What does the expiatory sacrifice for the sins of the non-elect mean?

Question

1 John 2:2 New International Version

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

What does the expiatory sacrifice for the sins of the non-elect mean?

Answer 1

Let us be very clear that while the Bible teaches universal expiation of sin, it does NOT teach universal salvation.

Universal Expiation

The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross made universal atonement/expiation for all sin:

• John 1:29, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
• John 3:16, “God so loved the world that He gave …”
• John 12:32, “I [Jesus] … will draw all people to myself.”
• John 12:47, “… for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”
• Acts 17:30, “God … commands all people everywhere to repent.”
• Rom 3:23, 24, “… for all have sinned … and all are freely forgiven...” [Note that the "ALL" is the subject of both verbs here]
• Rom 5:8, 10, “… while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. … if, while were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him by the death of His Son, …”
• Rom 5:15, “But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s [Adam’s] offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to the many.” [Note the same word, “many” applies to all people.]
• Rom 5:18, “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all people, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all people, resulting in justification of life.”
• Rom 11:32, “For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.”
• 2 Cor 5:14, “…we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”
• 2 Cor 5:18, 19, “…God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ …”
• 1 Tim 2:3, 4, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
• 1 Tim 2:6, “[Jesus Christ] gave Himself as a ransom for all people.”
• 1 Tim 4:10, For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe.
• Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God appeared bringing salvation to all people.”
• Heb 2:9, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
• 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
• 1 John 2:2, “He Himself [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours [Christians to whom John writes] only but also for the whole world.”

Non-universal salvation

Again, atonement has been made for all sin and thus all have been chosen to be saved. However, not everyone will accept this:

The Bible has many references to the final destruction of the wicked such as Ps 37:28, 92:7, 94:23, Prov 14:11, 2 Thess 2:8-10, Matt 5:29, 30, 10:28, 2 Peter 2:3, 3:6, 7, Rom 9:22, Phil 3:19, Ps 68:2.

The wicked are destroyed because they reject God and choose to be destroyed. Contrast the two groups at the second advent of Jesus:

• Isa 25:9, “In that day they [the righteous] will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’”
• Rev 6:16, “They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us [the wicked] and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!’”

This is reinforced by the frequent pleas for people to choose to serve God:

• 2 Peter 3:9 – God is patient wanting all people to decide for Him.
• Gal 5:13 – We are given freedom by God but the privilege should not be abused.
• John 7:17 – People can choose to do the will of God and such a choice brings further enlightenment.
• Josh 24:15 – The Israelites were encouraged to choose God.
• Mark 8:34 – Choosing to serve God involves personal sacrifice which is why it is such a serious decision.
• Rev 3:20 – God wants to be with us but we must choose to allow Him into our lives.
• Gal 5:16, 17, John 8:34-36 – Sin enslaves but the Christian life by the Spirit gives freedom.
• Isa 55:6, 7 – Isaiah encourages the people to choose service to God over all else.
• Deut 30:19, 20 – Moses encourages the people to choose between life and death.
• Eze 18 – an entire chapter about the consequences of choice which ends with the plea, “Repent and live!”