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A
list of scores of Scriptures by Thomas Whittemore
proving that Jesus
Christ is indeed Saviour
of the whole world, not just a part of it
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"Many early American Christians
discovered Jesus as the
Saviour
of the whole world. I have come across hundreds of old books written in the
late 1700s and early 1800s that declare in Scriptural form the Everlasting
Gospel that Jesus will redeem every single soul created. One of these books
had a chapter, reprinted below, that commented on 100 Scriptures that declare
the salvation of all mankind. I will be doing some editing since the English
of today is quite different from that of 150 years ago. Any comments I may
make will be in parenthesis. It was written in 1840 by Thomas Whittemore" ( introduction by
Gary Amirault, http://www.tentmaker.org/
)
GOD THE CREATOR OF MEN
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God is the Creator of all men. "He hath made of one blood,
all nations of men, to dwell on all the face of the earth." Acts 17:26 He
would not have created intelligent beings, had he known they were to be forever
miserable. To suppose that God would bring beings into existence who he knew
would be infinite losers by that existence, is to charge him with the utmost
malignity. The existence itself would not be a blessing, but a curse; the
greatness of which cannot be described. As God is infinite in knowledge, and
as he sees the end from the beginning, he must have known before the creation,
the result of the existence he was about to confer, and whether, upon the
whole, it would be a blessing; and , as he was not under any necessity to
create man, being also infinitely benevolent, he could not have conferred
an existence that he knew would end in the worst possible consequences to
his creatures.
GOD THE FATHER OF MEN
God is the Father of all men. "Have we not all one Father?
Hath not one God created us?" Mal. 2:10 A kind Father will not punish his
children but for their good. God is evidently called the Father of all men
in the Scriptures, and this is not an unmeaning name; he has the disposition
and principles of a Father. He loves with a Father's love; he watches with
a Father's care; he reproves with a Father's tenderness; he punishes with
a Father's design. God is the Father of all men; and, therefore, he cannot
make mankind endlessly miserable.
GOD THE LORD, OR OWNER OF MEN
All men, of right, belong to God. "Behold, all souls are
mine," saith the Lord. "As the soul of the father, so also the soul of the
son is mine." Ezek. 18:4 God will not give up what belongeth to him, to the
dominion of sin and Satan forever. All men are God's by creation; he made
them all. They are his by preservation; he sustains them all. They were his
at first, and they always have remained in his care. "The earth is the Lord's,
and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." That God,
who says to men, "If any provide not for his own, and specially for those
of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel,"
can never abandon his own creatures. He will ever exercise a gracious care
over them, as will be more fully seen in the following reasons.
ALL MEN COMMITTED TO CHRIST'S CARE
God hath given all things to Christ, as the moral Ruler of
the world. "Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,
and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." Psalms 2:8 "The
Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." John 3:35
"All things," here, means all intelligent beings. So say the best commentators.
(The word things is in italics in the KJV which means it is not in the Greek.
We are not talking about trees here.
God gave all beings to Christ that he might save them.
"Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life
to as many as thou hast given him." John 7:2 This plainly evinces, that it
was God's design, in giving Christ dominion over all flesh, that they should
all enjoy eternal life.
It is certain that Christ will save all that the Father
hath given him. "All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me, and him
that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out." John 6:37 These three propositions
are irrefragable evidence of the final happiness of all men. 1st. God hath
given all things to Christ. 2d. All that God hath given him shall come to
him; and 3d. him that cometh he will in nowise cast out. All are given; all
shall come; and none shall be cast out. What is the unavoidable conclusion?
THE WILL OF GOD
It is THE WILL of God that all men shall be saved. "Who will have all men
to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth." KJV 1Tim. 2:4 By "all
men", in this passage, is undoubtedly to be understood all the human race.
Salvation comes through the belief of the truth. God wills that all men should
come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved thereby.
God inspires the hearts of the good to pray for the salvation
of all men, and say, as Jesus said, "Thy will be done." Matt. 6:10. Adam Clarke
says, "Because he wills the salvation of all men, therefore he wills that
all men should be prayed for; as in 1 Tim. 2:1. "I exhort, therefore, that,
first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks
be made for all men." Would God inspire the hearts of his saints to pray for
the salvation of all mankind, if he knew they would not all be saved?
Jesus came to do the will of God. "My meat is to do the
will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." John 4:34 "Lo, I come to
do they will, O God." Heb. 10:9 The will of God is, that all men be saved.
This is his will, by way of distinction and preeminence. Jesus came to do
this will. He came as the Savior, as the Savior of all men. He came as the
good Shepherd, to seek and save that which was lost. He came to save all men,
not only those who lived on the earth while he was here, but all who lived
before, and all who have since lived, and all who shall live. Jesus gave himself
a ransom for all; he tasted death for every man; and unto him, at last, every
knee shall bow, and every tongure shall confess him Lord, to the glory of
God the Father. Such is the way in which Jesus does the will of God.
The will of God cannot be resisted. "He doeth according
to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" Dan. 4:35.
Who can resist a being of Almighty power? What God wills to take place, must
take place. He wills the salvation of all men because it is right. A God of
purity cannot desire endless sin and rebellion. If he wills the salvation
of all men, he wills all the means by which it shall be accomplished; it must
therefore take place.
God has no other will besides the will to save all men.
"He is in one mind, and who can turn him." Job 23:13.
THE NATURE OF GOD
God is love and love worketh no ill. "God is love." 1 John
4:8. "Love worketh no ill." Rom. 13:10. This is a very forcible argument.
God's nature is the very essence of benevolence, and benevolence cannot be
the origin of endless evil. If love worketh no ill, God can work no ill; and,
therefore, God cannot be the author of endless evil.
