How did Sundar Singh and Irenaeous of Lyons understand the ‘Context’ of ‘Romans 8:19 – 22’ (regarding “All” Creation being in ‘Birth Pangs’ to be ‘Born Again Eventually’) till ‘God becomes All in All Creation eventually’ (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28)?

To quote

(i) Sadhu Sundar Singh

“Then another of the saints said, “All the inhabitants of heaven know that God is Love, but it had been hidden from all eternity that His love is so wonderful that He would become man to save sinners, and for their cleansing would die on the Cross. He suffered thus that He might save men, and all creation, which is in subjection to vanity.

Thus God, in becoming man, has shown His heart to His children, but had any other means been used His infinite love would have remained forever hidden.

“Now the whole creation, with earnest expectation, awaits the manifestation of the sons of God, when they shall be again restored and glorified. But, at present, they, and all creation, will remain groaning and travailing till this new creation comes to pass.

And those also who have been born again groan within themselves, waiting for the redemption of the body; and the time approaches when the whole creation, being obedient to God in all things, will be freed from corruption, and from this vanity forever.

Then will it remain eternally happy in God, and will fulfill in itself the purpose for which it was created. Then God will be all in all” (Rom. 8:18-23).” – Sadhu Sundar Singh

Translation Source:

https://reluctant-messenger.com/sadhu-sundar-singh.htm

(ii) St. Irenaeous of Lyons

“… even as it is said by the apostle, “For He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” For in the times of the kingdom, the righteous man who is upon the earth shall then forget to die. “But when He saith, All things shall be subdued unto Him, it is manifest that He is excepted who did put all things under Him.

And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

… The apostle, too, has confessed that the creation shall be free from the bondage of corruption, [so as to pass] into the liberty of the sons of God.

And in all these things, and by them all, the same God the Father is manifested, who fashioned man, and gave promise of the inheritance of the earth to the fathers, who brought it (the creature) forth [from bondage] at the resurrection of the just, and fulfils the promises for the kingdom of His Son;

subsequently bestowing in a paternal manner those things which neither the eye has seen, nor the ear has heard, nor has [thought concerning them] arisen within the heart of man, For there is the one Son, who accomplished His Father’s will;

and one human race also in which the mysteries of God are wrought, “which the angels desire to look into; ”

and they are not able to search out the wisdom of God, by means of Which His handiwork, confirmed and incorporated with His Son, is brought to perfection;

that His offspring, the First-begotten Word, should descend to the creature (facturam), that is, to what had been moulded (plasma), and that it should be contained by Him;

and, on the other hand, the creature should contain the Word, and ascend to Him, passing beyond the angels, and be made after the image and likeness of God.”

(St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter XXXVI.-Men Shall Be Actually Raised: the World Shall Not Be Annihilated; But There Shall Be Various Mansions for the Saints, According to the Rank Allotted to Each Individual. All Things Shall Be Subject to God the Father, and So Shall He Be All in All, Point 1, Point 2)

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

Conclusion

Christ Centered Universalism and the Similarity in the Belief as evidenced by the Writings of both Sadhu Sundar Singh and St. Irenaeous of Lyons regarding the ‘Context’ of the aforementioned Verses is Incredible.

I believe likewise.

Blessed be Lord Jesus Christ, Truly He is the Savior of the World!

P/S: Mystery of Christ – All Creation will be Reconciled back to Him Eventually

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,

that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints,” – apostle Paul (Colossians 1:16, 20, 25, 26, NASB)

It has not happened yet. But when it comes to Pass even now & into the ages which are coming, ‘nothing from creation’ will be left ‘unsubject’ to Him. Verse for this Beautiful Prophecy:

“YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.” – Anonymous (Hebrews 2:8, NASB)

Last but not least, what is Christ Centered Universalism?

Salvation is only through the Work of Christ Alone (Titus 3:5).

Our personal faith & works may merit rewards but not Salvation which is God’s Free Gift where ‘eventually’ —–> ALL [both the ‘Law Keeper, Obedient ones’ and the ‘Law Breaker, Disobedient ones’ will be in ‘His Kingdom of the Heavens, NOT heavens’ (Matthew 5:19) ].

Yea, ‘heavens’ and the ‘kingdom of the heavens’ are distinct where the ‘former is only for Sheepfold1 as St. Irenaeous or St. Papias have described in their writings’ —-> which can only be attained by Sheepfold1 post their Resurrection as St. Justin Martyr pointed out —> till then we wait with our souls in the ‘Invisible Place’ of the ‘blessed abodes’ as St. Irenaeous implied.

The ‘kingdom of the heavens’ is wherever ‘the Reign of God including Triumphing over His Enemies who will eventually ‘Subject in Love too’ (Christ Triumphant!) —-> and this will take place’ into the ‘Outside’ of the ‘Heavens’ regions too till God Becomes All in All in All Creation as Described.

‘Thy Will be Done’