These scriptures give us hope that God will restore the creation and His creatures into freedom from sin and corruption.  This is gospel, good news.  So lets fast forward into the future when God has restored all things to perfection in the earth made new.  Every creature who ever lived is praising God and Jesus Christ.  Revelation 5:13.  So then, looking back into the past, why was sin allowed in the first place?

     God allowed sin as a temporary provision so that we could experience it and realize how horrible it is and never indulge in it again.  God did this from the beginning, so that we could get past that and never do it again.  And God has promised that His creation will never sin again after the final judgment and salvation of all the lost.  “What do you imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end.  Affliction (trouble, sin, pain) shall not rise up the second time.”  Nahum 1:9.

     There are three ways of dealing with an enemy.  1.  Catch and torture him as long as possible and making him feel the most pain imaginable.  2.  Killing the enemy as quickly and painlessly as possible.  3.  Making the enemy to be your friend and getting him to join your side.  Now which one of these do you think that God will do with His enemies?  We know about God through the life of Jesus Christ.  “If you had known Me, you should have known My Father also: and from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”  John 14:7.

     OK, let's now ponder the scriptures on the topic of Universal Restoration.  The final judgment is spoken of in many places.  Daniel 7 refers to this judgment and states that, “all people, nations, and languages should serve Him.”  vs 9-14.  Revelation 20: 11- 15 refers to the judgment in reference to fire and brimstone, and the second death. Also, Isaiah 2:1-4 and Micah 4:1-4 refer to the final judgment with an excellent outcome.

     “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain (kingdom) of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted (lifted up) among the hills (the highest place around to gather to); and people shall flow (come and surround) unto it.  And many nations shall come, and say, come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house (New Jerusalem) of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  And He shall judge (final judgment) among many people, and rebuke strong nations (gog and magog) afar off; and they shall beat their swords (weapons of warfare) into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks (farming agricultural equipment): nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  But they shall sit every man under his vine (grape harvest) and under his fig tree (in the earth made new); and none shall make them afraid (no more death or terrorists): for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken it.” Micah 4:1-4.

Jesus shows them the plan of salvation like a movie in the sky.  “And the heavens shall declare His righteousness; for God is judge Himself.” Psalms 50:6.

     “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11.  “...For we shall all stand before the judgment seat (throne) of Christ.  For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”  Romans 14:11.  “Look unto Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.  I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.  Surely shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to Him shall men (all mankind) come; and all that are incensed (angry) against Him shall be ashamed.  In the Lord shall all (every single one) the seed (people) of Israel be justified (made righteous), and shall glory.” Isaiah 45:22-25.  Yes, this promise is repeated three times in the Bible.

     “...no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.” 1Corinthians 12:3.  “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”  Romans 10:9  This confession of salvation will be spoken by all of the people and angels outside of the Holy City during and after the day of final judgment.

     Some of our relatives and family members out there in the lake of fire (the love and truth of God burning their consciences), will immediately repent and die the second death to sin.  They will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness, and have their names written in the Lambs book of life.  They are the first ones to enter the holy city, New Jerusalem, from the crowds of the rebellious.  Days later others will be convinced that sin is a dead end and they too will repent and be born again to new life.

     Therefore if any man (person) be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.  1Corinthians 5:17.  They shall be as though they had not been.  The wicked, sinful part of them died an everlasting death.  It shall never have another resurrection.  These people are made new.  “And He that sat upon the throne said, behold, I make all things (people, angels, and the polluted world) new.  And He said unto me, write: for these words are true and faithful.”  Revelation 21:5.

     Moses said, “Yet now, if you will forgive their sin --; and if not, blot me, I pray you, out of your book which you have written.  And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever has sinned against me, him will I blot out of My book.”  Exodus 32:32,33.  Names can be removed and replaced in God's book of life depending on a persons current spiritual condition.

     Months and years later, more and more of the wicked are converted to God.  Yes, it does take time to convince everyone to just submit to God.  During this time, the wicked will hide in the caves and dark places of the earth.  The big problem for them is that they will have to receive handouts from the government of God.  They will get their welfare and food benefits from God's providence.  They are fed and get their drinking water from God's gifts.  This awareness will continually hammer away and burn at their consciences day after day.  This contributes to their prolonged suffering and torment for their sins. “...and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone (a burning, shameful and guilty conscience) in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb (Jesus): and the smoke (complaints) of their torment (emotional pain) ascended up for ever and ever (always and continually): and they have no rest (satisfaction or contentment) day nor night...”  Revelation 14:10,11.