God loves all mankind. "For God so loved the world that
he gave his only begotten Son." John 3:16: and, as Jesus died for all men,
so God loves all men. This argument adds great force to the last.
God loves even his enemies. For he requires men to love
their enemies, which he could not do if he hated his. (Matt. 5:44) And Jesus
declared, "for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." Luke 6:35.
This is but an amplification of the preceding argument. If God loves his enemies,
he certainly loves all men; for no one doubts that he loves his friends. And
can God cause those to be endlessly miserable whom he loves?
THE WISDOM OF GOD
God is wise; and it cannot be a dictate of wisdom to create
beings, and then make their existence a curse by entailing endless suffering
to it. God foresaw all the consequences of our creation when he made us. He
knew fully what the result would be to each individual. Is it possible, that
infinite goodness could breathe life into unoffending dust, when it was clearly
foreseen that endless evil would ensue? It was not possible. God must have
created only to bless. "Love worketh no ill."
The wisdom of God is "full of mercy," and "without partiality."
James 3:17. "Full of mercy," says Adam Clarke, i.e. "ready to pass by a transgression,
and to grant forgiveness to those who offend; and PERFORMING EVERY POSSIBLE
ACT OF KINDNESS." Surely, a God of infinite power and skill, who "performs
every possible act of kindness," will save his fallen creatures from their
sins. "Without partiality," i.e. without making a difference. God is no respecter
of persons. He is kind to all men, and he will perform every "possible act
of kindness" to all men.
THE PLEASURE OF GOD
The pleasure of God is in favor of the salvation of all
men; and therefore, neither death, sin, nor pain, can be the ultimate object
of God in reference to man. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure
in the death of the wicked." Ezek. 23:11. Death and sin and pain may exist
for a time; but if God has no pleasure in them of themselves, they are not
the end at which he aims, but the means by which he accomplishes that end.
The end in which God rests as his pleasure, design, or purpose, must be essentially
benevolent, because he is essentially a benevolent God. Neither death, nor
sin, nor pain can be his ultimate plan or pleasure; they are the means by
which his holy and righteous designs are carried into effect.
God created all men expressly for his pleasure, and, therefore,
not for ultimate death. "Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure
they are and were created." Rev. 4:11 Adam Clarke has a fine remark on this
passage. He says, "He made all things for his pleasure; and through the same
motive he preserves. Hence, it is most evident, that he hateth nothing that
he has made; and could have made no intelligent creature with the design to
make it eternally miserable. It is strange, that a contrary supposition has
ever entered into the heart of man; and it is high time that the benevolent
nature of the Supreme God, should be fully vindicated from aspersions of this
kind."
The pleasure of God shall prosper in the hand of Christ.
"The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." Isaiah 53:10 Clarke
says, on Isaiah 53:10, that the pleasure of God is, "to have all men saved,
and brought to the knowledge of the truth." Compare this with the 20th section.
God's pleasure shall surely be accomplished. "So shall
by word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing
whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:11. "I will do all my pleasure." 46:10 Does
not this passage show that God's pleasure shall certainly be accomplished?
His word shall not return unto him void: it shall accomplish what he please,
and prosper in the object which he sent it to accomplish. God has no pleasure
in the death or suffering of the sinner. That was not the object of creation.
God created men for his pleasure, and his pleasure shall certainly be accomplished.
God has purposed the salvation of all men. "Having made
known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which
he hath purposed in himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times,
he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth, even in him." (Eph. 1:9,10) It is evident from this
passage, that God has purposed to gather together all things in Christ. God's
purpose agrees with his will or pleasure. He wills to have all men saved;
he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; and accordingly he has purposed
to gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth. This is God's purpose; this is what he has purposed
in himself. And this is not the gathering together of those things only which
are in Christ, but the gathering together of all things in him. "Unto him
shall the gathering of the people be." (Gen. 49:10) And Jesus confirms this:
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John
12:32) Thus we see all things are to be gathered into Christ. They are all
to have his spirit, and partake of his new creation; for "if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things
are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17) By the phrase "all things," as Archbishop Newcome
says, it meant, "all persons, all intelligent beings. See the neuter for the
masculine, John 6:37,39." See more on this subject under the 78th section.
The purpose of God cannot fail: it must certainly be accomplished.
"The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, surely as I have purposed, so shall
it stand." (Isaiah 14:24) "For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall
disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?"(
verse 27) "I have purposed it, I will also do it." (46:11) Now, whatever God
purposes must take place. God can have no second thoughts; hence, Paul speaks
of "the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel (i.e.
the previous consultations or deliberations) of his own will." (Eph 1:11)
What, then, shall hinder the accomplishment of this purpose? Has he formed
a plan which he cannot execute? No; the concurrent testimony of the sacred
writers is, that whatever God has purposed, SHALL BE DONE. So let it be, O
Lord.
THE PROMISES OF GOD
God promised to Abraham, his servant, that he would bless
all mankind, in his seed. "In thee shall all the families of the earth be
blessed." (Gen. 12:3) "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed."
(Gen. 22:18) All the nations of the earth, all the families of the earth,
according to this promise, are to be blessed in the seed of Abraham. The language
is absolute: it is without any condition. "All the nations of the earth shall
be blessed." And who is this "seed of Abraham," in whom all the nations and
families of the earth shall be blessed? I agree with Dr. Adam Clarke on this
matter. He says, in his note on Gen. 12:3, "in thy posterity, in the Messiah,
who shall spring from thee, shall all families of the earth be blessed; for
as he shall take on him human nature, from the posterity of Abraham, he shall
taste death for every man; his gospel shall be preached throughout the world,
and innumerable blessings be derived on all mankind, through his death and
intercession."
