There are Christians so afraid of offending non-believers that they avoid talking about hell. Some of who are buying into the doctrine of Universal Reconciliation. This is a belief that everyone will have eternal life and even Satan will someday be reconciled to God. The latter concept should immediately raise red flags since Revelation 20:10 says the devil will be “…cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Verse 15 from the same chapter says, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." These Scriptures make no room for parole for the condemned.It’s true that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) But two chapters later, it says in verse 1, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”
Even some full gospel ministers have embraced Universal Reconciliation. A few years ago, Carlton Pearson (pictured above) began preaching a “Gospel of Inclusion” or “universal salvation.” Bishop Pearson, who had attended Oral Roberts University, formally declared belief in this doctrine at his New Dimensions Church, which later merged into one of the largest Unitarian Universalist congregations in the world. The Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops officially declared him a heretic.
The Bible says that God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) but He’s also a God of judgment. We cannot sugarcoat the truth of Scripture for fear of offending others. I pray that ministers like Carlton Pearson will awaken from this deception and boldly preach the truth about hell…as well as heaven.
“Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” - Romans 11:22
