Uzzah violated explicit commands of how to handle the Ark. His presumption is what killed him. For presuming to touch the symbol of God's presence, he was smitten with instant death. Uzzah was not ignorant of the instructions of how to carry the Ark. God is sure exacting and unforgiving. Is it not interesting that the Philistines, who were ignorant, did not die for mishandling the Ark.

This is heartening to hear you speak this way. Now, exactly "how" was Uzzah "smitten with instant death?"

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

It was not INFLICTED by God. God's mercy is at work for all. We have shown what God's mercy is and what happens when mercy is withdrawn.

Your earlier statement showed your familiarity with Mrs. White's words, for you quoted a portion of them. Here is her statement that you have seen before.


But you did not choose to quote from Patriarchs and Prophets.



Ellen White does NOT say "God told the devil he could smite Uzzah, and the devil did it with glee." We see that she attributes the action directly to God Himself.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

I interpret Uzzah from the same paradigm as other stories. "God smote Uzzah" just as "God killed Saul", and God destroyed Jerusalem and God sent fiery serpents, and God sent a plague to the quail eaters and God sent His arrows against the sinners in Deuteronomy 32.....

Of course you do.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

I had come across something which said that the Ark wasn't actually about to fall but he felt presumptuous enough to use that as an excuse to touch that which he knew not to do.

Green, you have spoken of more than once claiming that APL is only accepting some verses. So, what about you?

What do you do with the verses which say that God is not the destroyer?

A new website to me on the Wrath of God:
http://www.gnag.org/topics/wrath.htm

Is there a text that says that?

Even the quote in GC page 88 shows that God allows the natural results of sin to take it's course. One sows sin and reaps the result.
We don't half realize the blessings God bestows upon us by restraining much of the evil.
But it doesn't say God NEVER executes justice, that would contradict scripture.

John 5:22 For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son:
5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.


So it all narrows down as to how one understands "destroyer".

No, I don't see God as a destroyer, yet I believe He will put an end to sin and sinners.

The destroyer is eager for the destruction of as many people as he can convince to reject God. He loves to sweep whole crowds into the grave before they make a decision to accept Christ. He uses cunning and deception to destroy their chances of heaven. He takes delight in seeing God's children suffer and blaspheme the name of the One Who wants to save them.

God is not the destroyer -- NEVER. His whole plan is based on love. He works tirelessly to save as many as He can. He has provided for the salvation of all, the cross standing as monument to this great love, and He is calling to all to come out of the grip of death and sin into His cleansing care and Life. Yet love demands justice, sometimes our very safety and wellbeing is a result of God stopping evil ones. It most certainly will be that way when eternity begins. All evil rejecters of God's marvelous gift of the cross and Life will be destroyed in the final fire which consumes all sin.


Usually one takes all verses on a subject, not just base it on one or two popular verses or quotes.
In this case the Bible is full of accounts where God steps in and arrests evil so truth can gain a foothold. And often He does this before the seeds of evil totally choke out any possibility for truth to grow.

One has to totally rewrite scripture to believe that God never destroys evil. The conquest of Canaan -- the flood -- and many other Biblical accounts.

I really don't think we should put God in a box restricted by our faulty understanding of love and justice. Just study the cross and know that His goal is salvation for as many as possibly will respond. His delight is in saving people and offering them Life. Trust Him.