NDEs and the Bible affirm Universal Salvation
by Kevin R. Williams
(from Nothing Better Than Death by
Kevin R. Williams, 2002, Philadelphia:
Xlibris, pp 206-225
and is reproduced with permission)
Universal salvation is the concept that everyone will eventually attain salvation and go to
heaven. This is a foreign concept to most Christians today, although it was not to many early
Christians. Many Christians today cannot accept the NDE because it generally affirms universal
salvation. While it is true universal salvation is generally affirmed in NDEs, it is not true this
means everyone enters heaven immediately upon death. It is well documented in NDEs people
going to a hell upon death. However, NDEs show hell to be a temporary spiritual condition, much
like Catholic purgatory, not eternal damnation.
The NDES of Dr. George Ritchie and Howard Storm are among the best NDEs I have read that
proves this point. Howard Storm is rescued from hell the moment he asks God for help. This
demonstrates even the hardened sinner can be rescued from hell as long as they turn to God
for help. Common sense tells you this is the case with a God of infinite love and mercy.
Many experiencers, such as Howard Storm, went to hell and were able to escape from it. Some
experiencers have witnessed other people escape from hell. These people verify hell not to be a
place of literal flames but a spiritual condition of separation from everything pleasant such as
love, joy and peace. Those experiencers who have escaped from hell know first-hand there is a
way out for those who are repentant. Such NDEs are convincing evidence that hell is not a place
of eternal punishment, but a temporary spiritual condition of purification for the purpose of
attaining heaven. The NDE suggests hell to be a kind of spiritual time-out where people reflect
on their spiritual condition.
Another convincing argument for universal salvation comes from the nature of Christ's death
itself. If it is true as Christians claim that Christ died for the wrongs of the whole world, and if
Christ has forgiven the whole world of their wrongs, then the logical conclusion is that the world
stands redeemed, forgiven, justified and saved. If this is true, the NDE reveals people are still
going to hell despite being redeemed. But this may merely be demonstrating the concept of God
not forcing anyone to heaven or hell. A person may be forgiven and redeemed, but there is no
assurance of God forcing the person to heaven. If all wrongs have been forgiven, then why are
people seen in hell during NDEs? They can't be in hell to pay for their own wrongs because
according to Christian doctrine, Christ paid for them all. In other words, if Christ paid for all sins,
how can God require anyone to pay for them also? The only logical conclusion is that hell is not
a place for punishment, but of correction. This is exactly what the NDE reveals about the nature
of hell.
Christians in general affirm Jesus provided universal redemption by paying for the wrongs of
every human being. Universal redemption implies universal salvation and here is the scriptural
evidence supporting it:
"When he has done this [God putting everything under Christ's feet], then the Son himself will be
made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be ALL in ALL." (1
Corinthians 15:28)
The above verse suggests God will someday be in all.
"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants ALL men to be saved and to come to a
knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
There is no doubt about it; God wills the salvation of everyone.
"I know that you [God] can do all things; NO PLAN of yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:2)
The above verse suggests the will of God cannot be thwarted. If God wills everyone to go to
heaven and nobody can thwart the will of God, then the logical conclusion is everyone will
eventually go to heaven.
"He [God] is patient with you, not wanting ANYONE to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
God does not will anyone to perish in hell; therefore, everyone will eventually go to heaven.
There is no escaping this logic.
"But I, when I am lifted up from the Earth, will draw ALL men to myself." (John 12:32)
The above verse shows everyone coming to God.
"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ ALL will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22)
If everyone is made alive in God, then everyone is on the road to heaven.
"For God so loved THE WORLD..." (John 3:16)
God's love extends to every member of the human race.
"He [Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins OF
THE WHOLE WORLD." (1 John 2:2)
If Christ paid for the sins of the world, the logical conclusion is the whole world has been
redeemed.
These above verses show God providing salvation for everyone. The NDE, the Bible and
common sense tells us it is futile to go against God's will. One experiencer, Arthur Yensen, gave
some insight in the nature of God when asked if he believed in the Devil. His reply was:
No, but if there is one, he would have to be an insane angel who was crazy enough to fight with
God, which would be as futile as for us to try to stop the sunrise. (94)
His NDE revealed to him a God so powerful, it would be crazy to think you can stop God.
"He [God] does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the Earth. No one
can hold back his hand or say to him: 'What have you done?'" (Daniel 4:35)
If God wills everyone saved and it is impossible to go against the will of God and God has
provided a plan of salvation for him or her, then the only logical conclusion is everyone will be
saved. Some Christians have the view of God being willing but unable to save everyone. Is God
not able to do as God wills? Isn't it a dishonor to view God in such a helpless way?
