Ultimate Reconciliation of All

Ultimate Reconciliationists believe there will come a time when the wicked, including the devil and his angels, in some cases, will come out of torment and be reconciled to God. This doctrine did not come from Christians but Unitarians and Universalists who brought it from England to the New England colonies in the 18^th century. The fruit of this doctrine is the same as that of unconditional eternal security. If no one can ultimately be lost, why fear God or the warnings of Scripture? It destroys motivation to study and obey the Word or evangelize the lost. Like the unconditional eternal security people, many of these will take the mark of the beast and are taking the spiritual mark now. What else would the devil have you believe? I have ministered in several churches that believed this. Generally the people are very prideful and judgmental of those who do not have their "deep revelation". They are forced to pick and choose verses in order to justify this doctrine and it makes them disrespect the Word. I have debated many with this doctrine over the years, some on our live internet chat Bible study a few years ago. When they cant back it up with scriptures they generally resort to insults. We who believe the Word just don't have "the revelation".

A) They say the Greek words for forever and ever mean "unto the age of the ages", meaning when used of those in eternal punishment it is only for a period of time after which everyone comes out of the lake of fire. They lie. "Unto the age of the ages" is only in one place. {Epe.3:21} unto him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever (unto the age of the ages) Amen. Here it says "unto all generations unto the age of the ages", which is only as long as men have children clearly making it a period of time. In the four Greek manuscripts I have which range from the oldest to the Received Text, the second to last Greek letter of "age" in this verse is an omicron, the 17th letter of the Greek alphabet, which makes this word singular, "Age". In every other place the second to last letter in the word "ages" is an alpha, the 1st letter of their alphabet, making this word plural, "Ages".

In every other case where "forever and ever" is the translation, "unto the ages of ages" is the literal wording, which has no end. The manuscripts and Bible numerics prove this to be the case. {Rev.14:11} and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever (unto the ages of ages); and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name. There is no end to the fiery punishment. Many will receive the mark because of this false doctrine.

God would die if it were only a period of time. {Rev.15:7} And one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

If it were only a period of time in the following verses the devil, beast, and false prophet would come out of the lake of fire at the end of that time. {Rev.20:10} And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Even though many Reconciliationists say they do not believe the devil will be saved; according to this doctrine he has to be. If there is an end to his torment God will die for the same phrase is used for the longevity of each.

B) They say that forever, Greek: "aionios", meaning "unto the ages", is for a period of time but the kingdom will cease if that is true. We are told forever is without end. {Lk.1:33} and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Vines says this is a Greek Idiom; i.e. an expression whose meaning cannot be derived from the elements of the word. Idioms can always be explained by their usage in the text. If one said, "After he kicked the bucket I went to the funeral", you know that "kicked the bucket" means death. It is so with the Greek word for "for ever" or "eternal".

Forever is clearly set apart from a period of time in this verse: {Philm.15} For perhaps he was therefore parted [from thee] for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever.

C) They also say eternal, which is the same Greek word; "aionios", meaning "unto the ages", and has no end. {Jn.10:28} and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.

Eternal is clearly set apart from a period of time in this verse: {2 Cor.4:18} while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal (temporary or for a season); but the things which are not seen are eternal.

If eternal is only a period of time then at the end of that period the wicked come out of hell and God and the righteous die. {Mt.25:46} And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life. If eternal is only a period of time; all these will come to an end: {Rom.16:26}... according to the commandment of the eternal God. According to this doctrine God, the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of God, the new body, etc, etc, would come to an end. But God is also immortal, i.e. deathless (1 Tim.6:16). The Holy Spirit is eternal (Heb.9:14). The kingdom is eternal (2 Pet.1:11). The new body is eternal (2 Cor.5:1), which is also immortal, i.e. deathless (1 Cor.15:52,53).

Those who do not have eternal life will "not see life". {Jn.3:36} He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life (aionios - unto the ages); but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. We cant twist those words.

Those who have eternal sin "never" get forgiveness. {Mk.3:29} but whosoever shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin. We cant twist those words.

