Systematic Reconciliation
Copyright © 1998 Darroll Evans, All rights reserved-re-edit 2003

Introduction

SR is predicated on exactly one principal: God shall achieve whatever He wills by means of His power alone!

As you read this, please understand that we have not taken verses out of context to prove a point!

First: Systematic reconciliation is not the teaching of Universalism!

The first tenet of Universalism is “The Universal Fatherhood of God.”

That teaching is unbiblical!

God is the Creator of all, but according to Christ Jesus, God is not the Father of all.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Christians have been adopted into God’s family!

And, before we begin, let me tell you unequivocally that no person who has not, or will not extol Christ Jesus as Lord shall be saved!

Salvation is only for those who openly and with joy declare, “Jesus is Lord!”

Systematic Reconciliation is NOT a confession-less Christianity!

In recent years, some have attempted to deny that confession is essential to Christianity. So, let me make this crystal clear. We become His by grace through faith which is activated by the Holy Spirit resulting in our confession of Jesus Christ as Lord!

The Bible tells us explicitly…

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

And…

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

No Confession, no faith…no salvation!

The Bible is the story of how God the Father through Christ Jesus the Son with the power of the Holy Spirit is systematically reconciling the world back to Himself!

2 Cor 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (NKJV)

We are given grace, faith, and confession to complete our adoption (salvation) by God through the scourging, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus!

Systematic Reconciliation is not fatalism!

Fatalism demands that some be saved and some lost, but Christ came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Since all were lost, all must also be saved!

You may be wondering about the difference between Systematic Reconciliation and mainstream Protestant theology. I am sure that there are many, but they boil down to just one issue.

If you are a mainstream Christian, you believe that Christ Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. So do I!

If you are mainstream, you believe in the Lake of Fire. So do I!

If you are a mainstream Christian, you believe that God’s punishment is exclusively for the sake of punishment.

I believe it is remedial!

That is the basic difference.

As you begin this study, there are a few things you must understand.

1. Systematic reconciliation is not the teaching of Universalism.

The first tenet of Universalism is “The Universal Fatherhood of God.”

It is my opinion that such a teaching is unbiblical!

God is the Creator of all, but according to Christ Jesus, God is not the Father of all.

Christians have been adopted into God’s family!

Eph 1:4-5
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

God becomes our Father through adoption. At this point in time all men have NOT been adopted into God’s family.

Again, that adoption does not take place until we are caused by the Holy Spirit to confess Him as Lord!

The teaching of Universalism negates the words of Christ, the work of Paul, and need for evangelism.

John 3:7b `You must be born again.' (NIV)

John 1:12-13
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (NIV)

John 5:23b He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. (NIV)

And, again…

John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (NIV)

That last verse alone negates the universal fatherhood of God.

Any teaching based on the assumption of the universal fatherhood of God is false!

Again, let me say that God is the Creator of all, but not the Father of all.

That will not prevent the systematic reconciliation of all to God through Christ at the appointed time.

2. Systematic Reconciliation is not the teaching of reconciliation of one man to another.

You may be reconciled to all men, however if you have not been reconciled to God, your reconciliation is worthless!

Systematic Reconciliation looks at the sovereignty of God in a way few are willing to do.

As we begin, let’s establish another fact.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (NKJV/emphasis mine)

That is an undeniable fact. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father, the only way to gain salvation or reconciliation to Him.

In this writing, we will be discussing situations and methodology. There will be no deviation from the fact of Jesus’ Lordship!

Some time ago, a person contacted me about my web site. He asked about a "link" to his page. I wrote to him inquiring as to whether he was proposing a reciprocal link. To my surprise, the return e-mail said something I did not expect. The answer came back telling me that he was not proposing a reciprocal link. The reason was astounding. He said that the teachings on this Web site were scripturally correct, but unorthodox. I thought that being "scripturally correct" was the goal of any Bible study.

