At Colossians 1:16, Paul explained that all things (pas) were created by Jesus Christ, the Second Member of the Trinity. His creation included all things (pas) in Heaven and on Earth, whether visible or invisible, “whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities – all things [pas] have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16). It is the Father’s intent that Jesus “will come to have first place in everything [pas]” (Col. 1:18). And then, shockingly, Paul boldly proclaimed that it was the Father’s plan “through [Jesus] to reconcile [apokatalasso] all things [pas] to Himself, whether things on [E]arth or things in [H]eaven, having made peace through the blood of the cross” (Col. 1:20).
The Greek word apokatallasso means “to reconcile fully.”[1] It is God’s intent to engineer a reconciliation between Himself and all disobedient creatures. As stated above, this peace is made possible only by the “blood of the cross” (Col. 1:20), meaning the Son’s sacrificial death. However, God has also revealed that “He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished” (Num. 14:18). Personally, I accept and believe that those who do not believe in this life (unbelievers) will be confined to Sheol (a/k/a Hades) after their death until the resurrection (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 49:14; Luke 16:19-31). Since the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, every believer will go to Heaven after his or her death (2 Cor. 5:1-8, Phil. 1:21-23; Col. 1:5). However, we will be held accountable for our rebelliousness. There will be consequences for our disobedience in this life and the next (Gal. 6:7-8). We will reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7-8).
Added to this disclosure, we are told that God has the power and ability “to subdue all things to Himself” (Phil. 3:21). Admittedly, we lack the imagination to see how God will bring about such a new and different reality. God has announced what He is going to do, but He has not explained to us exactly how He is going to bring it about. However, it does appear that God’s wrath (righteous judgment) will play a significant role in humbling and transforming humanity (2 Chron. 12:7; 32:21, 25; Isa. 34:2; Ezek. 7:8; 20:21; Mic. 5:5). As the Lord promised disobedient Israel, “‘As I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘With a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out on you, I assuredly shall be king over you’” (Ezek. 20:33). Paul added, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18). The disobedient and arrogant should anticipate the wrath of God, which will transform humanity (Eph. 5:6; Col. 3:6; 1 Thess. 1:10; 1 Thess. 5:9). All of the disobedient, whether believer or unbeliever, will go through a process of destruction (Ps. 145:20; Rom. 9:22). Those that never believed in this life will undergo the process of destruction here in this life and in Sheol. Further, their disobedience will have ramifications for all eternity. Disobedient believers will also experience the process of destruction in this life (Phil. 3:18-19), and they, too, will have eternal ramifications in their next life. However, as stated above, believers avoid Sheol and go to Heaven after their deaths.
The Bible is meditation literature, and we are challenged to meditate on the Word of God “day and night” for a lifetime (Josh. 1:8). Over many years, we may gain increased clarity and insight regarding certain seemingly incompatible ideas.
The idea that to God “every knee will bow, [and] every tongue will swear allegiance” (Isa. 45:23) is seemingly incompatible and irreconcilable with a literal Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:10; 20:14-15) and a literal Gehenna (Matt. 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5; Jas. 3:6) as the End-state. Paul also taught us: “For as in Adam all [pas] died, so also in Christ all [pas] will be made alive” (1 Cor. 15: 22). However, if we see that both the image of Gehenna and the image of the Lake of Fire are simply synonyms for the wrath of God (a/k/a the righteous judgment of God), then the ideas may be reconciled. Of course, every Christian must be given room and time to consider such ideas. I was a Christian for over thirty years before I even began to consider and meditate upon the possibility of such a reconciliation. Assuredly, we should never “lord it over others” (1 Pet. 5:3) to accept this interpretation. God wants us to endlessly meditate upon His Word, asking Him to reveal to us its meaning by His Holy Spirit. As David wrote, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight Lord, my rock and Redeemer” (Ps. 19:14). “And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever” (Ps. 145:21). “Everything that has breath shall praise the Lord” (Ps. 150:6). Finally, the Prophet Daniel wrote, “And to Him [Jesus Christ] was given dominion, honor, and a kingdom, so that all the peoples, nations, and populations of languages might serve Him” (Dan. 7:14).
[1] “G604 – apokatallassō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 27 Feb, 2023. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g604/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
