Dear Friends in Faith,
     It is the assumption, among some believers, that Luke 1:33 proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God cannot save all mankind. How is this so? They believe that if one can prove that aion in this passage means “eternal,” then there is no hope for those who go to the lake of fire, also called, the second death. For, if aionas (the plural form of aion) here is “eternal” then the adjective aionion in Matthew 25:46 pertains to that which is eternal as well.
     Let us look at the passage: “. . . and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for the eons. And of His kingdom there shall be no consummation” (Luke 1:33). Those believers think that since that which is of His kingdom has no consummation, therefore it must be said in the first part of the verse that his reign is eternal as well. This passage goes very well with another one found in Daniel: “to Him is granted jurisdiction and esteem and a kingdom, that all the peoples and leagues and language-groups shall serve Him; His jurisdiction, as an eonian jurisdiction, that shall not pass away, and His kingdom shall not be confined” (Dan 7:14). All reigning has to do with insubjection. Christ reigns until all are subject. Once all sovereignty, authority and power are nullified (1 Cor.15:24), and Christ quits reigning (v.25), then and only then will God be All in all (v.28). All insubjection from Adam and his progeny will be a thing of the past. For the first time in its history, all humanity will be under the loving sway of the Father. When the Son hands over the kingdom to the Father He no longer reigns, but is Himself subject. He shall reign over the house of Jacob for the eons, not for eternity.
     Had God wanted there to be no doubt whatsoever that the length of punishment was eternal, it would have been very easy for Him to connect the word aperanton (endless) with chastening or with the second death. Or, He could have connected ouk telos “no consummation” with these consequences of sin. But He did not and for good reason! Christ is the Ransom for all mankind. Based upon this very fact, God wills that all mankind be saved. In the Old Testament, all animals and humans who were ransomed had to be freed. Also, due to Christ’s obedience all mankind must be constituted righteous and have their lives justified (Romans 5:18,19). This achievement does not fit in with Christ reigning for eternity, for that would imply an eternally unfinished work. The reigning will end, but the blessings of the kingdom will have no consummation
     Our annual day of fellowship at the home of Lou and Diane Klinger (10770 Plains Hwy., Eaton Rapids, Michigan 48827) will be held on September 16, starting at 11:00 AM.
     We hope to send out copies of recent newsletters to all our readers soon. Our place of work remains in transition, but we still maintain two phone lines, 810-798-8131 and 810-798-3563, and will probably keep at least one of these after our move is complete. We appreciate hearing from you.

Yours in God’s grace and peace,
Dean Hough and Tony Nungesser