God The Creator.
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring. Acts 17:24-28.
He did not create without a good purpose.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev. 4:11.
He created for his pleasure, but he can only be happy in the happiness of others. He foreknew, foresaw the destiny of his children. He was good and desired their welfare, wise and planned as he pleased, powerful and will execute his plans. Therefore he has not created one soul whose welfare he has not fixed.
The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works. Ps. 145:9.
He created as an infinitely wise, powerful, and good Father. Therefore all his children will reach a happy immortality. Let the Christian always remember that God is the Creator of souls only as he is their Father, and his faith will infallibly perceive that he is the final Savior of just as many as he is Creator.
God’s Holiness.
Ye shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy. Lev. 19:2. Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Rev. 4:8.
A holy God might allow sin and sorrow as a means, but he could not allow it as an end, unless he were compelled. Such a God could not permit, as the best thing he could do, what only an infinite devil could do at his worst, perpetuate vice, and continue wickedness forever. Infinite holiness will wage a continual warfare with sin until universal holiness shall reign. To shut up sin in the prison-house of hell, and keep it alive forever, is to violate God’s love of holiness. How absurd to say that a holy God has affixed penalties to his law that will insure final unholiness! All men must be holy because he is holy.
God’s Mercy.
The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works. Ps. 145:9. His mercy endureth forever. Ps. 107:1. He is as merciful when punishing as when forgiving. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy, for thou renderest to every man according to his works. Ps. 62:12.
Ps. cxxxvi employs the phrase, “mercy endureth forever,” twenty times. A God all mercy is not a God unjust, nor is a God all justice a God unmerciful, inasmuch as God’s mercy and justice are as the two wings of the Holy Spirit, identical in object and purpose. God is merciful and just in punishing and forgiving. When the Divine Love plans it is wisdom, when it executes it is power, when it punishes it is justice, and when it forgives it is mercy. If one sinner escape his full punishment God is unjust. If one is lost he is unmerciful.
He is a just God and a Savior. Isa. 45:21. Thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookes vengeance of their inventions. Ps. 99:8.
The meaning of this verse is, he punished first and then forgave. This he must do toward each soul. But if he torments one soul forever, where is his mercy? The worst a depraved devil could do would be to torture an enemy forever. Can infinite benevolence do no better than the worst malevolence would do? His infinite mercy demonstrates the final salvation of every child of his.
God’s Justice.
A God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he. Deut. 32:4. A just God and a Savior. Isa. 45:21. Who will render to every man according to his deeds. Rom. 2:6.
God will not judge for unbelief but for “deeds.” Hence, as each has done good and evil, each is to be, at the same time, forever happy and forever wretched, or all rewards and punishments must be temporal. Justice requires obedience. Justice demands that every mortal being should receive the full measure of his desert. If all deserve endless punishment, all must be forever miserable, or God will work eternal injustice on those who escape the penalty, and as no soul will ever be able to suffer endless torment, so no soul will ever be justly punished. If endless torment be the just penalty of God’s law, justice can never be administered to any one soul, inasmuch as no soul can ever experience the penalty in its fullness.
O man, what doth the Lord require of thee but to deal justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8.
Will he require men to do justly, and then compel them forever to deal unjustly? Could he love and demand justice, and issue a just law, and then affix a penalty that would insure its defeat, and perpetuate injustice?
God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou king of Saints. Rev. 15:3. Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne. Ps. 89:14.
The law of God and the object of justice is to convert men.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul Ps. 19:7. Love is the fulfilling of the law. Rom. 13:10. For verily, I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matt. 5:18. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. 1 Tim. 1:5. Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, this is the first and great commandment, and the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matt. 22:36-40.
All men are to receive strictly according to their works. If it is just to punish sinners forever, then all souls must be damned. And as all are to be dealt justly by, it follows, if any are to be saved, that endless punishment cannot be the just due of any one. As all have performed both good and evil deeds, all have merited both endless happiness and endless torment. Can men then accuse God of so stultifying himself as to make his law a failure by annexing a penalty that shall forever prevent its fulfillment? But justice is satisfied here, without an infinite penalty.
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. Isa. 40:1, 2.
Here the law was satisfied with a temporal penalty, therefore it does not require an endless one. Hence we are taught that God fully punishes the sinner, and then forgives his sins.
Thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. Ps. 99:8.
That is, justly punished and then mercifully forgave. Justice can only be satisfied with universal obedience to God’s law. Therefore it cannot demand the infliction of endless torment but must forever insist on obedience, and forever labor to secure it.
