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Question regarding universal reconciliation

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Bradigans:
I was listening to a certain sermon today. The guy was refuting universal reconciliation. He used Noah and the ten souls that were saved out of the flood, and Lot and his family only that were saved out of Sodom and Gomorrha from the fire. Does anyone have any thoughts. But, he didn't mention 1 Corinthians 3:15 - If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. I believe this verse may have a lot to do with 1st and 2nd resurrections.

IN HIS LOVE,

Bradford

hillsbororiver:
Hi Bradford,

All will eventually be saved but only His elect (Noah, Lot, etc.are examples or shadows) will be saved at the time of His return.

Christ and His chosen will then begin the task of harvesting the rest of mankind to God through the White Throne Judgement and the Lake of (spiritual) Fire.

All will be saved just not at the same time, or in the same season.

The churches teach that it is now or never but the scriptures teach differently, your quote of 1Cor 3:15 is a perfect example of His ultimate plan for all.

His Peace to you,

Joe

humblebob:
Hi from Humble-Bob,

I'm sure you recall the ilustration Ray gives (I believe in his letter to James Kennedy) of "Suba," the teen-age girl before the judgment bar of God.  Assuming Suba had not been saved prior to her death, what would God have say to her at the final judgment, under the assumptions of universalism? I imagine the exchange might have been something like the following:

God: "Hello Suba, I have great news for you. Because of the intervention of my Son Jesus, I am able to save you, along with all other people, and give them eternal life in spite of their sins." 

Suba: "That is wonderful news. When can I expect to enter into the bliss of this salvation?"

God: "Well, that's a bit of an issue, you see, if you had been saved and been closer to God before your death, you could go straight into Heaven without delay, but since you did not receive Christ before your death, you have to go into a symbolic but very powerful refining fire, so that you can have alll your sins refined. Then after that you will go into Heaven. Your little child qualifies for immediate entry, by the way, and you will be able to join her later when your refining is complete."

Suba: "Well, okay, I have mixed reactions. That's not so bad overall, at least I will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak, and not be tormented forever. But how long will this refining process take?"

Okay, here is where my question enters. According to universalism, how long would Suba be in the refiner's fire? Would this depend on her exact sins? I believe Jesus mentioned that people go through different degrees of judgment depending on their personal sins. Do we have any idea how long this refinement will last? Will some be in the fire for 5 minutes, others for 5 trillion years? In general, how do you think God would answer Suba's question about her duration in the fire? This could be significant in terms of Suba's immediate outlook.

Granted, even 500 years of refining would of course be MUCH preferred to an eternity of punishment, but I could understand Suba having the joy of her salvation somewhat tempered if told that she will be in the lake of refining fire for 800,000 years.   

Blessings to all, Humble-Bob.

eggi:
Interesting perspective.

The question has already been answered:

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. (Mat 5:25-26 KJV)

800 000 years? Not so sure that any amount of sin would measure up to that duration. What is important is the purpose and the means by which we are cleansed. I believe that the worse sins we commit, the harder will the judgement be, because we will feel very sad and remorseful when we come to a knowledge of the truth. 800 000 years reminds me of the Indonesian Muslim style, 350 000 years in prison...

God is just, He won't punish anyone longer than what is required for that person to understand the error of his ways - and He won't require more than what is given:

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luk 12:47-48 KJV)

God bless you,
Eirik

skydreamers:

--- Quote ---Okay, here is where my question enters. According to universalism, how long would Suba be in the refiner's fire? Would this depend on her exact sins? I believe Jesus mentioned that people go through different degrees of judgment depending on their personal sins. Do we have any idea how long this refinement will last? Will some be in the fire for 5 minutes, others for 5 trillion years?
--- End quote ---

That's an interesting question :-\  I'm not sure that we can really know the length of time, according to time as we understand it.  But here's something to consider.  God is able to take the Elect throughout refinement in the time it takes for them to live a life in the flesh....and since New Testament times how long is that?  100 years or so?  What's the average lifespan of today?  80-100 years? 

Personally, I find it unbearable some days contemplating that I may have yet another 40 years or so of struggling against the beast in this flesh....but I know, how ever many days God has in store for me, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

Just some thoughts as I was thinking about your question....

Peace, Diana

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