Reconcile All Things

Reconcile All Things

Creation of All things in the ‘world’ (all things contained in the heavens & the earth):

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

The verse:

“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 the heavens.” (Colossians 1:20)

Once a pastor (who now has a PhD from ‘fuller theological seminary’ & a country council head in one of the leading Christian denomination) remarked to me as follows during a personal one to one dialogue at his office back then:

‘Jonathan, (in the verse above) If ‘all things’ meant ‘all creation or world’ as you say, are you telling me that God reconciles all irrational living things such as trees & all non-living things as well, such as a wall or even stones? How is that?’

The reply:

Dear pastor, some Universal Reconciliation believers & leading theologians believe that the ‘all things’ reconciled back to Him are ‘anything which has sinned & need reconciliation’ (‘rational creation as it is commonly called’) hence settling the meaning using the ‘context approach’.

However, personally this is ‘how I am led to believe’ based on the ‘understanding of His Scripture & Power’ (Blessed be His Name):

(i) He reconciles all irrational living things such as trees as well, how?

Trees die though they never sinned. Similarly for animals. Thus, the curse of sin due to man’s fall applies to all irrational living things as well (hence they die too).

By reconciling these things, our Blessed Saviour ensures that ‘all irrational non living thing’ to ‘remain alive’ without ever growing old or dying again! Hence, in the New Heavens & New Earth, it remains ‘in life’ with ‘no corruption of any sort ever again’ by ‘His Work on His Cross’.

(ii) 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.

(iii) 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)

(iv) 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)