Continued from Sweetser’s Universalism Explained, part eight
Universalists believe in no other salvation. To them there is “none other name under heaven given among me whereby we must be saved” than that of Jesus Christ our Lord. The only way to be saved is the Christian way, and Universalists believe in universal salvation because they believe that finally, in the course of the ages, all mankind will find that way and walk therein with joy and praise.
Of course it follows from what has already been said, that they believe that Christ’s redemptive work is not confined to this side of the grave. They do not believe that this life is a state of probation, beyond which there is no further chance of salvation. They believe that God’s mercy “endureth forever;” that Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, to-day, and forever;” and that just as they love sinners on this side of the grave, they will continue to love them, and to seek their salvation on the other side also, until the last lost one shall be brought to the fold.
So how do Universalists get around all of the (voluminous) scriptures where Jesus talks about the separation of those who choose Him from those who do not?
The rich man of Luke 16:19-31 doesn’t seem to be offered ‘universal’ salvation…
What about the wheat and the tares?
The 10th virgin who went out for oil and got shut out of the feast?
The gnashing of teeth?