SR seeks only to present the Holy Word of God in the light of God's sovereignty, power, and grace. The basic teaching of SR is that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Christ Jesus! (John 14:6)

If you decide not to believe what is written here, that does not in any way diminish God's love and concern for you. No matter what your current thoughts concerning Christ Jesus, He died for you!

At the appointed time, in the appointed place, you shall bow to God, and by the Holy Spirit, joyfully proclaim, "Jesus is Lord" (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 12:3).

Christ Jesus' scourging and death on the cross paid the full and complete price for the sins of the world! However, it must be linked with a Spirit-led confession. Some do not now believe that confession is necessary, but they shall!

When we speak of conversion, we are speaking of a time frame. Not if, but when!

Where is Jesus? It is a simple question that is very easily answered.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the right hand of God the Father interceding for us (Romans 8:34). Christ Jesus appropriated our sins, took responsibility for them and due to that He died.

In His scourging and death Christ paid the full and complete price for our sins, and yet Christ Jesus has been restored to fellowship with the Father. Many cannot accept this teaching because of hearts filled with a need for vengeance.

Christ Jesus "gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (1 Timothy 2:6/NKJV). Some who are willing to accept the truth also try to force the revelation out of due time because of their personal impatience!

Christ Jesus did not die to achieve vengeance. He died for our sins to achieve our Systematic Reconciliation!

In a Synagogue, Jesus read from the Isaiah scroll. He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19).

Christ Jesus did not fully read that quote from Isaiah. He stopped when He got to the part that says, "and the day of vengeance of our God" (Isaiah 61:2). Christ Jesus was not sent to announce God’s vengeance.

The Church has not been commissioned to announce God‘s vengeance. And yet, many insist on falsely proclaiming God’s vengeance.

The fact is that all who do not acknowledge Christ are lost sinners! Those have been led to acknowledge Christ as Lord are neither lost nor sinners.

If your sins are forgiven, they are forgiven completely for all time. Hebrews 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Gr. efapax-efapax). (NKJV)

Chapter 1

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all (Heb. kol) families of the earth be blessed.

The Hebrew word translated "all" indicates a whole, not just a portion. Every family shall be blessed through God’s promise to Abram.

Shall God bless all families by burning most of them forever and ever?

I don’t think so!

Now, let's look at another promise.

Genesis 22:18 And in your seed [in Christ Jesus] all the nations (Heb. Goyim/Gentiles) of the earth shall be blessed, because you [Christ] have obeyed My voice.

The covenant promise was that all Gentiles would be blessed through Christ Jesus. I will not try to explain away what appears to be punishment in the lake of fire, but I will reserve my comments on it for later.

Many people feel the need to strive to gain salvation. Striving to gain a gift has always been a mystery to me.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Accepting God’s gift is not striving or work! It has been equated with reaching out to accept a physical gift. That comparison gives a false impression. We do not reach out to accept reconciliation. God sent our gift to us.

Psalm 46:10 Be still (cease striving), and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen (Heb. Goyim), I will be exalted in the earth.

"Heathen" (Heb. Goyim) are unbelievers, regardless of race.

I know that I will make some angry, but there are (percentage wise) just as many goyim among Jews as among other races. Most Jews and Gentiles are unbelievers and therefore they are goyim!

Psalm 86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

Hebrew Scriptures declare that all goyim whom God has made will worship before Him. The question is, "How many Goyim/Gentiles did God make?"

The answer is ALL!

In the Adam Clarke Bible Commentary, the description of verse 86:9 says, “All nations - Thy word shall be proclaimed among all the Gentiles: they shall receive thy testimony, and worship thee as the only true and living God.”

Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

We are God’s works, His creation! Does that sound as if God plans to consign most of His creation to a burning hell for the rest of eternity? Absolutely not!

Isaiah 19:22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them.

Read Isaiah 19:22 carefully. In it God promises to heal those who are sworn enemies of Israel. Before our reconciliation, you and I were enemies of the cross!

Romans 5:10---For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (NKJV)

Lamentations 3:31-32
31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Mercy supersedes judgment!

God's loving-kindness is not applied according to our standards or deeds. It is exercised according to the multitude of His mercies.

