There are over 1350 verses in my King James Bible that I highlighted in light blue indicating that they support universal salvation through Jesus. These verses directly teach universalism, the sovereignty of Almighty God, and other nuances that confirm the doctrine. Of these I have my favorites. I’ve put together my top six and the reasons why they’re my go-to scriptures when discussing God’s plan to save all people.
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1 Timothy 2:4 – “[God our Savior] will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” For me, this is the king of the heap. It clearly spells out God’s will. Other Bible versions say that God wants, desires and wishes that all people be saved and come to the truth. This verse completely supports universalism, no matter what word you use to describe God’s will, so I don’t really have to explain it. It puts the burden of proof squarely on the shoulders of those who say Jesus will cast the defiant into hell for all eternity. They believe God wants to save all people, but for some reason is unwilling or unable to do it. I want to hear their reasons why the all-knowing, all-wise, all-loving, Almighty Creator of all mankind can’t get what He wants.
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Jeremiah 32:27 – “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh, is there any thing too hard for Me?” I say, “No, nothing is too hard for You, Father. You are able to save all people and bring them to the truth.” Those who believe in eternal hell for unbelievers do have a list of things that are too hard for the Almighty to accomplish. I want to see my heavenly Father’s face when they present this list to Him.
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John 5:22-23 – “For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son: 23That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent Him.” I believe this scripture in underused by universalists. Scriptural universalists believe that there is a judgment, and that it will be horrible for those who go through it. But we also believe there is a very high, ultimate purpose for that judgment – “That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.” The word honor means to prize or revere. All people will eventually prize and revere Jesus, and His judgment will play a vital role in accomplishing this.
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Matthew 18:11-14 – “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and go into the mountains, and seek that which is gone astray? 13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” We must understand the value of every soul to God. We are all former “little ones,” and God does not want us to ultimately perish. The problem is that we all grow up, sprout armpit hair, and rebel. Still, Jesus came to save what was lost – all of us – and He won’t fail.
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Acts 3:20-21 – *“And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” *When Jesus comes all will be fully restored. This is no secret. God has talked about since the world began. Will you believe it?
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1 John 4:14 – “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” This verse gives us a title for Jesus and His mission: Savior of the world. Will He or won’t He fulfill His title and mission? How could you or I bet against Him succeeding? He is and will be the Savior of the world – everyone…all people…yes, really, all people. Now that’s good news…no, that’s great news!
There’s my Top Six. You may have your favorites also. I’d love to hear them and why you chose them. There are numerous scriptures to choose from, and my top choices will probably change from time to time. Keep searching the Scriptures for evidence of God’s unfailing love for you and His entire creation.