"It [salvation] does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy."
(Romans 9:16)
This verse flat out says salvation is determined by the will of God. Since we have already proven
God wills all to be saved, then we can conclude from this all will be saved.
Now the question is this: Has God, before the beginning of time, predestined a multitude of his
children to be tortured forever in hell? Isn't it dishonoring to God to believe so? Didn't God
provide for the salvation of those in hell also? Is God's plan of salvation so weak it cannot save
those it was intended to save? The only logical and reasonable answer is this: Yes, God
provided for the salvation of those in hell. No, those in hell are not tortured forever. Yes, God
provides a way of escape from hell.
"And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
The above verse applies to temptation, but it could equally apply to hell.
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence
without fault and with great joy..." (Jude 1:24)
The above verse also applies to temptation, but could equally apply to God having the ability to
save people in hell.
"And he [the man whose faith is weak] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."
(Romans 14:2-4)
The above verse applies to God keeping someone from falling away completely, but could
equally apply to God keeping people from falling away forever.
It is difficult for any honest Christian to conceive of a God of infinite love and mercy who would
permit even one soul to be tortured forever in hell. Common sense tells us that a few minutes in
hell may be enough for even the hardest of sinners to change their mind and repent. What kind
of God creates a person knowing they will ultimately end up tortured forever in hell? Common
sense tells us it would be best for God to not even have brought such a person into existence. If
even an evil father will treats his children better than this, how much more so God?
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give
him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9-11)
While it is true scriptures describe hell as a place existing forever, NDEs show a person's
citizenship there does not. The scripture above suggests God's arm of mercy extends even to
those in hell. We will now examine more scriptural evidence. Scripture will be used to support the
following points:
A. There is forgiveness in hell for wrongs committed in life.
B.”Fire" is a metaphor used to describe the purification of people in hell.
C. Once a person has been purified by the "fire," they can escape.
D.”Eternal" is a word used to describe the nature of hell, not the length of incarceration.
E.”Fire" is a metaphor used to describe the purification of people on Earth.
F.”Fire" is a metaphor also used to describe God and manifestations of God.
G.”Light" is a metaphor similar to "fire," used to describe God.
H.”Light" is a metaphor also used to describe spiritual knowledge. "Darkness" is spiritual
ignorance.
I. "Darkness" is a metaphor also used to describe hell.
J. Darkness" is a metaphor also used to describe the world.
K. Suffering is necessary to attain spiritual perfection in this world and in hell.
Certain conclusions will be drawn from the points listed above. God considers wrongs committed
in this world forgiven in this world as God considers them forgiven in heaven and hell. This world
and hell are places of purification. This purification is by "fire" and "light," metaphors for spiritual
knowledge and God. People in this world and in hell live in "darkness," a metaphor for spiritual
ignorance. The world and hell are places of suffering whose purpose is to bring about spiritual
perfection through the abandonment spiritual ignorance.
Now let's examine each point one by one.
A. There is forgiveness in hell for wrongs committed in life.
"And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that
shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the
world to come." (Matthew 12:32)
It is one thing to be forgiven for an offense in one world, and it is a different thing to be forgiven
for the same offense in a different world -- meaning life after death. This verse only makes sense
if the possibility of wrongs being forgiven after death is true. In other words, if all wrongs
committed in this world could not be forgiven in the world to come, then why single out a
particular wrong by saying it cannot be forgiven in the world to come? This would only make
sense if sins other than speaking against the Holy Spirit were forgivable in the world to come.
Here's another scripture verse suggesting a way of redemption after death:
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He
was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and
preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days
of Noah while the ark was being built." (1 Peter 3:18-20)
This verse refers to the people who have already died and which Christ set free from hell. In an
apocryphal book of the Old Testament, it states:
"For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been
superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead." (2 Maccabees 12:43-46)
At the time of the Maccabees the leaders of the people of God had no hesitation in asserting the
efficacy of prayers offered for the dead, in order that those who had departed this life might find
pardon for their sins and the hope of eternal resurrection. This verse suggests praying makes
possible the redemption of those who have died unredeemed.
The apocryphal book of Maccabees was a part of Biblical canon until Martin Luther removed it
during the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. It may be argued Maccabees is not a part of
the Bible. However, even Paul, in the Book of Jude, quotes from a book not found in the Bible
today. It is called the Book of Enoch; a book considered part of scripture in Jesus day:
"Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: 'See, the Lord is coming with
thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of
all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly
sinners have spoken against him.'" (Jude 1:14, 15)
B.”Fire" is a metaphor used to describe the purification of people in hell.
The early Church developed the concept of purgatory based on particular passages of the
Bible. The early Church taught that some sins are purged away by a purifying fire after death.