Chapter 2

"Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

Did God cause a nonessential statement to be placed into Holy Scripture? Or, is it there to declare the power of Jesus Christ?

If that statement from John chapter 1 is true, how can Jesus take away the sin of the world, without taking away the sin of the world?

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32)

Was Christ Jesus "lifted up?" Yes! The translators added the word "men". Your King James Version has it italicized to indicate that it was added.

Jesus did not say, "I will draw some to me." Instead, He took the limits off. He said explicitly, "I will draw ALL to me." Christ was "Lifted up" (Gr. hupsoothoo-uywqw) on the cross. That is standard, mainstream theology.

"Draw" (Gr. elkusoo-elkusw) means to drag. The Greek word translated "shall draw" is singular, future, indicative, active.

Christ SHALL do it, even if He has to drag us, kicking and screaming, out of harm's way. The Indicative tense indicates what the author feels shall happen. While there are various writers, the Author of the Bible is the Holy Spirit.

Reconciliation is predicated on the fact that all shall acknowledge Jesus as Lord. No person may be reconciled to the Father without the acknowledging of the Son, Jesus, as lord.

Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Philippians 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NKJV)

And, here is the topper!

Nobody---nobody may call Jesus “Lord” except through the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3b).

Jesus' mission was not only to free mankind from the effects of sin. His mission was also to free the universe from the effects of our sin.

Romans 8:19-21
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

That is about as clear as it gets. Creation is waiting for OUR redemption so that it too may be redeemed. That is one of the mysteries of the Gospel!

Romans 5:17-19 contrasts the benefits derived through Adam and through Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:17-19
17 For if by one man's [Adam’s] offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [Christ Jesus] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's [Adam’s] disobedience {the} many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one [Christ Jesus] shall {the} many be made righteous.

I have included the definite article in Romans 5:19 to show that "{the} many" is the same group in both cases.

In this use, {the} many, indicating the use of the Greek definite article, points to mankind as a whole!

Most Churches teach that Adam had more power in his fall than Christ did in His resurrection. May God forgive them for their folly!

Adam's gift was death. Christ's gift is life. Both gifts have a profound effect on mankind.

How many were made sinners? All!

How many will be made righteous? All!

How many is all? All!

Notice how Romans 5:19 speaks of Christ's gift. It says the {the} many “shall” “be made righteous.” That translation accurately reflects the translation of the Greek word katastatheesontai-katastaqhsontai. "Shall" indicates a future imperative. It MUST happen! There is no way around it!

An imperative tells of something that is unavoidable and inescapable!

Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (NKJV)

Jesus is the Son of God! He is the Savior. However, being the Son and Savior are not the point. We all shall acknowledge Jesus as LORD (Gr. Kurios-KurioV). "Lord" indicates that Jesus is the Master, Owner, and Proprietor of all creation.

Now, back to Philippians 2:11.

Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Here, "should confess" (Gr. exomologeesetai- exomologhsetai) is the future indicative spelling. It is my opinion that it should have come into English as "shall confess." Sooner or later you shall acknowledge Jesus as Lord!

Again, an indicative speaks of something that the author feels SHALL come to pass. The writers of the Bible were human, but The Author is the Holy Spirit. The writers of the Bible acted as scribes for the Holy Spirit!

If the Holy Spirit feels something may come to pass, it SHALL come to pass.

God is not the servant of time! Time is His servant. At your personally appointed time you shall acknowledge Christ Jesus as Lord! Let's look at the main benefit of Christ's Lordship.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

How many suffered from sin, and came under penalty of death because of Adam?

All mankind, no exceptions!

How many shall be made alive because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ?

All mankind, no exceptions!

"Shall all be made alive" is one Greek word, zoo-opoieetheesontai-zwopoihqhsontai. It is plural, future, indicative, passive voice.

If we had nothing but John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:22, the good news of God's love and planned Reconciliation would be complete!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

As our dates with acknowledgment of Christ vary, so do our resurrections.

1 Corinthians 15: 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

The Greek word translated "every man" (Gr. ekastos-ekastoV) actually means "each and every."