     Jesus referred to the punishment of the wicked.  “And that servant (especially Satan and his fallen angels), which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes (punishments especially in the spiritual kingdom). But he that knew not (especially humanity), and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.  For unto whomsoever much is given (knowledge and understanding), of him shall be much required (give account to God): and to whom men have committed much (given big responsibilities to like as religious leaders), of him they will ask the more.”  Luke 12:47.48.

     Isaiah 65:17-25.  Especially vs 20 says that at one hundred years after the final judgment, the sinner still found there will be cursed.  “...for the child shall die (being born again to new life) an hundred years old; but the sinner (one who has not yet repented) being an hundred years old shall be accursed.”  We all know that the devil, Satan, will suffer the longest torment for his sins.  So he will be the last sinner to die the second death and be born again.  And so the sin issue comes full circle back to God and all creation is finally reconciled and restored.  When all are restored, then God will recreate a new heaven (purify the polluted atmosphere and solar system) and a new earth (purify the old earth which has become like a garbage dump).  This is the gospel message. The good news of salvation is to go to the whole world.

     Isaiah 14:1,2.  “...and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land (cities in the earth made new) of the Lord for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, ...and they shall rule over their oppressors (former politicians and earthly governments).”  The righteous will go out of the holy city to the wicked and reclaim their lost loved ones.  They will bring these converted, happy servants into the holy city.  Psalm 2:8,9.  “Ask of Me, and I will give you the heathen (unbelievers) for your inheritance...you shall break them with a rod of iron (God's law of love); you shall dash them in pieces (give them a broken heart and breaking to pieces their pride) like a potters vessel (remolding and converting them to righteousness).”  This promise of the righteous ruling over the formerly wicked is repeated many times in scripture.  Revelation 2:26,27 repeats this promise almost word for word.

'     A voice was heard... bitter weeping (from the people) ...for her children and refused to be comforted because they were dead.  The Lord says; stop your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears: for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord; and they (your family members) shall come again from the land of the enemy (death).  And there is hope in your end, says the Lord, that your children shall come again to their own border (land).  I have heard Ephraim crying and saying, 'You have disciplined me...convert me, for you are the Lord my God. I repented...I was ashamed, even confused, because I did bear the sins of my youth (childhood).  Is Ephraim My dear son?  I do earnestly remember him still: My insides are troubled (worried) for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, says the Lord.  Jeremiah 31:15-20.  Also read Hosea's story about the sins of Ephraim and how at the last, Ephraim repents and is finally saved by the Lord.

     The nations of Moab and Ammon shall be possessed by God's faithful obedient people.  Idolatry will be abolished.  All people will worship God, even all the isles (islands) of the heathen.  “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.”  Zephaniah 2:9- 11, 3:9.

     “...For all things (people, angels, and the earth) are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas (Peter), or the world, or life, or death or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ (the Son) is God's (the Father).  1 Corinthians 3:21-23.  We, the saints, will inherit all things.  “He that overcomes shall inherit all things (all our lost loved ones); and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”  Revelation 21:7.

     Revelation 5:10 states, “And has made us (the saints) unto our God kings and priests; and we shall rule on the earth.”  As priests, we shall intercede with God for the salvation of our lost loved ones.  As Jesus interceded for us, even so, we will intercede for our family members who were lost.  As Jesus rules over the saints, even so, we will rule over the formerly wicked who are now converted and serving us in the cities in the earth made new.  “and Jesus said to him, Well done good servant, because you have been faithful in a very little, you have authority over ten cities.”  Luke 19:17.

     So there will be various positions in the kingdom of God depending on our relationship with God and our faith and obedience.  Jesus said, whoever breaks one of the least of God's commandments and teaches others to do that, he will be called the least in the kingdom of God.  And whoever shall do and teach God's commandments, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:19.  And so we are rewarded according to how we choose to live.  “And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying Know the Lord: for all (every person and every angel) shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.”  Hebrews 8:11.

     When I used to believe what the modern theologians taught, that the unbelievers will burn in literal hellfire forever and without end, I thought of my unsaved Dad stuck in hellfire with no escape from suffering and agonizing pain.  I wanted to leave my position in heaven and join with my Dad in hellfire to comfort him; because I love my Dad so much.