St. Augustine argued:
Some sinners are not forgiven either in this world or in the next, would not be truly said unless
there were other [sinners] who, though not forgiven in this world, are forgiven in the world to
come. (95)
This same interpretation was believed by Gregory the Great (96); St. Bede (97); St. Bernard
(98) and other eminent Church writers.
Origen taught that purgatory is the true manifestation of "hell." He believed if people depart this
life with lighter faults, they are condemned to fire, which burns away the lighter materials,
preparing their souls for the kingdom of God, where nothing defiled may enter. He states:
For if on the foundation of Christ you have built not only gold and silver and precious stones; but
also wood and hay and stubble, what do you expect when the soul shall be separated from the
body? Would you enter into heaven with your wood and hay and stubble and thus defile the
kingdom of God; or on account of these hindrances would you remain without and receive no
reward for your gold and silver and precious stones? Neither is this just. It remains then that you
be committed to the fire which will burn the light materials; for our God to those who can
comprehend heavenly things is called a cleansing fire. But this fire consumes not the creature,
but what the creature has himself built, wood, and hay and stubble. It is manifest that the fire
destroys the wood of our transgressions and then returns to us the reward of our great works.
(99)
Origen based this statement on 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 reprinted below.
C. Once a person has been purified by the "fire," they can escape.
"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any
man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will
be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the
fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his
reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping
through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
The above verse describes a process of purification and a way to escape it.
"But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are
offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come
and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it
while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may
hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not
get out until you have paid the last penny." (Matthew 5:22-26)
The above verse has Jesus equating hell to a prison that allows prisoners to get out.
"Prison" was used as a metaphor for hell in a verse we have already discussed. Here it is again:
"He [Jesus] was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went
and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the
days of Noah while the ark was being built." (1 Peter 3:18-20)
Here is another scriptural reference to hell as a prison:
"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into
gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment." (2 Peter 2:4)
D.”Eternal" is a word used to describe the nature of hell, not the length of incarceration.
The Bible talks of the unquenchable fire and eternal punishment of hell, where people are in
torment, but not consumed:
"The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be
cut down and thrown into the fire. I [John the Baptist] baptize you with water for repentance. But
after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear
his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with
unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:10-12)
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two
hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out... And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it
out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be
thrown into hell, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' Everyone will be
salted with fire." (Mark 9:43-49)
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire
prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was
thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed
clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They
also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or
sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do
for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' Then they will go away to eternal
punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:41-46)
This description of hell agrees with what experiencers have experienced. Don Brubaker
experienced these flames of hell first hand. This is what he experienced:
There was a low murmuring all around me, as if I was in the midst of a huge group of grumbling
people. Before me, suddenly, stood a huge black door. The air began to glow and shimmer with
oppressive heat.
I watched as the door opened upon a vast, flaming oven. I felt myself drawn like a magnet into
the center of the flames -- although I was terrified to go in. There were hundreds of others
already there, roasting to death, but not dead. Once I was inside, the door slammed shut behind
me. The worst, dreadest feelings sloshed around inside me, like so much poison.
"Is this actually what hell is?" I asked aloud.
I passed my hands through blue-tipped flames. The fire itself was cold, and it did not hurt me.
From nowhere, a thought flashed through my mind: Death, where is thy sting? God, even in the
midst of this holocaust, was truly in control of everything. I began to laugh, and the others
laughed with me. Our laughter bounced off the walls of the oven and echoed over the roar of the
flames.
And instantly, as if someone had flipped the channel selector, I was alone again in darkness.
(100)
Don Brubaker's experience shows the flames of hell are not painful and are escapable.
E.”Fire" is a metaphor used to describe the purification of people on Earth.
The Bible talks of people on Earth being purified, refined and baptized by fire. These are all
referring to the process of purification.
"These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though
refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus
Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:7)
"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes
to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can
see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline." (Revelation 3:18-19)
"But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be
like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify
the Levites and refine them like gold and silver." (Malachi 3:2-3)
"He will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire."
(Isaiah 4:4)
"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I,
whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew
3:11)
F.”Fire" is a metaphor also used to describe God and manifestations of God.
The verses below describe God and manifestations of God through the metaphor of fire. These
verses also use the metaphor of fire as a reference to the purifying power of God.
"Our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29)
"Do not put out the Spirit's fire." (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
"They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit
enabled them." (Acts 2:3-4)
"In speaking of the angels he says, 'He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.'"
(Hebrews 1:7)
"This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful
angels." (2 Thessalonians 1:7)
"I [Jesus] have come to bring fire on the Earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" (Luke 12:
49)
G. "Light" is a metaphor, similar to "fire," used to describe God.
The verses below use the metaphor of light to describe God and God's purifying power.
