Is this a devils deception? It seems too good to be true.

[Gabriel]

Hello everyone, I'm still new to this site and way of seeing the scriptures. I always struggled with this issue(E.T.) and it has always affected my closeness with God. Now the scriptures add up, they make sense. For so long I couldn't see what was so plainly written because of the thick veil of traditions that covered my eyes.  I'm so very excited about this eye opening revelation, that Jesus did indeed come to save all of humanity. I feel closer to God now, because he truly has defeated Satan's ploy to destroy humanity.Yet, I've been indoctrinated for so long that it's hard to break away from these "traditions of men." I'm worried that this is too good to be true, like they say, if it sounds that way, then it probably is. I was taught that the KJV is the only word of God and those that seek to change it are but doing the devils deceiving by causing people to question the true word of God like he did to Eve when he said "hath God said." Either Universal Salvation is the greatest of news to the world or the biggest deception ever. I'm hoping, and believe that it's the former. If Universal salvation is the truth, why is this belief held by such a minority of Christians? How is it that so many people can be so wrong about something so important? I feel that this very heavy burden of Hell has been lifted from my shoulders. I am so thankful for what Jesus has truly done for all of humanity.

[Beloved Servant]

Gabriel,
that is why we are called a remnant.
Now, let the Spirit teach you.
And, yes, it's the best news — ever!

[sheila]

  in this world..and of the prince of this world..there is a saying..

  if it sounds to good to be true..it proablably isn't.


   But.....

   there is only ONE WHO IS GOOD

   So..I will tell you...if it sounds too GOOD to be true..

   IT'S GOD!

    I welcome you to the freedom in Christ that is now yours!!

[pneuma]

  in this world..and of the prince of this world..there is a saying..

  if it sounds to good to be true..it proablably isn't.


   But.....

   there is only ONE WHO IS GOOD

   So..I will tell you...if it sounds too GOOD to be true..

   IT'S GOD!

    I welcome you to the freedom in Christ that is now yours!!

Hi Shelia, I had to laugh when I read your reply because when I was reading the OP that was the same thought that was running through my mind, but you said it much better then I would have.  :thumbsup:

[sheila]

 :thumbsup: pneuma!

   you know..I think these kinda  things are going to be

    happeneing a lot.  Putting the mind of Christ on makes us all

  kinda look at things the same.huh?

                     Sheila

   and they were all of one accord.....

[jabcat]

God has a plan, of which most of us have little idea what it is.  He veils and reveals as suits His purposes.  The called out ones, the ecclesia, are set aside for a specific purpose.  To be used to bring the rest in, "each in his own order"  (I Cor. 15:23). 

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. (Pr. 25:2)

Not to take completely out of context, but IMO, this scripture does set a precedent/establish a precept;  And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"  He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.  (Mt. 13:10,11)

Gabriel, It really is Good News!

[Tim B]

I think if anything is truly "good" then it doesn't include eternal torment... and, for that matter, annihilation. UR might seem too good to be true, but it just might also be the only thing that could be "good".

I mean, we've basically got four possible world views:

Eternal torment; annihilation; ultimate/universal reconciliation; and atheism.

It seems like ultimate/universal reconciliation is honestly the only one that could be considered "good".

[preistsplace]

Pray about it .I went throught the same thing and every time I doubtedI prayed and began to read the word. I Just randomly opened the Bible and began reading after praying and within 5 to 10 minutes everytime I had a confirmation of UR.
When I finally lost the doubt I felt an incredible Joy and Peace that was with me for a few days very strongly. God loves you and would not throw you into an eternal hell. He punishes but it is for our good.
Blessings in Christ
Preistsplace

[SQ]

God will not lose one, now that is good news.
I like that God can do, he is not a God of no can do. :cloud9:

[Raggedy Anne]

Just thought I'd mention that there are available books you can request from the main Tentmaker web site http://www.tentmaker.org

1. Hope Beyond Hell
2. The Abolition of Hell

Also, there are other good books on Universal Redemption through Christ.   One of my favorites is titled "If Grace Is True".  Look for it on Gary and Michelle's book list.  Also, "The One Purpose of God" and there are many others - I can't think of all of them at the moment.   (Perhaps someone reading this will add to the list of recommended books).  If you are struggling, you really should read what others have written concerning God's Ultimate Plan down through the ages.

with love,
Anne

[ChosenofGod37]

Hey Gab,

To good to be true usually isn't. 99% of Christianity believes in ET judgment for people who reject Jesus and not UR. It may not be a popular doctrine, but it is real as this conversation. Your promptings are correct questioning it. Anyone can lift scriptures out of context and make doctrine out of them. I believe these people are sincere, sincerely wrong. I respect their views, but I don't agree with them. If you have not believed on Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, now is a good time to Repent and put your faith in Jesus alone for your eternal salvation. I, myself am trying to be taught biblically about UR by posting 10 statements to prove their theology to be biblical.So far, no one has shown UR to be biblical by sound exegesis, but I'm having some healthy, respectful discussions about it. Look under Discussions on UR on the home page. Search the scriptures yourself like the Bereans and lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance. Hey, no one is beyond learning, including myself. Hope this helps. God bless.

[sparrow]

99%??

Gee. Sounds like the WIDE road which leads to destruction.
Not the NARROW road which leads to LIFE.


However, I will agree with you about your advice to SEARCH the scriptures and lean on the HOLY SPIRIT for guidance. This we can agree on. Peace.

