A brief review of the spiritual progression of humanity during the Old Testament will prepare us for consideration of God Almighty’s blessings.

In the first day/age of spiritual creation, God Almighty created and separated the two, mutually exclusive, spiritual kingdoms of light and darkness.  God Almighty, the creator of the entire universe, is the ruler of the kingdom of light, characterized by holiness and life.  Also, God Almighty installed Satan as His subordinate to rule of the kingdom of darkness, characterized by sin and death.

In spiritual day/age 2, God Almighty created the physical world of space-time.  Both plant and animal life were placed on earth and endowed with reproductive abilities.  Finally God Almighty created humanity in the image of Himself as a trinity of a living soul with a body to connect the soul with the physical world and a spirit to connect the soul with the spiritual world.  Each of the two, spiritual realms can be projected onto humanity.  Genesis 2 and 3 tells of God Almighty creating the first couple in the physical realm, and then, by projection of the kingdom of light, placing them in the garden realm where humanity’s, spiritual, sensory input is heightened and spiritual attributes can overpower the physical as evidenced by the light bodies of the man Adam (Section 2.5) and Jesus (at His transfiguration, Section 4.5).

God Almighty established commandments for the first couple and the consequence of disobedience.   Because of self-will, unfaithfulness, and disobedience, the original couple was banished by God Almighty from the garden realm of the kingdom of God/light/heaven, was clothed with flesh, and was sent to the spiritual realm of the kingdom of darkness.  God Almighty mandated that all humanity should experience life in the kingdom of darkness with Satan as spiritual father, meaning that one’s spirit is united with Satan rather than with God Almighty and sensory input to the soul is dominated by the physical.  Humanity, as slaves of Satan, populates Satan’s kingdom of darkness through human reproduction.

After some time, God Almighty codified standards of behavior for humanity in the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites but was applicable to all humanity.

Or is God the God of Jews only?  Is He not the God of Gentiles also?  Yes, of Gentiles also –  Romans 3:29  NASB

With standards of behavior for humanity established in the Law, then failure to meet them is sin.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.  1John3:4  KJV

If one fulfilled the commandments of the Law without fail, the Law provided one with justification before God Almighty.  But, there was no tolerance with respect to compliance, because failure to observe just one of the commandments in the Law means failure to achieve justification before God Almighty.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.  James 2:10  NASB

The nature within humanity, derived from Satan and exacerbated by sensory input from the body, makes it impossible for anyone to keep the Law without fail.

“Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you carries out the Law?  Why do you seek to kill Me?”  John 7:19  NASB

When given the responsibility for his/her justification through the Law, no one is able to save him/herself.

because by works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.  Romans 3:20  NASB

Therefore, in accordance with God Almighty’s commandments, all humanity must endure death of the body and then judgment.

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment;  Hebrews 9:27  NASB

After resurrection into the afterlife, all humanity will face the righteous judgment of Christ.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  2Corinthians 5:10  NASB

Because all have sinned and therefore lack justification, Jesus’ judgment of one’s deeds in the body will be the second death in the lake of fire.

And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.  This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.  Revelation 20:14-15  NASB

(In Hebrew the lake of fire is called Gehenna–originally the name of a valley outside Jerusalem where children were sacrificed by burning–and in English it is called hell–a place of eternal punishment, the place of damned spirits.)  By the requirements of the Law, God Almighty has mandated punishment by the second death–torment in the lake of fire forever and ever–for all humanity in the afterlife.

And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If any one worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”  Revelation 14:9-11  NASB

However, from the very beginning, God Almighty planned to intervene on behalf of all humanity with respect to His mandated, eternal punishment.  Long ago, God Almighty announced that He would provide each and every human with escape from eternal punishment, with justification before Him, and with restoration to Him.  God Almighty told Moses of His plan for the restoration of all humanity when Moses, while upon His mountain, asked to see His glory.  God Almighty answered that Moses could not see Him and live, but God Almighty did let Moses know of and see His goodness.

