Not Everyone Goes To Heaven

The Universalist uses five main verses support their belief. I have done several video teachings on this subject and given overwhelming scriptural proof that this teaching is false, and even heretical. But for now, I will only examine the verses commonly used.

To start, what is the definition of universalism?

Dr. J. I. Packer, in the book, “Hell Under Fire,” page 170 states, “A universalist is someone who believes that every human being whom God has created or will create, will finally come to enjoy the everlasting salvation into which Christians enter here and now…”

In other words, everyone eventually goes to heaven, no matter what they believe. Everyone gets a free pass to live forever in heaven.

Where did this false belief originate?

In the book, Hell on Trial, page 139 British Evangelist John Blanchard said, “Universalism originated in the Garden of Eden when Satan brushed aside God’s warning and assured Eve, “You will not surely die.” (Genesis 3:4).

Satan said they would not die, just as the Universalist says. They say all will live and be saved. Jesus said in John 11:25-26, ”And whosoever liveth and believes in me shall never die.” He said in Luke 13:3, “Unless a man repent, you shall all likewise perish.”

Verse #1: 1 Timothy 4:10, “who is the savior of all men.”  They believe this verse says all men are now saved, no matter what they believe.

The verse doesn’t say that all men are saved. It says He is the Savior of all men. Jesus died for all men so salvation is AVAILABLE to all men. Salvation is available because He paid for our sins on the cross. Also, they leave out the first part of the verse, which says, “we suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the savior of all men, especially of those that believe.”

Believer’s Bible Commentary, page 2093, “We might say that He is potential Savior of all men and the actual Savior of those who believe.  God is the Savior of all men in the sense that He preserves them in the daily providences of life.”

Nelson’s Bible Commentary, page 1602, “Especially of those who believe draws a contrast between God’s common grace to all and His special saving grace to those who trust Him as their Savior.”

Verse #2: 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”  They believe all are made alive.

Believer’s Bible Commentary, page 1806, “The key expressions are “in Adam” and “in Christ”…all who are in Adam die.  All who are in Christ shall be made alive…the “all” who shall be made alive is defined in verse 23 as those who are Christ’s at His coming. It does not include Christ’s enemies, for they shall be put under His feet (vs. 25). (The universalist doesn’t read the next few verses which clarify who the “all” are.)

Jameson, Fausett & Brown’s Commentary, page 1222, “all, in union of nature with Adam…all, in union of nature with Christ…let not nay think that all shall be saved.”

The MacArthur Bible Commentary, page 1606, “the second “all” only applies to believers and does not imply universalism…countless other passages teach the eternal punishment of the unbelieving…”

Verse #3: Ephesians 1:10, “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…” They say “all things” encompasses all people to be in Christ.

But the following verses clarify who is saved…vs. 12, we who first trusted in Christ…vs.13, after ye have heard the word of truth, the gospel, after ye believed…vs. 15, your faith in the Lord Jesus…vs. 19, to us who believe.”  Did you see all those qualifiers?

Believer’s Bible Commentary, page 1910, “Paul is speaking about universal dominion, not universal salvation.”

Nelson’s Bible Commentary, page 1532, “God’s administration or arrangement of all history to fulfill his plan of salvation.”

Verse #4: Colossians 1:20, “by him to reconcile all things unto himself…” They say all people are reconciled.

Again, they don’t read the following verses that clarify and prove they have misinterpreted the verse. Verse 23,  “if we continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not removed away from the hope of the gospel…”

Verse 27, “Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning every man…” If they read the verses that follow verse 20, it becomes abundantly clear.

The Mac Arthur Bible Commentary, page 1735, “The Greek word for “reconcile” means to change. Its NT usage refers to a change in a sinner’s relationship to God…through Jesus Christ. This does not teach that as a result all will believe, rather it teaches that all will ultimately submit.”

Nelson’s Bible Commentary, page 1563, “It does not mean that all people

will be saved, since many passages clearly say that unbelievers will suffer eternal separation from God (Matt. 25:46). The work of Christ will overthrow the damage effected by the fall and change all of creation from a position of enmity to a relationship of peace and friendship (Rom. 8:20-23; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).”

Matthew Henry’s Commentary, page 2331-2, “The gospel excludes none who do not exclude themselves…”

Verse #5: Romans 5:18, “Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” They say that all men are now saved.

Verse 19 says, “shall many be made righteous.” Not “all” but many!  Also verse 17 says, “they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”  Notice it says, “They which receive.”  And then in verse 1 it says, “by faith…through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Believer’s Bible Commentary, page 1699, “The two all’s in this verse do not refer to the same people. The first all means all who are in Adam. The second all means all who are in Christ. This is clear from the words in the preceding verse, “those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness…” the gift must be received by faith. Only those who trust the Lord receive justification of life.””It’s futile for universalists to use these verses to try to prove that all men will eventually be saved.” 

The only way a person can go to heaven is by repenting of their sins, and receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Many will not go to heaven as Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14.  Acts 4:12 says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The name of Jesus!

Copyright 2007-2023 Soul Choice Ministries – All Rights Reserved
By Bill Wiese, author of 23 Minutes in Hel