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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: Mountain Man]
#157815
11/01/13 02:42 AM
11/01/13 02:42 AM
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SDA Active Member 2020
5500+ Member
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,368
Western, USA
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The problem with pantheism is that God becomes the cause of everything. This is what you are saying in your statement just now. However, on the day of final judgment, God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil. You can't make that claim. Jesus commanded Moses to stone sinners to death. Jesus commanded Moses to wage war. I realize you think none of this matters because you believe Jesus was simply accommodating the sinfulness of sinners. I believe otherwise. You also think permitting evil men and evil angels to wreak havoc means Jesus is free of culpability. I believe it means He is in control. MM - Did God cause sin? He is in control!
Oh, that men might open their minds to know God as he is revealed in his Son! {ST, January 20, 1890}
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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: APL]
#157816
11/01/13 02:50 AM
11/01/13 02:50 AM
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SDA Active Member 2020
5500+ Member
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,368
Western, USA
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1 Corinthians 15:26 the last enemy is done away--death; God causes death, Is God the enemy then? May it never be. God will not violate His own law.
Oh, that men might open their minds to know God as he is revealed in his Son! {ST, January 20, 1890}
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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: kland]
#157817
11/01/13 02:51 AM
11/01/13 02:51 AM
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Banned SDA Active Member 2015
3500+ Member
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,613
USA
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"In Malachi it is talking about the people returning to God."
So the ashes that the righteous walk upon represent what then? God in the very last days allows Satan to be their torment, but then God executes atonement justice on Satan and his angels as well as those who have broken the law and not repented. Satan is not in charge of hell. It is a place of torment in the light of righteousness. To that time Satan will have been used as a form of judgment on those who chose him as king, but then God stops his reign and Satan is forced to appear in the flesh so they can lay hands on him. The abyss is nothing compared to the day of torment for Satan and his train. If the righteousness of Christ saw sin as such a torment in His three days and nights of hell, imagine seeing that perfect light condemn your every move? This is the second death. Jesus received the judgment of the world as an over-comer, He was also comforted by the word of prophecy, Satan has no such strength. When Satan receives his reward it will not be mixed with mercy. This is the torment of the second death. Satan burns longest. God puts away their misery by consuming them.
Search me oh God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me to the way everlasting. Amen
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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: APL]
#157819
11/01/13 03:13 AM
11/01/13 03:13 AM
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Banned SDA Active Member 2015
3500+ Member
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,613
USA
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1 Corinthians 15:26 the last enemy is done away--death; God causes death, Is God the enemy then? May it never be. God will not violate His own law. Remember..."Strange act". You do not rightly divide the word of truth APL. Who holds the seven plagues? One of the angels who holds the seven vials spoke to John and told him the mystery of the Beast and the woman who rides it. This is the same angel who empowers the three angels. Most people these days see scripture with two dimensional vision. To say that God does not execute justice is like saying Jesus died in vain. Jesus died to execute justice in all righteousness. There is the consequence of death for breaking the law, so if He wanted to save us He would have to die for us because the law demands it. If you say God does not execute justice it is like saying the 10 commandment law is the law of Satan executing his own justice. God wrote the 10 commandments. The transgression of that law is what constitutes sin and demands death. Not Satanic law, but the righteous one of God, the one from He who empowers men to keep the commandments. God's justice is executed against those who have transgressed His law, it just doesn't appear that way to the wicked in the last days when they are given over to strong delusions. God does not appear as a stern judge then, but He does execute justice in the day of wrath. There are many things that are being misunderstood here.
Search me oh God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me to the way everlasting. Amen
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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: APL]
#157820
11/01/13 03:25 AM
11/01/13 03:25 AM
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Banned SDA Active Member 2015
3500+ Member
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,613
USA
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James - READ The Great Controversy, page 36. UNDERSTAND it!
God does not stand toward the sinner as an executioner of the sentence against transgression; but He leaves the rejectors of His mercy to themselves, to reap that which they have sown. Every ray of light rejected, every warning despised or unheeded, every passion indulged, every transgression of the law of God, is a seed sown which yields its unfailing harvest. The Spirit of God, persistently resisted, is at last withdrawn from the sinner, and then there is left no power to control the evil passions of the soul, and no protection from the malice and enmity of Satan. The destruction of Jerusalem is a fearful and solemn warning to all who are trifling with the offers of divine grace and resisting the pleadings of divine mercy. Never was there given a more decisive testimony to God's hatred of sin and to the certain punishment that will fall upon the guilty." {GC 36.1} If you look at the context to this quote it is the destruction of Jerusalem. And in this same chapter the lords servant says this event is parallel with the end times. This is a prophecy of what it will be like just before the end of this age. These people are being lulled into a fatal delusion and God doesn't show himself as a wrathful judge to try and win them over, but this does not negate the execution of justice in the fires of hell.