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.  Exodus 33:19  KJV

God Almighty announced to Moses two different blessings, grace and mercy, which He will bestow upon humanity in order to bring all of humanity to Himself.  There is no other method for justification before God Almighty than these two blessings because He showed all my goodness when He was with Moses on the mountain.

These two blessings, grace and mercy, come to humanity as gifts from Jesus and God Almighty.  Jesus’ gift to humanity is the obedient, undeserved, willing, sacrificial death which He suffered.

For the death that He died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life that he lives, he lives to God.  Romans 6:10  NASB

God Almighty’s gift to humanity is that He will accept Jesus’ death as a substitute for the second death, which will be the rightful judgment of every individual (Rev 20:14).  God Almighty individualizes these divine gifts to all humanity by bestowing one or the other of these blessings/gifts on each and every sinner as justification and restoration to Himself.  The blessings of grace and mercy are similar in that both originate from God Almighty as an unwarranted gift of the substitution of Jesus’ death of the body in place of the required second death of a sinner in the afterlife.

The meanings of the terms grace and mercy help explain the implementation of each of God Almighty’s blessings.  Grace is courteous good will, so God Almighty’s blessing of grace is unwarranted exemption from that which one deserves at judgment, i.e., the second death of eternal punishment in the lake of fire/hell.  On the other hand, mercy is the compassionate treatment of someone who is subject to or experiencing punishment or harm, so God Almighty’s blessing of mercy is unwarranted and compassionate relief for one suffering the eternal punishment of the second death.  These blessings will provide admittance for all humanity into heaven in the afterlife; the difference being when admittance is granted.  The blessing of grace provides entrance into heaven upon resurrection for judgment.  The blessing of mercy provides entrance into heaven after time spent in the lake of fire/hell following judgment.

And the LORD passed before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  Exodus 34:6  KJV

There is a representation of these two blessings of grace and mercy by the two paths through the Holy Place of the Mosaic tabernacle suggested by the placement of the furnishings (see Illustration 3.1, p. 3-32).  The table of bread is on the north side of the Holy Place, the lampstand is on the opposite wall, and straight ahead is the golden altar of incense in front of the last veil and the ark of the covenant, which represents God Almighty’s presence.  The table of bread and the lampstand denote two, distinct paths from the veil in front of the Holy Place to the presence of God Almighty in the Holy of Holies (i.e., heaven).  The path through the table of bread represents the blessing of grace with bread suggesting sustenance for those living on earth after receiving grace.  The path through the lampstand represents the blessing of mercy with the lampstand suggesting light of truth for those who are suffering in the lake of fire/hell.  The paths then merge at the altar for incense which is before the veil that represents Jesus’ death on the cross, the means for justification and admittance to heaven for all humanity.

Two events involving Israelite exiles in Babylon are patterns for God Almighty’s two blessings/gifts.  The exiles as captives in Babylon suggest humanity as captives and slaves to Satan in the kingdom of darkness.  The return of Daniel from the lions’ den to the king is a pattern for those, while live on earth, being restored to God Almighty by the blessing of grace.  The return of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego from the fiery furnace to the king is a pattern for those restored from the lake of fire/hell to God Almighty by the blessing of mercy in the afterlife.

We begin with Daniel.  In this pattern, the king of Babylon represents God Almighty, and Daniel initially represents the man Adam in the garden realm and thereafter those who receive the blessing of grace.

There was the initial granting of dominion.  The king of Babylon planned to give Daniel dominion over the kingdom.

Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.    Daniel 6:3  NASB

God Almighty gave the man Adam dominion over earth.

And God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”  Genesis 1:28  NASB

Those considered for dominance were without blame.  Daniel was without blame.

Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.  Daniel 6:4  NASB

This is similar to the initial condition of the man Adam, who was blameless.

“…  You had the seal of perfection, / Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.  …  / You were blameless in your ways / From the day you were created, / Until unrighteousness was found in you.”  Ezekiel 28:12,15  NASB

A commandment punishable by death is given.  The king of Babylon gave a commandment that his subjects must obey or face death.

