Sin death and beyond

SIN, DEATH AND BEYOND: M.M.NINAN
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UNIVERSAL SALVATION
Universal reconciliation, universal salvation or sometimes simply universalism, is the doctrine
or belief that all will receive salvation, regardless of their current state because of the love and
mercy of God. But it is not forced on to individuals because of the freedom God has given us.
Every act will receive a just reward. As a result those who reject the offer of salvation will have
to go through the experience of hell here and now as well as in the ages to come until he
returns to the father.
There are some who believe it to be a heresy because they feel it will reduce the impact of the
immediacy of the gospel message. This is the day of salvation and this is the day of grace. If
you miss this you care going to suffer through hell. That is the gospel in truth.
Various early fathers definitely expressed this concept. These include:
• Clement of Alexandria, in the 3rd century
• Origen in the 3rd century,
• St. Gregory of Nyssa in the 4th century, who was declared "the father of fathers" by the
seventh ecumenical council
• and St. Isaac the Syrian in the 7th century,
Four of the six theological schools of thought in ancient Christendom supported universalism
and only one supported eternal damnation. Additionally, theological thought appears more
varied before the strong influence of Augustine, who forcefully denied universal salvation
What we are told is that Jesus will redeem ALL THINGS and will make all things new. We have
no definite revelation regarding these intermediary states. Theologians through the ages have
suggested various methods.
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