Gary A: "There is only one translation which had the audacity to put into print that which many Christian teachers, pastors, and commentators imply and that is the Jehovah's Witnesses New Testament. What orthodoxy adds in their commentaries, the Jehovah's Witnesses' put directly into the text. Their translation reads,
"And yet I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw men of all sorts to me."
Yet it is rather peculiar that in their Interlinear Translation, the word "sorts" does not appear in their word-for-word translation. Therefore, we can conclude that they did not get "sorts" from the Greek. They got it from their twisted theology, just like every other denomination which refuses to believe that Jesus is indeed the Savior of the whole world.
Some will say that "PANTAS" (transliterated: pantas, all) which is a masculine accusative plural adjective from "PAS" (transliterated: pas) does not really mean all mankind. Well let us see. The Expositor's Greek Testament on page 504 in Volume 3 renders it "The universe in its widest sense regarded as a collective whole."  Professor John Eadie, professor of Biblical Literature in the United Presbyterian Divinity Hall renders it, "The universe, the whole that exists, all things, whether they be things on earth, or in heaven." (Taken from Commentary of the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians, page 52, 73)  Dr. J.B. Lightfoot D.D., D.C.L., L.L.D. speaking of the phrase "ta panta" says, "The whole universe or things, material as well as spiritual, shall be restored to harmony to God." (St. Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and Philemon, page 160 by Dr. Lightfoot)  "Ta panta is the existing all, the totality of things [The universe, Alford-R], panta would be all that actually is." (Winer's Grammar p.105)  I think mankind certainly falls within the parameter of the universe, don't you think?

Mt. 23:27,
PASHS AKAQARSIAS
"all uncleanness" RSV
"every sort of uncleanness" NWT
"every kind of corruption" NJB

Acts 13:10,
W PLHRHS PANTOS DOLOU KAI PASHS RADIOURGIAS
"full of all deceit and all recklessness" RSV
"full of every sort of fraud and every sort of villainy" NWT
"full of all kinds of evil tricks" Today's English Version (TEV)

1 Cor. 6:18,
PAN AMARTHMA O EAN POIHSH ANQRWPOS EKTOS TOU SWMATOS ESTIN
"Every sin, whatever a man may do, is outside the body"
"Every other sin that a man may commit is outside his body" NWT
"ALL other sins a man commits are outside his body" New International Version (NIV)

Eph. 4:19,
PAREDWKAN TH ASELGEIA EIS ERGASIAN AKAQARSIAS PASHS EN PLEONEXIA
"every kind of uncleanness" RSV
"uncleanness of every sort with greediness." NWT

Eph. 5:3,
PORNEIA DE KAI AKAQARSIA PASA H PLEONEXIA MHDE ONOMAZESQW EN UMIN
"But fornication and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints." RSV
"Let fornication and uncleanness of every sort or greediness not even be mentioned among YOU" NWT

Titus 1:16,
QEON OMOLOGOUSIN EIDENAI TOIS DE ERGOIS ARNOUNTAI BDELUKTOI ONTES KAI APEIQEIS KAI PROS PAN ERGON AGAQON ADOKIMOI
"They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds; they are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good deed." RSV
"They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort." NWT