Their objection is that eternal has an end because of this verse. {Rom.16:25} Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal. {26} but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God. There is no end of eternity, just as God here is eternal, but there are points in eternity when things are manifested. From our point of view eternity goes into the past and into the future. Something may be eternally future without being eternally past. For instance we have eternal life because we entered into eternity. Jesus is eternal from the beginning even though He was "the beginning of the creation of God" and "the first-born of all creation".

D) When other terminology is used in the Word the Ultimate Reconciliationists are at a loss. {Isa.66:24} And they shall go forth, and look upon the dead bodies of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. {Job 25:6} How much less man, that is a worm! And the son of man, that is a worm! {Mk.9:47}...it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; {9:48} where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. {Ps.49:19} He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light.

E) They also say everlasting is a period of time but as we can see it has no end! {Jer.20:11} But Jehovah is with me as a mighty one [and] a terrible: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be utterly put to shame, because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which shall never be forgotten.

H) When I was younger this doctrine was often called the "restitution of all things" taken from the KJV. {Acts 3:21} whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things (Things is not in the original Greek.) , whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been. Restoration here is " apokatastasis" meaning "back in order". Only God's people can go back to order because the rest never had order. Notice that when the Lord returns after the tribulation the "restoration of all" of His elect are completed. At that time He is not restoring the wicked but destroying them. (Rev.19:15) And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. Even a thousand years later when all the wicked are resurrected at the Great White Throne judgment, they are taken from hell and thrown in the lake of fire (Rev.20:7-15). That makes it clear that "all" is all of the elect not all people as even the Jews understood. To the Jews "all" meant all of the elect. It is the same today. All of the elect but without racial distinction, classes or conditions of people rather than just physical Jews. All Israel is all elect Jews and Gentiles who are grafted into the olive tree (Rom.11:26, 19-24), not those who are broken off. Compare the all in Mk.1:5 and Lk.7:30 where it is clearly the elect. All that the Father gives to Jesus (Jn.17:6, 9, Jn.6:37, 45) Compare Jn. 8:2, Acts 22:15, 2 Cor.3:2, 1 Cor.15:22. Compare Rom.12:3 and 2 Thes.3:2. Compare 1 Tim.2:6 and Col.3:11 and Mt.20:28. Jesus only came to save all of His own: Isa.53:8,11; Lk.1:68,77; Rom.9:21. God is not wishing that any of His people parish (2 Pet.3:9). {Rom.9:11} for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, {9:12} it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. {9:13} Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.

I) They say that God unconditionally loves the whole world and could not fail to save it. They like to use this verse as proof. {Jn.3:16} For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. God clearly specifies what part of the world He loves here as, "whosoever believeth". Jesus disagreed with their interpretation of this verse. {Jn.14:21} He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him. {22} Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto him, Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? {23} Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. {15:10} If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. {15:14} Ye are my friends,if ye do the things which I command you. {Rom.9:13} Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. {Ps.5:5} The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. {11:5} Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. {Pr.6:16} There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: {6:17} Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; {6:18} A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, {6:19} A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren. {8:17} I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me. {Hos.9:15} All their wickedness is in Gilgal; for there I hated them: because of the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of my house; I will love them no more; all their princes are revolters. Friends, we cannot make God's love a worldly love. God would not be love if He permitted the wicked in His kingdom to leaven the whole lump.

J) God does not dwell in time and can therefore love by faith the elect whom He foreknew and foreordained. {Rom.9:11} for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, {12} it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. {13} Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. {Ps.5:5} The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. {11:5} Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. God's people who live in sin He will love no more and will prove themselves called but not chosen. {Hos.9:15} All their wickedness is in Gilgal; for there I hated them: because of the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of my house; I will love them no more; all their princes are revolters. This is not traditional but I hope you get the point.

K) {1 Cor.15:22} For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Ultimate reconciliationists use this verse to say that those in Adam, the whole natural man creation, and those in Christ, the whole spiritual man creation, are the same people, therefore God will save all. However the next verse narrows those "in Christ" to those who are His at His coming. {23} But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. As most know, when Jesus comes He will eternally destroy the wicked who were obviously not in Him. {2 Thes.1:7} and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, {8} rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: {1:9} who shall suffer punishment, [even] eternal destruction from the face of the Lord....

