The theology of universalism, also referred to as the doctrine of “inclusion,” is the belief that all people will eventually find salvation and reconciliation with God and will eventually go to heaven sometime after death. Additionally, there are those who teach that even Satan and demons can be saved.
While these concepts may seem intriguing, they are completely unbiblical. The Bible strongly emphasizes both the importance of receiving salvation in this life and the consequences of rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Here are some scriptures we encourage you to start with as you study what God’s Word says about salvation and eternal damnation:
Mark 16:15-16: “And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.'”
John 8:23-24: “Jesus continued, 'You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.'”
John 14:6: “Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'”
Acts 4:12: “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Romans 10:9-10: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”
Galatians 3:22: “But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10: “And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.”
Hebrews 2:3: “So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself....”
Revelation 20:10: “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Revelation 20:15: “And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”