[Cardinal]

99%??

Gee. Sounds like the WIDE road which leads to destruction.
Not the NARROW road which leads to LIFE.


However, I will agree with you about your advice to SEARCH the scriptures and lean on the HOLY SPIRIT for guidance. This we can agree on. Peace.

:cloud9: Sparrow, you took the words right out of my mouth.  :winkgrin: No comfort in numbers in this walk, as each progressive unfolding of truth shows, eh? Blessings....

[eaglesway]

When you've been wearing smoked glasses all your life, the light hurts your eyes a little when you first take them off.
The traditions of men are like seeing through colored glass. The revelation of Jesus Christ is like the dawn rising to the full noon. The wide road is the road most people are on and it leads to death. "There is a way that seems right to a man but the end of that way is the way of death"(Prov. 16:12). It is the road of the letter,that kills, as opposed to the road of the Spirit, which gives life(2 Cor. 3:6).The word of God is the Sword of the Spirit(Eph 6:17; He 4:12). The Holy Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth. Beware the leaven of the Pharisees, and beware the leaven of iniquity. The punishments of God, though remedial, are still terrible for those who will endure them. Thank God,  "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit(Ro. 8:1)."

  Eph 1:9-12  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  (10)  That in the dispensation of the fulness 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:  (11)  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:  (12)  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Col 1:16-20  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  (18)  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  (19)  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  (20)  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

[sven]

I was taught that the KJV is the only word of God and those that seek to change it are but doing the devils deceiving by causing people to question the true word of God like he did to Eve when he said "hath God said."

that's a lie, maybe the KJV translators were even involved in persecutions of Christians, I've read that; the KJV is not errorless in any case.

If Universal salvation is the truth, why is this belief held by such a minority of Christians?

I realized few want it to be true after all - men are egoists, even those who profess to be Christians; better a minority holds it than the majority, this is a pro in my opinion.

if the majority would lean to UR, for philosophical reasons I would consider conditional immortality the truth (every religion except biblical Christianity teaches the immortality of the soul).

[scotr]

It seems the case that most christians come to UR as the OP has.  I know his post felt to me like I could have written it.

Hi Gabriel   :hithere:

There is a good reason to fear this concept.  (and lets face it, it so easily can become doctrine even though we wish it would not become that)  Its proponents rely on allegorical interpretation of scripture.  Many many heresies have been promulgated by folks making scripture say anything they can imagine through allegorical interpretation. 

Another reason to be careful is a reliance on personal spiritual leading.  I've had a lot of grief in my christian walk from charismatics who believed God talked to them and gave them direction for not only themselves but those around them.

Of course we all want to be led by the Spirit.  It must be the very heart of our faith and this is clear from scripture.  It's also clear that one of the purposes of the 'church' was for the making of disciples.  Bringing christians to maturity by the guidance of elders. Most of us know we need help in our walk.  There are so many ways to go wrong.  We dare not throw the baby out with the bath water in our desire to rectify the unbiblical and ungodly traditions of men.

The wonderful thing about Universal Redemption however is that it truly is simply an expansion of our view of God's love.  It does not lead to heresy or apostasy.  It can not.  Period.  It also does not ultimately matter if it is perfectly accurate.  As no human understanding of the things of God CAN be perfectly accurate.  We know in part only.  (Paul)  We shall all know in full one day.

This is why UR should not be doctrine.  Conversely neither should eternal torment and everlasting punishment. To elevate such to a doctrinal level is just wrong.  It is so obviously the very murderous letter of the law.  The bloody point of the spear if you will. 

To me UR is a 'blessed hope' and should remain so.  I believe this was C.S. Lewis' position and is the best attitude.

One last thing:  UR destroys the division calvinism and such exclusionary thinking places between christians and the world.  Jesus was clear with his parable of the Good Samaritan.  All men are our brothers and 'the least of these'.

[Raggedy Anne]

99%??

Gee. Sounds like the WIDE road which leads to destruction.
Not the NARROW road which leads to LIFE.


However, I will agree with you about your advice to SEARCH the scriptures and lean on the HOLY SPIRIT for guidance. This we can agree on. Peace.

Sparrow,

You took the words right out of my mouth!  Wide is the road that leads to destruction, and many there be who go that way.  Straight is the way and narrow is the gate that leads to life and few there be who FIND it.   

And blessed are they who find it.   But the fearful and unbelieving will have their part in the Lake of Fire.

Anne

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Looks a double witness, Sparrow, lol..........Blessings....

[darryl]

When you've been wearing smoked glasses all your life, the light hurts your eyes a little when you first take them off.
The traditions of men are like seeing through colored glass. The revelation of Jesus Christ is like the dawn rising to the full noon. The wide road is the road most people are on and it leads to death. "There is a way that seems right to a man but the end of that way is the way of death"(Prov. 16:12). It is the road of the letter,that kills, as opposed to the road of the Spirit, which gives life(2 Cor. 3:6).The word of God is the Sword of the Spirit(Eph 6:17; He 4:12). The Holy Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth. Beware the leaven of the Pharisees, and beware the leaven of iniquity. The punishments of God, though remedial, are still terrible for those who will endure them. Thank God,  "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit(Ro. 8:1)."

  Eph 1:9-12  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  (10)  That in the dispensation of the fulness 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:  (11)  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:  (12)  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Col 1:16-20  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  (18)  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  (19)  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  (20)  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

good post !