*Corrected translation--1 Corinthians 15: 23 But each and every [one] in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are of Christ at His coming.

Let's continue in verse 24.

1 Corinthians 15: 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Jesus Christ is the first fruit of God's established order. Next in line are those who accept Christ Jesus and receive His salvation prior to His Second Coming (v. 23).

Verse 24 begins by saying, “Then cometh the end.” The word “cometh” is not in the Greek text. The translators added it. It does not indicate the “end” of anything. Instead, the Greek text points to the last group to be resurrected.

The context is a listing. It moves from verse 23 to verse 24 without a natural break. "First Christ, then those who are His at His coming, then the last to be resurrected."

In which group will you be?

Chapter 3

I don't recall why I began a study of the beatitudes. Whatever the reason, I found much more than I was looking for.

Why would any thinking person look in the Beatitudes for proof of the reconciliation of all?

That question is rhetorical!

We begin with "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)

"Poor" comes from the Greek "ptoochoi-ptwcoi." The translation "poor" is shallow! "Ptoochoi" has a deeper meaning. It indicates one who is "indigent."

The Greek takes on the picture of a person crouching down while working extremely hard. Imagine a person bent over doing very hard labor.

Have you ever seen migrant farm workers?

They struggle day in and day out to gain only a survival existence. Poverty would be a step up. Jesus said, "Blessed are the 'indigent' in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Who are the "indigent in spirit"? They are not Christians. Christians cannot be "indigent in spirit."

In speaking of the beggar Lazarus, Luke 16:20 uses a variation on the Greek root word (Gr. ptoochos-ptwcoV) to describe his beggarly condition. Jesus said, "Blessed are the 'indigent' in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Again, who are the indigent "in spirit"? Christians can be financially poor, but we cannot be poor in spirit!

The first beatitude is meant for those that we may call lost.

Think about it! Jesus Christ pronounced supreme blessings on the spiritually indigent.

Some commentators teach that the poor in spirit are those who have accepted Jesus as Christ and have been humbled by that experience.

Anyone who accepts Christ is humbled by the experience. That humbling has nothing to do with being poor in spirit.

Have you accepted Jesus?

Do you have the Holy Spirit within?

If your answer is, "Yes," then it is impossible for you to be "poor in spirit." Instead of being poor in spirit, Christians rejoice because of their salvation.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit disqualifies you from spiritual poverty. A multibillionaire cannot be financially indigent. A Christian cannot be spiritually indigent.

The first beatitude would be better understood if it was interpreted rather than just translated. "The indigent in spirit shall experience great happiness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

The second Beatitude is "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). "Mourn"(Gr. penthountes-penqounteV) means to lament, to grieve.

Who are those who lament?

As children of God we look forward to Christ's return, and to the judgment to follow. God's judgment will result in our vindication. Therefore, we do not lament. We will experience the joy of salvation.

Comforted (Gr. parakleetheesontai-paraklhqhsontai) means that they shall be persuaded, cheered and/or consoled.

According to the prevailing thought, most of those who see Christ shall be ashamed, remorseful, roasted, toasted, and bound for Eternal Torment or Annihilation.

That falls far short of being comforted, cheered, or consoled.

Does the Bible speak of great lamentation?

The Bible says, "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Revelation 1:7/NKJV)

First, please understand the phrase, “all the tribes of the earth”. Christians are not counted as being among “the tribes of the earth!”

Our citizenship is in heaven!

Phil 3:20 For our conversation (Gr. politeuma-politeuma-citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

The Greek word translated "mourn" (Revelation 1:7) means to greatly lament. Those who see Christ at His coming and understand that they have been found lacking shall mourn because of their folly.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

This Beatitude is a description of reconciliation. It begins with mourning, but ends in comfort! The Liberty Commentary says, "those who mourn for the human anguish of the lost shall be comforted by the compassion of God" (page 20). God’s compassion shall dispel all grief.

