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The Restitution Of All Things
- Thread starter FineLinen
- Start date
The deathlessness of sin
Although a Calvinist myself for more than thirty years, the scriptures declaring God's infinite love, and the plain teachings of Jesus my Lord on the subject of love, mercy and truth, finally sank my theological ship.
This left me searching for the truth as it is in Jesus. Finally I was convinced by the overwhelming number of Scriptures that our great God and Heavenly Father truly does, without partiality, love the whole world, and He will in His own time and in His own way finally reconcile all men unto Himself.
Arminianism and Calvinism both represent each other as the method for God's work in salvation, and both vigorously reject the final reconciliation of all men. -C.R. Bierbower
The Purpose Of God
The Purpose Of God, by Vladimir Gelesnoff
The Triumph Of Love
http://www.theheraldofgodsgrace.org/...umphOfLove.htm
"The current Evangelical Theology involves in its system belief in the deathlessness of sin, the indestructibility of error, and permanence of evil. That though there was a time in the history of the universe when sin in any shape or form did not exist, when no cry of pain or sense of guilt darkened the all-extensive bliss and holiness of creation, yet since sin has once effected an entrance into such a scene, it has come in never to go out again, indestructible, unconquerable, ineradicable, endless. Absolute happiness and sinlessness have forever vanished like the phantom of a dream. The "eternal state" is a universe endlessly finding room for myriads of souls rolling and writhing in the burning agonies of ceaseless flame, eternally sinful, vile and morally hideous. It pictures the final perfection yet to be attained as having room for a vast cesspool of immoral and degraded beings, continually existing in opposition to God." -Vladimir Gelesnoff
Although a Calvinist myself for more than thirty years, the scriptures declaring God's infinite love, and the plain teachings of Jesus my Lord on the subject of love, mercy and truth, finally sank my theological ship.
This left me searching for the truth as it is in Jesus. Finally I was convinced by the overwhelming number of Scriptures that our great God and Heavenly Father truly does, without partiality, love the whole world, and He will in His own time and in His own way finally reconcile all men unto Himself.
Arminianism and Calvinism both represent each other as the method for God's work in salvation, and both vigorously reject the final reconciliation of all men. -C.R. Bierbower
The Purpose Of God
The Purpose Of God, by Vladimir Gelesnoff
The Triumph Of Love
http://www.theheraldofgodsgrace.org/...umphOfLove.htm
"The current Evangelical Theology involves in its system belief in the deathlessness of sin, the indestructibility of error, and permanence of evil. That though there was a time in the history of the universe when sin in any shape or form did not exist, when no cry of pain or sense of guilt darkened the all-extensive bliss and holiness of creation, yet since sin has once effected an entrance into such a scene, it has come in never to go out again, indestructible, unconquerable, ineradicable, endless. Absolute happiness and sinlessness have forever vanished like the phantom of a dream. The "eternal state" is a universe endlessly finding room for myriads of souls rolling and writhing in the burning agonies of ceaseless flame, eternally sinful, vile and morally hideous. It pictures the final perfection yet to be attained as having room for a vast cesspool of immoral and degraded beings, continually existing in opposition to God." -Vladimir Gelesnoff
The Triumph of God’s Love
So, what does all this mean? If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.
Who then would dare to accuse those whom God has chosen in love to be his? God himself is the judge who has issued his final verdict over them—“Not guilty!” Who then is left to condemn us? Certainly not Jesus, the Anointed One!
For he gave his life for us, and even more than that, he has conquered death and is now risen, exalted, and enthroned by God at his right hand. So how could he possibly condemn us since he is continually praying for our triumph?
Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one!
For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love.
So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love.
There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! -TPT-
So, what does all this mean? If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.
Who then would dare to accuse those whom God has chosen in love to be his? God himself is the judge who has issued his final verdict over them—“Not guilty!” Who then is left to condemn us? Certainly not Jesus, the Anointed One!
For he gave his life for us, and even more than that, he has conquered death and is now risen, exalted, and enthroned by God at his right hand. So how could he possibly condemn us since he is continually praying for our triumph?
Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one!
For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love.
So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love.
There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! -TPT-
An excerpt from Christ Triumphant By Thomas Allin
True Universalism deters from sin, because it preaches a righteous retribution with unequaled force and certainty: on this its creed largely hinges. Restoration is taught because of retribution, a fact on which too much stress cannot be laid. "You, Lord, are merciful for You render to every man according to his work."- Psl. 62:12
Probably the way in which most people satisfy their own minds, when doubts arise as to the endless nature of future torment is this: "Endless pain and torment is but the result of sin freely chosen and finally persisted in by the sinner".
