Universalism: Will Everyone Be Saved?

Universalism sounds loving – the idea that a God of love would never allow anyone to be lost and that, sooner or later, every person will be saved. This article weighs that appealing but dangerous claim against what Scripture actually says about salvation, judgement and the choice each of us must make in this life.

What Universalism Teaches

This false and misleading doctrine (also called ultimate reconciliation) teaches that there is no eternal damnation and ultimately all people will be saved whatever their belief or relationship with God, since a loving God would not doom anyone to eternal punishment. This ignores the righteousness and justice of God and the Bible's teaching that the wicked, those that do not do His will, “go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Ezek 18:4,20; Mt 7:22-23, 25:41,46; Rom 6:22-23; Rev 20:14).

This is another of Satan's ploys to keep people out of heaven, and it works by appealing to the love of God. Because it sounds so loving and compassionate, many embrace it without realising it has quietly emptied the gospel of repentance, judgement and the cross.

A variation of this erroneous teaching is that people will get another opportunity for salvation in the next life. Nowhere does the Bible mention a second chance to respond to the offer of salvation after death; instead, it states “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement” (Heb 9:27). Such deceptive ideas, born of human imagination, give people a false sense of security, encouraging them to postpone the most important decision of their lives on the assumption that there will always be time later.

After death there is no second chance; today is the day of salvation – 2 Corinthians 6:2

What the Bible Says About Salvation

The Bible clearly speaks of exclusiveness, with Jesus saying, “I am the way…No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12). Yet there is also inclusiveness, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath rests on him” (Jn 1:12, 3:15-16,18,36).

Make sure you will be in heaven by accepting Christ's offer of salvation today

Salvation depends on each person's individual choice. The default setting is eternal punishment because of our bias toward sin; only those who turn to Christ escape God's wrath (Lk 18:17; 1 Thes 1:10; Rev 20:15). While God wants all people saved, not everyone will be, as it requires repentance, a definite turning from their sinful lifestyle and ongoing submission and obedience to His Lordship (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9).

If everyone were automatically saved Jesus would not have instructed His followers to “Go and make disciples of all peoples…” (Mt 28:19-20). Jesus is potentially the Saviour of all people, but only those who believe will actually be saved. He will not override people's freewill.

Warnings from Scripture

The rich man and Lazarus: after death the rich man was in torment, aware of the great gulf fixed between himself and those in God's presence, with no way across and no word sent back to warn his brothers – their decision had to be made in this life (Lk 16:19-31).

Turn to the Lord while He can be found; call out to Him while He is close at hand – Isaiah 55:6

Noah's flood: for years Noah built the ark and warned of judgement to come, yet only his own family entered with him, and the same waters that lifted the ark swept away everyone who had ignored the warning (Gen 7:21-23; 1 Pet 3:20).

Sodom and Gomorrah: those cities were reduced to ashes as an example of what awaits the ungodly, and Lot's sons-in-law perished because his warning seemed like a joke to them (Jude 7; 2 Pet 2:6-9; Gen 19:14).

Responding to a Universalist

Begin by listening respectfully and asking sincere questions, for gentle persuasion opens far more hearts than argument – “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity” (Col 4:5,6). Then let Scripture speak for itself, especially the words of Jesus about exclusivity, judgement and the fate of those who reject Him, always giving the reason for your hope “with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3:15-16). Present God's love and His justice together, since a holy God cannot simply ignore sin, and any version of the gospel that removes repentance also displaces the cross from its central place.

Stress the urgency of the present moment: salvation is on offer today, not at some future reckoning, and no one is promised tomorrow. Guard the tone of the whole conversation, being “able to teach, not resentful” as you gently instruct those who oppose the truth, in the hope that God will grant them repentance (2 Tim 2:24-26). Finally, keep praying for the person and maintain the relationship, trusting that the seeds of truth sown kindly today may bear fruit in God's timing.

Reflection and Application

Do I secretly hope that God's love means everyone will be saved, even without repentance and faith in Christ?
Have I settled my own eternal destiny by personally turning to Christ while there is still time?
Who do I know who holds this teaching – and how could I share the truth with them lovingly?
Do I treat a definite response to Christ as urgent for the people I love most, or have I quietly assumed they will be fine without one?