With regard to Jesus� Christ death, 1 Timothy 2:6 states that Jesus died as �a ransom for all.� So why hasn�t he saved everyone already?

In God�s plan for all, He has two purposes in delaying the blessings promised to all mankind by means of Jesus Christ�s death at Calvary. Jesus Christ�s death paid the ransom more than 2000 years ago. From Adam to the present time man has lived on this earth for a little more than 6000 years. During this time there has been three great epochs of time. (2 Tim. 3:6, 8, 13.) The first of these epochs �the world that was,� encompassed the time from Adam to the Flood. The next epoch of time (the present evil world) has spanned the time from the flood to the present and will soon end in the great battle of Armageddon, which will usher in the final epoch, �the ages to come,� which include many ages, the first of which will be the 1000 year Millennial age. In this age God will resurrect all who have ever lived back to the planet earth in order to give them an opportunity to learn righteousness and, if faithful live forever through all eternity.

Abraham was promised a �seed� (progeny) (Gen. 22:17): �In thee and thy seed shall all of the families of the earth be blessed,� and his seed will be �as the stars of heaven and the sands of the seashore.� Here is shown an earthly class (seed) of people (all who during the Millennial age attain to human perfection); and a heavenly seed (Christ and the Church) whose privilege it will be to bring the blessings to mankind.

After Jesus Christ�s death a new age was instituted�the Gospel age, all of which has been necessary to develop the spiritual seed of Abraham. But the seed is not Christ alone, but also includes his many body members. (Gal. 3:16) His body is composed of the faithful Jews and Gentiles of the Gospel, or the Church age. During this time he �takes out a people for his name;� (Acts 15:14) those who if faithful will reign with him (Rev. 20:6) in order to bless the rest of mankind.

And here we have the first reason for the long delay of the promised blessings. During the past 2000 years the church, the body of Christ, the little flock has been in development. They must be tried and tested and �be faithful unto death� under the difficult circumstances of living under the regime of the �prince of this world��Satan; in order to receive the privilege and high reward of living and reigning with Christ in the heavenlies.

Our second reason for this long delay since Jesus Christ�s death has to do with the remainder of the world of mankind. The entire 6000 years has been a time of learning the results of evil and sin, �the exceeding sinfulness of sin.� (Eccl. 1:13; Rom. 7:13) In the 1000 years Millennial kingdom, armed with the knowledge and experiences of sin and its consequences�death; God will present mankind, in the resurrection, with a world where good predominates.  In contrast to evil and death, they will learn the consequences of righteousness�life. Who, under the new circumstances, will not be willing to choose righteousness and life? (Rev. 21:4)

Some may see 6000 years of sin and death, and all it implies, as a long time to endure such pain, suffering, and evil; but in the ages to come, these experiences will seem like a moment in time, and all will praise their God for his wisdom and love.