PREDESTINED AND CHOSEN

Let us see who the full measure of those in Christ are, and also if God ever planned to reconcile all of Adam's seed. "Predestine" means "to determine destiny before it happens". "Foreordain", which is the same Greek word, means "to ordain an event before it takes place". (Epe.1:4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. You who are manifesting sonship by bearing fruit have been chosen and are being drawn by God.

(Rom.8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained (predestined) [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. God foreknew and decreed all who come to the likeness of Jesus, but not the apostate. "Foreknew" here does not mean that He looked into the future and saw what would be. "Foreknew"here means, "to know before" and is not connected with actions or events, but persons. God knew these people before the foundation of the world because He does not dwell in time. God conceives and knows what He creates before He speaks it into existence; just as we conceive and design something first in our mind before we make it. "Knew" speaks of intimate knowledge; for instance, Adam knew Eve. Jesus will say to those who called Him Lord but do not do the will of the Father, (Mt.7:23) "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you (from the foundation of the world): depart from me, ye that work iniquity". To the foolish virgins who had not the oil of the Spirit, Jesus said, "I know you not". The ones that God intimately knew He "foreordained" before the creation to be conformed to the image of Jesus. God is creating us through His gift of faith and the Word in us. This is the people on the narrow road. This is grace.

(Rom.8:30) and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. We see here that all who are foreordained will be called, justified, and glorified. They will not fall away but will bear the fruit of Christ. Are there others who are called but not foreordained? Let us see. (2 Tim.1:9) who saved us, and called us with a holy calling. Notice that only the saved are called. Called is from the Greek word "kaleo", which means, "to invite". Called is an invitation given only to God's people (more proof: Heb.3:1; Hos.11:1; 1Tim.6:11,12; Mt.25:14; Rom.1:6,7) to partake of his heavenly benefits in Christ in order to bear fruit. Those who bear fruit 30, 60, or 100 fold will be proven to be the chosen or picked. Naturally, if at harvest time you have no fruit, rotten fruit, or unripe fruit, you will not be picked. The called are the vineyard of God (Isa.5:7). The chosen are the much smaller percentage who bear fruit (Isa.5:10). (Mt.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen (Greek: eklektos, "elect").

The called can fall, but the elect or chosen will not. (Hos.11:1) WhenIsrael was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. (2) The more [the prophets] called them, the more they went from them .... The Lord saved those that ate the lamb and were baptized in the Red Sea. He then tried them in the wilderness to see who would be a believer in the midst of trials, and only those entered the Promised Land. Jude warned the called of this very thing. (Jude 1) Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called ...(5) Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. Notice that the called were saved, but some did not continue in faith and were destroyed. Friends, God is not looking for what we loosely call "Christians", but believers or disciples, as they were called.

Jesus gave us very clear examples of His servants who are called but do not come and partake in order to bear fruit. Jesus shared a parable in which a king made a marriage feast for His son. (Mt.22:3) and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden (Greek: "called") to the marriage feast: and they would not come. They were full of excuses (a farm, merchandise, etc.). (Mt.22:8) Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy. Even one who appeared to come did not have on a wedding garment which implies putting on Christ (Rom.13:14) or putting on righteousness (Rev.19:8). (Mt.22:13) Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few chosen. A few of the called are chosen or elect because they bear fruit.

(Mt.25:14) For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants (Greek: "bondservants"), and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. Obviously, the man who went away was the Lord; and His bondservants are His people. Two of these example servants brought forth fruit of the talent given them (Mt.25:20-22), but one buried his in the earth (used his talent for the earthly, Mt.25:24,25). When our Lord returns, He will say, "And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth" (Mt.25:30).

The apostle Paul, who said of himself that he was called in Galatians 1:6, also said, "But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected" (Greek: "reprobated") (1 Cor.9:27). There is much more proof that the saved and the called can fall (2 Pet.1:9-11; 1 Tim.6:11,12; Heb.3:1,6,12,14; Rom.11:1-7,19-23).

