Universalism Ignores Scriptures Teaching Eternal Torment
Universalists ignore at least ten Scriptures that teach eternal torment for unbelievers (Isaiah 66:22–24; Daniel 12:1–2; Matthew 18:6–9; Matthew 25:31–46; Mark 9:42–48; 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10; Jude 7; Jude 13; Revelation 14:9–11; Revelation 20:10, 14–15).
For example, “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life” (Matthew 25:44–46).
What part of eternal punishment don’t universalists get? Do they think Jesus is wrong? The truth is that universalism isn’t biblically driven. They reference only the parts of the Bible that seem to support their beliefs while paying no attention to the rest.
Universalism Ignores Jesus’ Teaching about Responding to God’s Invitation
Jesus preaches, “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15 NLT). The Good News is that He is God’s provision for sins through His death in the sinner’s place, burial, and resurrection.
Sin is everyone’s problem, but deliverance from its penalty and power isn’t automatic. God delivers from condemnation only those who hear the gospel, repent, believe in, and follow Jesus as their personal Forgiver and Leader. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18 NLT).
Understanding Verses that Seem to Support Universalism
The verses universalists commonly cite to support their teaching are Romans 5:12–21, Romans 11:32, 1 Timothy 2:4, and 1 Timothy 4:10.
The context always has the final say in the meaning of words. The context of Romans is that the gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 1:16–17) and God saves both varieties of sinners by grace through faith.
Paul was not a universalist because he used “everyone” in Romans 5 and Romans 11 concerning whom God saves. Paul is not contradicting what he wrote in Romans 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8. He is not saying everyone will be saved with no exceptions in Romans 5 and 11.
In context, “everyone” refers to both Jews and Gentiles without distinction. Romans 5:17 further defines the “everyone” in Romans 5:12, 18 as those who receive God’s offered gift by faith.
“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ” (NLT).
Likewise, “everyone” in Romans 11:32 refers to Jews and Gentiles who receive God’s provision for their sins by faith (Romans 11:23). Contrary to universalism, there is no salvation without faith.
1 Timothy 2:1–7 concerns prayer for all people, especially for people in authority. Even though some of these were Christian persecutors, we can’t predict whom God will save so we must pray for them all.
1 Timothy 4:10 similarly refers to all people without the distinctions that human judging creates to include some and exclude others. Everyone can embrace God’s grace through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.1 See Part One. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians. #discipleshipresources #evangelismresources #christianleadershipresources
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