Much of my life, up until the last year, I believed Christ died for all, but that only a few would be saved. Only a few select people would actually be saved from their sins, and only a few would have their sins washed away by the blood of Christ on the cross.

I was taught that to be saved, I had to believe upon the name of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, and I had to confess I was a sinner, and in need of a Savior. Then, and only then, I would be saved from an eternal hell, and given the promise of eternal life in heaven some day.

Now, it’s all changed. And here is where I’d like to begin to share the reason why I believe Christ is the Savior of the whole world, and that one day, in due time, all will be reconciled to God, and given the right to become children of God.

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
1 John 2:2

This verse speaks two things, and I’ll leave it simply spoken.

1. Jesus is the propitiation (“to appease”) for sins.

“The word propitiation carries the basic idea of appeasement, or satisfaction, specifically towards God. Propitiation is a two-part act that involves appeasing the wrath of an offended person and being reconciled to them.”[1] Propitiation is that “by which it becomes consistent with his character and government to pardon and bless the sinner.” (Theopedia - www.Theopedia.com/propitiation)

Propitiation is the “appeasing” of Gods wrath towards sins. Christ took all the wrath of God, that was meant for us, on Himself, and satisfied the wrath of God through His sacrifice.

2. “And not for ours only”.

The apostle John was speaking to the Church in this passage. So he spoke directly to Christians (all those who are or will enter into the salvation and life of Christ here on earth) saying it was not only for us (Christians - those believing)… Now here is the biggest part —-

For the WHOLE WORLD.

John is making a statement that says Christ appeasing sacrifice on the cross (that satisfied Gods wrath) was not only for our (Christians - those believing) sins only, but a protitiation for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD.

This is huge. This changes everything. Christ, appeasing the wrath of God, for all the world, all creation, everyone!

The part that gets me is this. “Propitiation” is not only to satisfy the wrath of God, but to end in the reconciliation of the sinner to God. And this is not just for us, Christians, it is “for the whole world!”

And so thata is where I begin…