Justice can only be satisfied when all men do justly. It requires all men to love God, and cannot therefore be satisfied with anything less than universal obedience. Endless punishment would defeat the demands of justice, and would be unjust, and is therefore impossible. Justice is identical with mercy and demands the same. The divine law will always be binding on all moral beings, therefore, God’s attribute of justice can only result in universal holiness, so that the fact that God is just is a guaranty that the infamous injustice of endless sin and wo can never be perpetrated, but that his just and perfect law will be fulfilled in the conversion of the souls of all mankind. A just finite being secures the prevalence of justice so far as he has power A just infinite being will not fail to secure universal justice, for he possesses not only the disposition, but the means requisite to that great end.
God’s Omniscience.
O Lord, how manifold are thy works, in wisdom hast thou made them all. Ps. 104:24. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Acts 15:18. Great is our Lord, and of great power; his understanding is infinite. Ps. 147:5. He is perfect in knowledge. Job. 36:4. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. Isa. 46:10. For thou, even thou, only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men. 1 Kings 8:39. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Heb. 4:13. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Pro. 15:3. Thou understandest my thought afar off, and art acquainted with all my ways. There is not a word in my tongue but lo! O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Ps. 139:2-4.
God foresaw every event and could have prevented any. Knowing the final result, with ability to prevent he must have intended it. Therefore he designed the endless torment of some or the happiness of all. Everything will be as he wishes. He desires universal happiness, and is wise enough to accomplish it. Man’s freedom of will and all other impediments were foreseen and provided for.
- “Did he o’erlook the least of his concerns,
- Since from the least the greatest oft originates,
- Then unforeseen contingence might alarm him,
- And disturb the calm and equal course
- Of his affairs.”
Nothing can surprise him or long prevent the operations of his perfect wisdom. To say that a father foresaw that a child, if created, would suffer forever, is to say that he would never create such a child. When we say he is an omniscient Father, we demonstrate his care and love, and final protection and grace to all his children. He could not create an immortal being of whose salvation he was not absolutely sure.
God’s Omnipotence.
If it were possible for him to be infinitely good, as he is, to desire the salvation of all, as he does, and infinitely wise to plan what he desires, as he is, he might fail for lack of infinite power to execute his desires and designs. But he is almighty to execute.
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings. saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rev. 19:6, 1.
He will do what he can, being love, and he can do what he will, being omnipotent, and being omniscient, he can devise the requisite means to accomplish all he wishes. His love desires, his wisdom plans, and his power accomplishes the salvation of all. If he does not desire universal happiness he is not infinitely good, if he cannot plan he lacks wisdom, and if unable to execute he lacks power. But he desires that result, plans to accomplish it, and executes all plans. What shall hinder them? Nothing.
He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him, What doest thou? Dan. 4:35. There are many devices in a man’s heart, nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord that shall stand. Prov. 19:21. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. Job 23:13. Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Eph. 1:11.
- Praise, everlasting praise be paid
- To him who earth’s foundations laid:
- Praise to the God whose strong decrees,
- Sway the creation as he please.
God’s Love.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God: and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:7, 16. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Rom. 13:10.
Good will is the divine nature and essence. Whatever God does is always directed by what he is. Such a God will do the best he can by each of his creatures. But endless torment would be the worst he could do. Is the best a God of Love can do no better than the worst he can do? Can a God of Love do that which does not benefit himself, angels, men nor devils, which will defeat his benevolent purpose, render heaven an exile to millions, who miss their loved ones, and fill hell with agony? No. His “love worketh no ill.” Therefore he will always be kind to the unthankful and evil, will punish to reform and bless.
For I am the Lord, I change not. Mal. 3:6. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17.
Then he will always love his enemies, will always seek their good, for this he does and always has done.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:6-8. 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16, 17. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9, 10.
He loves sinners, and will do the best he can for them. God is Love. This is the passion that he ever manifests towards his children. It will never cease in the bosom of the Father.
- “They sin who tell us love can die;
- With life all other passions fly.”
- All others are but vanity
- ‘Its holy flame forever burneth.
- From heaven it came to heaven returneth.
Hence the Apostle says:
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother he is a liar. 1 John 4:20.
So if a man say God is love, and will hate and curse his child, he is a liar. He can only ordain or allow, what is for the final good of his children Even his punishments will result in their improvement. “Our God is a consuming fire.” Heb. 12:29 But the fire is love, and will only consume the enemies of his children; for “Love worketh no ill.” Rom. 13:
God’s Attributes Unlimited.
