|
|
Post by Joecool on Sept 27, 2018 9:31:47 GMT -6
If the majority of humankind are destined for the lake of fire (eternal torment or annihilation) wouldn't that mean the devil won the war of the souls (even though the slimy serpent will have his part in lake of fire too)?
I was think of the verses
Matthew 7:13-14
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are MANY who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are FEW who find it.
or
As it applies to Israel
Romans 9:27-28
27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
The REMNANT will be saved.
28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”
I understand God is The Ultimate Soveriegn and He can save whomever He chooses. The potter decides what to do with the pottery afterall. This was just some random thought that crept into my head a couple nights ago and I was wondering what the unsealed family thought.
I will ask another question I prolly asked as a kid; why would God create everyone (all humankind) if MOST people will choose to go against Him, why not create just the ones who would choose to follow Him?
|
|
|
|
Post by fitz on Sept 27, 2018 12:52:12 GMT -6
The first question is complex...so I won't even try to tackle it. Suffice to say, everyone is given a chance.
As to the second question, I've actually gotten this one many times from non-believing friends. My answer? God could have created puppets, but a puppet only loves you because it's forced to...not because it chooses to. God want's us to choose to love Him. Choose to surrender to Him. Choose His ways over our ways. Thus, the free will to do so...or not.
|
|
|
|
Post by kjs on Sept 28, 2018 7:40:21 GMT -6
Your first question is in my opinion is the incorrect way to look at things....
My understanding (and I could be wrong since I do not know God's mind/thoughts)....
It is not a popularity contest (like with our voting system) -- where there is a "winner" or "loser" because of some count.....
One must recognize that it is not possible for finite human beings to understand all of the purposes of God. We can only know what he has chosen to reveal....
We Know....
1) that God exists 2) that God created us 3) that God loves us
God has provided a plan whereby we may escape from our sins (our Fallen Nature)
1 Corinthians 15 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand,
2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,
4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures
IF we humans take God at His word and TRUST (Believe) that by the actions of Jesus Christ -- we are restored to God (Justified -- like Just as if...)
It is that Love -- which is being demonstrated to angels (and to us) ...
God brought the creation of humans into existence because he willed to do such -- and was for the glory of God....
Isaiah 43
7 everyone who belongs to me,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed—yes, whom I made!
SO who goes into the lake of fire -- with Satan and his fallen angels -- does so because they choose to do so, rejecting the love of God.... But that count does not determine a "winner" or "loser".....
|
|
|
|
Post by stormyknight on Sept 28, 2018 11:46:50 GMT -6
SO who goes into the lake of fire -- with Satan and his fallen angels -- does so because they choose to do so, rejecting the love of God.... But that count does not determine a "winner" or "loser".....
If I may add my own speculation and belief... I believe that God will not condemn any human to the Lake of Fire or complete destruction unless and until they have been given the opportunity to know and understand the Gospel. That being said, I find it hard to believe that only a small part, or remnant, of mankind will 'make it' in to the Kingdom of Heaven. I'm inclined to believe the verses quoted are about those who repent and are saved/marked for a rapture, whether pre-trib, mid-trib, or whatever. When the Great White Throne judgement happens, I believe the majority of mankind, when given understanding(remember, they don't have the Holy Spirit, so how can they understand beforehand?) of the Gospel, they will wisely choose to be with our Heavenly Father, His Glorious Son, and all the Holy residents of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hope to see you soon!  |
|
|
|
Post by kjs on Sept 28, 2018 12:17:09 GMT -6
SO who goes into the lake of fire -- with Satan and his fallen angels -- does so because they choose to do so, rejecting the love of God.... But that count does not determine a "winner" or "loser".....
If I may add my own speculation and belief... I believe that God will not condemn any human to the Lake of Fire or complete destruction unless and until they have been given the opportunity to know and understand the Gospel. That being said, I find it hard to believe that only a small part, or remnant, of mankind will 'make it' in to the Kingdom of Heaven. I'm inclined to believe the verses quoted are about those who repent and are saved/marked for a rapture, whether pre-trib, mid-trib, or whatever. When the Great White Throne judgement happens, I believe the majority of mankind, when given understanding(remember, they don't have the Holy Spirit, so how can they understand beforehand?) of the Gospel, they will wisely choose to be with our Heavenly Father, His Glorious Son, and all the Holy residents of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hope to see you soon! Oh, I tend to agree with your speculation .... I cannot "PROVE" it from scripture but I have a "feeling" that those who have not had an opportunity to hear and understand the gospel
may indeed be given a chance for that choice....
But feelings are not scriptural -- so do not advise anyone to "take that to the bank" ....  |
|
|
|
Post by stormyknight on Sept 28, 2018 12:51:02 GMT -6
But feelings are not scriptural -- so do not advise anyone to "take that to the bank" .... oh, yes, most assuredly!
I did find in Rev. 20:12 that there were, "open books and one of them was the book of life.", so I'm assuming that is the revealing to those being judged of the Gospel. The part in this chapter I wonder about, though, is that it says, "And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds." Rev. 20:12-13. If we are judged worthy by faith, why are these judged according to their deeds? |
|
|
|
Post by Natalie on Sept 28, 2018 16:50:51 GMT -6
I think that some think the dead will receive a punishment based on their deeds. Would it be in God's character to punish a lying, thieving, vile, mass murderer who lived to be 65 the same as a 25 year old who was a "good" person? Sin is sin, but their deeds are very different. It could be that they believe in eternal punishment at different intensities or some sort of annihilation when the punishment is over. Would God's mercy extend into a person's afterlife? God is eternal-- surely God's mercy is eternal.
|
|
