Universal Reconciliation

Universal Reconciliation

Does Everyone Go To Heaven When They Die?

The possibility that deceased family and friends are now suffering eternal damnation in a fiery hell is difficult to accept. Quite often we refer to the vilest, wickedest, and irreligious as having gone to be with the Lord or being in a better place. Our unwillingness to consider the thought that people are not in heaven is rooted in a religious philosophy known as Universal Reconciliation. This unbiblical belief suggests that all people will ultimately be reconciled to God regardless of their sins or faith. All are believed to be in heaven because of God’s loving-kindness, mercy, and grace. No one will be lost to Hell.

This philosophy has gained popularity over the past few decades because many fail to study the Scriptures and remain uninformed. Lacking biblical knowledge forces us to lean on the beliefs and opinions of others. Sadly, most people are confused about repentance, salvation, eternal life, Heaven, and Hell. Consequently, many are guided by wishful thinking. We should never delegate our knowledge of God to others but instead rely on only what the Bible teaches. Many churches have knowledgeable and sound Bible teachers, but there is no substitute for doing your own research and study. Anointed Bible teaching and personal Bible study are both necessary. 

We cannot overemphasize the seriousness of eternity! Please do not be deceived or misled by others’ personal beliefs or philosophies. God desires that no one would perish and all would have eternal life in Heaven. However, we must understand what God requires, and yes, there are requirements.

When we read Romans 5:18 Universal Reconciliation seems very plausible.

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. (Rom. 5:18)

Universal Reconciliation, sometimes called Christian Universalism or Universal Salvation teaches that Adam brought sin into the world and that all humans are by nature sinners. We are all born sinners though we had nothing to do with being born sinners. In contrast, Christ’s death on the cross was for the justification and life of all people. So we had nothing to do with becoming sinners and we had nothing to do with being justified by God— Christ paid the penalty for sin and we are all no longer guilty of sin. We will all escape condemnation because of God’s great love for us. Because Christ died for our sins all humans possess forgiveness and the gift of eternal life in heaven, right?

So what must I do to live forever in heaven? Well, according to the doctrine of Universal Reconciliation nothing, Christ died for all and all go to heaven when they leave this life. Christ took upon himself the punishment, guilt, and condemnation of all people, settled the score, and paid the price once and for all.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24)

While mostly everything you’ve been reading is true, the problem with Universal Reconciliation is its Scriptural omissions that ignore all that the Bible teaches about salvation and how to get to Heaven. Being forgiven and restored to a righteous relationship with God is not automatic, there are requirements. Let’s look at a few more Scriptures that are often omitted but will help enlarge our understanding.

You Must Repent

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:45-47)

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30)

Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out (Acts 3:19).

No one can be born again until they repent, and there can be no salvation apart from repentance. The words “repent” (Gr. metanoeo) and (Gr. metanoia) “repentance” refers basically to a “change of mind.” It is a change of mind accompanied by regret and a true change of heart toward God.  The combination of the Greek words “noieo” to know or comprehend, and “meta” after, “to know after the fact,” conveys that one has comprehended that his former behavior, life, ideas, philosophy, religious views, and relationship with God are wrong. Through repentance one is saying, I have been living wrong, separate from the Lordship of Christ. I have not submitted my life wholly and completely to His will, but today I have come to a decision.  Henceforth, there can be no other way of life for me, but to give myself in total, absolute, unconditional surrender to God and declare, thy will be done in my life. I hereby yield all my rights, privileges, desires, thoughts, needs, and all that I am to the Lordship of Christ.

You Must Be Born Again

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.”  (John 3:5-7)

God’s response to our repentance is a new life and beginning in Christ. This “new birth,” or “regeneration” is essential for entering the kingdom of God. Without being “born again” you “cannot enter the kingdom of God,” said Jesus (John 3:5 KJV).

Being “born again,” Spirit giving birth to spirit, is the rebirth of man’s spirit by a literal supernatural visitation of God’s Spirit into a “repented” person’s life. This “regeneration” (Gr. paliggenesia) meaning “rebirth,” as mentioned in Titus 3:5, is a specific work and ministry of God’s Holy Spirit. Not only does God’s Spirit make us alive (born again) but God’s Spirit remains in a born-again believer’s life to lead and instruct them in their new life. We become Spirit-filled and Spirit-led by the Holy Spirit.

You Must Become His Disciple

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mat. 28:19-20)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11-12)

A disciple is a learner, pupil, and follower of Jesus and His teaching. God has anointed many overseers, spiritual teachers, and preachers in His church to train born-again followers of Christ. But we too must develop a personal study time to read, research, and study God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15).

There are 3 essential to consider when studying the Bible:

1. What does the word say?
2. What does the word mean?
3. How do I apply His truth to my life?

In Psalm 119:105 we read: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” True born-again followers of Christ study God’s words and implement His truth in their lives.

You Must Remain In Christ

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:4-8)

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. ²⁸Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”[b] ³¹It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31)

It is clear from the scriptures that some people do turn away from God after being born again. In such cases, Christ’s sacrifice for sin will not be credited against their sins. Their decision to turn away from God will cost them eternal life in Heaven. They will find themselves in a firey hell on the other side of this life.

When we base our understanding of salvation upon a few select scriptures without studying all God has to say on a subject it is easy to fall into error. 

Listen to what Jesus said:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²²Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

If you haven’t repented and turned your life over to God, I urge you to do so before it’s too late. God loves us and sent his son into the world to rescue us from our sins. However, if we neglect the salvation God has provided through Christ, how shall we escape eternal judgment and separation from God?

Suggested reading:   Are You Really Born Again?