Let us take a few minutes to quickly review the facts in support of the doctrine of universal reconciliation.

The word commonly translated

a. This is clear from within God's Word itself, when examining the various

forms of the word used (plural, before the eons, after the eons, etc).

b. This was the common understanding of those within the church in the

first few centuries following the departure of Christ.

The implication is that punishment/correction is not eternal, but for an age (however long God determines is necessary to accomplish His purpose).

There are many passages throughout God's Word that speak of ALL being saved, just as ALL died in Adam.

We have had difficulties with these ALL passages because of the many other passages that seem to be talking about some spending eternity in hell. But once we see that punishment/correction is not endless, but is for a period of time, we can understand how ultimately ALL will be saved.

The word commonly translated

a. The Hebrew

b. The Greek

c. The Greek

of Jerusalem where those guilty of certain crimes in the physical earthly

kingdom will be cast)

d. The Greek

await judgment)

Hell is not spoken of anywhere in the entire Old Testament. The penalty for sin is death, and death (destruction) is the sole penalty we see meted out in the Old Testament. Likewise, Paul has much to say about Christian living, but does not teach of an eternal torment for those outside the Body of Christ. The passages which are primarily found within the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) that talk of punishment are referring to punishment in the kingdom to come upon the earth when Christ returns. We see this physical, earthly kingdom become a reality in the book of Revelation.

Our notion of

The

a. Not eternal, but will be

b. Not for the purpose of tormenting, but to refine, purge, and correct.

Temporal wickedness and rejection of God in this life is compensated with a temporal (and not eternal) punishment/correction, with the ultimate purpose of restoring all of God's creation. This is consistent with God's character of love; a loving Father who will not be satisfied until the final lost sheep is safely within the fold.

Revelation tells us of things which will take place in the final eons (ages).

1 Corinthians 15 tells us of things which will take place after the eons (ages) have concluded. Here we see the climax of God's revelation, when all things (mankind included) come into a willing subjection to Christ, and when God becomes All in all.

We cannot confuse the end of Revelation (the final eon) where the lake of fire is still burning, with 1 Corinthians 15 (after the eons have concluded) where the lake of fire (death) is abolished and all things are now reconciled to God.