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no
darkness at all." (I John 1:5)
"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any
man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will
be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the
fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his
reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping
through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
"There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as
white as the light." (Matthew 17:2)
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12)
One can see the scriptures using the metaphors light and fire interchangeably to describe God
and God's manifestations.
H. "Light" is a metaphor also used to describe spiritual knowledge. "Darkness" is spiritual
ignorance.
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)
"If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an
instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of
knowledge and truth -- you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach
against stealing, do you steal?" (Romans 2:19-21)
"Then Jesus told them, 'You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you
have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know
where he is going.'" (John 12:35)
"But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not
know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him." (1 John 2:11)
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he
puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your
body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad,
your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as
when the light of a lamp shines on you." (Luke 11:33-36)
These verses show the spiritual condition of hell to be darkness, the lack of the knowledge of
God. This spiritual condition begins as a spiritual condition on Earth and is realized at death.
I. "Darkness" is a metaphor also used to describe hell.
The verses below describe how the metaphor of darkness is used to describe hell.
"And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home --
these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day."
(Jude 1:6)
"These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm --
shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind;
autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted-- twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming
up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever." (Jude
1:12-13)
"But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:12)
"These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is
reserved for them." (2 Peter 2:17)
From these verses, one can conclude that hell is darkness, a metaphor for ignorance of God.
J. "Darkness" is a metaphor also used to describe the world.
Similar to hell, the world is a place of darkness, spiritual ignorance. The following verses point
this out.
"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the
Gentiles -- the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the
shadow of death a light has dawned." (Matthew 4:15-16)
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms." (Ephesians 6:12)
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the
Son he loves." (Colossians 1:13)
"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light
because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the
light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light,
so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:19-
21)
This world and hell have something in common. Both are filled with the darkness of spiritual
ignorance.
K. Suffering is necessary to attain spiritual perfection in this world and in hell.
The scriptures are clear on how suffering in this world leads toward spiritual perfection. The
scriptures show God giving us suffering in order to create character and perseverance, and to
cause us to rely more on him and not in our own strength (or weakness). Suffering should never
be viewed as a curse from God, but rather a blessing in disguise. The same should be viewed of
the suffering in hell. It is God's will for us to suffer in this world and in hell in order to bring about
spiritual perfection. The following scriptures prove it:
"In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything
exists, should make the author [Jesus] of their salvation perfect through suffering." (Hebrews 2:
10)
"Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him [Jesus] and cause him to suffer." (Isaiah 53:10)
"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer
for him." (Philippians 1:20)
"For this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you
follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21)
"To keep from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was
given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with
the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you,' for my power
is made perfect in weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's
sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I
am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
"We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance." (Romans
5:30)
"Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the
name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have
heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full
of compassion and mercy." (James 5:10-11)
"As he [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who
sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents
sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God may be displayed in his life.'"
(John 9:1-3)
"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort
overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation, if we are comforted, it is for
your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And
our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you
share in our comfort... But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who
raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:5, 9)
"These (sufferings) have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes
even though refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and
honor..." (1 Peter 1:7)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who
mourn, for they will be comforted ... Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
We can conclude from the verses above that the reason for suffering in this world is for
purposes of purification and education. It is a small step to attribute the same reasons to the
sufferings in hell. Using this attribution, it is easy to conclude that universal salvation is the goal
and the reason for the suffering in hell and in this world.
It should be noted at this point that the concept of purgatory did not originate with the early
Church. It came directly from Jewish sources as discussed in the Torah, the Talmud and other
Jewish texts. In these texts, hell is called "Gehennom" (in Yiddish, "Gehenna") and it is a place of
intense punishment and cleansing. This place is also known as "She'ol" and other names.
Gehennom takes its name from the Valley of Hennom, where pagans once sacrificed children.
One line of Jewish thought argues that after death the soul has to be purified before it can go on
the rest of its journey. The amount of time needed for purification depends on how the soul dealt
with life. One Jewish tradition mentions a soul needing a maximum of 11 months for purification,
which is why, when a parent dies, the kaddish (memorial prayer) is recited for 11 months. (101)
From all that has been presented thus far from the Bible, from NDEs, from extra-Biblical
references, from Jewish tradition, from early Christian tradition, and from common sense, one
can conclude the following: God has a plan to save everyone in hell and eventually everyone will
go to heaven. Can man continue forever to defy his Creator? Common sense tells us the answer
is no. Common sense tells us a God of infinite in love and mercy would be willing and able to
save those in hell. Any other view is dishonoring to God.
