HOW DO UNIVERSALISTS SUPPORT THEIR CLAIM THAT ALL WILL BE SAVED?

There are verses that can be construed to mean that God will save all, for example:

·       For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22; ESV)

The Bible clearly teaches that through Adam all died. From this, the universalist argues that, in order to keep the parallel between Adam and Jesus, it should follow that all will be made alive (saved) through Jesus, right? Not exactly! Instead, we should understand this verse in this manner:

·       For as in Adam all [those in Adam] die, so also [all those] in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22; ESV)

Salvation therefore pertains to only those who are “in Christ.” Why should we prefer this understanding? Well, the consistent biblical teaching is that there are two groups – one group is heaven-bound and the other is torment-bound. Even this very next verse supports this understanding:

·       But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who BELONG TO CHRIST. (1 Corinthians 15:23)

Not everyone “belongs to Christ.” There are those characterized as “enemies,” as the next verses point out:

·       Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. (1 Corinthians 15:24-25)

“All his enemies under his feet” is a different fate from the glory promised to those who “belong to Christ.”

There are also other verses that can be construed to mean that all will be saved. Often, this verse is offered:

·       …and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:20)

Does this verse teach the salvation of all sentient beings, even the devil and his demons? It can’t! The next verses include the condition of faith:

·       And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, IF INDEED YOU CONTINUE IN THE FAITH… (Colossians 1:21-23)

Consequently, salvation is not the inheritance of all. Instead, it pertains to a specific group, as an earlier verse indicates:

·       …giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:12)

Heaven is for “the saints,” those who have received the truth about the Gospel. There is no evidence that those who die, having rejected God, will be resurrected to “sainthood,” to eternal life. To extend such a hope is to reject the one hope offered by the Gospel:

·       Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6; 3:16; 5:24; 6:29)

The idea that salvation can only be obtained through faith in Jesus might sound harsh. However, reality can also be harsh. It teaches us that smoking and drugging can destroy life. It might be a demanding and limiting truth, but it is also truth that demands our attention.