Christ prayed for the whole world. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. That the world may believe that You have sent me. " ~ John 17:20-23.
Jesus then prayed that the world, all mankind, might believe on him, might know him, whom to know is life eternal.
Would Jesus have prayed thus if vast segments of the dead were then beyond the reach of mercy, and that God would consign unborn millions to a region of hopeless despair?
Why pray for all if mercy could only reach a part?
Could he have prayed in faith for all, if he had known that zillions were already damned endlessly, and that multitudes yet to live would be?
Impossible!
The angels of heaven desire the salvation of all men.
"There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.[/b] -Luke 15:10.
They, therefore, desire that all may repent and would rejoice with exceeding great joy if all should do so.
Is not that benevolent desire of the angels a righteous one?
Will not the Creator cause it to be realized?
We are commanded to pray for all.
I exhort, therefore, that supplication, prayers be made for all men. -I Tim. 2:1
God, our Father, would not require us to pray for all if it was not his purpose that salvation should be universally experienced!
Partialism contends for this absurdity.
What! The all-wise God commands his creatures to ask him to grant what is not, never was, and never will be, his intention to bestow!