When Paul announces the gospel that he was allowed to pass on, he speaks of the salvation of all people (1 Tim.4:10), the vivification of all people (1 Cor.15:22) and the justification of all people (Rom.5:18). Although the salvation, vivification and justification of all people has an enormous scope that is rarely seen and recognized, it is not the same as universal reconciliation.
Reconciliation means: ending enmity, or: making peace. Universal reconciliation therefore means that all enmity will be ended and everything, the universe, will live in peace with God. The term universal reconciliation is taken from:
Colossians 1
20 And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
reconciliation of the all
In this verse we find the term apokattalaxai ta panta in Greek and that means: (complete) reconciliation of all. Universal reconciliation is about turning every human being, in fact, every being that is hostile to God, being made into a lover of God. Reconciliation is the changing of enmity into friendship, enemies are reconciled.
The all or the universe (Greek: ta panta) reconciles God to Himself. The fact that it says: whether what is on earth or what is in the heavens, confirms that it concerns every being in the universe, including spiritual beings.
the hope of the gospel
Paul mentions the reconciliation of all, the hope of the gospel in Colossians 1:23. Universal reconciliation is the hope, that is to say: the expectation of the gospel and is therefore a truly good news for every creature, excluding nothing and no one!
God reconciles and saves all of His creation, because it is His creation. He does not forsake the works of His hands and has given His only begotten Son (John 3:16). His Son is the Firstborn of all creation (Col. 1:15) and through the blood of His cross God reconciles the universe.
Colossians 1
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation,
16 For in Him were all things created, things in heaven and things on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or sovereignties, or powers; all was created by Him and for Him
(…)
20 And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
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