enemies too”.
Further this ‘subjection’ of the enemies (1 Corinthians 15:25) must be in Love as this same word is used in this same set of consecutive verses to describe Christ’s subjection to the Father! (1 Corinthians 15:28).
- How about the stone or non-living things, these can’t be reconciled to Him right?
Yes, He reconciles all non living things as well. How?
A wall, rock, stones or other non living objects on the earth are subjected to ‘spiritual decay’. It has been defiled by man’s fall and thus cannot remain eternally. It has to be renewed, thus He creates a New Earth too.
Some of these objects have been used by man in direct sin against God such as an object to help them murder. Other non living objects (though not used directly in sin), are separated from God after the Fall of Man (as God cursed the ground during this incident, for example) & thus need Reconciliation too.
Think of it like this: Compare the gold found on earth to the one in heaven or a wall on earth (objects used in construction) against a wall in heaven. What’s the difference?
The gold on earth or the wall made by earthly materials do “not” remain in its ‘full perfection in all aspects forever’ (E.g. Durability or glitter) as the gold & walls in heaven. Also, we are able to destroy the non living objects of the earth in some way or use it to serve the corruption & decay of sin but it is ‘not’ so with objects which are reconciled back to Him which remain ‘pristine, pure & perfect always’ as ‘He Wills’. Every vision of heaven testifies to ‘this beauty of perfection’ found in non living objects as well.
That’s why the Gospel or Good News is commanded to be preached to ‘all creation in the world’ since it will apply good to them all eventually:
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
A related set of verses prophesying all these to be fulfilled in times to come:
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.” (Romans 8:20 – 22)
Indeed,
All things = All Creation (living & non living) in the world (‘heavens & the earth’).
Blessed be the Savior of the World!
“We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14)
“whom it behoveth heaven, indeed, to receive till times of a restoration (‘apocatastasis’) of all things, of which God spake through the mouth of all His holy prophets from the age.” (Acts 3:21)
“And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” (Revelation 21:5 – 6)
Some have to go through the ‘cleansing punishment in the Lake of fire first’ (their “part”):
“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
P/S:
“Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;” – God (Isaiah 46:10)
- But isn’t His second coming only for Judgment & John 3:17 could relate to ‘a time before that only’?
Judgment is to the “age”, not forever (Matthew 25:46) for men but the ‘final conclusion for “all” men being saved’ is inevitable as it is written in (Titus 2:11, 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 4:10)
In fact, 1 Timothy 2:4 means ‘His Act’ of ‘Saving “All” Men’ especially since the word translated as ‘Will’ (or ‘Will have’) in this verse is incredibly a ‘Verb’ (not a Noun) Meaning “He Will Fulfill God’s Will” to bring it about Without Failure though details of such ‘mystery of His Will’ may remain partially revealed (1 Peter 4:5-6) or hidden accordingly for ‘His Glory’ in the ‘end’ (when ‘seen’):
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, KJV)
Even for argument sake if the word “God Will have” is translated to a similar noun-based ‘God’s Will’ or ‘God desires’ phrase, it will still come to pass eventually since Salvation is Christ’s Work Alone & He doesn’t Fail.
Consider a shallow example below:
‘It’s God’s Will that we don’t sin but we sin anyway, right? thus just because God has willed the Salvation of all men it doesn’t mean that He will save all men’
A simple refutation:
The example you quoted is when ‘we fail to do God’s Will and thus we sin’. It’s a different context entirely when it comes to the ‘Salvation of All men’ as ONLY Christ is called to fulfill it and thus He will NOT fail.
