All Things

This is the passage that started it all for me and it is a pretty strong proof text for Biblical Universalism.

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 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.

Colossians 1:15-20

Six times the words “all things” appear in the text of this six-verse passage, the all-encompassing nature of which is reenforced by the narrative itself. All things, no matter where they are (heaven or earth), their state of being (visible or invisible), or their authority (thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers), they have all been preceded by, created by and are now held together by Jesus Christ our Lord. In all things He has the superiority. All fullness dwells in Him. This sovereign God, having made peace through the cross of Calvary proceeds to reconcile all things to Himself.

God will have everything reconciled, resolved, reunited, and harmonized on the strength of the peace afforded by the blood of the cross of Christ who is the propitiation, or appeasement, for our sins and not just ours, but for the sins of the entire world. (1 John 2:2) This is Universal Reconciliation.

You would think everyone would be pleased, but they are not because there are those that are fully invested in hell and the eternal torment of the unbeliever. To minimize the impact of this passage on their own Eschatology, they challenge the meaning of “all things”. It is argued that “all things” does not always mean all things thereby casting dispersion on the impact of the passage as a proof text for Universalism.

Examples of passages of scripture used in this fashion:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the [age]. Amen.

Matthew 28:20 KJV

The “all things” in this verse, for example, would not include the observance of an ancient Babylonian feast day. No, it would not because in the context of the verse Jesus identifies the domain of which “all things” applies – the set of things “…whatsoever I have commanded you.”

In order to dilute the strength of “all things” in the Colossians passage and attempt to show that it doesn’t apply to everything, one would have to identify the contextual domain as I did above. That will prove to be impossible to do as the context of the passage is incredibly strong.

Let’s take another example:

But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Mark 4:34 KJV

In Jesus explanation of “all things”, He certainly didn’t include a quick lesson on nano technology or quantum physics. We can see that the context of the passage indicates that Jesus expounded the meaning of parables to the disciples.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13 KJV

Can Paul leap to the pinnacle of the temple in a single bound? No! He is saying He can do anything that God would call him to do.

There are many passages that contain the phrase “all things” that are unmistakable in the intent to convey the message that “all things” is just that – everything, all power, all authority, all knowledge:

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26 KJV

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:3 KJV

And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

John 21:17 KJV

The phrase “all things” appears 152 times in the KJV of the New Testament, over 100 of which refer to something less than all things (or less than everything). Here is the important thing to remember: each of these over 100 passages never fail to identify the contextual domain of the set of things to which “all things” is referring.

The Apostle Paul, in another place, is even careful enough to inserted a clarifying parenthetical-type thought where he felt there could be some confusion about his use of the word “everything”.

For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:27 NIV

When looking at Colossians 1:15-20, the context is unmistakably clear, “all things” is referring to all things and an attempt to discredit the passage with the mere existence of other verses of scripture containing the phrase but do not refer to everything failed to impugn the doctrine of Universal Reconciliation.

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.

Colossians 1:20 KJV

“All things” in Colossians 1:15-20 means all things. everything in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, including all thrones, all dominions, all principalities, and all powers. All things will be reconciled to God.

After more than 40 years of believing in the eternal conscious torment of billions of people, the truth of God’s Word has finally stripped away my presuppositions and has shined into my heart.

This is Biblical Universalism, and it is Apostolic.