Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on November 28, 1999 at 10:30:19 {hcnmikA.FkMSSTtTA17sslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: *****Irreducible Complexity posted by Beaver on November 28, 1999 at 06:25:57:
Hi Beaver,
It's not like that at all. None of us would be here had Satan gotten his way. He intended to murder you by causing Eve and Adam to sin. Only by Jehovah's mercy was a Ransom Sacrifice put into place to save mankind.
But just as God put restrictions on Satan against murder and requires persons not to worship false gods, he does have standards. He wishes thus that no one be destroyed. But if persons want to be fornicators or murderers then God simply isn't going to extend eternal life to them.
So it is not about killing billions of innocent people who are perfectly willing to serve God. It is about destroying those persons who don't think it is their responsibility to recognize God at all in their lives, or who knowingly disobey his laws.
At any rate, the Bible doesn't provide for the JW concept that only they will be the ones surviving Armageddon. AS noted, Jesus didn't send out just one slave but TEN. So arrangements are being made for as many to meet God's requirements as possible and so that as many can survive Armageddon as possible.
But it may be difficult when some so-called Christians actually KNOW FOR A FACT that a Christmas Tree is supposed to be a false God, and they actually KNOW FOR A FACT that God hates idols, and they casually think nothing of offending God by bringing a tree into their house and decorating it and singing songs to it.
So it's true. God will offer life to many and no one deserving will die. But many who simply think they can ignore God's laws or don't bother learning about those laws so they can live, will, unfortunately be cut off.
The prophets are here to try and HELP THEM stay alive by saying: "HEY! QUICK! Get rid of that tree Goddess!" But some think they know God well enough to get away with it.
The Bible, though, is the guide. The applicable lesson is in the Hebrews, who even after having put down Baal worship and getting rid of the idols and the female prostitutes and male prostitutes (who were in drag, by the way!), they still held onto the "high places" which the Jews thought was no big deal. But they paid dearly for it since because of it they went into exile.
So that is what this is about. Not fully understanding God's requirements, what is important to him and where there is some flexibility.
But anyway, all that will be decided on JUDGMENT DAY. That's what Judgment Day will be all about. And if you're one of the Judges, Beave, then you can decide where to draw the line... The 144,000 are people just like you and me who understand humanity and who can make these decisions.
All we can do is TRUST that God's interest is that we have that precious thing called ETERNAL LIFE and so why would he begrudge those from having it.
Anyway, he does have his pet peaves and idolatry is one of them....
What can I say?
It will all be worked out and there will be LOTS OF MERCY....
Cheers,
Bibleman