If I talked about to you about every creature in the heavens and on the earth…would you say that includes all creatures?
Of course! Remember Ephesians 6:12 that clearly states that wicked spiritual forces are among the celestials, not in a fictitious hellhole. So, if we properly understand the only two realms discussed in scripture is the earth and the heavens and we included every creature, then this would include all creatures.
What if I talked to you about every creature that is visible or invisible…would that include every creature?
Of course! What else could a creature be if not visible or invisible. Every single creature is one or the other: visible or invisible. Can you come up with a creature that is not either visible or invisible?
There is a reason God used these words to clearly describe every creature ever created. Well then, what would make a person not think that every creature in the heavens and earth and every creature visible and invisible does NOT include every creature?
The answer: When salvation is being discussed.
Religious people lose their mind and logic when Christ’s cross is presented as powerful enough to save every single creature ever created. Therefore, they say that everything in the heavens and the earth and everything visible and invisible DOES NOT include all. The religious only say this when it pertains to salvation because they hate the power of Christ’s cross. They despise the fact that Christ’s cross is powerful enough to eventually save all creation.
Remember, not all creation is saved at the same time. Many have to go through severe judgement and many will miss the glories of the coming ages. But, eventually, the cross is strong enough to reach every creature. This is exactly what Paul is talking about in Colossians 1: 15-20.
The context: In Colossians chapter one, Paul is talking to believers that have realized the grace of God. Paul is encouraging them to grow in this realization of God and to walk worthily. Paul addresses these believers as ‘you’ so if he was only speaking to only believers in Colossians 1: 15-20, he would continue to address them as ‘you.’ However, Paul clearly moves to what the cross has done for all creation in these verses in question.
15 Who is the Image of the invisible God, Firstborn of every creature,
16 for in Him is all created, that in the heavens and that on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or sovereignties, or authorities, all is created through Him and for Him,
17 and He is before all, and all has its cohesion in Him.
18 And He is the Head of the body, the ecclesia, Who is Sovereign, Firstborn from among the dead, that in all He may be becoming first,
19 for in Him the entire complement delights to dwell,
20 and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens.
-Colossians 1: 15-20
Christian argument: Most Christians would agree that v. 15 and v. 16 are talking about all creation. After all, these verses state that Christ is the Firstborn of every creature including all in the heavens and the earth and all visible and invisible. Clearly, they would be correct.
Now, the ‘all’ that Paul uses in v.20 in proper context is referring to the ‘every creature, all in heavens and on earth, and all visible and invisible’ in v. 15 and 16. However, Christians ignore the rules of language and context when the ‘all’ is presented in v. 20. Why? Because Paul refers to this ‘all’ as being SAVED! Christians can’t have that, so they say the ‘all’ in v. 20 only refers to believers.
They have massacred language and context, along with word usage by doing this. There is no doubt that ‘all’ are not saved for the 1000 year kingdom and the new heavens and new earth, however, Paul is talking about a time when the cross has met its full completion. This is a time when every single creature ever created is reconciled to God through the blood of the cross.
Yes, the cross is that powerful! The ‘all’ that Paul uses in v.20 is the exact same ‘all’ he painstakingly and graphically describes in v. 15 and v. 16. Every single creature ever created. This is what happens to those creatures:
…Through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens. - Colossians 1:20
How is the ‘all’ reconciled not mean the ‘all’ that refers to every single creature ever created?
Grace and peace to you all.
You have it exactly right IMHO, Scott, and thank you for your sound assessment. My understanding of the scripture, as resented by Paul and the words of Jesus, is that generally people find it difficult to conceive of the reality of a spiritual parallel universe - the Kingdom of God.
Jesus spoke of not being 'of this world' (the material world) and demonstrating other-worldly powers that appear as miracles to mere mortals. This is the crux of the message for me:
"On arriving at the place, he said to them: “Carry on prayer so that you do not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw away, and he bent his knees and began to pray, saying: “Father, if you want to, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, let, NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS TAKE PLACE. [Luke 22:40-42]
Even Jesus deferred to His father's will and this was my lesson learned long ago and how I have lived my life dwelling in my Creator's house. (Psalm 91]
Blessings
AP