Those that follow Buddha, Mohammed, the Hindu gods, or Spiritualism shall come to Christ in deep, sincere repentance for the extreme spiritual evil they committed in the name of false gods.

Chapter 4

The teaching of Reconciliation is based on the total and absolute sovereignty of God. The awesome power of the sovereign God is something that only a few are willing to acknowledge. God has the power to create, and to recreate.

Look at two verses.

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

The sovereignty of God was more apparent to those who wrote the Bible than it is to those who read it today. Some go so far as to say that man can thwart the will of God.

Many Christians do not understand the plan of God. Since we are finite and God is infinite that is to be expected. Among my friends, you will find those that do not agree with me concerning God's plan. Nevertheless, they are beloved by God.

The hand does not do things the same way the foot does. Yet, they both are parts of the Body. Your relationship with me will not save you. Your relationship with Jesus Christ shall.

Another reason some Christians do not understand the plan of God is that they do not see the plan in action. The bricklayer need not fully understand the carpenter’s work in order to do his work properly. Both contribute to the building of the house.

Have you ever seen the plans for a house? Everything is laid out in the correct dimensions. Placing of the concrete, wall studs, spots for the electrical outlets, locations of windows are not just given in a general outline. They are drawn up in an exact blueprint.

If you saw it during the first phases of construction, you might wonder what is going on. However, as the house gets closer to completion it begins to look as if it might actually be livable. The building and all the materials used in it must follow exact specifications. All of that is done before the first day's work on the house.

Are we to believe that God started the universe without a master plan?

I don't think so!

If you were to build a two-story building, you would need a plan that includes a second story. It is not advisable to build a one-story building and then try to put a second story on it.

Before God said, "Let there be light," He had decided what that light would do.

Nothing happens by accident. We may not understand why something happens, but it all follows a Master plan.

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

A few years ago, I talked to a professor at the Presbyterian Seminary in Louisville, Ky. I asked about predestination. To my surprise, the professor told me that Calvin did not teach predestination. She told me that it was all a misreading of his writings.

Most people do not understand predestination. Many feel that predestination is actually embarrassing. God's predestined plan will result in what I call the Systematic Reconciliation (of all things).

Acts 3:21 speaks openly about the restitution or restoration of all things. When did God institute the plan of restoration?

We are in the midst of the greatest object lesson ever devised.

If God planned to deal with sin from the "foundation of the world," He also planned for restoration from the "foundation of the world."

Another thing that is not apparent in the English is that the restoration is achieved through the efforts of only one side. It is not a case of both sides agreeing to be reconciled or restored.

In Acts 3:21, the Greek word translated "restitution of all things" (apokatastaseoos- apokatastasewV) indicates a restoration through the power of only one side.

Nothing can be added to Christ's work (life, death, and resurrection) to make His salvation more real and more effective. The Bible says, "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)

Isaiah 25:8 is more specific. It tells us that the Lord will defeat death and wipe away tears for ALL faces.

He shall wipe away ALL tears. There shall be NO MORE death, sorrow, crying, or pain. If there is no more death, crying, or pain there can be no tormented, horrible screaming coming from the pits of hell for all eternity, and Eternal Torment cannot exist!

When life is taken away, the result is death.

And, when death is taken away, the result is life.

When Christ claimed you by taking responsibility for your sins, He gave you life.

Since Christ died for the sins of the world, He claimed the lives of the world and took our death.

The extent of His victory over death shall be understood and seen in due time (1 Timothy 2:6). The human physical reality of that time-frame is another matter.

Any universal adoption at the time Christ’s death and resurrection is based on misunderstanding the PLAN! God’s plan follows a sequence that He has put into place.

Chapter 5

Isaiah 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 52:10 begins chapter 5. It contains two words that are little understood in the Church. The first word is “nations.” Nations (Heb. Goyim) speaks of Gentiles! The second word is “salvation.” Salvation (Heb. Yeshua) is the recognized name “Jesus.”

Let’s insert those options and re-read that verse.

Isaiah 52:10 says The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the Gentiles; and all the ends of the earth shall see the Jesus of our God.

