Hi Deborah,
I agree with you whole heartedly. God gives us all the will to choose. I for one know that to be a fact. When I was young, I strayed away from the church and was living in a world of sin. It was not until I really heard the word of God and his beckoning me to come, did I really realize where I was headed and that I had a choice to make in my life. I choose to make Jesus my savior and my life began to change. Because I chose him, I wanted to do better, I wanted to change, I wanted to worship him. It was not a task but a priviledge. Everybody don't make that choice. Some people want to do better but remain in the same shape. Why? Because they choose not to hear the voice of God calling them.
Yes, it is true that God will reveal himself to the whole world, because the bible says that all eyes will see him. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, but that doesn't mean that everyone will receive his salvation. Only the ones that choose to follow him. Because we all have free will and choice, if we reject his plan of salvation, in hell will we lift up our eyes. The fact that someone would teach universal salvation is contrary to the word of God.
Jesus did not die on the cross, just to turn around and save the universe, without giving men a choice who they will serve. It would not be fair to his children that heeded his call. If man think that he can live any kind of way that he wants, and Jesus will say, come on in my good and faithful servant, he is sadly mistaken. The bible says that hell enlarges itself everyday. God is not a man that he should lie. If he says the sinner will perish, count it done. He will not go back on his word. He did not turn his back and watch his only son die, just to turn around and say, even though you did not choose me, I will save you anyway. The devil is a liar and a deceiver of man.
As Joshua said, choose you this day who you will serve, will it be God or man? The question is, where will the unbelievers spend eternity. I know where the true believers will be.
Be Blessed.
