JESUS DENIES UNIVERSALISM

In this second post on this subject we are going to look at one of the primary teachings regarding this truth.

Is universalism heresy? According to scripture, I believe it is. Heresy simply stated is “erroneous belief in regard to some fundamental religious doctrine or truth.” Is it another gospel? Again, I think you have to answer yes. If you declare that scripture teaches that everyone will eventually be saved, you are denying the need for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Some argue that the individual will have to acknowledge Jesus as Savior, but that they will have that opportunity even after they die. That is simply not biblical.

Luke 16:19–31 “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Some identify this teaching as a parable and others, like myself, believe it to represent the actual experience of two actual people. Frankly, that is not important to understanding the truth of what Jesus is teaching. The main points of the teaching:

• Two men died.
• One went to “Abraham’s bosom” and was comforted, and the other to “hell” where he was in torments.
• The one in hell asked for comfort from the torment and was denied.
• The one in hell was specifically told that there was a boundary fixed between the two places that prevented those in either place from crossing into the other.

This is a very powerful teaching from the mouth of the Lord Jesus. Even if this were the only place in scripture that taught this truth, it would be sufficient for establishing truth. There are, however, other places in scripture that support the truth that man has the choice of one of two eternal destinies—one in the presence of God or one away from His presence. Again, we read the words of Jesus.

John 5:28–29 “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

Jesus is again clearly teaching that “all” have a future existence after death and will either be resurrected to life or to damnation. He also taught that the torment of hell is eternal.

Matthew 25:31–33 & 41 “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.… Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels….”

Mark 9:43–48 “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

The Apostle Paul affirmed this truth in his letter to the Thessalonians.

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power….”

It is sad but true that scripture teaches that in relationship to the whole, only few will choose the way of life. Why? Because the path that leads to life and the gate that allows entry are narrow.

Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

In other words, there are not many paths to heaven; there is only one. Jesus boldly declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) There is no room for equivocation in this statement. Is the path narrow because the Lord is trying to hide it? No. It’s narrow because the enemy has established so many more alternate belief systems that appeal to the flesh through indulgence and/or one’s own efforts—anything that releases them from submitting to the authority and provision of Almighty God. God’s word is very clear in declaring that He is not willing that any should perish.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Ezekiel 18:32 “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”

...to be continued