     When I used to believe that God would burn up the unbelievers with literal fire to ashes and they would no longer exist, I could not truly love unbelievers.  How could I give my love, energy, and hope to people that were lost?  They did not worship and obey God acceptably and they were doomed to become extinct.  Their destiny was to become

as human garbage to be burned up as useless trash.
     But when I believed that God loves everybody and truly plans to bring everyone to repentance (2Peter 3:9.  “...The Lord ...is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance...”), now I can truly love everybody as my brother, sister, and family member.  I hate the sin, but I love the persons.  I now love all people regardless of their identifying labels; because I know that, in the end, all will be my family after all.

     Why did I decide to share this message with you when it is so unpopular to do so?  Because God commanded me to do it in the Bible. “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation (everybody needs to believe and accept this).  For therefore we both labor (work hard) and suffer reproach (being made fun of, and criticized), because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men (all of mankind), specially of those that believe.  These things command and teach.”  1Timothy 4:9-11.  So these verses tell us that God is the Saviour of all people and especially of the believers, and that we are commanded to teach this message.  So that is why I feel compelled to share and teach this message.

     There are dozens of scriptures supporting this doctrine; but I hesitate to share them all with you in this book.  I hoped to keep this short and to the point.  When I first heard of this doctrine, I studied it for many years and saw it taught all through the Bible.

     You want more?  OK, I will share some more evidences with you then.  Jesus talked about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as a sin that shall not be forgiven unto men in this world (age, eternal, time, forever) or in the world (age or time) to come.  Matthew 12:31,32.  This is a temporary condition is which a person has rejected the Holy Spirit.  He might say, “Get away from me, God!”  This sin cannot be forgiven as long as it is indulged in.  But under new circumstances the person may repent of this and other sins.  A person is often hardened in sin based on his current knowledge and understanding of what is going on in his life. But in a different situation, a person may change his mind and turn to God after all.  That is why God has called us to be His witnesses, so that we may help to save the lost by bringing them to God and Jesus Christ and reminding them of God's goodnesses and promises.

     Another compelling verse is here.  “Or else how can one enter into a strong mans house (Satan's kingdom), and spoil (take) his goods (valuables), except he first bind (tie up or restrain) the strong man?  And then he will spoil his house.”  The strong man is Satan.  The Saviour is Jesus who comes to this world (Satan's house), and rescues the goods (Satan's prisoners). Matthew 12:29.  Yes, Jesus will finally rescue all of them.  Ha ha ha.

     I've got to share with you the scripture that really proved to me the truth of universal restoration without a doubt.  Ezekiel 16:53-55.  Read vs 46-63 for the full picture here.  Ezekiel gives a long history of Jerusalem's sins and how her sins are so much worse than her sisters, Samaria and Sodom.  Samaria and Sodom appear more righteous than Jerusalem in comparison of their sins.  So God reveals that in the future, Sodom and Samaria will be restored with Jerusalem and that they will serve as the daughters of Jerusalem.  “When your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate (in the resurrection at the final judgment): and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate: then you (Jerusalem) and your daughters shall return to your former estate (at the resurrection of the final judgment).  Verse 55. Then you shall remember your ways and be ashamed, when you shall receive your sisters, your elder (Samaria) and your younger (Sodom): and I will give them unto you for daughters...”  Verse 61.

     This promised restoration of Sodom was the final proof for me.  For if God will restore Sodom, then He will restore all the wicked to newness of life.  As you remember, Sodom and the five cities were burned up with eternal (continuous or for a period of time, maybe a few hours only) fire and brimstone and turned into ashes.  Genesis 19:24,25, 2Peter 2:6, Jude 7.  Jesus spoke also of Sodom's future judgment in Matthew 11:23,24. Jesus said that if His miracles were done in Sodom, that this city, Sodom, would have continued on till this day.  And in the day of judgment, it will be more easier (a lighter sentence) on Sodom than for Capernaum.  Jesus said that if His miracles were done in Tyre and Sidon, that they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

     Ashes is often used in the Bible as a symbol of repentance from sin. After Jonah preached to Nineveh, the king and all the people fasted from food, put on sackcloth, and sat in ashes and repented of their evil ways.  Jonah 3:5-8.  God will enable all the heathen to repent during and after the final judgment.