Isaiah 52 and 53 go on to describe the work of the suffering servant Messiah, haMesshiach benYosef/the Messiah son of Joseph.

Please take time to read chapter 52 and 53 in Isaiah.

In them you will find an accurate narrative of Christ’s work in earth, His scourging, burial, and resurrection.

As named in Isaiah 52:10, Christ Jesus is the Holy Arm of God the Father!

As you read those chapters, please note the tenses used. Many times the past tense is used to describe what is considered to be a future event.

In His power, God has already accomplished what He desires!

Chapter 6

Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Perhaps you have heard of the "unpardonable" sin. What is the unpardonable sin? Many will say that it is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Those that tell you that blaspheming the Holy Spirit is unpardonable will also quote the above verse to prove their point. On the surface it seems to say that.

However, there is NO unpardonable sin! Such a sin is not scriptural!

Surely all those preachers and theologians cannot be wrong?

Yes they can---and they are!

How in the world did I reach the conclusion that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not the unpardonable sin?

I simply read the same verse all those theologians read! Why don't we do the same thing?

In the opening of this verse we find that if somebody speaks against Christ Jesus, he/she shall be forgiven. That is very good news for lots of folks.

"Shall be forgiven" (Gr. aphetheesetai-afeqhsetai) is correct. Forgiveness shall be granted to all those that have spoken against Christ Jesus after they acknowledge Him as Lord.

But, what about speaking against the Holy Spirit? “Shall not be forgiven” (Gr. ouk aphetheesetai-ouk afeqhsetai) is also completely accurate…when properly understood.

The key to understanding is not found in the verb or tense of the negative statement that says that the sin shall not be forgiven.

The key to understanding is found in the timeline. Most folks don't bother to read the timeline contained within the verse.

Matthew 12:32 does say that whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven. However, a qualifying statement is added.

The Bible says bluntly that whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, "neither in this world (age), neither in the world (age) to come." The phrase, "in this world (age)---in the world (age) to come" is a qualifying phrase. The period of unforgiveness is limited.

To understand what Jesus was telling us, we must first put it into the proper time frame. Many Bible teachers do not understand the need for a time frame. The time frame puts Jesus' statement into the proper context.

Speaking against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven "in this age." What age? Jesus was speaking about the age in which He lived. Read this carefully.

Jesus lived on this earth during the Age of the Law. The Church Age did not begin until after Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Many Christians do not know that.

Now, let's continue our study of Jesus' statement.

He goes on to say that it shall not be forgiven in the age to come. Again, the time of punishment is limited. What constitutes the age to come?"

At the time Jesus spoke those words, "the age to come" was the Church Age. Let me reframe the verse so you can plainly understand.

Matthew 12:32 "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age (of the law) or in the (Church) age to come.

The Age of the Law is now past. Most Christians believe that the Church Age is shortly coming to a conclusion.

When shall those that speaking against the Holy Spirit be forgiven?

I do not have a date in mind! But, they shall be forgiven. There is no sin that is unpardonable!

Chapter 7

The words "eternal torment" do not appear in the Bible. There is what appears to be punishment, but all godly punishment is limited and remedial.

Let’s look at the best example of what God is doing:

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

First, the words "everlasting" and "eternal" both come from exactly the same Greek word, aioonion-aiwnion.

Why is there a different translation for the same word appearing twice in the same verse?

I cannot answer that question!

The people that translated it originally died centuries ago. But, to this day most translators follow their pattern.

That Greek word indicates an age or limited period of time. It does not speak of eternity!

The Greek word translated punishment (Gr. kolasin-kolasin) is an agricultural term meaning to prune. Matthew 25:46 does not speak of everlasting punishment! Instead, it refers to an age of pruning. Why do we prune plants? We do it to help them grow!

Every proof text that supposedly teaches Eternal Torment fades when properly translated.

But, is there a lake of Fire?

Definitely!

Is the Lake of Fire used for Eternal Torment?

Absolutely not!

