Does Belief in Universal Reconciliation Deny Judgment?

Absolutely not. God executes judgment and judges. He did so in the past, as during the flood and with Sodom and Gomorrah, and on so many other occasions. Scripture speaks of God’s wrath, which is sometimes very severe. But nowhere does Scripture teach endless judgment. “His compassions do not end,” says Lamentations 3:22. Judgment and judicial dealing are, for God, a necessary evil. For “not from the heart does He afflict and grieve the sons of humanity” (Lam. 3:33). “For if He has caused grief, He has compassion according to the greatness of His gracious acts” (Lam. 3:32). God’s wrath stands in relation to His favor as a moment to a long life (Ps. 30:5). These are the biblical proportions and relationships. Judgment and judicial dealing are corrective; they serve to set matters right. However painful, they are always for the salvation of God’s creatures.

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