Evil, being negative, as is punishment, neither can stand eternal. –John Scotus Erigena (Irish church leader, 875)
It becomes morally impossible for all things to be both subject to Jesus Christ and yet sinfully rebellious against Him at the same time! --Charles P. Schmitt, "The Unending Triumph of Jesus Christ"
The Father willed through Christ to reconcile the universe once more unto Himself, and so to restore all things whatsoever and wheresoever they be.– Dr. John Lightfoot on Col. 1:19,20.
God must be accomplishing a design invariable and without the shadow of turning, the design to save every one of us everlastingly. –Florence Nightingale
“The restoration of the whole human race to purity and happiness.” This benevolent doctrine—which not only goes far as to solve the great problem of moral and physical evil, but which would, if received more generally, tend to soften the spirit of uncharitableness, so fatally prevalent among Christian sects—was maintained by that great light of the early church, Origen, and has not wanted supporters among more modern theologians. –Thomas Moore 1779-1852
God created all things and mankind for the sake of manifesting His glory. Today, believers are manifesting little somethings of Christ. But one day, all things shall manifest Christ because the whole universe shall be filled with Him. In creating all things, God desires that all things will manifest Christ. --Watchman Nee, "God's Plan and the Overcomers"
Some misguided individuals have argued that the reconciliation of all "things" does not mean men or beings. But pray, tell me, what "things" in the whole vast universe, apart from men and other creatures, are described in the Word of God as "enemies" of God, "alienated" from God, "blasphemers" of God, "haters" of God, etc. in need of reconciliation? --J. Preston Eby
If Christ died for all, as Mr. Wesley taught, it will soon appear a necessary consequence that all shall be saved. –Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, 1745-1813
The Reformer Martin Luther had hope for all. In his letter to Hanseu Von Rechenberg in 1522, Luther wrote: "God forbid that I should limit the time of acquiring faith to the present life. In the depth of the Divine mercy there may be opportunity to win it in the future.
