Well, this is my second post, and now I realize this is a Calvinist discussion board.
1Tim 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
That is not a very difficult passage of scripture. It means just what it says. But the Calvinist can't leave it alone because it destroys his man-made system of theology. Now you will be quick to tell me that if we take the verses literally, then all souls would have to be saved. That is not even close to being correct. I can leave the verse alone and believe it, and it is in harmony with the rest of the Bible.
Why not just consider this a discussion board where Christians discuss concerns? Everytime the term 'Calvinism' is brought into a discussion, that term alone soon becomes the center of attention. To say that Calvinism is a 'man-made' system of theology proves only that one truly doesn't understand Biblical Calvinism as they should. That's not intended to be aggressive or insultuous so please don't misunderstand me. That's truly not my intent.
The verses you presented certainly give the appearance that God wants all humans to be saved. However, the verses you presented are far from being all there is the Bible has to say on this issue and they should never be presented without allowing the Bible to present the fullness of its theology.
Isa. 55:11 clearly states "[color:"ff0000"][i]So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it[/i]". This text should be the most important text that lays the foundation for whatever else we believe. I will quote you concerning the use of Isa. 55:11, "[i]That is not a very difficult passage of scripture. It means just what it says[/i]". So, if it means just what it says, then what it says is that God's will is always accomplished and succeeds in the matter for which He sent His word. Since His word is the gospel and if His intent was/is to save all humans, then nothing can prevent the salvation of all humans. If something could prevent that, then obviously God's word returns to Him void of having accomplished His intent.
Another text we should observe is Rev. 5:9, "[i][color:"ff0000"]for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men [u]from every tribe and tongue and people and nation[/u].[/i]" Notice that God states He purchased men FROM among all humans and never does He say He purchased all humans without exception. Rev. 14:14 repeats the usage with "[i][color:"ff0000"]...These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb[/i]". Are ALL humans without exception first fruits of God and to the Lamb? Even those who view the gospel as 'foolish' and are enemies against the gospel who have their eyes blinded by Satan so they cannot see the truth of the glorious gospel? Christ says of whom the Father gave Him, He will lose NONE. Christ said He died for His sheep and His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. Do all humans without exception hear Christ and follow Him? Has Christ lost any of whom the Father gave Him among those for whom He died?