Friend, you probably know if you are called, but are you chosen? You must be diligent in your walk of faith to prove this. (2 Pet.1:10) Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election (choosing) sure: for if ye do these things (the attributes of Christ, verses 5-7), ye shall never stumble: (11) for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God at the cross has already given us everything that we need to bear fruit through faith. (2 Pet.1:3) seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue. Faith in the promises in the midst of trials will give us the fruit. (2 Pet.1:4) whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. The called have the power and the opportunity. The called and the chosen, or foreordained, use the power by faith and take the opportunity. The only ones who will ultimately be with the Lord are identified in this verse. (Rev.17:14) These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and they [also shall overcome] that are with him, called and chosen and faithful. Notice that the called that are chosen will be faithful.I did not make these verses up; they are the Word of God. Those who have eyes and ears will see and understand, but the rest will justify their religion and ignore the Scriptures. Before time and the future, God sovereignly spoke the end from the beginning bringing these things into existence in time.

Some would argue, "How could God make a promise to all of His called and then not keep it for those who do not bear fruit?" Every promise in the Bible is useless until someone walks by faith in it. Our part of the covenant is faith; God's part is power and salvation. We can break the covenant through unbelief. (Num.14:11) And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have wrought among them? (12) I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a nation greater and mightier than they. Notice that God is saying to His own people who did not believe that He would disinherit them.

Lest any believe that God cannot make a promise and then take it back when they do not walk in faith, pay attention to this: (Num.14:23) surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that despised me see it. (30) surely ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. (34) and ye shall know my alienation (Hebrew: "revoking of my promise") . Unless we mix faith with God's promises, they are void. (Heb.4:2) For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they (God's people): but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. The Israelites who walked in sin were disinherited and blotted out of God's book. (Ex.32:33) And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

The same is true of the Christians who do not overcome sin. Notice what the Lord said to the church. (Rev.3:5) He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life... They will be rejected from the body of Christ. (Rev.3:16) So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. God's people Israel were broken off because of unbelief, and Christians who were grafted in but do not walk by faith will be too. (Rom.11:20) Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (21) for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. (22) Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Those who are still grafted in at the end are called "all Israel". (Rom.11:26) and so all Israel shall be saved. Those who are still in the book of life, still grafted in, are the elect (Greek: "chosen"). (Rom.11:2) God did not cast off his people, which he foreknew... (5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election (chosen) of grace. A remnant is the ones who are left. Notice that they are foreknown and chosen. Sovereign God will have those who are truly his.

Abiding in Christ is where salvation is. Some say God gave us the gift of eternal life so he cannot take it back. In Galatians 3:16, we are told, "To Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ". So the promises were given to Christ, not to us individually. The only way the promises are ours is if we abide in Christ. Abiding in Christ is bearing fruit (Jn.15:1-6), walking as he walked (1 Jn.2:3-6), believing the same teachings given by Jesus and the apostles (1 Jn.2:24; Jude 3; Mt.28:20), not adding or subtracting from the Word (Rev.22:18,19), not walking in sin (1 Jn.3:5,6), and keeping his commandments (1 Jn.3:24). In Christ is the only place we can claim the gift of eternal life. (1 Jn.5:11) ... God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. God does not have to take His gift back; his people walk out of it. (1 Cor.6:18) ...Every sin that a man doeth is without the body... When you walk in willful sin, you are not abiding in his body for "...in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not" (1 Jn.3:5,6). For instance, fornication, spiritual or physical, takes away the members of Christ and makes them members of a harlot (1 Cor.6:15,18). Only Christ and those abiding in Him are chosen. (Epe. 1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world... Only Christ and those abiding in Him are going to heaven. (Jn.3:13) And no one hath ascended into heaven,but he that descended out of heaven... The manna from heaven, the Word Jesus Christ, who takes up residence in those who love Him, is the fruit that God is coming to choose.

By this time, I am sure some are thinking that they do not measure up. We must first abide in Christ by faith accepting the gospel report that "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me" (Gal.2:20). Those who walk by faith that they are dead to sin and Christ now lives in them are accounted as righteous until God uses that faith to manifest righteousness in them. (Gal. 3:6) Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

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