“All the commissioners of the kingdom, the perfects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den.”  …   Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.  Daniel 6:7,9  NASB

Likewise, God Almighty gave the man Adam a commandment that he must obey or face death.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.”  Genesis 2:16-17  NASB

There was failure to follow the commandment.  Daniel’s rivals used the commandment to accuse him.

Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.  …  Then they answered and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.”  Daniel 6: 11,13  NASB

Likewise, God Almighty accused the man Adam.

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;  Genesis 3:17  NASB

The consequence of death was implemented.  The king implemented death for Daniel’s disobedience.

Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den.  …  ”  Daniel 6:16  NASB

Likewise, God Almighty ordered that humanity be “thrown into” the kingdom of darkness, where we are subject to death.

So He drove the man out [of the garden]; …  Genesis 3:24  NASB

The symbolism is clear because Satan is characterized as a roaring lion seeking to devour humanity.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  1Peter 5:8  NASB

Therefore, the lion’s den represents the kingdom of darkness where Satan rules as a roaring lion, seeking  …   to devour humanity.

As we continue, Daniel represents sinners in the kingdom of darkness who receive God Almighty’s blessing of grace.

There were promises of deliverance from death.  The king promised deliverance for Daniel from death.

…  Then the king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God who you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.”  Daniel 6:16  NASB

Likewise, God Almighty promised through the blessing of grace that the redeemed would be delivered from the second death in the lake of fire/hell.

and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.   1Thessalonians 1:10  NASB

There followed a time of darkness.  Daniel spent a night of darkness in the lion’s den.

Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.  Daniel 6:18  NASB

Here we have an indication of the darkness of “sleep” that follows death and precedes resurrection.

For this reason it says, “AWAKE, SLEEPER, / AND ARISE FROM THE DEAD, / AND CHRIST WILL SHINE ON YOU.”  Ephesians 5:14  NASB

After the darkness, there is an appearance before the king.  Daniel appeared before the king.

And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice.  The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?”  Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever!”  Daniel 6:20-21  NASB

Here then is an indication of humanity, after resurrection, appearing before God for judgment.

But you, why do you judge your brother?  Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt?  For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.  Romans 14:10  NASB

Grace is revealed.  Daniel was found innocent before the king.

Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever!  My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.”  Daniel 6:21-22  NASB

God Almighty declared Daniel innocent, granted life to him, and thereby allowed him to escape certain death.  Likewise those who receive God Almighty’s blessing of grace will be resurrected without guilt.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  1Tessalonians 5:23  NASB

Those who were found innocent were brought up to the king.  Daniel was taken up from the den of the lions and brought up to realm of the king.

Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den.  So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God  Daniel 6:23  NASB

Likewise, those chosen by God Almighty to receive His blessing of grace will escape his wrath and will be brought into the heavenly realm of the kingdom of God Almighty.

The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.  2Timothy 4:18  NASB

The accusers were punished.  The king of Babylon cast the accusers of Daniel and those associated with them into the lions’ den.

The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.  Daniel 6:24  NASB

Here then we have an indication that God Almighty will cast Satan and his agents into the lake of fire/hell.

And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  Revelation 20:10  NASB

Thus, Daniel’s experience in the lion’s den offers a pattern for eternal life by the blessing of grace in the afterlife.

The experience of three, Israelite exiles in Babylon is a dramatic foreshadowing of the blessing of mercy.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego represent unredeemed sinners who disobeyed their king (God Almighty) and will be condemned to punishment in the lake of fire/hell.

“There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.  These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.”  …  Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.  …  Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, theirs caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire.  Daniel 3:12,19,21  NASB

Likewise God Almighty has decreed that those who disobey His commandments will suffer His wrath and will be cast into the lake of fire/hell.

