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Question regarding universal reconciliation
skydreamers:
--- Quote ---A real eureka moment for me while reading the LOF series, was realizing that the Lake of Fire is not so much God's wrathful punishment of mankind for their disobedience. But it is His judgments, His discipline with the purpose of teaching, chastening, and correcting mankind. All to make us into His image.
And to think He has given to some of mankind the wonderful priviledge to share in this strange work. Who can believe it?Huh Yet He tells us it is so.
What an incomparable God we have!
--- End quote ---
Amen to that Cindy! Wonderfully said ;) :)
Darren,
Thank you for your loving reminder and encouragement. I do see what you are saying and you are so right. This was a beautiful synopsis of Psalms 23:
--- Quote ---God has so mercifully and graciously provided for us, by giving us:
* Protection
* Food, Shelter
* calmness and tranquillity
* leading us along the paths of rightousness
* keeps us safe through the valley of the shadow of deat
* provides comfort
* prepares a table
* anoints us and our cup fills to overflowing
--- End quote ---
I do, on most days, cling fast to this profound and comforting message. But alas, I am prone to melancholy, and so on some days, I admittedly get weary of "fighting the good fight", much to my frustration.
I know with all sincerity that I have such an incredible way to go, and the thought of this can be daunting. But through your post, God has laid his chastening hand on me, for lacking the faith and trust in His faithfulness....
...so thank you, even though the "spanking" smarts, it is humbling, and that is what I need. ;) :)
Peace,
Diana
seminole:
No offense intended but I think all of this is a little too hard and complicated when it doesn't have to be. We are given our lives however long they will be, Jesus died for our sins, you get the years on this earth to reject him or not. The bible says we have to be like little children. To me that means that we accept the sacrifice and truth without having to know what eternity means whether your definition is timeless or aionian or whatever. Jesus did it to cover our sins and you believe and accept that or you don't. I do not believe that God would want His children to spend all their lives trying to figure out the years of cleansing, what judgement we will be in and all the rest. I know this will make some people mad and that is not my intention. It seems to me that people are getting all consumed by those things . We should be out here making a difference in this world. It just won't help any if I went up to a gang banger where I live and said let me explain aionian to you.
Falconn003:
--- Quote ---seminole WROTE:: No offense intended,
--- End quote ---
No offense intended.
Now why would you WANT to go up too a gang banger and even try too explain aionian to him or her or them. :o
What could you even remotly comprehend too accomplish by such a silly act ??? :o
And what, who , would even be the benefit of such a dumb risky act ?? :o
I would THINK you could accomplish more by trying to sit an alligator at a table and try teaching it to properly eat with a fork and Knife !! ;)
tisk..tisk..
Rodger
DuluthGA:
True, yet no [?] If this criminal were in the [Given] act of taking your life, you might want to tell him or her that you believe in the Living God, etc, whatever you could as your little light was being snuffed out [temporarily ;D] ... [only to be raised to a spiritual body one fine day! ;D]
Anyway....... once again I think Darren presents some supremely beautiful thoughts regarding: (paraphrased)
'His discipline for the purpose of teaching, chastising, and correcting mankind / (HIS CREATION.)'
More great comments and verses from Diana and a very good point from Seminole such as:
'I don't believe that God would want His children to spend all their lives trying to figure out the years of cleansing, what judgment will be in, etc., etc.'
I AGREE WITH YOU! WHAT MAKES ME AGREE WITH YOU?
The fact that God turned Apostle Paul around from being the primere/foremost sinner (persecuting God's early church) in a matter of a few MOMENTS!!!
I wouldn't be too concerned about the time factor in turning around SUPREME SINNERS, thanks to this insight from Ray.
Take care, Caregiver
eggi:
I couldn't agree less:
--- Quote ---'I don't believe that God would want His children to spend all their lives trying to figure out the years of cleansing, what judgment will be in, etc., etc.'
--- End quote ---
Well, then maybe Paul was wrong in spending his life studying and learning about Jesus Christ? He didn't take any credit for it, but even so he admitted that he worked hard, trying to learn more than just the basics:
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1Co 15:10 KJV)
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; (Col 1:25 KJV)
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (Col 1:27-29 KJV)
Surely, doctrine doesn't matter if you don't apply it and live by it, but you have to know what you should live by, right? The whole Bible is a witness about who Jesus Christ is, and HOW He is. We should also pay attention to details such as:
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1Co 15:21-58 KJV)
Why all that technical stuff about ruling and celestial bodies? Why? Because it's not important? I doubt it.
It IS important, but why?
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1Jn 4:17 KJV)
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? (1Co 6:2-5 KJV)
I think we ought to take this seriously. How is judgment done? WHO does it? When does it happen?
God bless you,
Eirik
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