     Malachi 4:1-3 states that, the day is coming, burning as an oven (spiritual and emotional experience), and all the proud and wicked shall be burned up (die the second death to sin) root and branch. And the righteous shall tread down (rule over) the wicked; for they shall be ashes (repentant and subdued) under the soles of your feet, says the Lord... In the previous chapter of Malachi 3:1-4, the Messiah, Jesus, comes as a refiners fire and soap (brimstone) to purify the people that they will become righteous.

     The only ones who can live in the devouring fire and dwell with the everlasting burnings are the righteous people that know and love God. Isaiah 33:14,15.  “...and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, says the Lord.  And they shall go forth and look upon the carcases (bodies) of the men that have transgressed against Me: for their worm (inner life) shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched (put out); and they shall be an abhorring (hated, looked upon with disgust) unto all flesh.”  Isaiah 66:23,24.  This will last until they have fully repented of all their sins.

     The death and conversion of Satan is referred to in Ezekiel 28:1-19. Under the symbol of the prince of Tyrus, Satan is claiming to be God and is wiser than the prophet Daniel.  “...you (Satan) have said, I am a God, I sit in the seat (throne) of God: behold, you are wiser than Daniel...Behold, therefore I will bring strangers (children of God) upon you, the terrible of the nations ( the true church) Song of Sol. 6:10): and they shall draw their swords (Bible, Word of God) against the beauty of your wisdom, and they shall defile your brightness.  They shall bring you down to the pit (grave), and you shall die the deaths of them that are killed (a spiritual death to sin) in the midst of the seas (people and nations).  You shall die the deaths of the uncircumcised (unconverted) by the hand of strangers (devoted Christians): for I have spoken it, says the Lord God. ...Son of man (Ezekiel), take up a weeping upon the king of Tyrus (Satan),...

     You (Satan) have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering...in the day that you were created.  You are the anointed cherub (hovering angel) that covers (overshadowing the the ark or throne containing the law of God, the ten commandments)...You were perfect in your ways ...till iniquity (sin) was found in you.  I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you...Therefore will I bring forth a fire (the truth and love of God) from the midst of you, it shall devour you (humiliate and humble you), and I will bring you to ashes (repentance) upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold you...the people shall be astonished at you: you shall be a terror, and never shall you be any more (Satan will cease to exist as Lucifer is reborn as a new creation).”

     Ezekiel 28:1-19.  Satan finally dies the second death to sin by the hands of strangers (devoted Christians) in verse 10.  Ezekiel is told to weep and cry for him because God feels sorry for him.  Verse 12.  He is pictured in Eden, the garden of God after he was created.  He was the anointed Cherub (highest ranking angel) and was perfect until he became a sinner.  Verse 13-15.  Finally a fire of repentance will destroy the old devil, and he will be a new creation wallowing in the ashes of repentance.  Verse 18,19.  “And the God of peace shall bruise (overcome) Satan under your feet (Satan subdued and we will rule over him) shortly...”  Romans 16:20.

     In like manner, Saul died a spiritual death in the fire (light and love) of Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9; and then became Paul the apostle.  So Satan will die in the fire of Jesus love and forgiveness, and be reborn as Lucifer, the light bearer.  Satan and Saul will be as though they had not been.  They will cease to exist.  Only the reborn Lucifer and Paul will go on into immortality.  Sin will cease to exist.  So God's story will have a happy ending after all.  God is the most successful manager of the universe and He will reconcile all of His children in the end.

     Mark 9:47-49.  “And if your eye offend you, pluck it out: it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hellfire (the place of burning and torment of the conscience): where their worm (inner soul life) does not die and the fire (love and truth of God) is not quenched (put out).  For everyone shall be salted with fire...”  This fire of God will cover everybody in the universe. The only ones that suffer torment from the fire of God are the wicked unrepentant ones. It is only when they stop sinning and accept God's love and truth that the torment will stop.  The fire will never be put out. The worm of life does not die.  So the suffering of the wicked will continue on as long as they continue in sin.  But the moment they die to sin and become born again, their torment will stop and they will be written in the Lambs book of life.  Praise God!

     “And all things are of God, who has reconciled (re-united) us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation (this is our job from God); to bear witness that God was in Christ, reconciling the world (every human being) unto Himself, not imputing (not holding them guilty) their trespasses unto them...” 2Corinthians 5:18,19.  This ministry takes place in this lifetime and also after the final judgment.

     “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save the lost.”  Luke 19:10.  “He shall see of the travail (hard labor) of His soul and shall be satisfied...”  Isaiah 53:11.  Jesus will be satisfied only after all the lost are found and recovered.