“So it will be at the end of the age; the angels shall come forth, and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will cast then into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Matthew 13:49-50  NASB

Contrary to all expectations, the three Israelites were not consumed but persisted in the blazing fire.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he responded and said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?”  They answered and said to the king, “Certainly, O king.”  He answered and said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”  Daniel 3:24-25  NASB

First, the three Israelites, rather than being consumed, survived in the fire.  Here then we have the suggestion that neither the spirits nor the spiritual body of those who are sent to the lake of fire will be destroyed.  Second, the Israelites were joined by one like the son of the gods.  Here then we have an indication that Jesus, the Son of God, will join those condemned in the lake of fire/hell and intercede on their behalf.  Third, the Israelites were loosed from their bindings.  Here then we have an indication that the lake of fire, by burning away their “bindings of sin,” will be a purifying fire for the condemned.

Then the king called Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to come out of the fire and to come to him.

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!”  Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire.  Daniel 3:26  NASB

Likewise, God Almighty, through Jesus’ redemptive work and intercession, will bestow the gift/blessing of mercy upon the condemned in the lake of fire/hell and call them to Himself in heaven.

The three Israelites brought from the fire prospered in the kingdom.

Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.  Daniel 3:30  NASB

Here then we have an indication that those brought from the lake of fire/hell will be welcomed in heaven.

Thus, the episode of the Israelites in the fiery furnace in Babylon is a foreshadowing of the bestowal of the blessing of mercy upon those suffering the wrath of God Almighty in the lake of fire/hell.   However, many teach and/or preach that there will be no restitution or admittance into heaven for those in the lake of fire/hell.  Similarly, Jews of Jesus’ time also faced a conflict of inclusion.  For, the writings of the Law and the Prophets stated that the descendants of Jacob/Israel were God Almighty’s chosen people who were separated from the Gentiles.  On the other hand, the apostles preached the inclusion of gentiles into the family of God Almighty along with Jews.  Christians, when considering Jewish thought, wonder how Jews can miss or ignore the self-evident prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the implementation of a new covenant/blessing.  Clearly, Jewish thinking was limited by a belief that the covenant of the Law is the ultimate and last covenant/blessing which God Almighty will implement with humanity.  So, there arise similar questions about Christians.  Are Christians missing or ignoring self-evident prophecies in Scripture regarding the implementation of a covenant/blessing which will provide justification for the damned in the lake of fire/hell?  Is Christian thinking limited by a belief that the blessing of grace is the ultimate and last covenant/blessing which God Almighty will implement with humanity?

Consider the idea of some of humanity spending eternity in the lake of fire.  In that scenario, the man Adam, by expressing his will, separated all of humanity from God Almighty, and Jesus, by denying His will, will bring only a portion of humanity back to God Almighty.  In other words, Jesus’ supreme act of sacrifice will not undo completely that which the man Adam’s selfish act had brought.  One should be suspicious when an interpretation of scripture leads to aggrandizement of the creature (humanity) and/or diminishment of the Creator (God Almighty/Jesus).

In tandem, God Almighty’s two blessings, based on Jesus’ sacrificial death and implemented by God Almighty, will bring justification to all humanity, i.e., universal salvation.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,  Titus 2:11  NASB

Therefore, Jesus is proclaimed the Savior of the whole world (all humanity).  However, when punishment for eternity in the lake of fire/hell for the unredeemed sinner is proclaimed without acknowledging their eventual inclusion into God Almighty’ kingdom by the blessing of mercy, Jesus is transformed into a limited Savior of humanity.  But, those proclaiming Jesus as a limited Savior must explain away scriptures, like Titus 2:11, stating that Jesus is the savior of all men (all humanity).  As an example, consider the following scripture that likewise states that all men (everyone) will be redeemed by Jesus’ act of obedience on the cross.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men,           even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners,                   even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.  Romans 5:18-19  NASB

When discussing these verses, writers transform Jesus into a limited Savior with comments like the following:

All men… all men – Paul is using all men with two different meanings for the sake of parallelism, a common practice in the Hebrew Old Testament, which is similar Paul’s (sic) repetition of the phrase the many in Romans 5:15 (note). The first all covers all humanity who are born into Adam. The second all refers to that part of the first all who by grace through faith are reborn into the Last Adam, Christ (Paul repeatedly emphasizes righteousness and faith – see notes Romans 1:16; 17; 3:22; 3:28; 4:5; 4:13. To reiterate – Paul is not teaching universal salvation.)  …