God made the same promise to Isaac. "I will perform the
oath which I sware unto Abraham they father, and I will make thy seed to multiply
as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and
in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 26:3,4)
This passage is precisely of the same import with those quoted under section
23. It refers to precisely the same subject, and asserts the same facts. We
repeat it here, because God saw fit to repeat the same promise to Isaac which
he had made to his father Abraham; and it forms a distinct argument of itself.
The same promise was repeated to Jacob, the grandson of
Abraham. "and in thee, and in thy seed, shall all the families of the earth
be blessed." (Gen. 28:14) The apostle Paul (and higher authority we do not
wish) fully settles the question in regard to who is meant by the "seed of
Abraham." He says, "Now to Abraham and his seed, were the promises made. He
saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, WHICH
IS CHRIST." (Gal. 3:16) Christ, then, is the seed of Abraham; and in him ALL
the nations and families of the earth shall be blessed.
Peter, the apostle, understood this promise as referring
to the salvation of men from sin, by Jesus Christ. "Ye are the children of
the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying
unto Abraham, in thy seed shall all kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto
you first, God, having raised up his son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in
turning away every one of you from his iniquities." (Acts 3:25,26) Here we
have a third term,-kindreds. All nations of the earth, all families of the
earth, and all kindreds of the earth, must certainly signify all mankind.
The import of this absolute, unconditional promise is, they shall all be blessed
in Christ Jesus.
The apostle Paul repeats this promise, and calls it THE
GOSPEL. "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen
through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall
all nations be blessed." (Gal. 3:8) This is a further confirmation, that the
blessing promised men in the seed of Abraham, is a spiritual, gospel blessing.
There is no threatening of any kind whatsoever in the Scriptures,
no law, no penalty, no punishment denounced, which when rightly understood
does not harmonize with this promise, for the law is not against the promises
of God. "Is the law, then, against the promises of God? God forbid." (Gal.
3:21) The law mentioned in this verse was undoubtedly the law given to Moses
on Mount Sinai. God was specially careful to frame that law in such a manner,
that not a single sentence or particle of it should contradict the promises
made by him to Abraham. What those promises were, we have seen. It is equally
true, that not a single threatening of punishment for sin, or for unbelief,
not a denunciation of hell-fire, or condemnation of any kind of sin, is opposed
to the promises of God. Now as those promises most explicitly assert, the
final blessing of all nations, kindreds, and families of the earth with salvation
from sin in Jesus Christ, so no portion of God's law, no threatening of punishment,
should be so construed, interpreted, or explained, as to contradict this;
and as the doctrine of endless condemnation for sin does explicitly contradict
those promises, that doctrine we may be sure is not revealed in any portion
of God's word.
THE OATH OF GOD
God hath confirmed his promise by an oath. See Gen. 12:16-18.
Heb. 6:13. But the most striking passage, perhaps, is this-"I have sworn by
myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return,
that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear, surely shall
say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength." (Isaiah 45:23,24) I think
the words of Adam Clarke on the oath of God, are worthy of the deepest consideration.
On the words of God, "he sware by himself," Clarke remarks, "He pledged his
eternal power and Godhead for the fulfillment of the promise; there was no
being superior to himself, to whom he could make appeal, or by whom he could
be bound; therefore he appeals to and pledges his immutable truth and godhead."
Com. on Heb. 6:13 And again, the same commentator remarks, "The promise pledged
his faithfulness and justice; the oath all the infinite perfections of his
godhead; for he sware by himself. There is a good saying in Beracoth, on Exodus
32:13. 'Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swearedst
by thine own self.' What is the meaning of "thine own self?" Rab Eleazar answered,
thus said Moses to the holy blessed God, Lord of all the world, If thou hadst
sworn to them by the heavens and the earth, then I should have said, as the
heavens and the earth shall pass away, so may thy oath pass away. But now
thou hast sworn unto them by thy great Name, which liveth and which endureth
forever, and forever, and ever; therefore thy oath shall endure forever and
forever and ever." (Com. on Heb. 6:18.)
THE POWER OF GOD
God is almighty; nothing can resist his will; nothing can
defeat his purpose; nothing can prevent the fulfillment of his promise. "What
he had promised he was able to perform." (Rom. 4:21) If God were not almighty,
then the world might not be saved; but he is almighty; "none can stay his
hand, or say unto him, what doest thou?" and therefore, in God's own time
(and that is the best time), and by his own means, the whole world shall be
saved.
THE DEATH OF CHRIST
Because God not only wills the salvation of all men; not
only hath purposed to save them all; not only hath promised it; not only hath
confirmed that promise by an OATH (see previous issues); but also hath provided
the means, in the death of Christ, for the salvation of all men. Jesus died
for all. "He gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
(1 Tim. 2:6) "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,
for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he, by the
grace of God, should taste death for every man." (Heb. 2:9) "And he is the
propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of
the whole world." (1 John 2:2) Here are three expressions: 1st, "ALL;" 2nd,
"EVERYMAN;" 3d, "THE WHOLE WORLD." It seems as though the sacred writers took
the utmost care to guard against being misunderstood in this important particular.
Some would have us believe (see Prof. Stuart's Com. on Heb. 2:9) that these
expressions are to be understood only in a general sense, in opposition to
the contracted opinions of the Jews, who confined the blessings of God to
their own nation only; and that the words are intended to declare, that Jesus
died for Gentiles as well as Jews. We cannot so restrict the sense. Look at
the connection in which these passages are found, and it will be seen that
the terms used, apply to all men, in the widest sense of these terms. Paul
instructs Timothy to pray for all men; not for Jews and Gentiles in the general
sense, but for kings and all in authority; for this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God, who will have all men to be saved. So John says, "if
any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father." (1 Epistle John 1:1) Is
not the language here designed to apply to all men: Who can dispute it?
The labor of Christ will be efficacious for all for whom
He died. "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied."