     What about free will?  Is your will ultimately stronger than God's will?  Can you say "no" to God forever?  Did you ask to be born?  Do you want to die?  We only have a very limited amount of free will.  For example, God has given us a few little choices between what kind of food we eat, where we work and what job we may have, what home we live in, moral choices, etc.  But the big things in life still belong to God's providence in our lives.  We are all God's property by right of creation and by redemption.

     The big choices in life are the ones concerning good or evil and right or wrong.  If we resist temptation, we are rewarded richly.  If we fall into sin more and more, then we suffer the penalties for that.  Our position in God's kingdom largely depends on what moral choices we make during our probationary lifetime.  

     We are powerless to stop God from doing what He wants to do.  God can break our stubborn will. at any moment, if He chooses too.  Yes, God could save the world by this time tomorrow if He wanted to.  But God has a plan for us, to determine how much faith we will exercise, before He gives out His rewards.

     In the Bible, God sometimes claims to make some people to become lost in their sins; because God takes responsibility for His creation. “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned (condemned) who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2Thesssalonians 2:11,12.  Jesus taught, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God...that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; unless at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” Mark 4:11,12.  “...Israel (the Jews who rejected Christ) has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election (chosen people of God, Jew or Gentile) has obtained it (salvation and the peace of God), and the rest were blinded (lost in sin). (according as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.”  Romans 11:7,8.  God allowed them to be blinded in their unbelief and sin even to this day.

     “Salvation is of the Lord.”  Jonah 2:9.  “Jesus, has God exalted with His right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”  Acts 5:31.  It is God who gives people repentance and forgiveness of sins.  There is always a group of people down through the ages who have devoted themselves to serving God faithfully.  Although God has given us some choices in life, salvation is from God.

     “For the scripture says unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show My power (the ten plagues of Egypt and the death of the firstborn) in you, and that My name might be declared (become famous) throughout all the earth.  Therefore has He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom he will He hardens (God hardens the hearts of some people and causes them to be lost according to this verse).  You will say then unto me, Why does He yet find fault? For who has resisted (who can reject or refuse God) His will?  No but, O man (we are vulnerable and dependent), who are you that replies against God?  Shall the thing formed (created being) say to Him that formed it, Why have you made me this way?  Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel (person or angel) unto honor, and another unto dishonor (one person saved and one person lost)?”  Romans 9:17-21.

     According to this Biblical reasoning, Paul makes the point that God is in charge of those who are saved and those who are lost.  But as we remember that God will ultimately bring all to repentance, then this plan will all make good sense in the end.  God will get all the praise.  God gives people the desires of their own heart whether good or bad. But He brings us all back home again to appoint us our position in the kingdom and reward us according as we have done.  Our heavenly Parents are wise, loving, and good to us.

     Peter preached universal restoration.  “And He shall send Jesus Christ...whom the heaven must receive (Jesus now lives in heaven till His return back to earth) until the times of restitution (universal restoration) of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”  Acts 3:20,21.  So all the holy prophets has spoken of this truth.  This truth got lost in the dark ages or middle ages by the apostate church.  Now this truth is being restored to the church by those who believe in the true character of God as revealed by the life of Jesus Christ.

     “Therefore as by the offence (sin) of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men unto condemnation (sin and death); even so by the righteousness of One (Jesus) the free gift (salvation and life) came upon all men unto justification (declared righteous) of life.”  Romans 5:18. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men (mankind) to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  1Timothy 2:3,4.

     “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will...that...He might gather together in one (united) all things (angels and mankind) in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth...”  Ephesians 1:9,10.  “And having made peace through the blood of His (Jesus) cross, by Him to reconcile (bring back) all things (angels and mankind) unto Himself...whether they be things (people) in earth or things (angels) in heaven.”  Colossians 1:20.  “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (mankind)...”  Titus 2:11.  The Holy Bible becomes as a new book as we realize this wonderful truth all through it's pages.

     “Revenge not yourselves...for. I will repay says the Lord, therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing you will heap coals of fire (burn up and torment his conscience) on his head.  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:19-21.  This is how God treats His enemies.  He is kind to them.  This is how He burns them up with loving kindnesses and tender mercies until they die and are born again.  Will you help God to win over the enemies of Christ?  Romans 5:10.