Visit Kevin Williams at: www.near-death.com
by Kevin R. Williams
(from Nothing Better Than Death by
Kevin R. Williams, 2002, Philadelphia:
Xlibris, pp 206-225
and is reproduced with permission)
Universal salvation is the concept that everyone will eventually attain salvation and go to
heaven. This is a foreign concept to most Christians today, although it was not to many early
Christians. Many Christians today cannot accept the NDE because it generally affirms universal
salvation. While it is true universal salvation is generally affirmed in NDEs, it is not true this
means everyone enters heaven immediately upon death. It is well documented in NDEs people
going to a hell upon death. However, NDEs show hell to be a temporary spiritual condition, much
like Catholic purgatory, not eternal damnation.
The NDES of Dr. George Ritchie and Howard Storm are among the best NDEs I have read that
proves this point. Howard Storm is rescued from hell the moment he asks God for help. This
demonstrates even the hardened sinner can be rescued from hell as long as they turn to God
for help. Common sense tells you this is the case with a God of infinite love and mercy.
Many experiencers, such as Howard Storm, went to hell and were able to escape from it. Some
experiencers have witnessed other people escape from hell. These people verify hell not to be a
place of literal flames but a spiritual condition of separation from everything pleasant such as
love, joy and peace. Those experiencers who have escaped from hell know first-hand there is a
way out for those who are repentant. Such NDEs are convincing evidence that hell is not a place
of eternal punishment, but a temporary spiritual condition of purification for the purpose of
attaining heaven. The NDE suggests hell to be a kind of spiritual time-out where people reflect
on their spiritual condition.
Another convincing argument for universal salvation comes from the nature of Christ's death
itself. If it is true as Christians claim that Christ died for the wrongs of the whole world, and if
Christ has forgiven the whole world of their wrongs, then the logical conclusion is that the world
stands redeemed, forgiven, justified and saved. If this is true, the NDE reveals people are still
going to hell despite being redeemed. But this may merely be demonstrating the concept of God
not forcing anyone to heaven or hell. A person may be forgiven and redeemed, but there is no
assurance of God forcing the person to heaven. If all wrongs have been forgiven, then why are
people seen in hell during NDEs? They can't be in hell to pay for their own wrongs because
according to Christian doctrine, Christ paid for them all. In other words, if Christ paid for all sins,
how can God require anyone to pay for them also? The only logical conclusion is that hell is not
a place for punishment, but of correction. This is exactly what the NDE reveals about the nature
of hell.
Christians in general affirm Jesus provided universal redemption by paying for the wrongs of
every human being. Universal redemption implies universal salvation and here is the scriptural
evidence supporting it:
"When he has done this [God putting everything under Christ's feet], then the Son himself will be
made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be ALL in ALL." (1
Corinthians 15:28)
The above verse suggests God will someday be in all.
"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants ALL men to be saved and to come to a
knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
There is no doubt about it; God wills the salvation of everyone.
"I know that you [God] can do all things; NO PLAN of yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:2)
The above verse suggests the will of God cannot be thwarted. If God wills everyone to go to
heaven and nobody can thwart the will of God, then the logical conclusion is everyone will
eventually go to heaven.
"He [God] is patient with you, not wanting ANYONE to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
God does not will anyone to perish in hell; therefore, everyone will eventually go to heaven.
There is no escaping this logic.
"But I, when I am lifted up from the Earth, will draw ALL men to myself." (John 12:32)
The above verse shows everyone coming to God.
"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ ALL will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22)
If everyone is made alive in God, then everyone is on the road to heaven.
"For God so loved THE WORLD..." (John 3:16)
God's love extends to every member of the human race.
"He [Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins OF
THE WHOLE WORLD." (1 John 2:2)
If Christ paid for the sins of the world, the logical conclusion is the whole world has been
redeemed.
These above verses show God providing salvation for everyone. The NDE, the Bible and
common sense tells us it is futile to go against God's will. One experiencer, Arthur Yensen, gave
some insight in the nature of God when asked if he believed in the Devil. His reply was:
No, but if there is one, he would have to be an insane angel who was crazy enough to fight with
God, which would be as futile as for us to try to stop the sunrise. (94)
His NDE revealed to him a God so powerful, it would be crazy to think you can stop God.
"He [God] does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the Earth. No one
can hold back his hand or say to him: 'What have you done?'" (Daniel 4:35)
If God wills everyone saved and it is impossible to go against the will of God and God has
provided a plan of salvation for him or her, then the only logical conclusion is everyone will be
saved. Some Christians have the view of God being willing but unable to save everyone. Is God
not able to do as God wills? Isn't it a dishonor to view God in such a helpless way?
"It [salvation] does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy."