First, before discussing this, let me ask - why all this stress is laid on man's will to ruin himself, rather than on God's will to save?
Is man the pivot on which all hinges?
To me it seems bad philosophy, and worse theology, not to recognize God as center, and His will and purpose as supreme.
But to resume, I would point out one consequence of defending endless evil and misery, on the plea of man's free choice, viz., that, if this plea avail in any one case to excuse endless evil, it would avail, logically, in every case: and it would justify a universe in which every reasonable being should choose evil finally, and God should remain presiding over an universal hell.
If endless sin be repugnant to every true conception of God, if it be repugnant to morality, for God freely to create any being, for whom such a doom is reserved, then you do not alter this fact by any possible theory as to the power of the human will. That which is incapable of defense morally, remains indefensible still.
You cannot fairly oppose a mere theory to a revealed assurance of the reconciliation of all things to God finally. Your theory indeed proves a possibility of the final choice of evil: you cannot reasonably oppose a possibility, to a direct statement of Him Who made the human will.
The very term, "free will," is ambiguous; it may mean a will partly, or a will wholly, free. If it mean the former, I am most willing to admit man's freedom. But if the latter be meant, then let me remind my readers that the acts of a will wholly free, i.e., undetermined by motive, would have no moral value whatever.
Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin
True Universalism deters from sin, because it preaches a righteous retribution with unequaled force and certainty: on this its creed largely hinges. Restoration is taught because of retribution, a fact on which too much stress cannot be laid. "You, Lord, are merciful for You render to every man according to his work."- Psl. 62:12
Probably the way in which most people satisfy their own minds, when doubts arise as to the endless nature of future torment is this: "Endless pain and torment is but the result of sin freely chosen and finally persisted in by the sinner".
First, before discussing this, let me ask - why all this stress is laid on man's will to ruin himself, rather than on God's will to save?
Is man the pivot on which all hinges?
To me it seems bad philosophy, and worse theology, not to recognize God as center, and His will and purpose as supreme.
But to resume, I would point out one consequence of defending endless evil and misery, on the plea of man's free choice, viz., that, if this plea avail in any one case to excuse endless evil, it would avail, logically, in every case: and it would justify a universe in which every reasonable being should choose evil finally, and God should remain presiding over an universal hell.
If endless sin be repugnant to every true conception of God, if it be repugnant to morality, for God freely to create any being, for whom such a doom is reserved, then you do not alter this fact by any possible theory as to the power of the human will. That which is incapable of defense morally, remains indefensible still.
You cannot fairly oppose a mere theory to a revealed assurance of the reconciliation of all things to God finally. Your theory indeed proves a possibility of the final choice of evil: you cannot reasonably oppose a possibility, to a direct statement of Him Who made the human will.
The very term, "free will," is ambiguous; it may mean a will partly, or a will wholly, free. If it mean the former, I am most willing to admit man's freedom. But if the latter be meant, then let me remind my readers that the acts of a will wholly free, i.e., undetermined by motive, would have no moral value whatever.
Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin
mystērion = mystery
Our Father dwells in mystery. All things encompassing Him must be disclosed. In all passages of Canon, the Kingdom of God, out of death awakenings, and that which is spoken out of Him, is clothed in mystērion glimpses of His disclosure. Yes, everything begins within Him!
mystērion = mystery =
Secret hidden thing.
Hidden purpose and counsel (not obvious to the understanding.)
Confided ONLY to the initiated NOT ordinary mortals.
"For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through Jesus Christ--such being His gracious will and pleasure-- to the praise of the splendour of His grace with which He has enriched us in the beloved One. It is in Him, and through the shedding of His blood, that we have our deliverance--the forgiveness of our offences--so abundant was God's grace, the grace which He, the possessor of all wisdom and understanding, lavished upon us, when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it--the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him. And you..." Eph. 1
Our Father dwells in mystery. All things encompassing Him must be disclosed. In all passages of Canon, the Kingdom of God, out of death awakenings, and that which is spoken out of Him, is clothed in mystērion glimpses of His disclosure. Yes, everything begins within Him!
mystērion = mystery =
Secret hidden thing.
Hidden purpose and counsel (not obvious to the understanding.)
Confided ONLY to the initiated NOT ordinary mortals.