(Is. 53:2) "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto
Me." (John 12:32) If the Redeemer died for all men, can He be satisfied with
the salvation of a part only? Can He look back upon his work and say, it is
well done? Will He not rather draw all men unto Him, by the power of His truth,
and make them holy and happy forever? Are we not authorized to expect such
a result, from the fact, that He gave Himself a ransom for all? And if they
are all drawn unto Him, will they not all be saved?
When Jesus was born, the angel said to the fearful shepherds,
"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
(Luke 2:10) The tidings of the Redeemer's birth, were certainly good tidings
to all people. They should all hear these tidings, and to all they should
be good tidings. But how can this be, if a part of the human race are never
to be benefited by the Redeemer's sacrifice?
The people who heard Jesus preach said, "we have heard
Him ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the
world." (John 4:42) Jesus cannot be the Savior of the world, if the world
will never be saved. What Jesus taught the Samaritans, that induced them to
regard Him as the Savior of the world, may be inferred, 1st. from His conversation
with the woman at the well of Jacob, (John 4) and 2nd, from the exclamation
of the Samaritans, in the 42nd verse. He evidently did not preach to them
the doctrine of endless misery; for would they have concluded from the fact
of his preaching that doctrine, that he was THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD?"
John, the beloved disciple of Christ, said, "We have seen,
and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."
(1 John 4:14) This is the same character that the Samaritans judged the Lord
to possess, from his personal instruction. (John 4:42) John says, "We have
seen;" i.e. he knew it from his acquaintance with his Master. And do testify.
We cannot hide this truth; we will proclaim to men, that Jesus is the Savior
of the world.
THE TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHETS
All the holy prophets have spoken of the restitution of
all things. "And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto
you, whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things,
which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world
began." (Acts 3:20,21) This is an important passage of Scripture. "And he
shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, (but who hath
been crucified, and hath ascended unto heaven, and ) whom the heaven must
receive (or contain) until the times of restitution of all things, which God
hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
This "restitution of all things" is to take place, when Jesus comes down from
the heavens, in the sense in which he had ascended into heaven. He had ascended
into the heaven bodily; the heavens would contain Him until the times of the
restitution; and then He would bodily visit the earth again. Now when shall
he visit the earth again bodily? Answer, at the resurrection of the dead.
(See Acts 1:10,11, and 1 Thess. 4:16) We conclude from this, that the restitution
of all things is to take place at the resurrection of the dead. The learned
Parkhurst gives this view of the subject, and quotes Stockius at large as
agreeing with him. We do not understand, that the restitution shall not begin
until the time, but that it shall then be completed, and filled up, so that
it may be said, all things are restored. This is begun in part in this life;
but it will be completed and finished at the resurrection. What is this restitution?
It is the putting of things back into their original condition. See A. Clarke,
on the passage. Man was originally created in God's image; but the divine
image has been obscured by sin; and men now bear the image of the earthly.
But at the resurrection, when Christ shall appear, the restitution of all
things shall take place, and then mankind will be restored to the image of
God again; for St. Paul says, that at the resurrection mankind shall be changed
from the earthly to the heavenly image. (1 Cor. 15:49) This heavenly image
which we have lost, we obtain back again at the resurrection of the dead;
and to this the Saviour's language agrees, for He saith, that in the resurrection
men shall be as the angels of God in heaven; i.e. they shall bear the heavenly
image; (Matt. 22:30) that they can die no more, and "shall be the children
of God, being the children of the resurrection." (Luke 22:36) This God hath
spoken by all his holy prophets since the world began; not fully and clearly
as He hath revealed it in the gospel; but He hath spoken by the prophets of
the recovery of all things from the dominion of sin, and their reconciliation
to God, and the gaining again of the heavenly image. The reader is referred
to a long and excellent passage in A. Clark's Com. on Acts 3:21, which he
closes by saying, "as therefore, the subject here referred to is that, of
which all the prophets from the beginning have spoken, (and the grand subject
of all their declarations was Christ and His words among men,) therefore the
words are to be applied to this, and no other meaning. Jesus Christ comes
to raise up man from a state of ruin, and restore to him the image of God,
as he possessed it at the beginning."
Moses, one of the earliest prophets, foretold the destruction
of all evil, when he represented sin under the figure of a serpent, whose
head the seed of the woman was to bruise. "I will put enmity between thee
and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head,
and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Gen. 3:15)
David also said, "all the ends of the world shall remember,
and turn unto the Lord; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship
before him." (Psalms 22:27) This agrees precisely with the promise of God
to Abraham, that all the nations, families, and kindreds of the earth shall
be blessed in Christ Jesus.
David also said, :all kings shall fall down before Him
(Christ), all nations shall serve Him,--men shall be blessed in Him, all nations
shall call Him blessed." (Psalms 72:11,17) This is of the same import with
section 38.
David also said, "All nations whom thou hast made shall
come and worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name." (Psalms
86:9) This must certainly include all the nations of the earth; God made them
all, from Adam to the latest born.
David also said, not less than twenty-six times, in that
part of his meditations embraced in the 136th Psalm, "his mercy endureth forever."
What kind of a mercy is the mercy of God, which is to endure forever: it is
a universal mercy. See the next section.
He also declared, that that mercy which is to endure forever,
is over all the works of God. "The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies
are over all his works." (Psalms 145:9) God is the same, yesterday, today,
and forever.
He also said, "all thy works shall praise thee, O Lord,
and thy saints shall bless thee." (Psalms 145:10) Can all God's works praise
Him, if a part are consigned to eternal fire?
He also said, "the Lord is gracious, and full of compassion,
slow to anger, and of great mercy." (Psalms 145:8) Can endless misery be ordained
by such a god as this?
