I'll take a stab at responding to more of your interesting posted studies on the subject.
Thanks again for all your hard work. I'm a bit overwhelmed to answer every nuance presented.
But I will do what I am able. As inspired by your writing and thoughts.
As the Bible says, at some point the (everlasting?) gospel will reach the ends of the earth.
Which means it hasn't yet, confirmed by the fact that we are NOT at the End of Days.
The End of Days defined as the culmination of human life on this earth.
Before the NEW heavens and earth. (the restoration of all things)
It also indicates that a MASSIVE amount of time has passed when the gospel was NOT heard by everyone.
Leaving us with trillions of people who never heard, or were otherwise drawn to God by his Spirit.
From that perspective WHAT gospel could be considered "everlasting"?
- A gospel that only fits a certain denominational demographic? (us versus them)
- A gospel that only supports Protestantism?
- A gospel that only supports Catholicism?
- A gospel that supports BOTH Protestantism and Catholicism?
- A gospel centered on Israel?
It seems that we need a universal gospel. One size fits all.
Covering all the important bases, of course.
And because of the trillions that have never heard, a gospel that is effective without human decision.
Salvation that is provided based on something that is measurable beyond human meddling.
The finished work of the Atonement on our behalf fits the bill nicely. IMHO
- Provided for all of humankind
- Not specific to any religion, or religious sect
- Reaches back through the ages to solve the problem of sin
- Is independent of human approval or acceptance (initially, anyway)
- Is based on the ultimate expression of love and mercy
- Brings the story of humankind to a triumphant and positive conclusion
What does the standard understanding leave us with?
- Sectarian infighting (us versus them)
- A human institution full of corruption (the church)
- The use of fear to control "believers" (threat of hell, excommunication)
- No resolution to the sin problem
- A forever burning hell with no hope of escape for the condemned
- Sadistic eternal torture on the grandest scale imaginable ( the wide gate)
- A tragic end to the story of humankind
No thanks!
cc: @Charlie24 @Hillsage @Chadrho @stunnedbygrace @quietthinker @jeff saunders
Thanks again for all your hard work. I'm a bit overwhelmed to answer every nuance presented.
But I will do what I am able. As inspired by your writing and thoughts.
Yes. Working up to the End of Days. What does it mean to this UR supporter? (me)Concurs with CHRIST's Prophetic Teaching To HIS people, Israel, on the earth!:
n) "And this {Everlasting!} gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in allthe world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."(Matthew 24:14 KJB)
WHAT? "the end"? the "restoration of the New Heaven and New earth"? Or:
As we ask: After "Israel's Final Correction," Then WHAT Does God Do at "This end"?:
o) Is it not This, In "What Saith The Scripture?":“Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of allthings, Which God Hath Spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:21 + OT prophecies)
This Prophetic "restitution For (earthly) Israel" cannot be the same as, and Must Be:
As the Bible says, at some point the (everlasting?) gospel will reach the ends of the earth.
Which means it hasn't yet, confirmed by the fact that we are NOT at the End of Days.
The End of Days defined as the culmination of human life on this earth.
Before the NEW heavens and earth. (the restoration of all things)
It also indicates that a MASSIVE amount of time has passed when the gospel was NOT heard by everyone.
Leaving us with trillions of people who never heard, or were otherwise drawn to God by his Spirit.
From that perspective WHAT gospel could be considered "everlasting"?
- A gospel that only fits a certain denominational demographic? (us versus them)
- A gospel that only supports Protestantism?
- A gospel that only supports Catholicism?
- A gospel that supports BOTH Protestantism and Catholicism?
- A gospel centered on Israel?
It seems that we need a universal gospel. One size fits all.
Covering all the important bases, of course.
And because of the trillions that have never heard, a gospel that is effective without human decision.
Salvation that is provided based on something that is measurable beyond human meddling.
The finished work of the Atonement on our behalf fits the bill nicely. IMHO
- Provided for all of humankind
- Not specific to any religion, or religious sect
- Reaches back through the ages to solve the problem of sin
- Is independent of human approval or acceptance (initially, anyway)
- Is based on the ultimate expression of love and mercy
- Brings the story of humankind to a triumphant and positive conclusion
What does the standard understanding leave us with?
- Sectarian infighting (us versus them)
- A human institution full of corruption (the church)
- The use of fear to control "believers" (threat of hell, excommunication)
- No resolution to the sin problem
- A forever burning hell with no hope of escape for the condemned
- Sadistic eternal torture on the grandest scale imaginable ( the wide gate)
- A tragic end to the story of humankind
No thanks!
cc: @Charlie24 @Hillsage @Chadrho @stunnedbygrace @quietthinker @jeff saunders