"For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through Jesus Christ--such being His gracious will and pleasure-- to the praise of the splendour of His grace with which He has enriched us in the beloved One. It is in Him, and through the shedding of His blood, that we have our deliverance--the forgiveness of our offences--so abundant was God's grace, the grace which He, the possessor of all wisdom and understanding, lavished upon us, when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it--the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him. And you..." Eph. 1
Worthy! Take the scroll, open its seals. Slain! Paying in blood, you bought men and women, bought them back from all over the earth, bought them back for God. Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God, Priest-kings to rule over the earth. I looked again. I heard a company of angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song:
The slain Lamb is worthy! Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength! Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!
Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:
To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb! The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.
The Four Animals called out,
“Oh, Yes!”
The Elders fell to their knees and worshipped." ~MSG
The slain Lamb is worthy! Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength! Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!
Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:
To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb! The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.
The Four Animals called out,
“Oh, Yes!”
The Elders fell to their knees and worshipped." ~MSG
Acts 3"Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets."
1. What is it?
2. What it is not.
3. What are the Scriptures pointing to this?
4. Who are some of those who have grasped the "Larger Hope"?
18But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
22For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
Its about a future thing for Israel not the Church.
Its about a future thing for Israel not the Church.
Barry: You fail to grasp the enormous scope of pas & ta panta. Both are radically all without any limitation, Pas = all = all = all. Ta panta = the all.
The Restitution of the all things is indeed future, encompassing the heavens, earth and underworld when the all things shall be restored as promised in the prophets and sages of the Holy One.
"For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through Jesus Christ--such being His gracious will and pleasure-- to the praise of the splendour of His grace with which He has enriched us in the beloved One. It is in Him, and through the shedding of His blood, that we have our deliverance--the forgiveness of our offences--so abundant was God's grace, the grace which He, the possessor of all wisdom and understanding, lavished upon us, when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it--the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him. And you..." Eph. 1
The unlimited reach of God
"For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also He went and preached to the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was in preparation, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water....Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." ~1 Peter 3 & 4
Preached = euangelizō = To bring good news/ announce glad tidings.
The joyful tidings of God's kindness.
Disobedient = apeitheō =
To refuse/withhold belief.
To refuse belief and obedience. Non compliance.
The dead = nekros =
Lifeless/ breathed his last.
Deceased/ departed. Destitute of life/ without life.
Live = zaō =
Live, breathe, be among the living.
Not lifeless, not dead.
To be in full vigour.
"For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also He went and preached to the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was in preparation, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water....Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." ~1 Peter 3 & 4
Preached = euangelizō = To bring good news/ announce glad tidings.
The joyful tidings of God's kindness.
Disobedient = apeitheō =
To refuse/withhold belief.
To refuse belief and obedience. Non compliance.
The dead = nekros =
Lifeless/ breathed his last.
Deceased/ departed. Destitute of life/ without life.
Live = zaō =
Live, breathe, be among the living.
Not lifeless, not dead.
To be in full vigour.
The Message (MSG)
Read the The Message Bible Free Online
The Passion Translation (TPT)
https://www.biblegateway.com/version...ible/#booklist
Weymouth New Testament
Read the Weymouth New Testament Free Online
J.B Phillips
J B Phillips New Testament rearranged for the Internet
Harmony - J B Phillips New Testament
Jonathan Mitchell Bible Translation
::Jonathan Mitchell's New Testament Translation::
The Recovery Version Bible
Read the New Testament Recovery Version Bible Online
The Bible For Everyone (N.T. Wright)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage...+1&version=NTE
The Concordant Bible
Read Concordant New Testament Online | Concordant Publishing Concern
Douay-Rheims Translation
Douay-Rhiems Catholic Bible – RHE
American Standard Version
Read the American Standard Version Free Online
New Living Translation
Read the New Living Translation Free Online
Good News Translation
Good News Bible Translation - Read Free Online
Read the The Message Bible Free Online
The Passion Translation (TPT)
https://www.biblegateway.com/version...ible/#booklist
Weymouth New Testament
Read the Weymouth New Testament Free Online
J.B Phillips
J B Phillips New Testament rearranged for the Internet
Harmony - J B Phillips New Testament
Jonathan Mitchell Bible Translation
::Jonathan Mitchell's New Testament Translation::
The Recovery Version Bible
Read the New Testament Recovery Version Bible Online
The Bible For Everyone (N.T. Wright)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage...+1&version=NTE
The Concordant Bible
Read Concordant New Testament Online | Concordant Publishing Concern
Douay-Rheims Translation
Douay-Rhiems Catholic Bible – RHE