I have no doubt that those there will be tormented, but the torment shall produce cleansing.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. (NKJV)

What will God consume?

He shall consume sin!

The Greek text tells us that the Lake of fire is a sulfur fire.

If you have an infection your doctor may prescribe sulfa drugs! They contain sulfur.

Does your Doctor prescribe that medicine to torment you or to help heal you?

Christ Jesus is the Great Physician and the lake of Fire is one of the methods He will use to bring final healing to some.

Let’s consider the Greek word translated “lake (Gr. limnē-λίμνη).” The root word indicates a safe haven or harbor. It does not refer to a place of torment!

Jesus told those who could hear, "You are already clean because of the word, which I have spoken to you" (John 15:3/NKJV).

For those who have ears to hear, Christ’s word is enough. For other’s another method may be used.

Epilogue

During this study, I asked if Christ Jesus had paid the full and complete price for the sins of the world. Many will argue that point, but the biblical answer is, “YES!”

Let us suppose that you had enough money to pay cash for any car in the world, with all the bells and whistles. You may like to drive yourself, not wanting a chauffeur to have the fun of shifting gears. You would go to an auto show room and pick out the car you want after the test drive to make sure it does all you want it to do. You sign all the papers to legally make that car yours. Then you may write a check, put it on the card or pay cash---you are rich---you have a choice.

After that the salesman came out rolling one tire, declaring, “She’s a beauty!”

Would you take just the tire, or would you ask, "What is wrong with this picture?"

Christianity is a relationship of expectancy! Because, Christ paid the price for the entire world and He expects to get want He paid for.

Far too many Christians have a one-tire concept of Christianity.

Your reconciliation to God through Christ depends on your appointed time. At this very moment Christ is systematically reconciling the world to God the Father.

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Do you understand the sheer power that makes that statement possible?

2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Let me repeat as we began. John 14:6---Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)

None of us may go to the Father except through acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as lord!

Should all preach or teach Systematic Reconciliation?

No!

Each minister of God should speak the message God has given concerning Christ, and he/she should not alter that message!

All ministers of God glorify His Son Yahshua haMesshiach, Jesus the Christ.

A Few Study Verses

“His mercy endures forever” appears approximately 40 times in NKJV)

2 Sam 14:14b He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.

Ps 2:8 Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations (Goyim/ Gentiles) for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.

Ps 65:2 to You all flesh will come.

Ps 66:4 All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; they shall sing praises to Your name.

Ps 72:11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him.

Ps 86:9 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.

Ps 145:9 The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.

Isa 25:8; He will swallow up death forever (1 Cor 15:54), and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces (Rev 21:4).

Isa 45:23 (Rom 14:11) I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Lamentations 3:31 the Lord will not cast off forever.

Matt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 19:28 “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Matt 25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting (Gr. aioonion) punishment, but the righteous into eternal (Gr. aioonion) life."

Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."

John 1:29 Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

John 12:47 “I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”

John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Acts 3:21 "whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Rom 5:18-19
18 by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so (in like manner) by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by {the} one man's disobedience {the} many were made sinners, so also by {the} one Man's obedience {the} many will be made righteous.

Rom 11:29 the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Rom 11:32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

Rom 11:36 of Him and through Him and to Him are all things,

Rom 14:11 (Isaiah 45:23) For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God."

1 Cor 12:3 no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

1 Cor 13:8 Love never fails:

1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

1 Cor 15:28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

1 Cor 15:54 Death is swallowed up in victory."

2 Cor 5:19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Eph 1:10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-- in Him.

Phil 2:10-11

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Phil 3:21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Col 1:19-20

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

1 Timothy 1:15 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

1 Tim 2:6 [Christ Jesus] who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

1 Tim 4:10 the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

James 2:13b Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Heb 9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of {the} many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

I Jn 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

I Jn 4:14 the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.

Rev 21:4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Isaiah 25:8); there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain

Rev 21:5 "I make all things new."

Rev 22:3 there shall be no more curse,

Do you believe that Christ Jesus is the Savior of the world, or do you attempt to limit His success?

Index