(Romans 9:16)
This verse flat out says salvation is determined by the will of God. Since we have already proven
God wills all to be saved, then we can conclude from this all will be saved.
Now the question is this: Has God, before the beginning of time, predestined a multitude of his
children to be tortured forever in hell? Isn't it dishonoring to God to believe so? Didn't God
provide for the salvation of those in hell also? Is God's plan of salvation so weak it cannot save
those it was intended to save? The only logical and reasonable answer is this: Yes, God
provided for the salvation of those in hell. No, those in hell are not tortured forever. Yes, God
provides a way of escape from hell.
"And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
The above verse applies to temptation, but it could equally apply to hell.
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence
without fault and with great joy..." (Jude 1:24)
The above verse also applies to temptation, but could equally apply to God having the ability to
save people in hell.
"And he [the man whose faith is weak] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."
(Romans 14:2-4)
The above verse applies to God keeping someone from falling away completely, but could
equally apply to God keeping people from falling away forever.
It is difficult for any honest Christian to conceive of a God of infinite love and mercy who would
permit even one soul to be tortured forever in hell. Common sense tells us that a few minutes in
hell may be enough for even the hardest of sinners to change their mind and repent. What kind
of God creates a person knowing they will ultimately end up tortured forever in hell? Common
sense tells us it would be best for God to not even have brought such a person into existence. If
even an evil father will treats his children better than this, how much more so God?
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give
him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9-11)
While it is true scriptures describe hell as a place existing forever, NDEs show a person's
citizenship there does not. The scripture above suggests God's arm of mercy extends even to
those in hell. We will now examine more scriptural evidence. Scripture will be used to support the
following points:
A. There is forgiveness in hell for wrongs committed in life.
B.”Fire" is a metaphor used to describe the purification of people in hell.
C. Once a person has been purified by the "fire," they can escape.
D.”Eternal" is a word used to describe the nature of hell, not the length of incarceration.
E.”Fire" is a metaphor used to describe the purification of people on Earth.
F.”Fire" is a metaphor also used to describe God and manifestations of God.
G.”Light" is a metaphor similar to "fire," used to describe God.
H.”Light" is a metaphor also used to describe spiritual knowledge. "Darkness" is spiritual
ignorance.
I. "Darkness" is a metaphor also used to describe hell.
J. Darkness" is a metaphor also used to describe the world.
K. Suffering is necessary to attain spiritual perfection in this world and in hell.
Certain conclusions will be drawn from the points listed above. God considers wrongs committed
in this world forgiven in this world as God considers them forgiven in heaven and hell. This world
and hell are places of purification. This purification is by "fire" and "light," metaphors for spiritual
knowledge and God. People in this world and in hell live in "darkness," a metaphor for spiritual
ignorance. The world and hell are places of suffering whose purpose is to bring about spiritual
perfection through the abandonment spiritual ignorance.
Now let's examine each point one by one.
A. There is forgiveness in hell for wrongs committed in life.
"And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that
shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the
world to come." (Matthew 12:32)
It is one thing to be forgiven for an offense in one world, and it is a different thing to be forgiven
for the same offense in a different world -- meaning life after death. This verse only makes sense
if the possibility of wrongs being forgiven after death is true. In other words, if all wrongs
committed in this world could not be forgiven in the world to come, then why single out a
particular wrong by saying it cannot be forgiven in the world to come? This would only make
sense if sins other than speaking against the Holy Spirit were forgivable in the world to come.
Here's another scripture verse suggesting a way of redemption after death:
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He
was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and
preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days
of Noah while the ark was being built." (1 Peter 3:18-20)
This verse refers to the people who have already died and which Christ set free from hell. In an
apocryphal book of the Old Testament, it states:
"For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been
superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead." (2 Maccabees 12:43-46)
At the time of the Maccabees the leaders of the people of God had no hesitation in asserting the
efficacy of prayers offered for the dead, in order that those who had departed this life might find
pardon for their sins and the hope of eternal resurrection. This verse suggests praying makes
possible the redemption of those who have died unredeemed.
The apocryphal book of Maccabees was a part of Biblical canon until Martin Luther removed it
during the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. It may be argued Maccabees is not a part of
the Bible. However, even Paul, in the Book of Jude, quotes from a book not found in the Bible
today. It is called the Book of Enoch; a book considered part of scripture in Jesus day:
"Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: 'See, the Lord is coming with
thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of
all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly
sinners have spoken against him.'" (Jude 1:14, 15)
B.”Fire" is a metaphor used to describe the purification of people in hell.
The early Church developed the concept of purgatory based on particular passages of the
Bible. The early Church taught that some sins are purged away by a purifying fire after death.