10. And God so loved the world that he sent his Son to die for it. John 3:16.
We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the World. 1 John 4:14.
So that the believing Christian can say:
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:38.
God created, governs, judges, punishes, and does all things as a Father, all-wise, almighty, all-merciful. All that the best earthly father would do for his children, God can do for his offspring. Good will, kindness, the best he can do with infinite might and wisdom, God will do for every child—for all mankind. The best thing that infinite love, aided by omnipotence and omniscience can accomplish—the only thing these divine attributes will accomplish, is universal happpiness.
God’s Attributes Unlimited.
The Psalmist reprehends a practice prevalent both in his day and now of “limiting the Holy One of Israel.” Ps. 78:41, of placing boundaries to the abilities of the divine attributes. Infinite, they are without limitation, and it is a sort of profanity to adopt any conclusions that place bounds to them, and yet many Christians represent God as like the foolish man:
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it all that behold it begin to mock him, saying this man began to build, and was not able to finish. Luke 14:28-30.
God’s Power Unlimited.
He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou? Dan. 4:35. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isa. 55:10, 11. Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Eph. 1:11. The Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rev. 19:6.
Then nothing can hinder his power from executing whatever he wishes to accomplish. And yet how often it is said that the weakest human being who ever lived, is endowed with a will so strong that if he please to exercise it, God cannot accomplish a plan between which and himself that stubborn will shall rise, though it is a plan which he has pledged his sacred word, and sent his only son to live and die to accomplish! God has commanded all souls to obey him; has declared that all shall obey him; but we are told that if we help him he will succeed, but if we decline to do so, we can defeat him—can throw the divine purpose from the track, and though God’s omnipotence exert itself to the utmost, it shall fail utterly of its purpose. Is not this limiting that attribute of Deity on which the Divine character rests?
God’s Wisdom Unlimited.
His understanding is infinite. Ps. 147:5. Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient time the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure. Isa. 46:10. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Acts 15:18.
To claim that God desires the final welfare of all men, and that his wisdom has devised the best plan possible to infinite wisdom, but that man’s rebellion has not been foreseen, or, if foreseen, not amply provided for, presents the same disastrous result. What would be said of a mechanic who should construct a sewing machine which, on trial, would not sew? On examination it is found that a little wheel or spring has been inserted that utterly prevents the machine from doing what its maker declares it was constructed to do! Would not such a machinist convict himself of folly? To say that God has created men to serve him, and has conferred upon them an agency that prevents them from serving him—that he has not wisdom enough to overcome the agency he has given them, is to limit God’s wisdom. To say that man’s agency is not abundantly provided for in the plans of God, and that all souls will not be willing to obey him in the day of his power, is to limit the Holy One of Israel. The divine perfections are equally impeached if we suppose that God will do all he wishes, but that he does not desire that all souls shall enjoy him; that his wisdom and power will accomplish all he pleases, but the final triumph of evil in a portion of his universe is a part of the divine plan. This is Calvinism. It plumes itself on a strong and wise God, but it builds his wisdom and power on the ruins of his goodness, just as in other systems of error his goodness stands on the ruins of his wisdom and power.
God’s Love Unlimited.
He desires to save all.
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. John 3:16. But God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:8. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) Eph. 2:4, 5. The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works. Ps. 145:9.
It matters not which view we take. No theory of the loss of a single soul can be adopted that does not drag to ruin one or more of the attributes of God. Does he not desire the welfare of that soul? Then he is deficient in goodness. Can he not plan its welfare? Then he is not infinitely wise. Can he not execute the plan he desires? His power is limited. To be infinite in all his attributes he must be so good as to desire, so wise as to plan, and so powerful as to execute the good of all. The God of Calvinism is strong but bad; the God of Arminianism is good but weak. The Christian God has the faults of neither and the merits of both.
If, therefore, we say that God will not and cannot, or can but will not, or will but cannot, save every human soul, we limit him in some direction, but if he will and can, then the result contemplated by the Universalist faith must be accomplished.
God’s Will, Pleasure, Purpose, Promise, And Oath.
It is the will of God to save all souls.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Tim. 2:1-6. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:37-40.
This is not a will of desire merely, but of purpose, such being the meaning of the word thelo, as the following passages show:
For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. John 5:21. And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matt. 8:3. The same day there came certain of the Pharisees saying unto him, get thee out, and depart hence; for Herod will kill thee. Luke 13:31. We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19:14.
