the righteous purpose of God's judgment

"In essentials, Unity;
in non-essentials, Liberty;
in all things, Love."

A Call To Unity

By Gerry Beauchemin

"[Be] diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ep. 4:3

Gerry Beauchemin Our tradition has indoctrinated us to reject anything outside our theological "boxes." Everything outside is labeled heresy. It’s the same with Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christian denominations (Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Non-Denominational, etc.). We are all locked into systems, and only when we question and investigate our beliefs, do we find truth and even life beyond them. The Lord commanded us to judge for ourselves what is right. (Lu. 12: 57) And the Apostle Paul exhorts us to test all things ( 1Th. 5:21). Will we obey the Lord and not allow the fear of man to influence or control our convictions? (See Ga 1:10)

All theologies have labels and the "Blessed Hope" is no exception. It is tragic that such a glorious hope has been maligned and looked upon with disdain. I despise labels, especially "isms." They unfairly prejudice us before we have a chance to consider objectively what they represent.

What labels and "isms" have been given to the "Blessed Hope"? It has been referred to as "Reconciliation," "Restoration," "Restitution," the "Larger or Wider Hope," "Biblical or Christian Universalism," "Victorious Gospel," "Irresistible Grace," "Inclusion," etc. These terms simply mean that God’s love is all encompassing (universal) and His power absolute (Job 23:13; 42:2; Ps 135:6; etc.).Whatever He desires, He does; period. God’s unlimited and unfailing love, fully expressed at Calvary, reaches even to the captives of Gehenna (hell). (1Pe.3:18-20; 4:6; Ps 16:10; Mt 5:23-6;18:34-5; etc.).

God loves all people everywhere, without distinction or exception, with an unfailing love. There are no restrictions to His love. Christ died for all people - each and every person that ever lived. If you truly believe His love to be unlimited and unfailing, then choose your own term to describe it. It’s not about religious labels, it’s about God.

This precious "Hope" is the only theology that can truly say

God is Good, ALL THE TIME!

His mercy endures forever. Ps 136, etc
With God "nothing is impossible." Lu 1:37
What He desires He does. Job 23:13
He can do everything and no purpose of His can be thwarted. Job 42:2
Where sins abound, grace abounds much more. Ro 5:20
Christ draws (drags) all to Himself, not merely 2% of humanity. Jn 12:32
He propitiates the sins of the whole world, and not ours only. 1Jn 2:2
All families of the earth shall be blessed (Gen 12:3; etc.)
All the earth shall worship and sing praises to Him. (Ps. 66:3-4)
He destroys the works of the devil. 1Jn 3:8
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death (all death). 1Co 15:26
He is greater than He that is in the world! 1Jn 4:4; Etc.

This "Hope" is a historical, biblical, and legitimate theological position just as much as Arminianism (God loves all, but can't save all) or Calvinism (God can save all, but chooses to only save some). To brand it heretical is unjustified. It is an assault and insult to our fellow believers who throughout the ages have been brought, by it, into a deep and sincere love of God. Matthew Slick, a Reformed theologian, with a masters of divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary and president of Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry states, "[Christian] Universalism is the teaching that God, through the atonement of Jesus, will ultimately bring reconciliation between God and all people throughout history. It is important to note that holding to [Christian] universalism in itself does not make one a non-Christian. ¹ This quote is particularly weighty since he says, "Studying cults and apologetics is a passion, and I have spent more than 26 years doing it." ²

As we cannot compare apples and oranges, neither should we (who base our beliefs solely on Scripture) be classed as unchristian (unbiblical) with groups who are not biblically based, such as the Unitarian Universalists Association. We, in contradistinction, uncompromisingly affirm the centrality of the Bible and the Lordship and Deity of Jesus Christ. (3)

We differ with the majority view on two key points – God is greater in power and love. We uphold the authority of Scripture and the centrality / supremacy of Christ. In fact, we elevate the blood of Christ and His absolute triumph over the enemy to their rightful place. We proclaim a GOD in full control of His universe - One who loves all people impartially with an unfailing love. We are in every way "Christian".

Let me be specific about my faith. I accept God’s love as most believers do, and God’s power and sovereignty as any staunch Calvinist. Jesus came in the flesh, lived and died for our sins, was resurrected, and is coming again. He is the only begotten Son of God, the only way of salvation. Christ and the Father are one. All things have been made by Him, for Him, and through Him. I worship Christ as I do the Father. In fact, I magnify His deity more than most, as I believe He fully destroys the devil’s works and accomplishes all His will for mankind! (Do you?) Only almighty God could do that. His blood is the only power in all the universe that cleanses from sin. Jesus Christ is Lord!

Have some of us died as martyrs for Christ? Yes. What more can be said? Why are we sometimes not given the right hand of fellowship, or no hand at all? Are we not Christians? What makes a person a Christian? There is no question more important. This is why this article is so critical. We must know how to identify or recognize Christ’s body – His very members. That recognition is not based on creeds and doctrinal statements, but by love. By this shall all men know we are His disciples, Christ insisted, by the "love we have for one another." (Jn 13:35) What is the "this" that Christ referred to? Our pet doctrines? No. But our self sacrificing love! How do we know what love is? "By this we know love," said the Apostle John, "because He laid down His life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for one another (1Jn 3:16)."

The vast numbers of us who share this "larger hope" are not affiliated with any sectarian group or denomination. We are simply believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are a "silent" minority active in all denominations - Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Non-Denominational, Reformed, Purpose Driven, Vineyard, 4 Square, Assemblies, etc. Most of us do not trumpet our convictions for fear of rejection or of causing division.