He also said; "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow
to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide; neither will He
keep His anger forever." (Psalms 103:8,9) This could not possibly be true,
if God purposed to make any of His creatures forever miserable. If we allow
that torment shall be endless, can we say, that "God will not always chide,"
nor "keep His anger forever?"
Isaiah represented, that there was no sin which might not
be pardoned. "Though you sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isa. 1:18) The evident
intent of this language is, that there was no sin so deep-dyed in the soul,
that it could not be washed away. That is here said of Israel, is true of
every individual.
It is said, that "all nations shall flow into the mountain
of the Lord's house,"--a figurative representation of the covenant of the
Gospel. (Isa. 2:2)
In this mountain, the Lord of Hosts hath made for all people
a feast of fat things. "And in this mountain, shall the Lord of hosts make
unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees; of fat
things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well-refined." (Isa. 25:6) By
"mountain," here, is meant the covenant of the Gospel; the place of the establishment
of the ark is made a metaphor, to signify the Gospel. Adam Clarke says, this
feast is "salvation by Jesus Christ." Com. On the place. This salvation is
prepared for all people; it is sufficient to supply the wants of all.
"God will destroy, in this mountain, the face of the covering
cast over all people, and the veil, that is spread over all nations." (Isa.
25:7) This salvation is not uselessly prepared. Unbelief shall be done away.
The darkness of the nations shall be removed. The covering cast over all nations
shall be destroyed; they will then all see the truth.
"God will swallow up death in victory. " (Isa. 25:8) This
is to take place at the resurrection of the dead, for Paul quotes these words,
and applies them to the resurrection of the dead, in 1 Cor. 15:54.
"The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces:
(Isa. 25:8) The work of the Gospel will not be fully done, until tears shall
be wiped away from all faces. Sorrow shall cease. Paul applies the subject
to the resurrection of the dead.
Isaiah said, "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together." (Isa. 40:5) This is the declaration
of Yahweh, for the prophet adds, "the mouth of the lord hath spoken it." If
the Lord hath declared, that all flesh shall see his glory together, surely
it must be done.
Isaiah represents the Gospel as being completely successful
in accomplishing the purpose for which it was sent into the world"--that,
as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and return not thither, but water
the earth, and cause it to bring forth and bud, so shall the word of God be;
it shall not return void, but it shall accomplish the divine pleasure, and
prosper in the thing for which God sent it. (Isa. 45:10,11) Thus all who allow
that God sent the Gospel to benefit all mankind, must here see, that that
beneficent object will surely be accomplished. If any reject the Gospel, and
are lost forever, can it be said in truth, that God's word does not return
unto Him void?
Isaiah, speaking in the name of Yahweh, said, of Christ,
"I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my
salvation unto the end of the earth." (Isa.49:6) In this verse, the prophet
affirms, that the blessings of the Gospel should not be confined to the Jews.
"I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles;" for what purpose? Answer;
"that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." This expression
is intended to signify the greatest possible extension of the blessings of
the Gospel. Is this consistent with the supposed fact, that countless millions
of the human race shall never hear of the blessings of the Gospel?
Isaiah represented Yahweh as saying, "I will not contend
forever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit should fail before
me, and the souls which I have made." (Isa 57:16) Is this declaration consistent
with the doctrine of endless misery? According to that doctrine, will not
God contend forever? Will He not be always wroth?
Yahweh saith, by Jeremiah, concerning the covenant He made
with the house of Israel, " I will put my law in their inward parts, and write
it in their heats; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And
they shall teach no more every man his Neighbor, and every man his brother,
saying , know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them
unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity,
and I will remember their sin no more." (Jer. 31:33,34) The spirit of the
passage is universal grace. What God here saith He will do for the Jews, He
will also do for the Gentiles. The former is a pledge of the latter. (See,
for additional argument on this subject, section 88)
Jeremiah bore testimony against the supposition, that God
would inflict any punishment on His creatures which is not for their good.
"THE LORD WILL NOT CAST OFF FOREVER. But though He cause grief, yet will He
have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies, for He doth not
afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." (Lamen. 3:31-33) O, what
a precious declaration is this! Though God cause grief, yet He will have compassion
according to the multitude of His mercies, for He doth not afflict willingly,
nor grieve the children of men. This is the principle of the divine government.
God does not afflict for the purpose of afflicting, but for the good of the
sufferer. How, then, can endless torment be inflicted?
Daniel said, of the reign of Christ, "there was given Him
dominion, and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages,
should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom,
that which shall not be destroyed." (Dan. 7:14) If all people, nations, and
languages serve the Savior, will they be endlessly miserable? Will they not
be endlessly happy? This passage should be applied, undoubtedly, to all for
whom the Savior died. Jesus seems to have referred to the declaration of the
prophets, in what He said after His resurrection. (Matt. 28:18)
Hosea said, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave;
I will redeem them from death. O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave (or
Hell, Sheol), I will be thy destruction." (Hosea 13:14) Let the light of inspiration
guide us. St. Paul applies these words to the resurrection of the dead, at
the last day. (1 Cor. 15:54,55) At the resurrection of the dead, then, God
will destroy Sheol, HELL. He does not raise His creatures from the dead in
order to punish them forever in sheol,(Hell) for sheol (Hell) shall then be
destroyed.
Micah said, of Yahweh, " He retaineth not His anger forever,
because He delighteth in mercy." (Micah 7:18) A most precious assurance! Altogether
at variance with the doctrine of endless misery.
THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS
Jesus, when on earth, preached in such a manner that the
people "wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth."
(Luke 4:22) This could not have happened, had he threatened the people with
endless misery. He preached salvation to sinful, guilty man; he preached the
love of God to the whole world; and declared, that God sent not His Son into
the world to condemn the world, but, that the world, through Him, might be
saved. Well might the people wonder at his "gracious words."