American Standard Version
Read the American Standard Version Free Online
New Living Translation
Read the New Living Translation Free Online
Good News Translation
Good News Bible Translation - Read Free Online
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"The assertion of God's universal mercy is more powerful to affect the hearts of the most hardened than the terrifying pictures of the rigorous judgments of God." -Pierre Cuppe
"Let no man take offense at the opening of this mystery as though it brought anything new into religion, for it has nothing new in it; it alters no point of Gospel doctrine, but only sets each article of the old Christian faith upon its true ground. Every number of destroyed sinners must, through the all-working, all-redeeming love of God, which never ceases, come at last to know that they had lost and have again such a God of love as this." -William Law
"Love opens every gate to every depth and supreme height of life! The love that never demands, but instantly finds fulfillment in giving! God holds all universes and infinite creations with the magic of love! In your heart is hidden that secret key of unconditional love with which you can unlock the doors of heaven!" -S. Brahmachari-
"Let no man take offense at the opening of this mystery as though it brought anything new into religion, for it has nothing new in it; it alters no point of Gospel doctrine, but only sets each article of the old Christian faith upon its true ground. Every number of destroyed sinners must, through the all-working, all-redeeming love of God, which never ceases, come at last to know that they had lost and have again such a God of love as this." -William Law
"Love opens every gate to every depth and supreme height of life! The love that never demands, but instantly finds fulfillment in giving! God holds all universes and infinite creations with the magic of love! In your heart is hidden that secret key of unconditional love with which you can unlock the doors of heaven!" -S. Brahmachari-
Restitution open to all mankind
Central to Cuppe's argument is the distinction between the "earthly man", Adam, and "the heavenly man", Christ. Both represent humanity in its entirety. Antichrist is nothing but humanity considered in its sinful state without God. Every human person, considered as the offspring of Adam can be called the "Antichrist", Cuppe explains. But considered in the light of the redeemer every human person is the new man, reconciled to God.
-continued below-
Pierre Cuppe: Heaven Open to All Men (1743) – Mercy Upon All
Central to Cuppe's argument is the distinction between the "earthly man", Adam, and "the heavenly man", Christ. Both represent humanity in its entirety. Antichrist is nothing but humanity considered in its sinful state without God. Every human person, considered as the offspring of Adam can be called the "Antichrist", Cuppe explains. But considered in the light of the redeemer every human person is the new man, reconciled to God.
-continued below-
Pierre Cuppe: Heaven Open to All Men (1743) – Mercy Upon All
The Triumph of God's Love, what does all this mean?
If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won't withhold from us anything else he has to give.
Who then would dare to accuse those whom God has chosen in love to be his? God himself is the judge who has issued his final verdict over them "Not guilty!"
Who then is left to condemn us?
Certainly not Jesus, the Anointed One! For he gave his life for us, and even more than that, he has conquered death and is now risen, exalted, and enthroned by God at his right hand. So how could he possibly condemn us since he is continually praying for our triumph?
Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God's Anointed One?
Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us.
Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven's love. So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God's love. I'm convinced that his love will triumph over death, life's troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love.
There is no power above us or beneath us, no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God's passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! (TPT)
If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won't withhold from us anything else he has to give.
Who then would dare to accuse those whom God has chosen in love to be his? God himself is the judge who has issued his final verdict over them "Not guilty!"
Who then is left to condemn us?
Certainly not Jesus, the Anointed One! For he gave his life for us, and even more than that, he has conquered death and is now risen, exalted, and enthroned by God at his right hand. So how could he possibly condemn us since he is continually praying for our triumph?
Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God's Anointed One?
Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us.
Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven's love. So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God's love. I'm convinced that his love will triumph over death, life's troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love.
There is no power above us or beneath us, no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God's passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! (TPT)
Seven Incorrect Assumptions
#1 The restitution of all renders the Gospel moot.
#2 The restitution of all discredits God's justice.
#3 The restitution of all overestimates the love of God.
#4 The restitution of all has no place in Church history.
#5 The restitution of all is not Biblically based.
#6 The restitution of all gives licence to sin.
#7 The restitution of all projects human feelings to God.
7 Assumptions About Universalism That Are So Often Wrong
#1 The restitution of all renders the Gospel moot.
#2 The restitution of all discredits God's justice.
#3 The restitution of all overestimates the love of God.
#4 The restitution of all has no place in Church history.
#5 The restitution of all is not Biblically based.
#6 The restitution of all gives licence to sin.
#7 The restitution of all projects human feelings to God.