This agrees to the quote below too (spoken by a woman whom the Bible calls ‘wise’, 2 Samuel 14:2 & hence this woman’s words in verse below is ‘approved’ by His Word) that a ‘banished (cast out, punished) person will ‘not’ remain thus in the ‘afterlife context’ (signified by the phase ‘we will certainly die’ & ‘God does not take away a life’ in verse below):
“We will certainly die and be like water poured out on the ground, which can’t be recovered. But God would not take away a life; He would devise plans so that the one banished from him does not remain banished.” (2 Samuel 14:14, CSB)
Thus, it will certainly come to pass (beyond this life too, post-Judgment as 1 Peter 4:5 – 6 mentions clearly as well) —> that, “He Will have all men to be saved” exactly “as it is written”.
- All men or believers only?
All men could mean all sorts of men or men from that time only. Not necessarily all men, right?
This is a common ‘adding’ (or ‘removing’) to His Word example. The only misinterpretation we can achieve is in our hermeneutics of interpreting against what is plainly written.
If believers in this verse (1 Timothy 4:10) refer to believers from all time (e.g. Adam or Enoch or Noah or Abraham or apostle Paul even to the end of this age), then the “all men” in this ‘same’ verse refers to this ‘same time period as well’.
The phrase ‘all sorts of men’ or ‘all kinds of men’ is NOT written here and it’s a common twisting/changing of His Word against what is plainly written. The other definition of “ALL men” found in this ‘same’ letter (which seals apostle’s Paul’s usage is 1 Timothy 2:4 and the verses agree perfectly).
The “all men” does NOT refer to ‘believers only’ as the phrase ‘especially those who believe’ (refers to the ‘elect’) in this ‘same verse’. Thus, apostle Paul is clearly distinguishing between ‘all men’ and ‘believers’ in this verse where the latter is a subset of the former.
This also proves that the “all men” in 1 Timothy 2:4 is “all men” and NOT the ‘believers only or elect only’ as so commonly erred against what is written in Holy Scripture.
Indeed, we should NOT ‘invalidate’ the ‘Word of God’ by keeping up to ‘man-made traditions’ of ‘changing/twisting’ His Word against ‘what is actually written’:
“thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 7:13, NASB)
For example, 1 Timothy 4:10 clearly distinguishes “those who believe” & “all men” using different terms meaning it is such as it is written. 1 Timothy 4:10 is to be understood in the context of “God being the Savior of All men” (Noun) because “God Will have All Men to be saved” (Verb) as described in 1 Timothy 2:4.
Apostle Paul’s inspired writing is perfect and means ‘what the word means as it is’. In fact, if “believers” in 1 Timothy 4:10 means ‘all believers’ from beginning of the age till the end of the age, then the “all men” mentioned in this verse too must refer to this “same” timeline attached to believers. Being a Conclusion Verse (indicated by the phrase “For this” or “For this end” at the beginning of 1 Timothy 4:10) —> “All men” must refer to “all men” from ‘all time’.
Also, Timothy the “evangelist” is to “command & teach these things” (pertaining to ‘God being Savior of all men’) just a Verse later in 1 Timothy 4:11 perfectly knitting all these together. If an ‘evangelist’ (Timothy) is told to “command & teach these things” —> to avoid ‘errors’ (1 Timothy 4:1) —> and ‘an evangelist’s’ message applies to “all churches”, the context is clear that it means both “all men” & “believers” (highlighted) in 1 Timothy 4:10 accordingly as ‘it is written’. To prove any other context otherwise, one must find his usage of ‘all men’ to mean ‘believers only’ within this letter because both ‘phrases are found’ marking this distinction clearly. This is impossible since if apostle Paul “only” meant “believers will be saved” by “Him” —> then the phrase “all men” in 1 Timothy 2:4 should have been “those who believe” (as it’s found in 1 Timothy 4:10 where both ‘all men’ & ‘those who believe’ are both stated).
Apostle Paul did “not” make a mistake in the words/phrases chosen to mean “all men” and “believers” & it is crisp clear when say 1 Timothy 2:4 & 1 Timothy 4:10 (context, in the ‘same’ letter) are read together to mean ‘Salvation eventually to “all men” (though details or hidden things about it may not be revealed).