It is tragic that most believers have no biblical understanding of the true basis for Christian unity. We mistakenly, unjustly, and all too often harshly reject precious members of Christ’s body. By so rejecting His members, we reject Him. Whatever we do to the "least of these," we do unto Him. It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a milestone around our necks, than to offend one of His little ones. (Mt. 18:6; Mk. 9:42; Lu. 17:2) This is serious brethren!

Christian unity is not optional. Nor is it a mere lofty sentiment. It's the burning passion of our Lord! What was most pressing on His heart on the very eve of His crucifixion? In His heart wrenching prayer in the garden, He prays five times that we be one – FIVE TIMES! Meditate on John chapter 17 and count them yourself. (See verses 11, 21a, 21b, 22, and 23) Of all times, He should have been thinking solely of Himself and His sufferings. But no, He thought of us, His body, and longed only that we would be one. And why is our unity so important to the Master? He says it plainly – "that the world may believe" (21a) "that the world may know" He was sent by the Father (23). He ultimately had the world on His heart. Our oneness plays a central role in God’s purpose for the whole world. When will we make it a central theme in our lives, especially our prayer life and act accordingly?

I believe the Blessed Hope can be a vital key to help unite the Christian world. At first it will create a stir, and seem to be divisive. But that is necessary to force the Church to re-evaluate the Scriptural basis for its tradition of everlasting judgment for the majority of mankind. Does it line up with the Word of God?

A central doctrine that has divided the Church for generations has been the teaching on "election." It has created two major camps – those who say God only predestines some to salvation, and those who say God desires all to be saved. How many have been the debates on this theme. The lines are clearly drawn. There is a dear gal in my fellowship who has separated herself from a mission over it. Only the Blessed Hope can resolve this impasse. See chapter five of "Hope Beyond Hell."

I believe there are tens of thousands of believers in our land who embrace this hope. You will find them active in all Christian churches. It’s just a matter of time before they come out of the closet! Why?

Almost all believers long that God be truly all powerful, with inexhaustible and unfailing love for all. Who, in their heart of hearts, believes (beyond the shadow of a doubt) that most of the world is destined to eternal suffering (as tradition maintains)? Only a small minority would insist on this. An eternal hell contradicts God’s character and we all know it. Who is not repulsed by such a horrid doctrine? No defense of it satisfies us. It is something we have learned to tolerate and live with. We give it lip service, but inside, we block it out of our minds. How else can we cope? Can you relate? To confirm this, candidly and non-threateningly ask your closest friends (those who are mature - who have had time to think through their beliefs) what they really believe. You will be surprised at what you will discover. I was.

When Christians recognize and acknowledge the comprehensive biblical basis for our hope, and are assured that it is a viable theological position (stripped of any disrespect and scorn), I believe it will once again become the prevailing theology of the Church as it was in the early centuries. If you do not hope in your heart of hearts that this theology is true, I can only pray for you. In the very least, please do not judge or condemn those who accept it. I leave you with some thoughts from Billy Graham:

"In Graham's view, the core message of the Gospel, and the love of God 'for all people' should take priority.But more recent years have given him something he had little of in his decades of global evangelism: time to think both more deeply and more broadly....He refuses to be judgmental thinks God's ways and means are veiled from human eyes and wrapped in mystery. 'There are many things that I don't understand,' he says. He does not believe that Christians need to take every verse of the Bible literally; 'sincere Christians,' he says, 'can disagree about the details of Scripture and theology—absolutely'. He is arguing that the Bible is open to interpretation, and fair-minded Christians may disagree or come to different conclusions about specific points. Like Saint Paul, he believes human beings on this side of paradise can grasp only so much. 'Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror,' Paul wrote, 'then we shall see face to face.'.'As time went on, I began to realize the love of God for everybody, all over the world,' he says. 'And in his death on the cross, some mysterious thing happened between God and the Son that we don't understand. But there he was, alone, taking on the sins of the world.I spend more time on the love of God than I used to.'. When asked whether he believes heaven will be closed to good Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or secular people, though, Graham says: Those are decisions only the Lord will make I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the whole world, and I think he loves everybody regardless of what label they have." ⁴

Let us follow Rev. Graham’s lead and refuse to be judgmental, believe the love of God is absolute, acknowledge His ways are veiled from human eyes and wrapped in mystery, and spend more time contemplating the love of God. In the very least, let us shun a dogmatic attitude that thinks that only what "we" affirm is truly biblically based. Dare we condemn our fellow believers for believing that God's power, love, and mercy are greater than we are willing to accept? Dare we condemn them for believing the Bible to mean "all" when it says "all." Are all things really possible with God? Some of us think so.

"I implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." (Ep. 4:1-6 NAS)

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that your will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Ro. 15:13 NAS

Gerry Beauchemin
October, 2006

I now refer you to Charles Slagle, Preston Eby, Thomas Talbott, and Thomas Allin. These are the writers who have, along with Andrew Jukes - Edward Beecher - Jan Bonda and a few others, most instructed and encouraged me in the Blessed Hope. Enjoy!

Absolute Assurance, by Charles Slagle http://www.sigler.org/slagle/absolute.htm

The Savior of the World Series by J.Preston Eby

http://www.hisremnant.org/eby/articles/savior/eternity.html

http://www.hisremnant.org/eby/list.html

The Inescapable Love of God, by Thomas Talbott. (2000).

http://www.universal-publishers.com/book.php?method=ISBN&book=1581128312

Christ Triumphant, by Thomas Allin. (1890) http://www.tentmaker.org/books/ChristTriumphant.htm

(1) Slick, Matthew. www.tentmaker.org/URrebuttals/carm.htm

(2) Slick, Matthew. www.carm.org/index/aboutcarm.htm

(3) Amirault, Gary. www.tentmaker.org/FAQ/faqnew1.html

(4) Meacham, Jon. Newsweek Magazine. 14 August 2006.

Excerpt from interview with Billy Graham. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14204483/