7 Assumptions About Universalism That Are So Often Wrong
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The koine theion is the incense of Jehovah and with theioo is rooted in Theos.
The Lake of Fire is the incense of Jehovah rooted firmly in Theos. Make no mistake: our God is consuming fire; the Limne of Theos is consuming fire in which every last element of sin and iniquity is consumed: every last rotten bit!
The association of fire with purification in both Old and New Covenants is easily traceable. In the Old Covenant the prophetic analogy of silver being purified by fire is classically representative of the purification theme of the Bible.
St. Paul, gets to the heart of the matter when he writes about every mans work being tried by fire, yet the man, himself, being saved.
***NOTE: "saved".
St. John, makes it a point to call the Lake of Pur/ the Lake of Fire, but also of brimstone, which is an old word for sulfur. Sulfur being a common agent of ceremonial purification in temples of worship in ancient times.
Destruction or purification?
Neither scripture nor science recognizes the destruction of anything in the sense of annihilation, that is, of anything being reduced to a state of absolute nothingness. Destruction does not render anything nonexistent, but rather incapable of carrying out its function, as in the destruction of a tank in warfare. The mass of metal is still there, but it can't function as a tank any longer.
Even if you were to vaporize the tank completely, yet, its intrinsic elements would still exist in other forms. Contrary to conventional theology, all things were not created from nothing, and none of the things that have been created will ever face nonexistence, and by that I mean nonexistence in any form. All created things are subject to change, change in form, but not subject to losing their intrinsic existence.
What we have in the process of purification by fire is, first, a separation of the object of purification from all that defiles it, all that is foreign to its intrinsic constitution, and then the removal of the corrupting element.
The Lake of Fire is the incense of Jehovah rooted firmly in Theos. Make no mistake: our God is consuming fire; the Limne of Theos is consuming fire in which every last element of sin and iniquity is consumed: every last rotten bit!
The association of fire with purification in both Old and New Covenants is easily traceable. In the Old Covenant the prophetic analogy of silver being purified by fire is classically representative of the purification theme of the Bible.
St. Paul, gets to the heart of the matter when he writes about every mans work being tried by fire, yet the man, himself, being saved.
***NOTE: "saved".
St. John, makes it a point to call the Lake of Pur/ the Lake of Fire, but also of brimstone, which is an old word for sulfur. Sulfur being a common agent of ceremonial purification in temples of worship in ancient times.
Destruction or purification?
Neither scripture nor science recognizes the destruction of anything in the sense of annihilation, that is, of anything being reduced to a state of absolute nothingness. Destruction does not render anything nonexistent, but rather incapable of carrying out its function, as in the destruction of a tank in warfare. The mass of metal is still there, but it can't function as a tank any longer.
Even if you were to vaporize the tank completely, yet, its intrinsic elements would still exist in other forms. Contrary to conventional theology, all things were not created from nothing, and none of the things that have been created will ever face nonexistence, and by that I mean nonexistence in any form. All created things are subject to change, change in form, but not subject to losing their intrinsic existence.
What we have in the process of purification by fire is, first, a separation of the object of purification from all that defiles it, all that is foreign to its intrinsic constitution, and then the removal of the corrupting element.