Jesus inculcated the strongest confidence in God; and reasoned
in the most tender and judicious manner with the people, to dissuade them
from taking anxious thought for the future. Read Matt. 6:25-34. This is one
of the most striking passages in the whole New Testament. The object of the
Savior was, to encourage, in the hearts of those whom he addressed, the most
implicit confidence in God, for all future blessings. God is good; he is kind,
even to the unthankful and to the evil; therefore said the Savior, "take no
anxious thought." Be not afraid; God will do thee good. He has already proved
his beneficence to thee. He takes care of the lower orders of beings; why
shouldst thou doubt? He clothes the flowers of the field with beauty; why
shouldst thou despair? Take not anxious, painful thought for the future. Sufficient
unto the present is the evil therof. Such is the spirit of the passage, which
is perfectly consistent with the doctrine of Universalism, but utterly inconsistent
with the doctrine of endless misery.
Jesus warned the people against the doctrine of the Pharisees,
who are well known to have believed in endless punishment. Matt 16:6; compare
verse 12. There is no doubt, that the doctrines of the Pharisees were of a
partial nature. Jesus was impartial in his teachings. He was the friend of
publicans and sinners, and for this the Pharisees hated him. This was the
great point on which he differed from the Pharisees. Their doctrine peculiarly
was a doctrine of cruelty, wrath, and partiality; his was a doctrine of love,
compassion, and universal grace. No person, who will make the comparison fairly,
can avoid coming to this result. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.
Jesus taught, that men in the future world will be like
the angels of God in heaven,--holy, spotless, and pure. "In the resurrection,
they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God
in heaven." (Matt. 22:30 Luke 20:35,36) In what sense shall they be as the
angels of God in heaven? Let the passage in Luke 20 answer this question.
"Neither can they die any more, for they are equal unto the angels, and are
the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Here are two
points, in which they will be equal to the angels, viz. 1st. they will be
immortal; and 2nd. they will be children of God, bearing a moral likeness
to him. This will be the state of all who shall be raised from the dead.
Jesus reproved the Pharisees for shutting up the kingdom
of heaven. "Woe into you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up
the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither
suffer ye them that are entering to go in." (Matt. 23:13) These Pharisees
were never charged with having shut up the kingdom of hell; that, they appear
to have kept open. But they shut up the kingdom of heaven. Jesus desired to
have all men enjoy his kingdom; and we are assured, that, at last, all shall
know the Lord, from the least unto the greatest. They will then all have entered
the gospel kingdom.
THE TESTIMONY OF PETER
Peter saw, in the vision of the vessel like a sheet knit
at the four corners, that all men came down from heaven; that they are all
encircled in the kind care of God, while here on earth; and , that "all will
be drawn up again into heaven." (Acts 10:15; 11:5-10)
THE TESTIMONY OF PAUL
Paul represented the free gift of life as extending equally
with sin. "As, by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation;
even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto
justification of life." (Rom. 5:18) This is a very important passage. It teaches
us, that the free gift of eternal life shall extend equally with sin. On the
one hand we are told, judgment came upon all men by sin; on the other we find,
that "the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." This free
gift is eternal life, see Rom. 6:23. But, for a further view of the argument
of the apostle in this place, see section 68.
Paul also says, "For as by one man's disobedience many
were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
The same many that were made sinners, Paul declares "shall be made righteous."
This certainly asserts the salvation of all sinners. Parkhurst in his Greek
Lexicon, says, Oi polloi, the many, i.e. the multitude, or whole bulk of mankind,
Rom. 5:15,19, in which texts oi polloi are plainly equivalent to Pantas anthropous,
all men, verses 12, 18." The learned Dr. Macknight is to the same purport.
"For as oi polloi, the many, in the first part of the verse, does not mean
some of mankind only, but all mankind, from first to last, who without exception,
are constituted sinners, so the many in the latter part of the verse, who
are said to be constituted righteous, through the obedience of Christ, must
mean ALL MANKIND, from the beginning to the end of the world, without exception."
See his commentary on the place. The evident sense of the passage is this:
For as the many, that is, the whole bulk of mankind were made sinners, so
shall the many, that is, the whole bulk of mankind, be made righteous. What
can be plainer than this fact? We agree with the authors of the Improved Version,
who say, "Nothing can be more obvious than this, that it is the apostle's
intention to represent all mankind, without exception, as deriving greater
benefit from the mission of Christ, than they suffered injury from the fall
of Adam. The universality of the apostle's expression is very remarkable.
The same "many" who were made sinners by the disobedience of one, are made
righteous by the obedience of the other. If all men are condemned by the offense
of one, the same all are justified by the righteousness of the other. These
universal terms, so frequently repeated, and so variously diversified, cannot
be reconciled to the limitation of the blessings of the Gospel, to the elect
alone, or to a part only of the human race." (Note of Rom. 5:19)
Grace shall abound more than sin, and reign more potently,
so that at last all shall end in everlasting life. "Where sin abounded, grace
did much more abound; that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace
reign through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord."
(Rom. 5:20,21) What a blessed assurance! Grace shall conquer sin? In every
heart where sin has reigned, grace shall set up its empire. Grace shall reign
triumphantly and successfully. We see not yet all this done; but it shall
be done at last.
Paul teaches, that the same creature which was made subject
to vanity, "shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious
liberty of the children of God." (Rom. 8:21) It is worthy of remark, that
it is the same "creature," or creation, which was made subject to vanity,
that is to be delivered. Rev. Thomas White, in his sermons preached at Welbeck
Chapel, translates the passage thus: "For THE CREATION was made subject to
vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who subjected it; in hope that
THE CREATION ITSELF also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption,
into the glorious liberty of the sons of God." (Horne's Intro. II. 540) Dr.
