The doctrine of Hell has been one of the most difficult basic doctrines for men to accept. Years ago, a lot of people came to believe and teach that ultimately all would be saved. This resulted in the coming into existence of the Universalist church. The very serious question is why Jesus would have to go to the cross, if God was going to overlook all sin. This raises another question. How could God overlook human sin and not be accused of being tolerant of it? Add to this that God would not be just, if He did not punish sin. Sin is a violation of God's Holiness. When God made the fathomless sacrifice of His Son on that Roman cross, He did so because there was no other way to provide an atonement for the sin(s) of fallen sinners. As to God sending anyone to Hell, He has done the only thing that could be done to salvage anyone from such a horrible destiny. He put the Cross in the way, on the way to Hell. When men refuse to come to Jesus and yield to Him, as their Savior and Lord, God has no Plan B for their rescue. He simply confirms their decision to ignore the cross or to reject it and lets them continue in the direction in which they are headed. Men choose Hell by default! Anyone that would refuse or ignore God's offer of salvation, through the Lord Jesus Christ, deserves his fate. This heresy that all would finally be saved is terrible, when believed by men who have little or no time for God; it is far worse when Christians begin to believe it. This is second-guessing God and will lead some, if not many, to believe that all will finally be well and it can lull them into a false sense of hope, even while they pursue a sinful lifestyle all their days. Selah! This is the sorry error of many who profess faith in God and yet are Biblically illiterate. Christian and Universalism are mutually exclusive. Ron
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Eternity in Hell) (Proverbs 14:12).
I just want to share with you how the conclusion to the whole Bible has a very universalist ring to it all -- a hope that (in the words of Isaac Watts) “… if any criminal in Hell shall be found making a sincere repentance, I cannot but think that the perfections of God will contrive a way of escape …”
Throughout the book of Revelation, the “Kings of the Earth” and their “Nations” have been the enemies of Christ and the Church (6:15, 11:2, 17:2 &18, 18:3 & 9 & 23, 19:15 & 19). In chapter 19:19-21 they are destroyed and presumably end up in the Lake of Fire.
And yet, in Rev. 21:24-26 these same wicked Kings of the Earth and their Nations reappear in the New Jerusalem, coming in through those ever-open gates. And the leaves of the tree of life (we are told) are “for the healing of the nations” (Rev 22:2).
In Rev 22:14 there is the seventh and last of the seven benedictions in Revelation, giving a completeness to the message. It describes a process of post mortem conversion, with washing robes, healing from the leaves and entry in through the ever-open gates of the New Jerusalem.
As if that wasn’t enough, Rev. 22:17 has the Spirit and the Bride (Church Triumphant/Elect) inviting the thirsty (in the Lake of Fire) to receive the water of life without price.
Indeed, the wicked and impenitent cannot enter the New Jerusalem, as it repeatedly says (21:27, 22:15). But the post mortem process goes on, inviting the thirsty, and there is indeed “Hope beyond Hell”. Shouldn’t we cherish such a hope, and pray that it can be completely successful?
This is the wonderful message of hope in the Bible which inspires me with love and praise, and which I want to share.
Posted by: Nicolas | April 04, 2011 at 02:54 PM
I'm glad to see that you like Hannah Whitall Smith's book "The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life" -- a Christian classic! Billy Graham offered copies of this book at his crusades.
It's sad that few know of her hope regarding the eventual salvation of all humankind. Publishers who are reprinting her work "The Unselfishness of God and How I Discovered it" have removed from recent re-printings the chapters which deal with her faith in universalism.
If you own a modern printing of this book, check to see if these chapters are missing:
Chapter XXI
Questionings.
Chapter XXII
The Third Epoch In My Religious Life
Chapter XXIII
The Unselfishness of God
Note: Look at my article for April 19, 2011 for my response
Posted by: Nicolas | April 16, 2011 at 11:42 AM