Hi Mike,

Great site! I’m new to “universalism”. For many, many years I was one who thought that this was just another “cult”, seeking to deceive people. But in recent times, The Lord, in many and diverse fashions, has been opening my eyes more and more to the Truth.
I have 2 quick questions:
(1) Can one hold to the teaching of “universalism” and not hold the same “interpretation” of Rev 20:6 of Christ reigning on the earth a 1000 years that you yourself hold? Are there other “UR’s” who believe differently about this?
(2) I recently took an “advice” that you gave to someone else, and purchased the Wigram’s Englishman’s Greek (and the Hebrew) Concordance of the NT (and OT): Coded with Strong’s Concordance Numbers
I followed along what was said and I still don’t get it! For example, I looked up Mat 25:46 and the word “eternal”. Strong’s number was #166. I turned to Wigram’s, looked up #166, and there they had the word as a heading: “aionios”, along with over 50 plus verses with this word “eternal”. But that was it. I thought that I would find the phrases” “age” or “age- abiding”, or “a period of time”, or words to that effect. This is what everybody says that the word “eternal” means. But I’m not seeing this in the “Englishman’s Greek Concordance”. What am I doing wrong? Can you help me?
Thanks again!
K____

Hi K____,
Let’s see what Rev 20:6 says:

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Can one believe in universal reconciliation and not see things as I do? Why, yes they can. As a matter of fact, almost all believers in universal reconciliation do differ with me.
In answer to your second question, I am cutting and pasting a letter I just wrote on this subject. I hope it helps you to see how to use your Wigrams. Wigrams is not a synonym for the holy spirit. You will be taught by the Holy Spirit comparing spiritual with spiritual, or you will not be taught at all. It take studying and prayer.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Be sure you read my paper How To Rightly Divide The Word Using A Principle Only The Apostles Understood. That paper will do you more good than any concordance. The letter about how to use Wigram’s is below.

Mike

J____ wrote:

I was reading your article “How to Scripturally Study the Bible” and was wondering if I should get Wigram’s concordance or Strong’s. I was told that Strong’s exhaustive concordance was invaluable, but the way you are talking, it seems like Wigram’s is better. What’s the difference?

Sincerely,
J____

Hi J____,
Thank you for your question.

You have to have both. Strong’s has an assigned number for every Greek or Hebrew word in the Bible. But Strong’s has the English first. And since the word ‘aion’ is translated with 18 different English words and entire phrases, it is impossible for an English speaking person to know what the Greek word behind the English translation is. One of the 18 different translations for the Greek word ‘aion’ is the English word ‘world.’ However, the Greek word ‘kosmos’ is also translated as world. How, pray tell, is an English speaking person to know which word was used when the Holy Spirit inspired it to first be penned? That is where Wigram’s Concordances come in. The Strong’s number for the Greek word ‘aion’ Isa 165. When an English speaking person turns to the number 165 in his Wigram’s Englishman’s Concordance, he is given every single entry for that Greek word and the ways it has been translated into English. Now for the first time in his life he can see with his own eyes exactly how the Holy Spirit saw fit to use this word. He has before his own eyes every entry where this Greek word was inspired to be used. If he is now willing to read all of those entries he will see how foolish it is to try to make the word ‘aion’ mean eternity or forever or everlasting etc. 18 different ways. It is insane to do what the translators have done. Read all of the entries for any given word. Ask God to give you the wisdom to understand His Word, and He will give you the ability to see what men of ‘higher education’ cannot see. He will show you the “hidden wisdom” of His Word.

1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [ them], because they are spiritually discerned.

That is how the holy spirit teaches. It compares spiritual with spiritual because it is all really spiritual; a most hated concept in the “historical orthodox Christian church.”

I hope this helps you to see the need for both books.
Mike