Vine's Dictionary says of PAS, "Used without the article it means 'every,' every kind or variety."
The UBS Greek New Testament Dictionary says of PAS, PASA, PAN, gen. PANTOS, PASHS, PANTOS "without the article *each*...*every kind of.*"
None of the above examples have a definite article with PAS, and neither does John 12:32 or Romans 5:18.
The argument that Gary puts forth for TA PANTA, has no bearing on the argument.
Let us take a look at some examples of PAS et al in Scripture to see how it holds up.  Many think "all" as is commonly referred to in the Bible is "all, with no exceptions."  This is clearly refuted by many of the following verses, as taken here from Rotherham Bible:
Matt 10:22 "And ye will be hated by all (PANTWN), because of my name." Those IN Christ will not really be hated by ALL, only those in opposition to them.
Matt 12:31 "All (PASA) sin and profane speaking, shall be forgiven unto men,-but, the speaking profanely of the Spirit, shall not be forgiven"
"ALL" here in Matthew 12:31 is used with an exception---the exception of blasphemy against the spirit.
Matt 21:22 "And, all (PANTA) things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Does ALL THINGS include evil things?
Matt 26:33 "Now Peter, answering, said unto him-Though, all (PANTES), shall find cause of stumbling in thee, I, shall never find cause of stumbling."
The ALL here does not include Peter.
Matt 27:25 "And all (PAS) the people, answering, said-His blood be upon us and upon our children!"
The ALL here does not include Jesus' disciples.
Mark 1:5 "and there were going out unto him all (PASA) the Judaea country and all (PANTES) they of Jerusalem, and were being immersed by him in the Jordan river, openly confessing their sins"
Not everyone in Judaea and Jerusalem were actually baptized, but only those from those regions in the immediate vicinity.
Mark 3:28 "Verily, I say unto you-All (PANTA) things shall be forgiven unto the sons of men,-the sins and the profanities wherewithal they shall profane"
That would be ALL except sins against the spirit (Mark 3:29, Matthew 12:31; Luke 12:10.)
Mark 5:20 "And he departed, and began proclaiming, in the Decapolis, how many things Jesus had done for him,-and, all (PANTES), were marveling."
All, except his enemies, like the Pharisees.
Luke 2:1 "Now it came to pass, in those days, that there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, for all (PASAN) the inhabited earth to be enrolled"
"All" the inhabited earth was not registered by Caesar. Caesar did not rule the entire world.
Luke 3:6 "And all (PASA) flesh shall see the salvation of God."
"All" here pertains only to Jews and Gentiles that will hear the message of salvation.
Luke 21:29 "See the fig-tree, and all (PANTA) the trees"
ALL the trees here excludes the fig-tree.
Acts 2:17 "And it shall be, in the last days saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon
all (PASAN) flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy..."
Here, again, "ALL" is used in a more restricted sense. The Spirit will hardly be poured out upon "ALL flesh" PASAN SARKA, since this verse refers exclusively to those IN Christ in the upper room.
Rom 9:6 "not all (PANTES) they who are of Israel, the same are Israel."
There are different kinds of ALL here. Some are Jews, some are Gentiles.
1 Cor 10:33 "Even as I please all (PANTA) men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."
Paul did not please "all men", as some men put him in prisons and wanted him dead. But he could say he pleased all kinds of men.
2 Cor 3:2 "Our letter, ye, are, inscribed in our hearts, noted and read by all (PANTWN) men"
Did ALL men really read Paul's letter?
Php 2:21 "For, they all (PANTES), their own things do seek, not the things of Christ Jesus"
The ALL here refers to those outside the faith, not those IN Christ.
Col 1:20 "And, through him, fully to reconcile all (TA PANTA) things unto him."
I think it is safe to say that Satan and his demons are exempt here, even though PANTA is used with the definite article (TA PANTA).
1 Tim 6:10 "For the love of money is the root of all (PANTWN) evil" KJV, but ASV has "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." The ASV is accurate, as the love of money is NOT the roots of ALL evil, but many types of evil.
2 Tim 1:15 "You are aware of the fact that all (PANTES) who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes."--NASB
Not ALL the people in Asia turned away, though alot of them did. This passage refers specifically to certain Christians.