- If all are going to be saved in the end, why should we believe now?
A great advantage of believing now is that we don’t go to “Hell” (afterlife judgments) as ‘only believers’ receive the reward of ‘no afterlife Judgment’ as John 5:24 clearly implies apart from gaining the ‘age-during life’ (spiritual life of blessedness & rewards into the next age too).
“who may not receive back manifold more in this time, and in the coming age, life age-during.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 18:30, YLT)
Yes, the ‘next age’ is NOT eternal but will be succeeded at least by another age as the plural-word-ages “to come” clearly implies this meaning that there are at least “two coming ages in the future” —> i.e. the ‘next age’ followed by ‘another age coming after it’, at least —> implying that the ‘immediate next age has an end and is NOT forever as so commonly erred too’ —> and certainly this verse speaks not (i.e. not including) of/the “current age” ‘ as the ‘future tense’ implies “clearly” in verse below:
“that He might show, in the ages that are coming, the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:7, YLT)
Now, verses which speak of the ‘end’ of ‘this current age’ (which we are living in) includes [Matthew 28:20, Galatians 1:4, 2 Corinthians 4:4].
Yes, this “current age” will end when He Returns at the end of this age (the Glorious Second Coming of Christ, Matthew 24:3, Matthew 13:39, Matthew 24:4 – 51).
Example:
“As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3, NASB)
- By preaching that there is ‘no eternal hell’, aren’t you promoting sin & evil?
Apostle Paul’s preaching caused him to be accused of this ‘similar reason’ in Romans 3:8 & their accusation doesn’t bother me as we NEVER preached that it is ‘ok to sin’.
We warn of the Judgment of God (both in this life & afterlife) and clearly mention His Saving Act post-Judgment too as it is written in Holy Scripture.
- Are we supposed to teach that ‘all men’ will be ‘saved’?
Yes as the ‘evangelist’ Timothy is taught this Great Truth in 1 Timothy 2:4 and this End Conclusion or Saying is re-iterated by apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:10.
Best is, apostle Paul (under the inspiration of His Spirit) says to BOTH “command and teach these things” (1 Timothy 4:11).
What is apostle Paul referring to as “these things”?
Immediate Context: the verse before namely that God is the Saviour of all men, especially believers (1 Timothy 4:10).
Broader context: any of ‘these things’ mentioned in this “same” letter, for example: 1 Timothy 2:4 which clearly states that “God Will have all men to be saved”.
Now, the context of an “evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5) applies to ‘all churches from any time era, right’?
Thus, what apostle Paul commanded to Timothy the evangelist applies to ‘all churches from any time era, right?’
So, are your evangelists truly keeping up to this Command or Truth as it is instructed in Holy Scripture?
“But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” – apostle Paul to Timothy the Evangelist (2 Timothy 2:5, NASB)
- What about human wisdom, opinions and such theology?
These are ‘castles in the sand’.
- God’s Will will surely come to pass eventually, Fulfilled by Christ
“Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;” – God (Isaiah 46:10, NASB)
“also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,” (Ephesians 1:11, NASB)
‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, NASB)
What about the ‘all things’ subjected to Christ eventually? Will it happen?
“all things Thou didst put in subjection under His feet,’ for in the subjecting to Him the all things, nothing did He leave to Him unsubjected, and now not yet do we see the all things subjected to Him,” (Hebrews 2:8, YLT)
The ‘End’ (please note the word ‘End’ in this verse, 1 Corinthians 15:24) —> which will lead to ‘God being All in All’ (1 Corinthians 15:28), i.e. God is ‘all’ in ‘all creation’ filling it fully with ‘Himself’, all creation perfected & sinless no more, not able to fall anymore (Ephesians 4:10, Romans 8:20 – 21, Matthew 24:21):
“When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28, NASB)
- Maranatha!
“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20, NASB)
- Why did He tell us these things?