Evil, being negative, as is punishment, neither can stand eternal. –John Scotus Erigena
Reason teaches us that Good having a divine Principle, ought to be stronger than Evil, which is essentially nothing but disorder and depravation; that evil putting man into a state of violence, that state cannot continue for ever; that this state of violence supposes its contrary in man, struggling against it…that God being the God of Order, and the undoubted Sovereign of the Universe, can never consent that disorder and confusion should prevail there for ever. --Marie Huber
How could the Bible possibly speak of the perfect victory of God our Creator who loves righteousness and cannot bear evil, if that victory really means that He cannot bring His own creatures at last to hate evil as He hates it, but must confirm multitudes, indeed the majority of them, in their choice of evil for ever and ever?... What sort of victory is it to be able only to subdue evil and prevent it harming any but those who choose it, and to be unable to bring human souls to abominate it and desire to forsake it, so that the evil itself ceases to exist?... –Hannah Hurnard
To say that sin, assuming it to be opposed to God, has the power of creating a world antagonistic to God as everlasting as He is, attributes to it a power equal at least to His; since according to this view, souls whom God willed to be saved, and for whom Christ died, are held in bondage under the power of sin for ever; and all this in opposition to the Word of God, which says that God's Son was "manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil..." -Andrew Jukes
"To go on punishing for ever, simply for punishment's sake, shocks every sentiment of justice. And the case is so much worse when the punishment is really the prolongation of evil, when it is but making evil endless." -Thomas Allin (Christ Triumphant)
Reason teaches us that Good having a divine Principle, ought to be stronger than Evil, which is essentially nothing but disorder and depravation; that evil putting man into a state of violence, that state cannot continue for ever; that this state of violence supposes its contrary in man, struggling against it…that God being the God of Order, and the undoubted Sovereign of the Universe, can never consent that disorder and confusion should prevail there for ever. --Marie Huber
How could the Bible possibly speak of the perfect victory of God our Creator who loves righteousness and cannot bear evil, if that victory really means that He cannot bring His own creatures at last to hate evil as He hates it, but must confirm multitudes, indeed the majority of them, in their choice of evil for ever and ever?... What sort of victory is it to be able only to subdue evil and prevent it harming any but those who choose it, and to be unable to bring human souls to abominate it and desire to forsake it, so that the evil itself ceases to exist?... –Hannah Hurnard
To say that sin, assuming it to be opposed to God, has the power of creating a world antagonistic to God as everlasting as He is, attributes to it a power equal at least to His; since according to this view, souls whom God willed to be saved, and for whom Christ died, are held in bondage under the power of sin for ever; and all this in opposition to the Word of God, which says that God's Son was "manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil..." -Andrew Jukes
"To go on punishing for ever, simply for punishment's sake, shocks every sentiment of justice. And the case is so much worse when the punishment is really the prolongation of evil, when it is but making evil endless." -Thomas Allin (Christ Triumphant)
1 Timothy 2:4 ... who desires ALL people to be saved and come to full knowledge of [the] truth.
It's an active, ongoing result of a previous action. And in the ongoing result of that action; desires (wants, wills) ALL men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.
The action is indicative. Nowhere is it subjunctive, or that of being contingent or probable, nor imperative on the subject’s response.
Neither is it optative, as in being unlikely or wishful thinking that mankind might come to this salvation and knowledge.
The koine is quite precise regarding the will of our God.
"He "willeth" = thelō =
To will, have in mind, intend. To be resolved or determined/ to purpose. His delight and pleasure to save the radical all of pas.
NOTE
Strengthened from the alternate form of haireō to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse).
It's an active, ongoing result of a previous action. And in the ongoing result of that action; desires (wants, wills) ALL men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.
The action is indicative. Nowhere is it subjunctive, or that of being contingent or probable, nor imperative on the subject’s response.
Neither is it optative, as in being unlikely or wishful thinking that mankind might come to this salvation and knowledge.
The koine is quite precise regarding the will of our God.
"He "willeth" = thelō =
To will, have in mind, intend. To be resolved or determined/ to purpose. His delight and pleasure to save the radical all of pas.
NOTE
Strengthened from the alternate form of haireō to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse).
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The Fee-fi-fo-fum version is where many people dwell. Look at the surface of the red letters and black letters and avoid the white spaces between the lines.
The Son of God must open the understanding in order for any follower of His to see and understand.
opened = dianoigō
To draw asunder.
Opening of the ears, eyes, heart.
To cause to understand.
To arouse the faculty of understanding.
"Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures..."
The Son of God must open the understanding in order for any follower of His to see and understand.
opened = dianoigō
To draw asunder.
Opening of the ears, eyes, heart.
To cause to understand.
To arouse the faculty of understanding.
"Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures..."
I once was sure, (many moons ago), that it finally was all figured out in Scripture. Alas, very few utterances have begun to break in symphony. Perhaps this is our Father's Unfinished Symphony to sound with unending glory upon this broken world of ours?
The whole of created life shall be delivered!
Not an increment, not a great deal, the ALL!
We are all seriously lacking in our grasp of our heavenly Father. Coming to know Him is a journey in stages that begin with an awakening from Above. I am convinced this is exceedingly abundantly beyond all we can think or even imagine. The Fire of God is His essence, and the end of all He has made. In that "end" there is healing waves of unconditional love, mercy and transformation.
What an awesome God He is!
The whole of created life shall be delivered!
Not an increment, not a great deal, the ALL!
We are all seriously lacking in our grasp of our heavenly Father. Coming to know Him is a journey in stages that begin with an awakening from Above. I am convinced this is exceedingly abundantly beyond all we can think or even imagine. The Fire of God is His essence, and the end of all He has made. In that "end" there is healing waves of unconditional love, mercy and transformation.
What an awesome God He is!