All men does not mean all men will be saved, because Scripture amply attests to the truth that salvation is only for those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ (see notes Romans 1:16-17, 3:22, 3:28, 4:5, 4:13; cp similar phrase the many in Romans 5:15 [note])   (http://preceptaustin.org/romans_518-19#5:18, 2023)

The phrase “all men” is used twice in verse 18, once in reference to condemnation and once in reference to justification.  There is no issue for the author with “all men” meaning all men with respect to condemnation due to sin.  However, when “all men” is used with respect to justification, the meaning of “all men” must be altered, changed, diminished, and limited.  If Paul used all men with two different meanings for the sake of parallelism it would be a violation of parallelism because parallelism–the repetition of words or phrases which agree in meaning and grammar–requires the same meaning in both appearances.  The claim that “all men does not mean all men” is validated by the statement that “salvation is only for those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ.”  Similarly, the author must limit the meaning of the second appearance of the phrase “the many” in verse 19.  Supposedly, that is accomplished by suggesting–again, contrary to the textual meaning–that the second appearance of the phrase the many in Romans 5:15 is likewise limited.  Actually, what the author is saying is that s/he is not willing to accept what the scripture plainly says and thus offers an interpretation of scripture that fits her/his thinking.  One must question an interpretation of scripture that includes statements like “all men does not mean all men.”  Of course, all men means all men!

God Almighty, according to His own council and will, chooses some to receive an exception from wrath while the rest of humanity will receive clemency after a time of torment in the lake of fire/hell.

… will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.  Exodus 33:19  KJV

God Almighty bestowing the blessing of grace on some of humanity and the blessing of mercy on the rest might be seen as capricious or unfair.  The apostle Paul addressed this seeming injustice.

And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God’s purpose according to His choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”  Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”  What shall we say then?  There is no injustice with God, is there?  May it never be!  For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RASIED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.  You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault?  For who resists His will?”  On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?  The thing molded will not say to the molder “Why did you make me like this,” will it?  Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use?  Romans 9:10-21  NASB

Paul makes the point that humanity has no right to question God Almighty’s choices of who receives which blessing of redemption and restoration.  It is enough that God Almighty has made provision for all humanity to spend eternity with Him in heaven.

God has placed all people into the prison of their own disobedience so that he could be merciful to all people.  Romans 11:32  GOD’S WORD

Another seeming injustice on God Almighty’s part is suggested in the simile which likens the kingdom of heaven to a landowner who hired laborers at different times throughout the day but paid them all the same amount at the end of the day (Matt 20:1-16).  Here is the expression of inequity.

saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’  Matthew 20:12  NASB

The injustice expressed in terms of the kingdom of heaven is that a sinner who accepts Jesus on his/her deathbed receives eternal life the same as a saint who is tortured and martyred.  As in the apostle Paul’s letter, the resolution of this seeming injustice is derived from a shift of perspective.

‘Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own?  Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’  Matthew 20:15  NASB

The idea that God Almighty will gift justification by one of His two blessings to an individual independent of his/her will or actions may be a blow to the ego and a disruption of preconceived notions.

So what are we going to say? Isn’t this unfair on God’s part? Absolutely not!  Romans 9:14  Common English Bible (CEB)

God Almighty’s covenant with Abraham contained the message that all the nations will be blessed by his descendant.

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS SHALL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”  Galatians 3:8  NASB

The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant.  Scripture doesn’t say, “descendants,” referring to many, but “your descendant,” referring to one.  That descendant is Christ.  Galatians 3:16  GOD’S WORD

Jesus was the Christ, that Descendant who had been promised as a blessing to the nations.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us – for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERY ONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE” – in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  Galatians 3:13-14  NASB

All the nations have been and will be blessed by the blessings/gifts of grace and mercy which are based on the sacrificial death of Jesus, the descendant of Abraham.