Is Everyone Saved?

I suppose this can fit into my "random theological discussions" category... if I did categories. The thought is really a continuation of my last post. As I was looking back on history and how it is that God brings redemption to people I remembered the story of the Exodus. I am not the first person to compare that OT story to our NT salvation. God brought them out of slavery and into the promised land.

The interesting thing is... their salvation had nothing to do with their faith. In fact almost none of them actually believed Moses (or God) could save them, and yet they were all freed. In fact, in order for them to miss out on the Promised land they had to continually reject it. We know that many of them missed out on what God refers to as His "rest" in Hebrews. Their lack of belief led to this. But, they were all saved from slavery.

This mirrors one of the pictures that I have for our salvation today. I see the world in a huge restaurant piling up huge tabs. In fact we are eating and drinking so much that none of us can afford these tabs... they would bankrupt us. Then God walks in and pays for everyone's tab. Some people see Him doing this and are immediately grateful and thank Him for it, gladly accepting. Others see Him do it and criticize Him for the "show off" that He is... thinking He can buy us with His great wealth. Still others don't see him pay the checks (it is a BIG restaurant after all), but when the time comes to pay they are informed that their check has been covered by God. At that time you get the same two responses... some rejoicing and grateful, others mocking and choosing to try to pay their own way.

The truly sad thing is that everyone's bill has been paid. Some just refuse to accept that fact, up until the very end. C.S. Lewis tells a story that explains my point so much better than I could in "The Great Divorce". I heartily recommend reading it if you have not done so already. The link I listed actually lets you read it online! Imagine that, I just found that out heh. Pardon me while I go see what other treasures are there free for the mining!

P.S. - Ok I am back. In the end I don't think this really changes my outlook on how "the end" will be. Some will be with God, others will be apart from God. What it changes is my view of God in the whole matter. I have a hard time with a God who forms people, sticks them in some "godless" remote section of the world where they will never hear the gospel, and then lets them die without any hope of heaven. Honestly I think the Bible speaks very much against such a God, and tells quite a different story indeed. Jesus paid the bill. He finished it upon the cross. I believe every man, woman, and child has the opportunity to humble themselves in acceptance or bow up in defiance. So, is everyone saved? Well, yes. It is just that some people cannot seem to accept that fact, and so they reject the truth for a lie... and God grants them their wish.

P.P.S - You only get the first chapter... but perhaps it will hook you for the rest of the book :).