St. Augustine argued:
Some sinners are not forgiven either in this world or in the next, would not be truly said unless
there were other [sinners] who, though not forgiven in this world, are forgiven in the world to
come. (95)
This same interpretation was believed by Gregory the Great (96); St. Bede (97); St. Bernard
(98) and other eminent Church writers.
Origen taught that purgatory is the true manifestation of "hell." He believed if people depart this
life with lighter faults, they are condemned to fire, which burns away the lighter materials,
preparing their souls for the kingdom of God, where nothing defiled may enter. He states:
For if on the foundation of Christ you have built not only gold and silver and precious stones; but
also wood and hay and stubble, what do you expect when the soul shall be separated from the
body? Would you enter into heaven with your wood and hay and stubble and thus defile the
kingdom of God; or on account of these hindrances would you remain without and receive no
reward for your gold and silver and precious stones? Neither is this just. It remains then that you
be committed to the fire which will burn the light materials; for our God to those who can
comprehend heavenly things is called a cleansing fire. But this fire consumes not the creature,
but what the creature has himself built, wood, and hay and stubble. It is manifest that the fire
destroys the wood of our transgressions and then returns to us the reward of our great works.
(99)
Origen based this statement on 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 reprinted below.
C. Once a person has been purified by the "fire," they can escape.
"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any
man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will
be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the
fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his
reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping
through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
The above verse describes a process of purification and a way to escape it.
"But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are
offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come
and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it
while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may
hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not
get out until you have paid the last penny." (Matthew 5:22-26)
The above verse has Jesus equating hell to a prison that allows prisoners to get out.
"Prison" was used as a metaphor for hell in a verse we have already discussed. Here it is again:
"He [Jesus] was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went
and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the
days of Noah while the ark was being built." (1 Peter 3:18-20)
Here is another scriptural reference to hell as a prison:
"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into
gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment." (2 Peter 2:4)
D.”Eternal" is a word used to describe the nature of hell, not the length of incarceration.
The Bible talks of the unquenchable fire and eternal punishment of hell, where people are in
torment, but not consumed:
"The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be
cut down and thrown into the fire. I [John the Baptist] baptize you with water for repentance. But
after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear
his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with
unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:10-12)
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two
hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out... And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it
out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be
thrown into hell, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' Everyone will be
salted with fire." (Mark 9:43-49)
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire
prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was
thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed
clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They
also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or
sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do
for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' Then they will go away to eternal
punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:41-46)
This description of hell agrees with what experiencers have experienced. Don Brubaker
experienced these flames of hell first hand. This is what he experienced:
There was a low murmuring all around me, as if I was in the midst of a huge group of grumbling
people. Before me, suddenly, stood a huge black door. The air began to glow and shimmer with
oppressive heat.
I watched as the door opened upon a vast, flaming oven. I felt myself drawn like a magnet into
the center of the flames -- although I was terrified to go in. There were hundreds of others
already there, roasting to death, but not dead. Once I was inside, the door slammed shut behind
me. The worst, dreadest feelings sloshed around inside me, like so much poison.
"Is this actually what hell is?" I asked aloud.
I passed my hands through blue-tipped flames. The fire itself was cold, and it did not hurt me.
From nowhere, a thought flashed through my mind: Death, where is thy sting? God, even in the
midst of this holocaust, was truly in control of everything. I began to laugh, and the others
laughed with me. Our laughter bounced off the walls of the oven and echoed over the roar of the
flames.
And instantly, as if someone had flipped the channel selector, I was alone again in darkness.
(100)
Don Brubaker's experience shows the flames of hell are not painful and are escapable.
E.”Fire" is a metaphor used to describe the purification of people on Earth.
The Bible talks of people on Earth being purified, refined and baptized by fire. These are all
referring to the process of purification.
"These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though
refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus
Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:7)
"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes
to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can
see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline." (Revelation 3:18-19)
"But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be
like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify
the Levites and refine them like gold and silver." (Malachi 3:2-3)
"He will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire."
(Isaiah 4:4)
"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I,
whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew
3:11)
F.”Fire" is a metaphor also used to describe God and manifestations of God.
The verses below describe God and manifestations of God through the metaphor of fire. These
verses also use the metaphor of fire as a reference to the purifying power of God.
"Our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29)
"Do not put out the Spirit's fire." (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
"They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit
enabled them." (Acts 2:3-4)
"In speaking of the angels he says, 'He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.'"
(Hebrews 1:7)
"This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful
angels." (2 Thessalonians 1:7)
"I [Jesus] have come to bring fire on the Earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" (Luke 12:
49)
G. "Light" is a metaphor, similar to "fire," used to describe God.
The verses below use the metaphor of light to describe God and God's purifying power.
