I gather this thread is infused with the "heat" of debate from another thread.

As long as a person holds an "either/or" position this debate will never be resolved. Why? Because it isn't an "either/or" situation --
The Bible says its sin that destroys God's created people and earth, and it also says God will destroy those who destroy the earth.

Green is NOT ignoring or rejecting EGW when looking at APL's favorite quotes. Of course it is sin that destroys a person's chance for eternal life, God has done everything possible to save but there comes a point where God "let's go" and allows the person his choice. Thus the person has destroyed himself, it wasn't God's will that he/she perish.

But APL's understanding is one sided, it is actually he that is ignoring clear passages that "tell the rest of the story", yet he is trying to force everyone into his one sided view of things to the point where he uses some rather harsh and judgmental methods.



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As to commentaries -- not all commentaries are equal.
Commentaries give insights that can be very good, especially ones that stick to explaining the meanings of words and phrases etc. and direct one to compare other biblical passages. Referencing several different commentaries on Biblical passages can be very helpful.

Some commentaries are more opinions (sermonizing) rather than digging into the text itself -- these I would be very careful with.
Then there are commentaries that are very slanted to preconceived agendas -- so no wonder EGW warned to be careful.

APL,

It is not me Who says God destroys. GOD says this Himself. Who do I then believe? A commentary that misapplies some quotes to support an uninspired position? Or the sacred words of Inspiration which tell me clearly there is another side of the story than simply that which you present?

When Mrs. White says "God destroys no man," what does she mean? Here is where you have failed. You have not properly interpreted. What kind of "destroy" is she talking about?

Let me give you a few examples (of thousands) of her usage of this term.



Does God "destroy" in all of the senses Mrs. White used above? No. There are some forms of destruction that God will never, ever use. This includes destroying us morally, as Satan does through his temptations. God will NEVER destroy us in this manner. God destroys no man's character or will. This is what Mrs. White means in her statement about God not destroying any man.

That Mrs. White does NOT refer to the destruction of the wicked by God after their probation has closed is plainly evident in other passages, and it is those passages you reject, while vainly seeking to cast me in the light of rejecting that which I fully accept.

When you say I do not accept those passages of Mrs. White which say God will not destroy, you speak deceitfully. You appear to have an agenda against these truths, and it is partially fulfilled in maligning my motives and views. However, the scriptures and Mrs. White continue to pour forth truths which others reading here will see and understand.

God is love. But His love is not so weak that it will permit sin to continue forever. He is not like a doting mother who can never bring herself to rebuke her children. God's love is pure, just, strong and true. Although many would like to flatter themselves that He will never punish their misdeeds, the day of God will forever settle this question.



God will never corrupt and destroy the inward man. This form of destruction is entirely brought upon oneself. But that God will exercise judgment in destroying sin and sinner alike in the final acts of the Great Controversy is unquestionably certain.



Ellen White quotes the Bible's words saying that God will destroy, and she also says that God will destroy the ministers who are not holy, pure and without blemish--saying "God has not changed." How is this so? It appears to me that some of the "ministers" in our church today are concerned about this statement, and look for solace in a reinterpretation of the truth. But in reality, they should be as pure and faithful as were the Vaudois pastors, teaching the people to be faithful unto death, and that God makes a record of each one's actions.



How does Satan "destroy" in the above passage? With error. He destroys men's souls through lies and delusions that make them err. Does God destroy in this manner? Of course not! It would be unthinkable for God to destroy men's souls with error or delusion to cause them to err. He only "gives them up" to their errors when they choose to go against His truths of their own free will. He does not force them to accept His truth or His will. They are free to choose their own destinies.

But the final judgment gives men the fruit of their own choices.



How will God destroy? According to Ellen White, He will destroy via such heat that the rocks and rivers will boil, and the mountains will be as a furnace. This will incinerate all sin and sinners with it, sterilizing the universe once and for all from the wickedness and stain of sin.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Now, if the commentaries have led you astray, APL and Johann, let me here urge you to give them up and to study the scriptures on this and every issue for yourself.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

And I would recommend you understand what the "wrath of the LAMB" really is from scripture. Read the Gospels. See show God treats sinners. See how sinners will die. See how God is involved. Give up Satan's picture of God.

Of course.

Anything human can lead one astray.

Let us keep in mind that any time either Green or I make a comment on Scripture we are both human and acting as a commentary. So, it is possible that Green and I can be leading one astray and therefore should be rejected.

Let us keep this in mind as we read the human commentaries posted in this forum that tell us that the modern versions of the Bible are corrupt and should be rejected.

Amen! Yes, Green, give up your evil ways and give your heart to the living God. He loves you.

Why single out one -- shouldn't we all realize we have problems and submit them to God for His healing power to cleanse?
I don't think anyone here agrees with anyone 100% or even 75% or even less than that -- we all need to seek the Lord with humble hearts. We are only "saints" by the grace of God, not because we have arrived to complete perfection in our thinking and relationships.

We are a few rascals around - still!

Does this mean you are not writing a commentary or you are making the comment that your commentary will not lead any astray since you are doing it?

Could you give evidence that is what she meant in that passage?

Seems like I've seen that somewhere before.