     “Every mans work shall be made manifest (revealed): for the day (judgment day) shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try (test) every mans work of what sort it is.   If any mans work abide (stay or continue) which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward (authority over cities and responsibilities).  If any mans work shall be burned (his sins), he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”  1 Corinthians 3:11-15.  “...and others save with fear pulling them out of the fire (lake of fire and brimstone)...” Jude 23.  Here again every one is saved whether they receive the heavenly rewards (power, responsibility and promoted position) or not.

     “I say then, has God cast away His people?  God forbid.  God has not cast away His people which He foreknew (God knows all people and the future).  And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.  And so all Israel shall be saved...for this is My covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins.  For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.  For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things (people and angels)...”  God created all things and they live through Him and they will all come back to Him.  The whole chapter of Romans 11 is full of this subject.

     The early church of Christ believed and taught this doctrine.  It's woven through the church history books from the dark ages.  It was finally declared to be a heresy by the church of Rome, after they fully adopted the eternal torment doctrine.

     “...The Lord... shall make unto all people a feast of fat things (lots of good food to eat)...and He will destroy...the covering cast over all people, and the vail (veil or curtain) that is spread over all nations.  He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces...”  Isaiah 25:6-8.  This covering and vail is referring to the lies and propaganda of Satan that is believed by most people all down through time.  In the final judgment, all the questions will be answered and the deceptions and lies are all finally unmasked.

     After the evidence is presented, “...all nations shall come and worship before You; for Your judgments (decisions) are made manifest (revealed).”  Revelation 15:4.  “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing...unto Him (God)...and unto the Lamb (Jesus) for ever and ever (always and continuously).” Revelation 5:13.  Every created being will worship and serve God and Jesus.  

     “and the leaves of the tree (tree of life in the New Jerusalem) were for the healing of the nations.”  Revelation 22:2.  The saints will gather some of these herbal remedies, the leaves and take them out of the city and apply them to their lost love ones who are still in pain, tears, and suffering.  These leaves will bring healing to their painful suffering bodies.  This will encourage them to go all the way and accept God fully and be converted.

     “...and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day (day of judgment)...and they shall return to the Lord, and He shall...heal them. Whom the Lord...shall bless, saying, blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.”  Isaiah 19:21-25.  “Yet will I bring again the captivity (slavery to sin and death) of Moab in the latter days, says the Lord.”  Jeremiah 48:47.  “And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, says the Lord.”  Jeremiah 49:6.  Also verse 39.  “But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, says the Lord.”  All of these ancient people groups will be raised from the dead and brought to repentance to serve the saints in the cities that the saints will rule over.  Here is a promise from Jesus to you. “To him that overcomes (sin and temptations) will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with My Father in His throne.”  Revelation 3:20.

     “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn (convert) to the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lords: and He is the governor among the nations.” Psalm 22:27, 28.

     Do you remember the prophesy of Esau and Jacob?  Issac's wife, Rebekah, was in labor to give birth.  The twins were struggling and Rebekah prayed to the Lord.  “And the Lord said unto her, two nations are in your womb...and the elder (Esau) shall serve the younger (Jacob).”  Genesis 25:23.  Now although Jacob cheated his brother Esau out of the birth right, Esau never did serve or obey Jacob as was prophesied.  Actually, Jacob served Esau pottage (lentils), gave him huge financial gifts, herds and flocks of animals, and bowed down to Esau seven times.  Genesis 33:3.  So how will this prophesy ever be fulfilled?  Notice Psalm 49:14.  “Like sheep they (the wicked) are laid in the grave. Death shall feed on them.  And the upright (saints) shall have dominion (bear rule) over them in the morning (in the resurrection of the final judgment.”  So this prophesy will find fulfillment in the earth made new.

     The prophesy of Obadiah fits in well here also.  It is a one chapter book telling of the destruction of Edom, the descendants of Esau.  The vision reveals that in the end, the house of Jacob and Joseph will possess the house of Esau.  Vs 18.  Also Esau's descendants will finally serve Jacob's descendants as was prophesied (by the Lord to Rebecca) after the final judgment and in the earth made new.  Vs 21.

     “Because you have said, we have made a covenant with death, and with hell (the grave) are we at agreement...therefore thus says the Lord...your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand...”  Isaiah 28:15-18.  God shall overcome the desire of the wicked for death.  Their freewill cannot overcome God's will for them.  Of course God will not force them into submission.  They will gladly convert when the time is ripe for them to do so.  God has it all planned out in His time.