Let us look at all uses of TA PANTA in the NWT:
Mark 4:11 "And he proceeded to say to them: "To YOU the sacred secret of the kingdom of God has been given, but to those outside all things (TA PANTA) occur in illustrations."
Acts 17:25 "And he proceeded to say to them: "To YOU the sacred secret of the kingdom of God has been given, but to those outside all things (TA PANTA) occur in illustrations"
Romans 8:32 "He who did not even spare his own Son but delivered him up for us all, why will he not also with him kindly give us all other things (TA PANTA)?"
[The NWT in Romans 8:32 has added the "other," for the reason that the Scripture differentiates the Son, who was already given, with "all other things." Nothing is lost though by removing the "other."]
Romans 11:36 "Because from him and by him and for him are all things (TA PANTA). To him be the glory forever. Amen."
1 Cor 8:6 "there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things (TA PANTA) are"
1 Cor 8:6 "and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things (TA PANTA) are, and we through him."
1 Cor 12:6 "and there are varieties of operations, and yet it is the same God who performs all (TA PANTA) the operations in all persons (EN PASIN)." [Here the Greek does not use TA PANTA for "all persons."]
1 Cor 15:27, 28 "For [God] "subjected all things (PANTA) under his feet." But when he says that 'all things (PANTA) have been subjected,' it is evident that it is with the exception of the one who subjected all things (TA PANTA) to him.  But when all things (TA PANTA) will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things (TA PANTA) to him, that God may be all (PANTA) things to everyone (PASIN)." [Interesting use of PANTA here. The Father is excluded from PANTA, even TA PANTA.]
Gal 3:22 "But the Scripture delivered up all things [TA PANTA] together to the custody of sin"
All (The All) are under custody of sin...yet it is only the anarthrous PANTAS [John 12:32..in other words "all sorts of"] that are drawn to Jesus' as Savior.
Eph 1:10, 11 "for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, namely, to gather all things (TA PANTA) together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. [Yes,] in him, in union with whom we were also assigned as heirs, in that we were foreordained according to the purpose of him who operates all things (TA PANTA) according to the way his will counsels"
"Paul goes on to speak, not of the world as a whole, but of those who respond to God's call." NIV Study Bible
Eph 1:23 "to the congregation, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills up all things (TA PANTA) in all (PASIN)."
We see here that the TA PANTA (The All)in vss 10,11 refers to the congregation.
Eph 3:9 "and should make men see how the sacred secret is administered which has from the indefinite past been hidden in God, who created all things (TA PANTA)."
Eph 4:10 "The very one that descended is also the one that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might give fullness to all things (TA PANTA)."
Or, "In order to fill the whole universe" NIV, CB Williams NT, NLT, Goodspeed, REB etc.
Eph 4:15 "But speaking the truth, let us by love grow up in all things (TA PANTA) into him who is the head, Christ."
Or, "So shall we fully grow up into Christ." REB
Php 3:8 "Why, for that matter, I do indeed also consider all things (TA PANTA) to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord."
Php 3:21 "who will refashion our humiliated body to be conformed to his glorious body according to the operation of the power that he has, even to subject all things (TA PANTA) to himself."
Col 1:16, 17 "because by means of him all [other] things (TA PANTA) were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things (TA PANTA) have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all [other] things (PANTWN) and by means of him all [other] things (TA PANTA) were made to exist."
Again, an interesting use of ALL here in the Greek text. His pre-existence ("he is before all things") is not as definite as his part in creation. But the NWT also uses "other" for TA PANTA as well, since all the verb pertaining to creation are passive. Or, as Barclay's NT puts it, "For he is the agent by whom all things were created, in heaven and upon earth, visible and invisible, spiritual powers and beings, whether they be thrones or lordships or authorities or powers. He is the agent and the goal of all creation. He exists before everything *else,* and everything *else* holds together in him."
The 21st Century NT has "It was he that formed all other things in heaven...all came into existence as a result of him and by means of him."
Col 1:20 "and through him to reconcile again to himself all [other] things (TA PANTA) by making peace through the blood"
I think it is safe to say that Satan is excluded by ALL here. Romans 8:21 says, "that the creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God." Believers will be those "children" (see John 1:12).
Col 3:8 "But now really put them all (TA PANTA) away from YOU, wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of YOUR mouth."
1 Tim 6:13 "In the sight of God, who preserves all things (TA PANTA) alive." The footnote in the NWT says "who brings all things to life," see also NIV.
This verse could be used to promote Universalism, if it wasn't for the previous Scripture, "Fight the fine fight of the faith, get a firm hold on the everlasting life for which you were called and you offered the fine public declaration in front of many witnesses." If we will all achieve universal salvation, then why do we need to fight for anything, why do we need to firmly hold on to eternal life"
Heb 1:3 "he sustains all things (TA PANTA) by the word of his power"
Heb 2:8 "'All things (TA PANTA) you subjected under his feet.' For in that he subjected all things (TA PANTA) to him [God] left nothing that is not subject to him."
Heb 2:10 "For it was fitting for the one for whose sake all things (TA PANTA) are and through whom all things (TA PANTA) are, in bringing many sons to glory"
Rev 4:11 "You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things (TA PANTA)."

The main reason for posting the above was to show that the New World Translation Committee was careful in their use of ALL, and the differing forms of it, and I think they handled it quite well.
But Gary adds,

"Let's face it, the image of Jesus that the church is portraying to the world is an utter failure. This Jesus says He has all power and authority given to Him, that He loves the whole world and died for it, and yet He will consign the greatest part of humanity to sufferings which would make Hitler's holocaust more humane than God's behavior. And we are surprised that the world does not find the image of Jesus which the church is presenting desirable. If this Jesus loses most of mankind this time around, how can anyone be certain He will fare better on the other side of the grave?"

In Matthew 13:30 Jesus in a parable said, "Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" RSV
Here unbelievers and believers are spoken of as weeds and wheat. Two classes!
In Matthew 13:49 Jesus said, "So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous." RSV
Again, two classes are mentioned - unbelievers and believers spoken of as the evil and the righteous.
In Matthew 25:32 Jesus said that following His parousia, "Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." RSV
Here believers and unbelievers are differentiated by the terms "sheep" and "goats." The sheep will enter into God's kingdom (vs. 34) and inherit eternal life (vs. 46). The goats go into eternal punishment (vs. 46). Again, two classes.

2 Thess. 1:9, "They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." RSV

Rev. 21:8, "As for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death." RSV

God should never be compared to the evils of Hitler, who gave no one a chance at salvation. It was enough for Hitler to kill you simply if you were born into a certain race or religion. No claims of loyalty to him or his cause would have warranted your salvation. God, lovingly, does give eternal life to those knowing him, and His Son (John 17:3).

