God's provision of justification to life for the rest of the world
Jesus' death as a ransom is clearly stated in Romans 5:18 to have secured one full privilege of this experience for all mankind. "The free gift comes upon ALL men -- justification to life."
Let that sink in for a moment.
If the word "all" is truly meant, then it means that Jesus secured an opportunity to enjoy the privileges described above for everyone. Those familiar with traditional Christian teaching will immediately say, "if they believe" -- and yes, we agree, the mechanism that allows this grace to be applied to anyone is belief in Christ. But still, we must ask the question: Is it possible that there is more than one age when this grace is exercised? Or, put another way, "Would some important principle be violated if God were to grant a full opportunity to believe to those who do not respond at this time?"
We believe that in light of Romans 5:18 and the following scriptures that use similar language, the burden of proof is on those who say that "now is our only chance of salvation" and that after death it is "too late". Such need to try and show from the Bible, that (1) The "day of judgment" contains no hope of repentance or learning from the experiences of this life, but is strictly for the enforcement of some eternal decision, already sealed at the moment of each person's death; and (2) there is no promise or prophecy of future major conversions and world-wide expansion of eternal life to large percentages of the world.
We think the evidence is so overwhelmingly against this traditional view that we are confident many, many Christians in the next decade or two will abandon their old, frightful paradigm of "turn or burn" and accept the truly radical grace of God promised in the Bible.
More Scriptures that speak of salvation reaching beyond the Christian Church:
1 Timothy 2:6 uses that word "all" again. There a clear, unequivocal statement is made regarding the purpose of Christ's death: "who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
Two verses earlier, in 1 Timothy 2:4, Paul makes a simple and clear statement as to God's purpose in the redemptive process: "who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Note that in these 2 verses we hear the echo of Paul's ringing statement from Romans 5:18 -- the free gift comes upon all men.
Note the echo of Jesus' words in John 12:32: "If I be lifted up (on a cross) I will draw all men unto me."
Here are some more scriptures to consider with careful thought and prayer:
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man
Isaiah 25:6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
Isaiah 25:8 The Lord Yahweh will wipe away tears from off all faces.
Revelation 21:3,4 See, the Tent of God is with men, and he will make his living-place with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God. He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."
John 5:28 Wonder not at this. For a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and will come forth...
Acts 24:15 there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Acts 15:16-17 After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which is fallen, and will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up, that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
Luke 2:10 "And the angel said to them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people." Note, it does not say, "good tidings shall be sent to all people." It says that the good tidings are that great joy will be to all people.
Again, the burden of proof is upon anyone who chooses to explain away these and many other equally explicit scriptures.
The only solution we have found is to acknowledge Bible statements that there are two ages or dispensations of God's grace --
one age of faith, when heavenly salvation comes to the few, the way is tough, God "hides himself", strict obedience is not expected or even possible (but an advocate is provided for the faltering steps of believers), and even so a comparatively few (a "little flock") find their "way" to heaven, where the rewards are amazingly great;
and another age of life gained through judgments, God has revealed himself, obedience is required, it is much easier, temptations are removed, and anyone can gain life, but the reward is not so immense -- life on earth, instead of in heaven.
