The son who stayed home could be a type of “church” or anyone who is presently living in union with Christ. For they are said to be joint heirs with Christ. The prodigal son could be a type of unrepentant sinner who was lost but later was found. Notice the somewhat jealous reaction of the son who stayed. This same response seems to be manifest in many of the believers today when the thought that all the lost will eventually be found and thus too share in the bountiful blessings of God with them, each one in their due season.

Does the parable of the “prodigal son” actually portray “all” receiving sight? Can you elaborate a bit on the disposition of the son who stayed home? What was his response? And do you believe that was equivalent to sight or blindness?

God has already declared the end from the beginning.
I’m only assuming that we will all be glad, for to know God and live in union with Him is indeed a great enough reason to be glad. Many are just still deceived in thinking that their current choices are good ones. Once all the blind have received their sight they will be exceedingly glad, just as the parable of the prodigal son portrays.

How do you know “we will all be glad”? Where did you get this “we will be glad….” from? What if after the judgment man is even more upset and want to reject?

I see your point. However, the choice that I speak of relates to the decision (after judgment) to accept life through Christ. I would agree with you that we don’t have a choice about being judged by God. His judgment is the goodness that leads all men to repentance. For His judgment is just and corrective. And after all have been adequately judged, we will all be glad to willingly receive such goodness.

Your second paragraph makes no sense and I am not trying to patronize you brother. Based off of your theology God will “throw them” into the lake of fire and purify them, where is the choice in this?

You stated:
“You do believe that God will force us to obey. You just believe He will force us to obey during the judgment correct?”

My response:

No. I do not believe that God will force us to obey. I believe that God will draw us until we all willingly repent. He has the power over the clay in being able to break down all resistance but it will ultimatly be everyones’ choice to confess Christ. For it’s through God’s love that brings all men to repentence. Therefore I do believe in God’s irresitable grace.

You also stated:

“When Gold is refined it is “forced” to be purified, it has not option. In your atonement view, God will force people to be refined if not they have a choice to not be refined and reject eternal life then right?”

My response:

This is used figurativly of God’s work in refining us. For gold is refinded by heat and pressure just as we are, however gold is a lifeless substance that was not made in the image of God. Therefore, you cannot simply say that since gold is formed outside of its will then man must be formed that way as well. We are rational creatures that must conform our will to God’s. It is written that God gave man choice to choose life or death. All, as a result of God’s grace through judgment, will willingly choose life and death will then be abolished forever.

I really like that though I disagree with the conclusion. I believe our conformity is not a choice but a work of the new heart given us by God who redeemed us through His Son. What God paid for He will receive and what He receives will be shaped by Him.

How long beneath the Law I lay
In bondage and distress
I toiled the precept to obey,
But toiled without success.

Then all my servile works were done,
A righteousness to raise
Now, freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose His ways.

Yes, I am aware of your view Jon perhaps my terminology does not match your universalism, but I do understand what you have been teaching. You believe that everyone will eventually be refined and reconciled to God.

Will you according to your brand of universalism need to go through the Lake of Fire or have you been sufficiently willingly obedient to God in order to skip that step?

BTW, as stated my view is that scripture indicates that through accepting the gospel/believing on the Lord Jesus Christ one receives a New Heart and The Law Written on the Heart, the very indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit causes leads Gods children into all truth and those in Christ will lovingly serve their master as bond slaves do.

Good point Big L.