[tag]Geoffrey[/tag]
God is exactly that, the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe, if ultra-universalism were true, then the last part of that verse “especially of those who believe” would not be needed.
[tag]JasonPratt[/tag]
My problem with ‘αἰώνιος [aiōnios]’ is that I can’t find a single use of the word in Holy Spirit-inspired New Testament Greek that describes a temporal period of time, while one can make the argument that the punishment in Matthew 25:46 is temporal, there is no clear passage of scripture that indicates as such, and when the word is used to describe things like God’s glory and eternal life for the believer, it points to the word meaning eternal.
I am familar with the word’s usage in the LXX (which I think is the Greek Septuagint), however, you said it yourself, it is just as ‘inspired’ as English translations, and that’s exactly the problem, since the English translations are not inspired at all, that is how we ended up with 3 different words translated into one word - hell.
1 Corinthians 15:22-28 could be interpreted in away that all are resurrected in their appropriate resurrection,whether it be the resurrection of life, or the resurrection of damnationm (John 5:29), and then Christ reigns until all his enemies are under his feat, annihilates said enemies, AND THEN, death is destroyed and death will no longer be an issue for the saved that remain?
The salvation of all humans actually hinges on the salvation of satan because the goats in Matthew 25:41 are cast into the same fire that is prepared for the devil and his angels. In the book of Revelation we see them all in the lake of fire, although with different punishments:
Unrepentant sinners - Revelation 14:10-11 - tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night.
Those who took the mark of the beast - Revelation 21:8 - have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
The devil, beast and false prophet - Revelation 20:10 - cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
You appear to be referring to traditions I haven’t heart of, sticking with just the western tradition, tradition says hell is a hot place in the centre of the earth, and science says there is a hot place in the centre of the earth, how does a univeralist reconcile this?
Like I say, I want to believe in universalism, but I fear that I would be making God in my own image if I do because I simply don’t like the idea of God torturing people forever for listening to a catchy rock song with non-sinful lyrics.
About that faith issue I was talking about before, I currently don’t have enough to give to every homeless person I see, and taking the parable (is it a parable) of the Sheeps and the Goats at face value (Matthew 25:31-46), of course I ask God to help me, but the fact remains, I currently don’t have the faith to give to every single homeless person I see because I fear that I won’t have anything left, which really is selfish when you get down to it, The Lord Jesus Christ commanded even one man to sell everything (Matthew 19:16-24) although granted, that commandment is not for everyone.
I pray that I can keep these commandment and I’m waiting on God to change me, but is that enough? I desire to keep these commandments because Jesus said “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15), but lack the faith to do so, which is made worse by the fact that Jesus commanded us not to worry (Matthew 6:34).
Please pray for me in these areas.
I also worry that I am seeking universalism because of my lack of faith in the above areas.