HOW UNIVERSALISTS INTERPRET JESUS’ WORDS ON HELL ( PART TWO) : THE BIBLICAL CASE AGAINST UNIVERSALISM ( PURGATORY)

 The yoke of the overwhelming fear of untimely death is broken because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.

Good -Life Devotional:  HOW UNIVERSALISTS INTERPRET JESUS’ WORDS ON HELL

( PART TWO) : 

THE BIBLICAL CASE AGAINST UNIVERSALISM ( PURGATORY) 

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

TEXT: Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19–31; Hebrews 9:27

   Universalism emphasizes God's desire to save all people. Scripture certainly declares that God desires salvation and that Christ died for sinners. Yet the question remains: Does Scripture teach that every person will eventually be saved?

A major difficulty for Universalism is Matthew 25:46: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

   Jesus uses the same adjective, ( the Greek word 'aionios:) , for both 'punishment' and ' life' . If “eternal life” means 'everlasting life' , Universalists must explain why “eternal punishment” should automatically mean temporary punishment. The argument from the word itself is therefore not decisive.

   Jesus also spoke about a “great chasm” between the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:26. The passage presents a serious separation after death and says that those on either side cannot simply cross over.

Hebrews 9:27 declares:“It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment.”

   The New Testament repeatedly urges people to repent now, rather than presuming that there will be another opportunity after death.

Jesus also warned about the seriousness of rejecting God. In Mark 3:29, He spoke of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as an “eternal sin.” Matthew 26:24 presents Judas as facing an extraordinarily dreadful judgment.

   These passages do not permit us to treat hell as merely symbolic or insignificant.

At the same time, Christians should be careful not to claim that every detail concerning the intermediate state or final judgment has been revealed to us. Scripture gives us enough truth to produce holy fear, repentance, faith, and obedience.

PRAYER Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive Him as Lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to overcome temptation. 

Lord Jesus, keep me from taking sin lightly. Give me a heart that responds to Your warnings while there is still time. Help me to repent quickly, forgive others, obey Your Word, and live faithfully before You. May I never presume upon Your mercy while deliberately rejecting Your truth. Amen.

POWER POINT

The possibility of judgment should not make us despair; it should make us repent, believe, and live faithfully before God.

+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com 

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