We now examine letters written to young fellow-leaders of the early church. What did Paul want Timothy and Titus to know and teach about eternity?

I Timothy 2:4-6. The false teachers of Universalism have made much of Paul's comment to Timothy that God wants everyone to be saved. He wants all men to come to a knowledge of the truth. And two verses later, he says that Jesus gave His life a ransom for all.

Indeed. How He loves the human race. How He desires us. The question begs to be answered here, Does God, even God, always get everything He wants? Think before you answer. Better yet, take a listen to and a look at Jesus. See Him in tears over the city of Jerusalem. Almighty God in the flesh, broken over the sins of man. Seemingly powerless to save His favorite city, filled with His chosen people.

Do you remember His words? How often, He says, how often would I have gathered you to Myself like a hen gathers her chicks. I wanted you to be Mine, all mine. I wanted you to have fellowship with Me. I wanted to bless you, teach you, love you.

So why didn't you, Jesus? What stopped the transaction? Hear the terrible accusation: You were not willing.

God wants everyone to be saved. Oh that we could see His heart! But most men are not interested. And they will perish.

I Timothy 4:10. Here is another key verse, and the response to it must be as above. Paul calls our God the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

Why does he make the distinction here? Salvation is salvation. One is either saved or not saved. I think that in the light of all we have found in the New Testament - and my, there is a lot of light - his distinction is obvious:

There are two groups of people in the world. Believers and non-believers. God wants to save all of them, He died to save all of them. In that sense He is the Savior of all men. But only the believers can appropriate that salvation. In that sense He is especially the Savior of believers.

Here is where Calvinism goes south. It is clear here and elsewhere that Jesus died for all, not just "the elect." He truly does want everyone to come into the Kingdom. His arms are open wide.

But for most, the door might as well be closed, for their rebellion trumps His invitation.

It's so easy to understand, really. When the lunch truck shows up at your place of work, the driver is furnished with lunch for all. But the few who show up at his window and produce cash, they are the ones who will go back to work full.

The truck has arrived. Your cash is your faith. Bring it to the driver, and be satisfied. Ignore Him, you'll be eternally hungry.

II Timothy 1:9, 2:11, 2:19, 4:8. Repetition can be boring but it is truly instructive at the same time. Over and over the apostles divide the world into "we" and "they." God saved us. He called us. His grace was given to us. Paul speaks here of the people of God, the believers.

He describes this group in various ways. They are the ones who have died with Jesus, and therefore will live with Him. They are the enduring, the faithful.

But wait, he says in 2:13 that Jesus will remain faithful to those who are faithless! It's OK. He's still talking about "we." Often believers are not totally full of faith. They stumble and fall. Jesus does not turn His back on them. After all, they are His own. His Spirit lives in them. How can He deny Himself?

No, it is clear, as Paul says, that the Lord knows those who are His. Remember the haunting words He says to a group of would be Heaven-dwellers? Depart from Me. I never knew you.

A final description of those who will go up when Jesus comes down has it this way: A crown of righteousness is reserved for those who have loved His appearing.

His first coming? They love reading their Bibles about what Jesus did when He was here? His second coming? They are excited about what will come on the earth when Jesus returns? The Kingdom of God? The reign of the saints with Jesus?

Take it any way you need to. There's a group of people who long to see Jesus. They and only they will be rewarded with eternal righteousness, eternal life.

Titus 2:11. God's grace has appeared to all men? See under Colossians 1:6, lesson 21.

Titus 2:14. Here Paul has the redeemed in mind, when He says that Jesus gave Himself for us. Yes, Jesus is still the Savior of all men. But, logically, if that is true, He gave Himself for us, too. Universal invitation. Not a universal salvation. No, we are a special people, set apart for Him.