A popular misconception about “Universal Reconciliation”

Today I came across the attached cartoon about ‘universal reconciliation’. It nicely illustrates how by far most people understand the word ‘universal reconciliation’. ‘Universal reconciliation’ would mean that all people go to heaven, whether they want to or not. This notion is a major and demonstrably false misunderstanding.

The word ‘universal reconciliation’ is directly derived from Colossians 1, where Paul writes:

“For in Him the entire complement delights to dwell, and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens. And you, being once estranged and enemies in comprehension, in wicked acts, yet now He reconciles…”
— Col. 1:19–21

With these words, ‘universal reconciliation’ is an unmistakably Scriptural truth. For Paul teaches here that GOD reconciles “all” (whether those on the earth or those in the heavens) to Himself. And He does so “through Him”, that is through “the Son of GOD’s love” (verse 13) and “the blood of His cross”.

Question: Who is the One who reconciles?
Answer: GOD.
Question: How does GOD reconcile?
Answer: Through His Son and “through the blood of His cross”.
Question: How far does that reconciliation reach?
Answer: To “all”, that is “every creature”. As stated in verses 15 and 16:

“… Firstborn of EVERY creature, for in Him is all created…”

Every creature that…

Reconciliation applies to every creature that is estranged and hostile. That is the only ‘condition’ that Scripture mentions for being reconciled. Paul writes in verse 20 that GOD reconciles “all”, but that believers who once were estranged and hostile are now already being reconciled. They already share in what eventually the entire creation will experience.

Reconciliation thus concerns every creature that is estranged and hostile. Stones, mountains, seas, rivers, animals, plants, sun and moon do not qualify for this, for the simple reason that they are not enemies. To be healed, one must first be sick; to be made alive, one must first be dead. Likewise, in order to be reconciled, one must first be an estranged one and an enemy.

Paul uses in Colossians 1:20 an exceptional word for reconciliation: apo-katalaxai. The addition of the preposition apo (= from) is an intensification, only partially conveyed by the translation “mutually reconciled.” The idea is that the reconciliation with GOD works outward from there (apo). So not only a vertical reconciliation (with GOD) but also horizontal: a mutual reconciliation between estranged and hostile parties (cf. Eph. 2:14–16).

Universal reconciliation = everyone goes to heaven?

Reconciliation is therefore not a ‘general pardon’. Nor is it about admitting others to, or bringing them to, a particular place. In the cartoon above it is suggested that ‘universal reconciliation’ means that God lets people go to heaven against their will. I will, for now, leave aside the misunderstanding that ‘heaven’ is the only destination for those who belong to God—as if the Bible does not also speak of a new earth that will likewise be inhabited. I will let that rest for now. The fundamental error is the idea that ‘universal reconciliation’ means that creatures end up with God against their will.

Reconciliation is existential

Reconciliation is not a relocation from X to Y or “going to heaven”. Reconciliation is not a change of place but a change of who you are. It is not transportation but transformation. It does not change the outside but the inside. You were unwilling, estranged, and an enemy, but reconciliation turns you into a friend. No longer unwilling but a heartfelt lover. Someone who bends the knee to GOD and with his tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of GOD the Father (Phil. 2:9–11). That is what reconciliation is!

To be reconciled is passive

Also note: creatures are being changed. According to Colossians 1:20, it is an activity of GOD. Creatures are the object. You do not reconcile yourself, but you are being reconciled. It is “through the blood of the cross” that GOD makes all enemies into lovers of Him! He convinces them all of His love, which is greater than any hostility.

The instrument of reconciliation

Also note that “the blood of the cross” is GOD’s instrument for reconciliation. Is that not wondrous? For “through the blood of the cross” the world, from its side, displayed ultimate estrangement and hostility. It is GOD’s response to this that brings about reconciliation. For while the world was murdering GOD’s Son, GOD raised Him and, through Him, gives Life to that same world. That is like giving food and drink to your enemy when he is hungry and thirsty. By reacting in this way, “fiery coals are heaped on someone’s head”: it causes one to no longer be able to remain an enemy (Rom. 12:20). It is GOD’s response to “the blood of the cross” that will cause all hostility to vanish. It will melt away like snow in the sun. No hostility can stand against such great love.

GOD’s love in judgment

The depiction in the cartoon betrays serious ignorance about what reconciliation is. GOD does not bring creatures into His glory who do not want to be there. He addresses the root thoroughly and changes unwillingness into willingness. Just as we read of Israel that GOD “will cure their turning away” (Hos. 14:4). Judgment and justice (such as at the “great white throne”) also contribute to that process. By judging, GOD does not discard His creatures, but confronts them with what they have done. It is precisely through confrontation that He sets everything right. That is what judgment is. Judgment does not stand opposed to GOD’s love but flows forth from it. GOD does not forsake the works of His hands, and that is why He sets everything right and also brings everyone to what is right. Just as a potter reshapes a lump of clay, so the Creator does with His creatures.

All glory is to GOD, who directs every heart wherever He wills (cf. Prov. 21:1). In His time and in His way. No one is overlooked, and no one is unreachable for Him. It is GOD who reconciles all. Colossians 1:20 does not proclaim ‘universal reconciliation’, but the Reconciler of All!

Delen: