Universalism is the humanistic belief that every person who has ever lived will eventually be saved, a heretical claim that directly contradicts what the Bible teaches about eternal judgment, hell, and the necessity of faith in Christ during one’s lifetime. Those who propagate this satanic doctrine always take a few verses completely out of context and misinterpret them.

Let’s look at some verses they often use to propagate this heresy and see what they really teach. One verse that universalists like to use is Romans 5:18, which reads, “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Universalists say this verse shows that Christ’s atonement saves every person ever born without exception. But as false teachers always do, they completely ignore the context of this verse. Romans 5:12-21 compares Adam and Christ, emphasizing that justification comes by faith. And the “all men” in verse 18 clearly refers to those who are justified by faith (vv. 1,17) not literally every human. We can compare with 1 Corinthians 15:22, where we see the word “all” referring conditionally to those who are “in Christ.”

Another passage used by universalists to try to “prove” their heresy is Colossians 1:19-20, which reads, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 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.” Again, universalists say that “all things” refers to all people without exception, which they interpret as universal salvation and no eternal hell. But once again, they ignore the context. Notice in Colossians 1:21 that those reconciled in verse 20 were once “alienated” from God—meaning that they were once unsaved. And in verse 23, Paul wrote, “if ye continue in the faith,” which shows that the reconciliation of verse 20 refers to those who have believed the gospel. Again, context is king and reveals that those reconciled in verse 20 refers not to all mankind without exception, but those who were once “alienated” and “enemies”—i.e., unsaved—who are now saved or reconciled by faith.

Other verses that universalists twist are 1 Timothy 2:3-4, which reads, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” With this verse, universalists say that since God wills that all people be saved, He will ultimately achieve it. But the word for “will” is thelo and indicates God’s desire, not His decree. This is similar to when our Lord looked out over Jerusalem and said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matt. 23:37). In this verse, the Lord expressed his desire that Jerusalem would repent, but they would not. 1 Timothy 2:4 is saying the same thing. God desires that all men be saved but He will not force them to believe.

Universalists also use 1 Corinthians 15:22, which reads, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Their claim about this verse teaching universalism is easily refuted. This entire chapter is talking about the resurrection of believers, so it is obvious that the “all” being made alive or resurrected are believers, not every person ever born regardless of faith in the gospel.

And the passage perhaps most used by universalists to try to prove their heresy is Philippians 2:10-11, which reads, “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.” Universalists like to say that every knee bowing and every tongue confessing proves that, eventually, everyone will be saved. True, every knee WILL bow and every tongue WILL confess, but their bowing and confessing will not lead to salvation, but damnation. This will be a forced bowing and confessing, not the voluntary and joyful bowing and confessing of those who are believing the gospel and receiving salvation. Rather, this bowing and confessing will occur before the Great White Throne Judgment, when all the unsaved will be forced to admit that Jesus is indeed Lord of all (Rev. 20:11-15).

Universalists try to take away the sting of death and judgment by saying that everyone will eventually be saved, regardless of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They will often add that God is too loving to condemn the world to eternal punishment. But by saying this, they disregard the many Scriptures that prove otherwise (Matt. 25:46; 2 Thes. 1:9; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:10-15). The only way to take away the sting of death and judgment is by believing the gospel (1 Cor. 15:55-57). Have you believed (Rom. 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 1:13; 2:8-9)?

See also:
Adam and the Fall
What Is Grace?