Search me oh God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me to the way everlasting. Amen
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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: jamesonofthunder]
#157823
11/01/13 04:02 AM
11/01/13 04:02 AM
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SDA Active Member 2020
5500+ Member
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,368
Western, USA
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1 Corinthians 15:26 the last enemy is done away--death; God causes death, Is God the enemy then? May it never be. God will not violate His own law. Remember..."Strange act". You do not rightly divide the word of truth APL. Who holds the seven plagues? One of the angels who holds the seven vials spoke to John and told him the mystery of the Beast and the woman who rides it. This is the same angel who empowers the three angels. Most people these days see scripture with two dimensional vision. To say that God does not execute justice is like saying Jesus died in vain. Jesus died to execute justice in all righteousness. There is the consequence of death for breaking the law, so if He wanted to save us He would have to die for us because the law demands it. If you say God does not execute justice it is like saying the 10 commandment law is the law of Satan executing his own justice. God wrote the 10 commandments. The transgression of that law is what constitutes sin and demands death. Not Satanic law, but the righteous one of God, the one from He who empowers men to keep the commandments. God's justice is executed against those who have transgressed His law, it just doesn't appear that way to the wicked in the last days when they are given over to strong delusions. God does not appear as a stern judge then, but He does execute justice in the day of wrath. There are many things that are being misunderstood here. And you are misunderstanding them. Are there two sides to God's Character? The loving side and “His strange act” side? Was not God's dealing with Job a strange act? In the last plagues, is it God causing the death and destruction? It is not God! The law includes the commandment to not kill. God will not violate His own law. Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Are the wages of sin, Execution by God? No. But be assured, sinners will die! "God had given a lesson designed to prevent this. The history of Job had shown that suffering is inflicted by Satan, and is overruled by God for purposes of mercy. But Israel did not understand the lesson. The same error for which God had reproved the friends of Job was repeated by the Jews in their rejection of Christ." {DA 471.3} The same error is happening today by those that should know better. God's strange act is when He no longer hold back the results of sin. Everything must be viewed in the light of the example of Christ. He is the truth. He is the true Light that lighteth every man who cometh into the world. Listen to His words, copy His example in self-denial and self-sacrifice, and look to the merits of Christ for the glory in character which He possesses to be bestowed on you. All that man needs to know or can know of God has been revealed in the life and character of His Son. {8T 286.1} Where in the life of Chist, do we see Him as a destroyer? God is the Restorer, Satan is the destroyer.
Oh, that men might open their minds to know God as he is revealed in his Son! {ST, January 20, 1890}
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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: Mountain Man]
#157834
11/01/13 01:18 PM
11/01/13 01:18 PM
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SDA Active Member 2024
5500+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,512
Midland
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M: Evil angels must be allowed to demonstrate their point of view. Nevertheless, Jesus sets limits and works to ensure evil men and angels do not exceed them.
K: I still seem to be having a problem of how that addresses the question. Does Jesus cause disease, death, destruction or doesn't He? If He does, then why does he need evil angels to do it? And what does setting limits have to do with the issue of whether He causes it or not? That sounds like you are saying He is obligated to work with them, but does set limits they cannot exceed. Like the government rewarding a contractor a job, but telling him exactly what to do. Jesus doesn't need evil men or evil angels to wreak havoc. He permits them to do so. Job is an example. Setting and enforcing limits means Jesus is in control. They can do nothing without His permission. And yet still, I seem to be having a problem of how that addresses the question. Jesus doesn't need evil men or evil angels to wreak havoc because He can do it Himself, but He permits them to do so? Exactly how does that answer whether Jesus causes disease, death, destruction? Maybe I can ask in another way. Evil angels can cause destructive forces of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes right? And holy angels can restrain destructive forces of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes right? What would happen if holy angels no longer restrained the destructive forces of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes? Would it be correct to say the same destructive forces exercised by evil angels will be exercised when God commands holy angels to release their restraint?
