That's a NICE observation. They want a simplistic generalization for those things God has kept to Himself. But even the Devil knows that his end is near at the hand of God, for Jesus said, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather FEAR HIM who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mat. 10:28) and again, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire PREPARED FOR the Devil and his angels." (Mat. 25:41)

Does God punish? Duh!

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Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Most probably think they know who it is that is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Most are probably wrong.

You didn't answer the questions. Why not? You didn't address the quote. Why not? You and APL both have a habit of ignoring pertinent comments, quotes, and questions.

APL, your unwilling to explain the lake of fire is suspicious. It's one of the reasons this thread is soooooo long. If you were to state your belief plainly some of us move on and leave you to your beliefs.

I have presented it though you do not discern it, for you reject the foundation, or at minimum, do not wish to to explore the base. I can't make you, nor do I wish to make you, that is your choice.

We are in good company then!

I would expect the "most" includes APL.

Consider the textual evidence.

The Greek word for "fear" is phobeō (Gr. 5399), and can mean to be afraid or to "fear," as translated here. It can also mean: to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience. Certainly, Jesus would not have been telling His disciples to have "reverential obedience" for Satan!

In a Biblical use of the term which is clearly using it in the sense of "reverence," look at the following verse:



Obviously, when the wind and the sea had been calmed by Jesus, the disciples had no more reason for actual fear. Their "fear," in this case, is more akin to awe and reverence toward their Savior.

Other verses where this same truth is on display include the following:



All of these verses use the Greek word "phobeō". These verses all show that it is a good thing to fear God.

Jesus made it quite clear to us. We should fear Him who has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Jesus was talking about himself? Hm. And no, I was not thinking of Satan.

It's not reverential fear but a fear born out of the possibility of losing life. Read the context.

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The side stepping is quite obvious and is why this gets absolutely nowhere.

I mention that NO WHERE in scripture or spirit of prophecy do we read about a great test at the Red Sea, which Israel failed by picking up arms, and because of this God punished them for all generations to come, making them fight for their land.

Kland responds as having heard that concept of them picking up arms, and I just didn't know about it --
However, I heard that argument already thirty years ago -- and have not yet found it in scripture or Spirit of Prophecy.

APL only gives some circumstantial reasoning that they were unarmed when they left but had arms later on -- so they must have picked them up.

But that still does NOT give any evidence that this was a GREAT TEST which the Israelites failed and thus were punished for all later generations in being commanded to fight for their land, because now God won't do it for them.

The main question is completely side stepped.

Nor would they answer as to why God still expected the Israelites to destroy the inhabitants of Jericho even after the great act of faith and the angels casting down the walls of the city.
They were to "execute His will" in taking the city, not fight for themselves, but still they were to "execute His will" by destroying everyone in that city except Rahab and her family.

Neither APL nor Kland answer those questions.
All they do is hold up their hypothesis and explain away sentences that contradict their hypothesis, and expect all scripture to change to fit it and everyone to simply say -- wow, your hypothesis is right, who cares what scripture says or that it makes EGW contradict herself.


All the quotes by EGW showing God's love and mercy are wonderful quotes, and I fully agree that sin destroys and is evil and God is seeking to save all He possibly can. God is not the author of evil, He is the Redeemer and Deliverer from the shackles of sin and the prison house of death. On the one hand, for created beings to understand the horror of sin, it must be allowed to show it's true harvest, it is totally true that the works of sin lead to disaster, but remember God still does put His limits on sin and evil and at times takes a direct role in putting a stop to it, so it does not overwhelm the good. Yes, God punishes , however, God chooses to do it.
He is merciful and long suffering but this will in no wise clear the guilty who reject that mercy.