When we read Scripture, it’s important to ensure we understand the context and what’s being discussed. At times, we read phrases like “all” or “face of the earth.” If we are not careful, we can assume it literally means “all” of something or the entire earth.
However, all doesn’t always mean all.
Let’s look at some examples.
Seven Years Of Famine
Genesis 41:56
And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
The famine was not “over all the face of the earth.” Instead, “the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.” The famine was only in the land Egypt, further evident by:
- Genesis 41:30, “…the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land.”
- Genesis 41:36, the famine “…which shall be in the land of Egypt…”
Genesis 41:57
And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
We just learned, the famine did not affect “all lands,” only the land of Egypt.
All countries did not come to Egypt, only the nations that surrounded Egypt, as that is where the famine occurred. Remember, God provided Pharaoh a dream and Joseph interpreted the dream. This was to later benefit Joseph’s family. The entire world was not included in this.
Cover The Face Of The Earth
We have a similar sentiment.
Numbers 22:5
He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
The Israelites did not literally cover the “face of the earth.”
Their population expanded greatly, but only in the near-east. The phrase simply adds emphasis to the Israelite’s great numbers. As Deuteronomy 1:10 puts it, the Israelites had become “as the stars of heaven for multitude.”
The End Of All Flesh
Genesis 6:13
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
God did not bring about the end of “all flesh.” Regardless what you believe about Noah’s Flood. Noah, his family, and all the animals aboard the Ark survived. So once again, “all” does not mean all.
All The World Wondered After The Beast
Revelation 13:3
And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
That is a figure of speech.
- In Revelation 13:7, “…it was given unto him [Dragon] to make war with the saints.”
If “all” the world accepted the Dragon, he would not make war with the Saints, as they would have accepted him as well. A few verses later, we are given an exception to the “all” rule.
Study and news with a fresh Christian perspective in your inbox.
Revelation 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Do you see?
“All” doesn’t always mean “all.”
Scripture provided us the exception. Everyone on earth will worship, except for those found written in the book of life. “All” in verse three was really just hyperbole.
All Will Receive A Mark
Revelation 13:16
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Everyone on the planet will not accept the Mark of the Beast. If everyone was going to accept the mark, then everyone would be damned, (Rev 14:11). There would be no point in studying about the Tribulation, or trying to stand for God through it. As we “all” would accept the mark.
Aside from that, Revelation 7 says 144,000 and a “multitude” will have the Seal of God. They go through the Tribulation and stand before God, (Rev 7:1-4, 9, 13-14, 14:1). Once again, that tells us “all,” “everyone” will not accept the mark, nor will “all” worship the Dragon.
- Revelation 13:17, “no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
That means some will not have the Mark of the Beast.
- Revelation 16:2, “there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the Mark of the Beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”
That means some will not have a “grievous sore” as the Sixth Vial is not poured on them.
Why?
They did not worship the image of the beast, and they did not accept the mark.
Once again, all doesn’t always mean all.