Strangley enough, I have been struggling with this issue of judgment & wrath for some time. Why? Because in the OT judgment & wrath are something that precedes redemption of God's people. Yet the NT says we are not appointed to wrath.
Interesting how this has become an issue?
It is my suggestion Bob, do a study on the Judgment of Gehenna.... This has been such an eye opener for me and explains how God's wrath in the OT precedes redemption of God's people, and why the NT says we are not appointed to wrath.
Second, the problem is a false dilemma falacy, in which people attach this wrath to either the "Elect" or "Non-Elect". In other words, just like Grace and Law, many people mistake it as opposites, or that they even did the same thing.
I hope that more clarity comes.
So we go through firey trails and scourgings in THIS life. Whats the difference between that and the 'wrath' of the wicked ?
I said I found it interesting that I actually have been studying this topic directly and because of many things I read from Ray, and a few of the members here which struck me to study it... But when I told you about the study, you got upset at me for teaching instead of fellowship, thinking I come to subvert some. So instead of giving me some comments on it, you totally disregarded it. Perhaps you remember this study? I was doing a large study Gehenna and Matthew 10?
I hope if you are still reading this, read Isaiah 33. I agree it has something to do with timing, but now I also notice you 'teaching' here... Something you critisized me of doing, and I am sad over this. I have found without much well-supported opposition to it, that not all Fire is God, but I am not teaching here. I am just finding it odd.
Rocky...Isaiah 30 is a good Scripture "The breath of Yahweh, as a watercourse of sulphur, is consuming in it."
But now read Isaiah 33:11-14...
You will be pregnant with chaff. You will generate straw. Your breath is fire. It will devour you.
Become will the peoples as the burnings of lime, as thorns grubbed up, in fire shall they be ravaged."
Hear, you that are afar, what I do. And know, you that are near, My mastery."
Afraid are the sinners in Zion, quivering holds the polluted. Who is telling you of the devouring fire? Who is telling you of the glowings eonian?Intersting how Isaiah says to the "Destroyer and Traiter who is pregnant with chaff and generates straw"'s spirit is fire and it consumes and devours them as well. So we find the breathe of the destroyer, traitor, etc. is a fire that consumes them. It will continue to consume them as long as they continue to be pregnant with chaff and continue to produce straw.
So we find two fires at work, one that is God and the other that is the 'Destroyer'. Though I am in no way insinuating that God has not planned this, or is not in control. I am just pointing out there is two fires which are breath.
Just some interesting things I found too. You may what to do a study on TOPHET, and find out how it is related to Gehenna as well.
This only a suggestion, this topic seems to be a problem for many, so I am giving my two cents as much as anyone else.