     One of the more powerful texts that confirm this doctrine is found in 1Corinthians 15:22-28.  “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order. Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming.  Then comes the end, when He (Christ) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power (converted all the wicked to righteousness).  For He must rule till He has put all enemies under His feet (subdued them unto repentence, and made them obedient).  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.   And when all things shall be subdued (converted) under Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him (the Father) that put all things (angels and mankind) under Him (Christ), that God may be all in all (all things to all people and everything to everybody).  This tells us of God's plan for a happy family reunion when all is restored.

     “But where sin abounded (grew abundantly), grace (God's favor and goodness) did much more abound...”  Romans 5:20.  God is much more powerful than sin and He will overcome it in due time.  “No man can come to Me (Jesus), except the Father which has sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  So we can not come to Jesus on our own and be saved unless the Father draws us to Jesus by His Spirit.  The Father is taking responsibility for winning souls here.  And this is done in His time.  We usually don't consider this when we think that the lost deserve to be burned up in the lake of fire.  If God has called us, and we are saved in Christ, we should be very thankful for this honor.  Jesus said, “and I, if I be lifted up from the earth (crucified), will draw (drag like a fish net) all (angels and mankind) unto Me.”  John 12:32.  This promise covers a large span of time before it is fully fulfilled.

     Can a person choose to be lost in sin?  Yes, for as long as God allows him or her to do so.  A person cannot even choose to be saved or come to God, unless God calls him and draws him.  “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, an ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit...”  John 15:16.  “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.  All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out.  And this is the Father's will which has sent Me, that of all which He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”  John 3:35, 6:37,39.  The Father gave all people and angels to Jesus and those who died in their sins, He will raise up again.  He will not lose any of them in a permanent way.  In the Bible, words like destroy and perish are used as a temporary provision.

     If a manufacturing plant or factory produces products that are found to harm people such as certain toys for example, and it goes to court, then who does the prosecuting attorney blame?  Is the factory or the product at fault?  The attorney will sue the factory for making products that harm people.  

     Even so, Satan blames God for all the damages that are done in this world.  And since God is the Maker of all things, He does claim responsibility for His creation.  “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.”  Isaiah 45:7. “...shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord has not done it?”  Amos 3:6. So all things are of God.  2 Corinthians 5:18.

     “Charity (love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails...”  1Corinthians 13:7,8.  The love of God will not fail you.  Jesus will not fail in His mission to save the lost. God's plan will be realized fully when the time is right.  “...God is love.” 1 John 4:8.

     For my Seventh Day Adventist friends, I am sharing some quotes from Ellen White and her support of universal restoration.  I know she did not directly teach this.  It's because she did not receive a vision on a topic until the general conference brethren had already studied it out in the Bible first.  The SDA brethren rejected the 1888 message of righteousness by faith and then sent Ellen White on to Australia to get rid of her influence for a while.  So she did not directly teach universal restoration, but she placed very many supportive quotes in her writings. Here, I will quote a few of them for you.

     The whole universe will have become witnesses to the nature and results of sin.  And its utter extermination, which in the beginning would have brought fear to angels and dishonor to God, will now vindicate His love and establish His honor before the universe of beings who delight to do His will, and in whose heart is His law.  Never will evil again be manifest.  Says the word of God: “Affliction shall not rise up the second time.”  Nahum 1:9.  The law of God, which Satan has reproached as the yoke of bondage, will be honored as the law of liberty.  A tested and proved creation will never again be turned from allegiance to Him whose character has been fully manifested before them as fathomless love and infinite wisdom.  {GC 504}.

     Eden to Be Restored—The Garden of Eden remained upon the earth long after man had become an outcast from its pleasant paths.  The fallen race were long permitted to gaze upon the home of innocence, their entrance barred only by the watching angels.  At the cherubim-guarded gate of Paradise the divine glory was revealed.  Hither came Adam and his sons to worship God.  Here they renewed their vows of obedience to that law the transgression of which had banished them from Eden.  When the tide of iniquity overspread the world, and the wickedness of men determined their destruction by a flood of waters, the hand that had planted Eden withdrew it from the earth.  But in the final restitution, when there shall be “a new heaven and a new earth,” it is to be restored more gloriously adorned than at the beginning.  {AH 539.1}

