Hi Hart4god
I appreciate your confirming insights regarding Babylon. I have been pondering this thread all day today.
My thoughts turned to King David and I recalled that Ray had said that he is predestined for the Lake of Fire White Throne Judgement (ref. Mobile Conference)...this thought took me to what Jesus said in Matt 5 : 20...
"Unless your righteousness is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."Knowing that I am accountable to God....I do not want to persuade, agree or encourage
anyone to return to Mystery Babylon or compromise with anyone who is half in Mystery Babylon and half in Bible-Truths. That for me would be equivalent to endorsement by aiding and abetting and making place for heinous corruption like lacing the banquet of God with Cyanide!
Perhaps this is harsh sounding but I realize that Jesus did say that I can not serve God and Mamon - So I can't and for me....that's that! I can not run with the foxs and hunt with the hounds. I can't have my cake and eat it too. I can't fool God. I can and have fooled myself in the past, and so badly that I thought that I'd fooled both me and God at the same time. That is the height of arrogance and hypocrisy and I have been there.... hart4god...in real...I am all by my self....foolishness! Some people say they have died, gone to Hell and been given another chance to live again. That is nonsence. But being a fool. That is not nonsence.
I understand now that God saw me through this process of fooling myself and rescued me from it too. Here's the shocking part...I did not want to be rescued or give up an idol in my heart. I did not know that a God rescue opperation looked like a knock down drag out....God showed me that the idol I did not want to let go of, had to be smashed ....and repented of.
I was enjoying Church fellowship. You see I wouldn 't let it go. I liked the scene like (hanging gardens of Babylon)..it looked great...Fellowship, approval, admiration, praise and worship entertainment, preaching, Yes Oh YES Preaching even the foolishness of preaching...I got my fix and God had to fix my Church delusion, Church addiction, Church dependency because I was a Church junky...but now I am sober!....ALL thanks to God! HE released the hold of Mystery Babylon off me...and I depend on GOD ALONE to keep it that way from now on...I recall what happened to King Solomon in all his wisdom, he fell...and King Saul...he fell....and King David...he also did not get out of having to be in the White Throne Judgement....
I posted on a thread in this forum, some of what I was experiencing at the time this happened not too long ago, under the thread titled "I am Struck"
My idol was smashed and I was given repentance through the goodness of God.
You ask...."is it always necessary for everyone to always have to walk through that gauntlet?" My opinion on this is.... NO... because God does not call all of us and He certainly only chooses few of us. The one's He chooses are proven faithful through the gauntlet....and the many He calls do not make it. I'd rather have the gauntlet now than the Lake of Fire later!
As for kids....I too am a parent...I find myself asking God to give my son favor to not go into the White Throne Judgement and then I realize that my request of God may be entirely self serving because I do not want my son to suffer....Matt 16:23.
.."Get behind me Satan! You are in My way, an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me, FOR YOU ARE MINDING WHAT PARTAKES NOT OF THE NATURE AND QUALITY OF GOD, BUT OF MEN."As a parent I want the best for my son...his safety....his happiness....his security....and this does not mind or partake of the nature or quality of God. It says to God rather, I don't trust your wisdom with my son God, I do not believe that you are the resurrection and the life, I do not feel confident in your authority over satan so please God take care of my son!....Do you see what I mean?.....
I do not think trusting God is hopeless.....I believe knowing God is God will correct our Peter attitude of self preservation....God is showing me to not tell Him what to do, not to tell Him how to do it and to get down to Thy will be done Father whether it be Judgement now or Lake of Fire later. I know that God knows my heart. For me I ask for judgment now with His Mercy and Favor to help me endure in peace and trust. For my loved ones He knows I desire the same and He is leading me to say to Him...Thy will be done....You know my will....but Father....Thy will....be done.
The funny thing is.....it will be....and in the end we all will be with God. ....The call is...Fear not....Trust in God with all your heart and all your might for He is faithful.
Arcturus....
..in training