Matthew Coleman
May 22, 2020
Question #
9

The Biblical Case for Total Reconciliation

Question:

What is the biblical case for Total Reconciliation? When I read my Bible, I don't see it.

Answer:

This is an excerpt from Thomas Allin's Christ Triumphant, Chapter 8 "What the New Testament Teaches":

Christ’s work is the restitution of all things (Acts 3:21). He is Heir of all things (Heb 1:2). The Father has given him authority over all flesh, to give to whosoever was given to him eternal life (John 17:2, see original). So all flesh shall see the salvation of God (Luke 3:6). For God—whose counsel is immutable (Heb 6:17,18), whose attitude towards his enemies is love unchanging (Luke 6:27–35)—will have all men to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) and all to come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9). He has shut all up unto unbelief, so that he may show mercy upon all (Rom 11:32). For (out) of him, as Source, and unto (or into) him, as End, are all things whatsoever (Rom 11:36). He has, therefore, put all things in subjection under Christ’s feet (Eph 1:22). So we are assured that God wills to gather into one, all things in Christ (Eph 1:10). His grace comes upon all men unto justification of life (Rom 5:18). So Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands (John 13:3), promises by his cross to draw all men unto himself (John 12:32). For having, as stated, received all things from the Father (John 3:35), all that was given comes to him, and he loses none (John 6:37–39), but if any stray, goes after that which is lost till he finds it (Luke 15:4), and so makes all things new (Rev 21:5).

Thus, he comes in order that all men may believe (John 1:7); that the world through him may be saved (John 3:17). His grace brings salvation to all men (Titus 2:11). He takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He gives his flesh for its life (John 6:51). Because the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Rom 11:29), he gives life to the world (John 6:33). He is the light of the world (John 8:12). He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). He is the Saviour of all men (1 Tim 4:10). He destroys the works of the devil, not some of them only (1 John 3:8), and the devil himself (Heb 2:14). He abolishes death (2 Tim 1:10). He is manifested to put away sin (Heb 9:26) and thus subdues all things unto himself (Phil 3:21—the context clearly shows this subjugation to be conformity to himself). He does not forget the dead, but takes the gospel to Hades (1 Pet 3:19), of which he holds the keys (Rev 1:18). He is the same (Saviour) for ever (Heb 13:8). Thus, even the dead are evangelized (1 Pet 4:6), and death and Hades destroyed (Rev 20:14). All are therefore made alive in him (1 Cor 15:22). Christ finishes, completes his work (John 17:4), restores all things (Acts 3:21), and there is no more curse (Rev 22:2, 3). Every knee of things in heaven and earth, and under the earth, bends to him (Phil 2:10). The creation is delivered from the “bondage of corruption (Rom 8:21), and every creature joins in the song of praise (Rev 5:13). So comes the end, when he delivers up the kingdom to God, who is then all in all (1 Cor 15:24–28).

Please take a look at our Universalism in Scripture page as well.

Matthew Coleman

Matthew Coleman is co-founder of Mercy On All. He lives in Western Kentucky with his wife and two children. He loves reading science fiction, fantasy, and anything written by George MacDonald, J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton, or C.S. Lewis. By the way, Christianity is True.