     In the beginning, man was created in the likeness of God, not only in character, but in form and feature.  Sin defaced and almost obliterated the divine image; but Christ came to restore that which had been lost. He will change our vile bodies and fashion them like unto His glorious body.  The mortal, corruptible form, devoid of comeliness, once polluted with sin, becomes perfect, beautiful, and immortal.  All blemishes and deformities are left in the grave.  Restored to the tree of life in the long-lost Eden, the redeemed will “grow up” (Malachi 4:2) to the full stature of the race in its primeval glory.  The last lingering traces of the curse of sin will be removed, and Christ’s faithful ones will appear in “the beauty of the Lord our God,” in mind and soul and body reflecting the perfect image of their Lord.  Oh, wonderful redemption!  long talked of, long hoped for, contemplated with eager anticipation, but never fully understood.  {GC}

     “O Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.”  Micah 4:8.  The time has come to which holy men have looked with longing since the flaming sword barred the first pair from Eden, the time for “the redemption of the purchased possession.”  Ephesians 1:14.  The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption.  All that was lost by sin has been restored.  {GC 674.3}

     The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam.  From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate.  God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency.  {DA 22.2}

     But not alone for His earthborn children was this revelation given. Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. God’s wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which “angels desire to look,” and it will be their study throughout endless ages.  Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song.  It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love, that the love which “seeketh not her own” has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto.  {DA 19.2}

     Here is a summary of my final thoughts on this topic.

     As humans, we tend to hold God to a higher standard than political leaders or people in general.  We would expect perfection from God; because He is the Creator of all things.  We desperately need a God of love, truth, and forgiveness for a race of sinners.  And so I have shared with you the true Bible doctrine of the Universal Restoration of all things as prophesied.

     We must understand that fire is sometimes symbolic, especially when used in a symbolic book like Revelation.  The lake of fire and brimstone, the torment of the wicked, with no rest day nor night, etc. are a symbolic description of the very real sufferings and emotional pain of the wicked lost.  God's idea of discipline is to bring the person to repentance.  The sin is destroyed permanently while the sinner is redeemed.

     The righteous will be living in the fire of God's presence in happiness, peace, and joy. This same fire of Gods presence will be tormenting the consciences of the wicked.  They will be blaming one another, weeping, angry, hateful, discontented, and experience mental suffering until they finally repent and die to sin.

     The time period for the wicked lost to suffer is limited to as much as one hundred years according to Isaiah 65:20.  After all have died the second death and been restored, God will create a new heaven and a new earth ( the old skies, solar system, and earth will be purified) where in dwells righteousness.  2 Peter 3:13.

     This will be the experience that we have all been waiting for since the beginning of time.  This is the way it was always supposed to be.  No more death, pain, disappointment, sadness, or sickness.  We will be living immortal happy lives in honor to God and to each other.  Of course temptations will be a thing of the past.  There will be nothing else to ever disturb our peace, happiness, and joy.

     All of our lost loves ones will be brought back and converted.  During and after the final judgment, Gods way will be the popular pathway at last.  The order of things will be reversed from what it now is.  The final judgment will not be so much about how much punishment to give to the wicked as about giving another appeal for restoration, salvation, and healing.  Also the wicked are given all the time they need, to figure out that Gods will is the best way after all.

     Without drugs, chemical addictions, alcoholism, smoking tobacco, or various temptations, it will be easier for the lost wicked to choose the pathway of righteousness after all.  There will be no more persecution for righteousness sake, no more money to be gained by stealing, no more rewards for assassinations, no more pleasure in wrongful sexual activities.  So this new reality together with raw time to think it through, will be sufficient to soften the hardened hearts and bring them back home to repentance and restoration at last.

     The immortal saints will even go outside the holy city to plead with and rescue their grandpa or grandma, husband or wife, son or daughter, cousin or relative, politician or religious leader, celebrity or close friend, or any one else.

     The Bible teaches this.  Why not just accept the truth and rejoice in the love of God for humanity?  Of course we can save ourselves a lot of suffering and pain and receive great rewards for honoring God in our lifetimes.

     I hope and trust that your personal faith and been strengthened and supported with the knowledge you have learned from this book.  I encourage you to continue your research into the evidences of this teaching in your reading of the Bible and seal into your hearts this blessed Bible doctrine.      

     You may contact me at this email.  brotherlee44@gmail.com.  

     I invite you to visit my website for video's also at www.universalrestoration.info

     Thank you for your time. God bless your life journey.

     Delbert Burhans