When a parent uses some form of fear based punishment to curb their child's actions when they have done something wrong; it does not correct the child's bad behaviour. Rather it causes the child to learn better methods to hide their wrong behaviour.
Sorry to be butting in some 200 posts from where the thread has come thus far. If the issue has been resolved, just let me know. Thanks.
The parent and fear analogy is a good one...it's just not what this is. The world is not God's way of reprimand, hoping it will change some. People do that, even Christians preach with that hope. But that is not what God is doing.
The world is rather God's revelation of what "is." And yes, that would even include what may appear to be a change in some people, like salvation and coming to believe in God somewhere along the way. But His spelling out what "is" by slicing it into little pieces doesn't mean there is actually a timeline or process to the things of God--He's timeless. No, these are just baby steps of revelation for His children--because they are children. That's grace...not fear. Fear would be "Surprise--you loose!" Now that does not mean that it is not fearful or painful, or for that matter that drawing it out over time does not include an opportunity to change. But he who hesitates... Not a good plan. Not a good conclusion.
Again, this is God's mercy, His grace, the closest thing we have to a second chance. This is like the ghost of Christmas past--an opportunity to wake up in a better tomorrow, to change one's fate. Only God can offer that. That is what this is.
But if you are not reading the writing on the wall...perhaps it's not for you. In which case...you might thank Him anyway--even life in this world, such as it is, is a gift.