Should I use Philippians 2:10-11 to support universal salvation?

[Graph1159]

"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."

The phrase "to the glory of God the Father" makes me think that this is referring to a confession unto salvation because in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus describes those who call Him Lord before being cast away from Him; I can't find anything in that scene that glorifies God.

However, the prophesy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing makes two other appearances that I know of in Scripture, and both are in contexts of judgment, with not everybody experiencing deliverance. Romans 14:11 mentions the bowing and confessing to God, but the main subject of Romans 14 seems to be a person being judged according to whether or not he obeyed his conscience.

Then looking at Isaiah 45:23, we see the prophesy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, but then verse 24 says, "and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed." It appears that some people are still unsaved.

Thank you for your help,
Samuel

[rjohnson741]

"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."

The phrase "to the glory of God the Father" makes me think that this is referring to a confession unto salvation because in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus describes those who call Him Lord before being cast away from Him; I can't find anything in that scene that glorifies God.

However, the prophesy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing makes two other appearances that I know of in Scripture, and both are in contexts of judgment, with not everybody experiencing deliverance. Romans 14:11 mentions the bowing and confessing to God, but the main subject of Romans 14 seems to be a person being judged according to whether or not he obeyed his conscience.

Then looking at Isaiah 45:23, we see the prophesy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, but then verse 24 says, "and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed." It appears that some people are still unsaved.

Thank you for your help,
Samuel

Paul was quoting the Old Testament prophet Isaiah(Isaiah 45:22-24) In Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10. Here is the full passage from Romans 14:11:
"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess[G1843 exomologeo] to God" Romans 14:11 King James Version.
Here is the definition of confess[G1843 exomologeo] as given by Strongs and the Blueletter Bible Lexicon:
1) to confess
2) to profess
   a) acknowledge openly and joyfully
   b) to one's honor: to celebrate, give praise to                                       
   c) to profess that one will do something, to promise, agree, engage

Now let's read Romans 14:11 from the New American Standard Bible:
"For it is written, As I live says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God" Romans 14:11 New American Standard Bible(NASB).

Romans 14:11 is saying everyone is openly and joyfully giving worship and praise to God. This is why we know this will not be a forced confession by the wicked and unbelievers as those who believe in eternal torment claim. Also a forced confession by some does not give glory to God as Philippians 2:10-11 says. If everyone is openly and joyfully giving worship and praise to God, then the conditions of repentance, confession, and putting faith in Christ have been met by everyone.
Isaiah 45:24 does say those that are incensed or angry at God will be ashamed. But that is a good thing!!! Feeling ashamed is the first sign of repentance. Before we became christians or believers we were also incensed or angry and rebelled against God. But once God convicted us of our sin and rebellion, we felt Godly sorrow and shame for what we were doing. That turned us from our sins and we repented. That's the goodness of God(Romans 2:4). Blessings to you.

[ded2daworld]

Graph1159 said, "Then looking at Isaiah 45:23, we see the prophesy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, but then verse 24 says, "and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed." It appears that some people are still unsaved."

IMO, Being ashamed of our previous feelings towards God is not a sign of the unsaved but the saved.  Shame is like unto repentance (being ashamed of our sin) In this life, the unbelievers main problem is that they aren't ashamed of the way they treat God, whether with outright rebellion, denial and/or ignoring Him.

[TomH]

"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."

The phrase "to the glory of God the Father" makes me think that this is referring to a confession unto salvation because in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus describes those who call Him Lord before being cast away from Him; I can't find anything in that scene that glorifies God.

However, the prophesy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing makes two other appearances that I know of in Scripture, and both are in contexts of judgment, with not everybody experiencing deliverance. Romans 14:11 mentions the bowing and confessing to God, but the main subject of Romans 14 seems to be a person being judged according to whether or not he obeyed his conscience.

Then looking at Isaiah 45:23, we see the prophesy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, but then verse 24 says, "and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed." It appears that some people are still unsaved.

Thank you for your help,
Samuel

I don't say "universal salvation." I say "universal reconciliation" and "the salvation of all mankind."

"through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens" (Colossians 1:20)

"for this are we toiling and being reproached, that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers" (1 Timothy 4:10)

I think salvation refers to mankind's salvation from indignation for life eonian for believers and eventual salvation from death for unbelievers, but reconciliation refers to all on earth and in heaven even those spirit beings not subject to mortality.

[Graph1159]

Very good responses. Thank you all for your help.

[eaglesway]

Notice the similarity of language in Phil 2:10,11 and Rev 5:13

[jbertonbounds]

My main thought on the matter, besides the things that have already been brought out here, is a question: What purpose would there be in God's forcing anyone to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord if they are condemned to torture forever?

[marie glen]

Another question which I like to ask folks is "why is there a 2nd resurrection?" If the lost are to be lost forever, why resurrect?

[jbertonbounds]

Here is another question to ask folks:  If saving folks from hell is so important, why did the greatest evangelist to ever live (Paul) never mention the word? :Chinscratch: :dontknow:

[marie glen]

          :iagree: absolutely! :gthumbsup:

[ded2daworld]

Better yet, why didn't Jesus act all crazy with people that rejected him? Why didn't he warn them over and over, how many sermons did he preach on hell? When he healed people, is there any record of him mentioning hell? When he forgave theives and prostitutes did he mention hell? :Chinscratch:

[marie glen]

yep! only mentioned Gehenna, the city dump.. as part of a Greek dramatic type illustration.. and the parable of Lazarus and the rich man.. a parable.. and even as a parable far different than mankind's adopted idea of 'hell'..

[jbertonbounds]

Better yet, why didn't Jesus act all crazy with people that rejected him? Why didn't he warn them over and over, how many sermons did he preach on hell? When he healed people, is there any record of him mentioning hell? When he forgave theives and prostitutes did he mention hell? :Chinscratch:

Right on, Brother! :thumbsup:

[WhiteWings]

"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."

The phrase "to the glory of God the Father" makes me think that this is referring to a confession unto salvation because in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus describes those who call Him Lord before being cast away from Him; I can't find anything in that scene that glorifies God.

However, the prophesy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing makes two other appearances that I know of in Scripture, and both are in contexts of judgment, with not everybody experiencing deliverance. Romans 14:11 mentions the bowing and confessing to God, but the main subject of Romans 14 seems to be a person being judged according to whether or not he obeyed his conscience.

Then looking at Isaiah 45:23, we see the prophesy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, but then verse 24 says, "and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed." It appears that some people are still unsaved.

Thank you for your help,
Samuel

As usual  :mblush: I have an opinion which you can find here: http://tentmaker.org/forum/bible-verses-used-to-assert-not-all-will-be-saved/hebrews-927-after-death-comes-judgement/msg122137/#msg122137