Macknight decides, that creature, in the passage, signifies, "every human
creature," "all mankind." Let us read the passage with such a rendering, as
it undoubtedly gives it its just sense. For every human creature was made
subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who had subjected the
same in hope; because every human creature shall be delivered from the bondage
of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
Paul teaches the eventual salvation of both Jews and Gentiles.
"Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles
be come in ; and so "ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED." Rom. Xi. 25, 26. The terms,
Jews and Gentiles, comprehend all mankind. Paul asserts the ultimate salvation
of both Jews and Gentiles, that is, all men. What serious man can pretend,
that by the fulness of the Gentiles he meant only a portion of them, and by
all Israel, he meant only a small part of Israel? Was it such a view, that
led Paul to exclaim, at the conclusion of his luminous argument on this subject,
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God?" If God
sought to save the whole, and succeeded in saving only a fraction, was the
depth of his wisdom so surpassingly great? And remark what he says at the
conclusion of the 11th chapter. "For of him (God) and through him, and TO
HIM are all things," (Gr. ta panta) the universe ; as Dr. Whitby says, "For
of him (as the donor) and through him (as the director and providential orderer)
and to him (as the end) be all things." The argument is complete.
Paul teaches, that whether living or dying we are the Lord's.
"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether
we live we live unto the Lord; and whether we die we die unto the Lord; whether
we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." Rom. xiv. 7, 8. Does Paul
here mean to include all mankind? Does he here mean to assert, that all without
exception, are the Lord's? We can come to no other conclusion. He adds, "For
to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord
both of the dead and living," verse 9. The terms "dead and living," evidently
signify all the human race. Of course, all the human race are Christ's for
ever.
Paul saith, "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall
all be made alive." I Cor. xv. 22. "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a
new creature." 2 Cor. v. 17. Hence, if all shall be made alive in Christ,
they shall all be new creatures in the resurrection of the dead. Belsham says,
"The apostle's language is so clear and full with respect to the final happiness
of those who are thus raised, and that their resurrection to life will be
ultimately a blessing, that the generality of Christians have supposed, that
he is here treating of the resurrection of the virtuous only. But that is
not the fact. He evidently speaks of the restoration of the whole human race.
All who die by Adam shall be raised by Christ; otherwise the apostle's assertion
would be untrue. The case then would have been this, as in Adam all die, so
in Christ shall a select number, a small proportion, be made alive. But this
is not the apostle's doctrine. His expressions are equally universal in each
clause. ALL die in Adam. The same ALL, without any exception, without any
restriction, shall by Christ be restored to life, and ultimately to holiness
and everlasting happiness."
Death, the last enemy, shall be destroyed. 1 Cor. xv. 26.
If death be the last enemy, and if that shall be destroyed, there will be
no enemies to the happiness of man remaining after the resurrection.
Paul, in his account of the resurrection, does not admit
of the existence of sin in the immortal state. "So also is the resurrection
of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised incorruption ; ***** it
is raised in glory. ***** it is raised in power; ***** it is raised a spiritual
body." 1 Cor. xv. 42-44. When the apostle cries out triumphantly, "O death
! where is thy sting?" he certainly means, that sin was absent, for "the sting
of death is sin."
Paul saith, "that God was in Christ, reconciling the world
unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." 2 Cor. v. 19. It is
not said, that God was in Christ reconciling himself to the world, for he
was never unreconciled to the world; but God was in Christ reconciling the
world to himself. By "the world" in this place is undoubtedly intended all
for whom Christ died. God was engaged in this work ; he had appointed the
means for its accomplishment ; and we believe, under his wise direction, it
will be done.
Paul saith to the Galatians, "There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for
ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's
seed, and heirs according to the promise." Gal. iii. 28, 29. According to
what promise? Answer. According to the promise of God to Abraham, that in
him, and his seed [Christ], all the nations, kindreds and families of the
earth shall be blessed. In Christ, therefore, none of the distinctions are
known of which Paul there speaks. "Ye are all one in Christ Jesus." That point
being settled, he adds, "and if ye be Christ's [as he had proved] then are
ye Abraham's seed, [that is, not by lineal descent, but spiritually], and
heirs according to the promise."
He saith, that to Jesus was given "a name which is above
every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in
heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philip. ii. 9-11. Professor Stuart, of Andover, says, in his "Letters to Dr.
Channing," "Things in heaven, earth, and under the earth, is a common periphrasis
of the Hebrew and New Testament writers, for the universe. What can be meant
by things in heaven, that is, beings in heaven, bowing the knee to Jesus,
if spiritual worship be not meant?" So much from Professor Stuart. Now if
the universe [that is, all men without exception] are to render spiritual
and divine worship to Christ, will they not all be holy and happy ?
The foregoing reason is confirmed by the fact, that "if
we confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in the heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, we shall be saved." Rom. x. 9.
It pleased the Father, by his son Jesus, "TO RECONCILE
ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
(Col. 1:19-20) This is a similar periphrasis to that spoken of by Professor
Stuart, [see section 78] which signifies the universe. The phrase, "all things,"
as Archbishop Newcome observes, signifies all intelligent beings. It is God's
pleasure "to reconcile all things unto himself", -- an irrefutable argument
in proof of the final holiness andhappiness of all men.
Paul directed Timothy to pray and give thanks for all men,
which was agreeable to the will of God to "have all men to be save," who had
appointed a mediator to give himself "a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:1-6) Paul's
argument in this place is as follows: I exhort first, that supplication, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. None are excluded
from the divine favor; all have something to be grateful for; for God is kind
and good to ALL. He will have all men to be saved, which is the highest proof
of his regard for all men, in execution of the divine purpose to bring all
to the enjoyment of salvation.