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no
darkness at all." (I John 1:5)
"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any
man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will
be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the
fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his
reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping
through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
"There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as
white as the light." (Matthew 17:2)
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12)
One can see the scriptures using the metaphors light and fire interchangeably to describe God
and God's manifestations.
H. "Light" is a metaphor also used to describe spiritual knowledge. "Darkness" is spiritual
ignorance.
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)
"If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an
instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of
knowledge and truth -- you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach
against stealing, do you steal?" (Romans 2:19-21)
"Then Jesus told them, 'You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you
have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know
where he is going.'" (John 12:35)
"But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not
know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him." (1 John 2:11)
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he
puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your
body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad,
your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as
when the light of a lamp shines on you." (Luke 11:33-36)
These verses show the spiritual condition of hell to be darkness, the lack of the knowledge of
God. This spiritual condition begins as a spiritual condition on Earth and is realized at death.
I. "Darkness" is a metaphor also used to describe hell.
The verses below describe how the metaphor of darkness is used to describe hell.
"And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home --
these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day."
(Jude 1:6)
"These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm --
shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind;
autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted-- twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming
up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever." (Jude
1:12-13)
"But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:12)
"These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is
reserved for them." (2 Peter 2:17)
From these verses, one can conclude that hell is darkness, a metaphor for ignorance of God.
J. "Darkness" is a metaphor also used to describe the world.
Similar to hell, the world is a place of darkness, spiritual ignorance. The following verses point
this out.
"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the
Gentiles -- the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the
shadow of death a light has dawned." (Matthew 4:15-16)
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms." (Ephesians 6:12)
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the
Son he loves." (Colossians 1:13)
"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light
because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the
light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light,
so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:19-
21)
This world and hell have something in common. Both are filled with the darkness of spiritual
ignorance.
K. Suffering is necessary to attain spiritual perfection in this world and in hell.
The scriptures are clear on how suffering in this world leads toward spiritual perfection. The
scriptures show God giving us suffering in order to create character and perseverance, and to
cause us to rely more on him and not in our own strength (or weakness). Suffering should never
be viewed as a curse from God, but rather a blessing in disguise. The same should be viewed of
the suffering in hell. It is God's will for us to suffer in this world and in hell in order to bring about
spiritual perfection. The following scriptures prove it:
"In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything
exists, should make the author [Jesus] of their salvation perfect through suffering." (Hebrews 2:
10)
"Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him [Jesus] and cause him to suffer." (Isaiah 53:10)
"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer
for him." (Philippians 1:20)
"For this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you
follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21)
"To keep from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was
given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with
the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you,' for my power
is made perfect in weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's
sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I
am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
"We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance." (Romans
5:30)
"Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the
name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have
heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full
of compassion and mercy." (James 5:10-11)
"As he [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who
sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents
sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God may be displayed in his life.'"
(John 9:1-3)
"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort
overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation, if we are comforted, it is for
your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And
our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you
share in our comfort... But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who
raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:5, 9)
"These (sufferings) have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes
even though refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and
honor..." (1 Peter 1:7)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who
mourn, for they will be comforted ... Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
We can conclude from the verses above that the reason for suffering in this world is for
purposes of purification and education. It is a small step to attribute the same reasons to the
sufferings in hell. Using this attribution, it is easy to conclude that universal salvation is the goal
and the reason for the suffering in hell and in this world.
It should be noted at this point that the concept of purgatory did not originate with the early
Church. It came directly from Jewish sources as discussed in the Torah, the Talmud and other
Jewish texts. In these texts, hell is called "Gehennom" (in Yiddish, "Gehenna") and it is a place of
intense punishment and cleansing. This place is also known as "She'ol" and other names.
Gehennom takes its name from the Valley of Hennom, where pagans once sacrificed children.
One line of Jewish thought argues that after death the soul has to be purified before it can go on
the rest of its journey. The amount of time needed for purification depends on how the soul dealt
with life. One Jewish tradition mentions a soul needing a maximum of 11 months for purification,
which is why, when a parent dies, the kaddish (memorial prayer) is recited for 11 months. (101)
From all that has been presented thus far from the Bible, from NDEs, from extra-Biblical
references, from Jewish tradition, from early Christian tradition, and from common sense, one
can conclude the following: God has a plan to save everyone in hell and eventually everyone will
go to heaven. Can man continue forever to defy his Creator? Common sense tells us the answer
is no. Common sense tells us a God of infinite in love and mercy would be willing and able to
save those in hell. Any other view is dishonoring to God.
Visit Kevin Williams at: www.near-death.com
NDEs and the Bible affirm Universal Salvation
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