Gary: "The following scriptures present a strong case of universal salvation in ALL English translations including those that contain the concept of a Hell of everlasting punishment:
1 Tim. 2:1-7; 1 Tim. 4:9-11; Rom. 5:18-21; Rom. 11:25-36; 1 Cor. 15:20-28; Eph. 1:7-11; Phil. 2:9-11; Col. 1:12-23; Heb. 2:5-10; Heb. 9:23-26; John 3:35,35; John 12:32,33; 1 John 3:8; Rom. 8:20,21; Rev. 5:13; Isa. 25:6-8; Phil. 3:21; John 12:47; Gal. 3:8; John 3:17; Psalm 138:4; 2 Cor. 5:14-20; 1 Cor. Chapter 13 all especially verse 8; Psalm 22:27,29; Psalm 65:2-4; John 1:9-13; Psalm 66:3,4; Gen. 18:18; 1 Tim. 4:9-11; and many dozens more."

1 Tim 2:1-7, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." RSV

1 Tim 4:9-11 "The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things."

What is really interesting is the way that 1 Timothy ends. Not only do we have an admonishment to fight the fine fight of the faith (6:12), but we "are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed. O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith." 6:18-21 RSV
How can we "miss the mark" if we are all destined to be saved? Why should store up treasures by good works if everyone will be universally saved anyways?

Rom. 5:18-21
First, let us look at Romans 5:12:

"For this cause,-just as, through one man, sin into the world entered, and through sin, death,-and, so, unto all men death passed through, for that all had sinned."

Rom 5:18-21 says, "Hence then, as through one fault, the sentence was unto all (PANTAS) men unto condemnation, so, also, through one recovery of righteousness, the decree of favour is unto all (PANTAS) men for righteous acquittal unto life; For, just as, through the disobedience of the one man, sinners, the many were constituted, so, also, through the obedience of the one, righteous, the many shall be constituted-
Law, however, gained admission, in order that the fault might abound, but, where the sin abounded, the favour greatly superabounded:
In order that-just as sin reigned in death, so, also, favour, might reign through righteousness unto life age-abiding, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Is it fair though, to have all mankind suffer because of the misdeeds of one?
Was it fair for the Hebrews to be denied the Promised Land

Romans 11:25-36:
Rom 11:25 "For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
Rom 11:26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob."
Rom 11:27 "This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
Rom 11:28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;
Rom 11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Rom 11:30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
Rom 11:31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
Rom 11:33 ¶ Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
Rom 11:34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?
Rom 11:35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again?
Rom 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." NASB

Next: 1 Cor. 15:20-28: Discussed above

Next: Eph. 1:7-11
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will." NRSV

Next: Phil. 2:9-11
"Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every (PAN) name; that in the name of Jesus every (PAN) knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every (PASA) tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Col. 1:12-23: Discussed above
Click here and here for more.

Heb. 2:5-10: "Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.' Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him." RSV

Heb. 9:23-26: Whatever you may think of these passages, it has all been numbed by quoting the following verses at Hebrews 9:27, 28: "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." (NIV) Those IN CHRIST will have salvation, those not IN CHRIST will face judgment.

John 3:35,36: These verses do not support universal salvation, quite the opposite in fact:

"The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him."

1 John 3:8: "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." NKJV

Rom. 8:20,21: "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (NKJV)

Rev. 5:13: "And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They also sang: "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever." (NLT)

Isa. 25:6-8: "On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-- the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken." (NIV)

Phil. 3:21: "who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself." Revised Version IC-Parkinson

John 12:47: "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." (NKJV)

Gal. 3:8: "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." (NKJV)

John 3:17: "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it." NLT

Psalm 138:4: "All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth." KJV

2 Cor. 5:14-20. These Scriptures only back my claim, that those IN CHRIST take part in the new creation, and this salvation has stipulations, "Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor 6:17 ASV

1 Cor. 13 all especially verse 8. No universalism here either.

Psalm 22:27,29: "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto Jehovah; And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee...All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship: All they that go down to the dust shall bow before him, Even he that cannot keep his soul alive." ASV

Psalm 65:2-4: "O You who hear prayer, To You all men come. Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You forgive them. How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple." NASB

John 1:9-13: There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every [PANTA] man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." NASB

Psalm 66:3,4: "Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." (NIV)

Gen. 18:18: "seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by him?" RSV

1 Tim. 4:9-11; and many dozens more."

That there are differing viewpoints of salvation should not surprise us, as it was foretold, "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah." Amos 8:11 ASV
-BT&V Webmaster

Eze. 33:12-19 -- "Therefore, son of man, say to your countrymen, The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys, and the wickedness of the wicked man will not cause him to fall when he turns from it.
The righteous man, if he sins, will not be allowed to live because of his former righteousness.
If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but then he trusts in his righteousness and does evil, none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered; he will die for the evil he has done.
And if I say to the wicked man, You will surely die, but he then turns away from his sins and does what is just and right -- if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him; he will surely live.
Yet your countrymen say, "The way of the Lord is not just." But it is their way that is not just. If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it.
And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so."