God is called "the Saviour of all men." (1 Tim. 4:10) This
title is applied to Jehovah, because he is the source of salvation. He wills
the salvation of all; he has purposed the salvation of all; he has promised
salvation to all; and has confirmed that promise by an oath. Hence, he is
originally the Saviour of all men.
The "grace of God bringeth salvation to all men, and teacheth
us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
and godly in this present world." (Titus 2:11,12) Adam Clarke remarks, "It
cannot be said, except in a very refined and spiritual sense, that this Gospel
had then appeared to all men ; but it may be well said, that it bringeth salvation
to all men ; this is its design ; and it was to taste death for every man,
that its author came into the world." Again, he adds ; "As the light and heat
of the sun are denied to no nation nor individual, so the grace of the Lord
Jesus ; this also shines out upon all ; and God designs that all mankind shall
be as equally benefited by it, in reference to their souls, as they are in
respect to their bodies, by the sun that shines in the firmament of heaven."
Christ is to "destroy him that had the power of death,
that is, the devil." (Heb. 2:14) Christ will destroy all evil, and banish
it entirely from the universe.
Paul says, "we which have believed do enter into rest;"
which could not be true, if they believed in the doctrine of endless misery.
(Heb. 4: 3)
"It is impossible for God to lie," who has sworn to Abraham
to bless all the kindreds of the earth, in his seed, which is Christ. (Heb.
6:18) If God could be false to his own promise, then the world might not be
saved ; but "it is impossible for God to lie." Therefore, all men, without
exception, shall at last be blessed in Christ Jesus.
Paul has repeated the testimony of Jeremiah, concerning
God's covenant with the house of Israel ; "all shall know me, from the least
to the greatest." (Heb. 8:11) This is a pledge of the previous salvation of
the Gentile world. The word of God assures us, that the Gentiles shall be
fellow-heirs with the Jews, of the blessings of the Gospel. God says, "all
shall know me, from the least to the greatest." All the children of Israel,
all the descendants of Abraham ; not those who may happen to be upon the earth
at any particular time, but the whole posterity of the patriarch, without
exception. This is similar to what Paul declares. (see Rom. 11:26)
God never chastens us but "for our profit," causing all
chastisement "afterward to yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto
them which are exercised thereby." (Heb. 12:10,11) How, then, can the doctrine
of endless punishment be true? If God's chastisements afterward yield the
peaceable fruits of righteousness, how can they be endless?
"The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from ALL sin."
(1 John 1:7) There is no sin, that the blood of Christ will not wash away.
Though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; and, though they
be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Jesus can save the chief of sinners.
(1 Tim. 1:15) He has the will, no less than the power; therefore, all men
will be saved by his grace.
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he
might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8) Sin is the work of the
devil, and will be destroyed; but men are the workmanship of God, and will
not be ultimately destroyed. Jesus shall destroy all sin ; he came into the
world for that special purpose ; and, having begun the work, he will not give
over, until it is completely accomplished.
The record, which God has given of his Son, is this; "That
God hath given to us eternal life ; and this life is in his Son." (1 John
5:11) Is this record true? it surely is. Who are called on to believe it?
all mankind. If any man believe it not, he makes God a liar, by saying, that
God's record is not true. God, then, has certainly given eternal life to all
men in his divine purpose.
John, the revelator, said: "And every creature which is
in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea,
and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory,
and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever
and ever." (Rev. 5:13) Here is another instance of the "common periphrasis"
of the Hebrew and New Testament writers for the universe. Every creature shall
at last pay divine honors to God and the Lamb. "If this be not spiritual worship,"
saith Prof. Stuart, "I am unable to produce a case, where worship can be called
spiritual and divine."
The same illustrious writer says: "Who shall not fear thee,
O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy ; for all nations shall
come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." (Rev.
15:4) Does this mean only all those nations who may happen to be upon the
earth at a certain time? or, does it mean "all nations," in the sense of the
divine promise to Abraham? Judge ye.
He also says: "The tabernacle of God is with men, and he
will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall
be with them, and be their God." (Rev. 21:3) When this is fulfilled, all men
will be reconciled to God. The Gospel is designed to make every heart the
dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit; and, when the purpose of the Gospel shall
be fully accomplished, God shall reign in the hearts of all men.
He furthermore declares, that "God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes ; and THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, neither sorrow,
nor crying ; neither shall there be any more pain ; for the former things
are passed away." (Rev. 21:4) Thus, we see the doctrine of eternal weeping,
eternal sighing, eternal sorrow, eternal pain, is false; false as the Bible
is true. And, although we read, in the Scriptures, of the second death, yet,
if we read of thirty deaths, it would be no argument against Universalism,
since the time is to come, when "THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH."
God induces all good people to pray for the salvation of
all men, which he could not do, if it were opposed to his will; because, "if
we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us," (1 John 5:14) and
because "the desire of the righteous shall be granted." (Prov. 10:24)
Peter said; "Believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable
and FULL OF GLORY." Can it be possible that they believed in the doctrine
of endless sin and misery? Would this have made them rejoice with unspeakable
joy? Not unless they were demons in human form.
All the threatenings of the word of God, when properly
understood, harmonize with the doctrine of Universalism ; the punishments
spoken of being limited punishments only, and no threatening or law extending
sin, or its consequences, beyond the resurrection.
Universalism is the only hypothesis in which the perfections
of God can harmonize, -since, if men are lost forever by God's decree or permission,
it impeaches his goodness; if, by his neglect or want of foreknowledge, it
impeaches his wisdom; or, if sin be too mighty for him, and rebels too stubborn
for him to subdue, it impeaches his power.
Lastly; "All things shall be subdued unto Christ, -Christ
shall be subject unto him that put all things under him, that GOD MAY BE ALL
IN ALL." (1 Cor. 15:28)

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