A good being, a Father, could have no other will than the welfare of his children. His will is finally to be accomplished.
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. Job 23:13. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord that shall stand. Prov. 19:21. He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou? Dan. 4:35. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. Ps. 110:3. Thy will be done. Matt. 6:10.
It is God’s pleasure that all shall be redeemed from sin and error.
For thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev. 4:11. As I live saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ezek. 18:23, 32. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him. Eph. 1:9, 10.
God’s pleasure will be performed.
I will do all my pleasure. Isa. 46:10. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isa. 55:11. The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his (Christ’s) hands. Isa. 53:10.
It is God’s purpose to save all.
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ: in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Eph. 1:9-14.
The phrase, “all things,” here employed, denotes “the universe,” according to Professor Stuart, and Archbishop Newcome says the phrase means “all intelligent beings.” God, then, purposes to unite in one, all intelligent beings, that is “the whole purchased possession.” God’s purpose will be executed.
The Lord of Hosts hath sworn, saying, surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed so shall it stand—for the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out and who shall turn it back? Isa 19:24-27. I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isa. 46:11. Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Tim. 1:9.
If God had no purpose he would not be God. If a bad purpose he would not be a father. He had a good purpose. It embraces the moral universe. It will be fulfilled in the holiness and happiness of all mankind. It is sometimes said that the Divine will is defeated.
O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Matt. 23:37, 38.
But such critics do not read the next verse:
For I say unto you, ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
It was a postponement, but not a defeat, of the will of Christ. Thus God’s Will, Purpose and Pleasure are all invested in the work of universal redemption, and his will, purpose and pleasure will be accomplished, for they will remain eternally the same, inasmuch as he is “without variableness or shadow of turning.” James 1:17. God wills, and Christ wills universal salvation, the people shall be willing, and God’s will shall be done.
He has pledged his sacred promise to render all his offspring holy and happy. In the beginning he announced the temporal duration of sin, and the death of evil.
And I will put enmity between thee (the serpent) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen. 3:15.
What is the serpent or man’s tempter?
Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. James 1:14.
Satan and his works are the lusts of the flesh, and are to be destroyed.
For as much, then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil: and deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb. 2:14, 15. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8.
This promise he renewed to the patriarchs and confirmed to the apostles.
In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Gen. 12:3. In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Gen. 22:18. I will perform my oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father, and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and I will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Gen. 26:3, 4. And in thee, and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Gen. 28:14. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first, God, having raised up his Son, Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Acts 3:25, 26. And the Scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen, through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed. Gal.:3 8. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds as of many; but, as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ. Gal. 3:16.
All the nations, families and kindreds of the earth are to be blessed with a gospel blessing, to consist in being turned away from iniquity, and the Universalist can plead the promise of God for his faith. “That anchor holds.”
He will fulfill his promise.
God is not a man that he should lie, neither the son of man that he should repent. Hath he said and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good? Num. 23:19. For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true but every man a liar. Rom. 3:3, 4. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen. 2 Cor. 1:20.
God has confirmed his promise by an oath. He has sworn to redeem all mankind from sin and error.
I have sworn by myself; the word has gone out of my mouth and shalt not return, that unto me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear surely shall say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength. Isa. 45:23. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedek. Heb. 6:16-20.
Thus we have GOD’S AFFIDAVIT to plead in evidence of our faith.
Jesus is the appointed means to accomplish this end.
My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work. John 4:34. Thy will be done, Matt. 6:10, was his prayer. God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17. We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32.
God wills the salvation of all men.
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:4
The will of God shall be done.
He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Dan. 4:35.
The will of God is law, alike in the spiritual as in the material world. It must ultimately be accomplished.
God purposes to save all men.
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. Eph. 1:9, 10.
God’s purpose will be executed.
My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure. Isa. 46:10.
God promises to save all men.
Ye are the children of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Acts 3:25.
God will fulfill his promises.
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Cor. 1:20.
God makes oath that he will save all men.
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear, surely shall say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength. Isa 45:23, 29.
And God will make good his oath.
Wherein, God willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Heb. 6:17, 18.
Jesus will accomplish the work he came to do.
He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied. Isa. 53:1. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11. WHAT GOD WILLS, HE PURPOSES; WHAT HE PURPOSES, HE PROMISES; WHAT HE PROMISES HE MAKES OATH TO, SENDS HIS SON TO ACCOMPLISH, AND JESUS DOES ACCOMPLISH.