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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: jamesonofthunder]
#157835
11/01/13 01:26 PM
11/01/13 01:26 PM
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SDA Active Member 2024
5500+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,512
Midland
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k: Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. j: God puts away their misery by consuming them. Huh? James - READ The Great Controversy, page 36. UNDERSTAND it!
God does not stand toward the sinner as an executioner of the sentence against transgression; but He leaves the rejectors of His mercy to themselves, to reap that which they have sown. Every ray of light rejected, every warning despised or unheeded, every passion indulged, every transgression of the law of God, is a seed sown which yields its unfailing harvest. The Spirit of God, persistently resisted, is at last withdrawn from the sinner, and then there is left no power to control the evil passions of the soul, and no protection from the malice and enmity of Satan. The destruction of Jerusalem is a fearful and solemn warning to all who are trifling with the offers of divine grace and resisting the pleadings of divine mercy. Never was there given a more decisive testimony to God's hatred of sin and to the certain punishment that will fall upon the guilty." {GC 36.1} If you look at the context to this quote it is the destruction of Jerusalem. And in this same chapter the lords servant says this event is parallel with the end times. This is a prophecy of what it will be like just before the end of this age. These people are being lulled into a fatal delusion and God doesn't show himself as a wrathful judge to try and win them over, but this does not negate the execution of justice in the fires of hell. Since it is a parallel, in what way did God execute and destroy Jerusalem? "as a wrathful judge to try and win them over" You've been reading Green, haven't you. Are you wrathful to your wife to win her over?
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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: APL]
#157840
11/01/13 03:06 PM
11/01/13 03:06 PM
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SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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M: Jesus commanded Moses to stone sinners to death. Jesus commanded Moses to wage war. I realize you think none of this matters because you believe Jesus was simply accommodating the sinfulness of sinners. I believe otherwise. You also think permitting evil men and evil angels to wreak havoc means Jesus is free of culpability. I believe it means He is in control.
A: MM - Did God cause sin? He is in control! Jesus had two choices - 1) Create free moral agents and deal with the great controversy, or 2) Not create free moral agents and not deal with the great controversy. I'm surprised you have no problem with Jesus sustaining evil men and evil angels with life. In so doing He is culpable, responsible. I'm also surprised you have no problem with Jesus commanding holy men to kill criminals and enemy soldiers.
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Re: Does God Punish? (Part 2)
[Re: kland]
#157841
11/01/13 03:47 PM
11/01/13 03:47 PM
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SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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M: Jesus doesn't need evil men or evil angels to wreak havoc. He permits them to do so. Job is an example. Setting and enforcing limits means Jesus is in control. They can do nothing without His permission.
K: And yet still, I seem to be having a problem of how that addresses the question. Jesus doesn't need evil men or evil angels to wreak havoc because He can do it Himself, but He permits them to do so? Exactly how does that answer whether Jesus causes disease, death, destruction? Maybe I can ask in another way. Evil angels can cause destructive forces of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes right? And holy angels can restrain destructive forces of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes right? What would happen if holy angels no longer restrained the destructive forces of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes? Would it be correct to say the same destructive forces exercised by evil angels will be exercised when God commands holy angels to release their restraint? Yes, Jesus causes disease, death, and destruction. He employed the forces of nature to cause the Great Deluge. Billions died. He afflicted Moses with leprosy. Nature is not self-acting. If Jesus ceased sustaining nature it would cease to do anything. Objects will not float up or fall down or fly apart. Everything would simply stand still or vanish. As such, evil angels would be unable to use nature to cause fire, flood, earthquakes, tornadoes, disease, or do anything destructive because nature would not respond or exist. Again, Jesus does not need evil men or evil angels to wreak havoc. Nor does He need to command holy men or holy angels to execute capital punishment or to wage war. Nevertheless, Jesus chooses to command it or to permit it. You keep asking, Why? Probably for the same reason Jesus is giving evil angels life and time to substantiate their accusations against Him and His government. However, Jesus is in control. Evil angels are not at liberty to wreak havoc at will. They can only do what Jesus permits. He decides the who, what, when, and where. And He works to ensure they do not exceed His limits. Everything that happens happens because He is willing to allow it. Nothing happens without His permission. He is responsible for ensuring everything that happens happens according to His permissive will.
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