Over the centuries, there have any many scholars and theologians who have offered their thoughtful interpretations of Scripture. Many have had excellent thoughts and teachings, but none were infallible.
Of course, none of us are infallible either, and we must come to some ideas slowly after many years of meditation on Scripture. The Holy Spirit is our primary teacher, and we must put every idea to the test of the Spirit and Word. Human emotions and words are often loud, but the Spirit is a still, gentle, quiet, and inward voice.
At 1 Kings 19:11-12, we read:
And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and powerful wind was tearing out the mountains and breaking the rocks in pieces before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire, a sound of a gentle blowing.
Some Biblical concepts and interpretations are more difficult than others. 1 Peter 4:6 has generated a fair amount of debate over the last nearly 2000 years. It reads as follows:
For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead that though they are judged in the flesh as people, they may live in the Spirit according to the will of God.
Historically, the apparent majority of the Western church has rejected the idea of post-mortem transformation, just like it apparently rejected “every knee bowing” and “every mouth praising God” (Isa 45:2; Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10). Most have the imagination to see a literal Lake of Fire, but many of us do not have the imagination to see and understand that God has the power to subdue all things to Himself (Phil. 3:21; Ps. 110:1). In my opinion, Hades (a/k/a Sheol) is an intermediate state for those that never believed in this life. Then, there is a resurrection of all (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29). The End State is “every knee bowing” and “every mouth praising God.”
The Apostle Peter was primarily writing to Gentile believers (but Peter also references unbelievers) in what is now modern-day Turkey (1 Peter 1:1). Like their old Gentile friends, before believing, they lived to fulfill their human lusts (1 Peter 4:1-2). At 1 Peter 4:3-6, we read:
For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of debauchery, and they slander you; but they will live an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as people, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
Most every believer has unbelieving friends, acquaintances, and relatives. Of course, we love, care for, and pray for their souls, even if they “slander” us (1 Peter 4:4). In my opinion, 1 Peter 4:1-6 teaches us that every unbeliever will receive the message of the Gospel in their post-mortem condition, which has been historically described as being in the lower parts of Hades or Sheol. Jesus suggested some experience of suffering in the lower parts of Hades (Luke 16:19-31). Most importantly, however, God has the power to subdue all things (and peoples) to Himself (Phil. 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:25-27). Peter teaches that after the submission and/or subordination of the unbeliever, “they may live in the Spirit according to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:6). However, we must remember that everyone will be judged based on the decisions they made during this life while in the flesh (1 Peter 4:5).
As stated above, there will be a resurrection of all (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29), and there will be lasting consequences for the decisions we make in this life in the flesh. Because there are lasting consequences, I believe that language like “universal salvation” is incorrect and not consistent with the teachings of the New Testament. So, while “every knee will bow,” there will be lasting consequences for our disobedience and rebellion against God. In this life, we are required to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and then “live in Christ,” meaning walk by his Spirit and Word. To live the Christian Spiritual Life, we must learn, more and more, to hear the gentle, inward voice of the Spirit.
Finally, every believer should pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). Also, remember this important clarification provided by Jesus, “For I say to you, from now on you will not see me until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matt. 23:39). We must yearn for His return and accept Him as our Lord and King. To come “in the name of the Lord” is to come in God’s authority, representation, and in accordance with God’s will.
