You: If God was no longer "reckoning offenses to any in the world" (your words), then why are people dying the "second death" in the lake of fire in Revelation 20?
Me: They die twice, not because of their unbelief. Unbelief prevented them from the early resurrection before the 1000 year kingdom. This chastening is because of their acts. Just as we chasten a three year old to change their behavior, thus God chastens these through a second death. That is the chastening God deals out - death. We know they will be raised again.
(CLV) 1Co 15:26
The last enemy is being abolished: death.
(CLV) 1Co 15:22
For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified.
The syntax is “in Christ all” and not “all in Christ”.
Any who have died twice will be raised. Death will have no power. They will love God and His Son.
Isn't that God's purpose of the ages?
(CLV) Eph 3:11
in accord with the purpose of the eons, which He makes in Christ Jesus, our Lord;
The Son will give up His Kingdom and be subject to His Father and GOD WILL BE ALL IN ALL.
CLV 1Co 15:27 - 1Co 15:28
27 For He subjects all under His feet. Now whenever He may be saying that all is subject, it is evident that it is outside of Him Who subjects all to Him.
28 Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all.)
I know this is a lot to take in. Part of the confusion is that salvation from sin and death took place on the cross and not left to the weakest link - humanity.
How does anyone know they are a member of the Body of Christ?
1.If I believe Christ died, that He ceased to exist for three days and was dead dead and not living in a different state.
2.If I believe that Christ died for sin as John the Baptist proclaimed He will be taking away the sin of the world (kosmos).
3.If I believe He was entombed.
4.If I believe He rose from being dead on the third day.
Since Christians don't believe the above, they categorize me as an unbeliever. But that is proof of a member of Christ's body with all its advantages. That's what I think anyway.
Concerning the 7000 years: If the way we are looking at the calendars is accurate, then the Great Tribulation will begin later this year. If that is the case, then Donald Trump will play a large and specific role that is described in scripture.
You: In Revelation 20 we read about the Great White Throne Judgment of those who do not have their names written in the Book of Life.
Me: This cannot be believers. Believers were either snatched away or resurrected at Christ's coming and will be judging at the Great White Throne. This passage concerns the rest of the dead who were not believers. You won't find the word “sin” in Revelation because sin was dealt with on the cross. John uses the word “acts”.
(CLV) Re 20:12
And I perceived the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. And scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened which is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged by that which is written in the scrolls in accord with their acts.
Me: Faith is not a criteria here and is not mentioned. If a person has bad acts, they will die again. If a person didn't murder people, teach a false gospel or other such nasty things, they will go into the New Earth. They will have missed the thousand years due to unbelief but will enjoy the final eon on earth. Such will be Adam and Job. All will then be believers for the truth will be displayed before them.
You: "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
Me: The cross is mentioned in the four accounts as an historical event. The cross and its accomplishments are never mentioned in the circumcision books – not in Hebrews, James, 1,2 Peter, 1,2,3 John, Jude or Revelation. The believing Jews (Christians) were to keep the circumcision gospel which is to repent and be zealous for the law. This is what James and Peter practiced and preached. That is the gospel most Christian churches promote today rather than the gospel of the uncircumcision which is salvation of the cross. Grace.
You: Verse 17 specifically says that whoever is "in Christ" is a new creation. How to do you get "in Christ?" By being "born again" spiritually. As Jesus told Nicodemus, "you must be born again." Those who are not "born again," cannot see the kingdom of heaven.
Me: (CLV) 2Co 5:17
So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new!
The following is how anyone is in Christ in this era and the first time we know that a believer's destination is celestial rather than earthly:
CLV Eph 1:3 - Eph 1:5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who blesses us with every spiritual blessing among the celestials, in Christ,
4 according as He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world, we to be holy and flawless in His sight,
5 in love designating us beforehand for the place of a son for Him through Christ Jesus; in accord with the delight of His will,
He chooses members of the Body before Adam existed. Before the great disruption. He designates them beforehand. That is how any are “in Christ”.
You: By being "born again" spiritually. As Jesus told Nicodemus, "you must be born again." Those who are not "born again," cannot see the kingdom of heaven.
Me: He is speaking to a Pharisee. “You” is plural and means they (Jews/Israel) must be rehabilitated (born anew). That is why Jesus chastised Nicodemus since this will happen in a day:
(CLV) Jn 3:10
Jesus answered and said to him, "You are a teacher of Israel, and these things you do not know?
(CLV) Isa 66:8
Who has heard such a thing as this? And who has seen such things as these? Shall a land be in travail in one day only? Should a nation be born at one time? When she travails, already Zion gives birth to her sons.
That is not the same as the Body which is a new creation. The Jews will be born anew when Jer 31:31 is fulfilled. It is a new covenant that will rehabilitate the old flesh.
(CLV) Jer 31:31
Behold, the days are coming, averring is Yahweh, when I will contract a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
(CLV) Jer 31:33
For this is the covenant which I shall contract with the house of Israel after those days, averring is Yahweh: I will put My law within them, And I shall write it on their heart; I will become their Elohim, And they shall become My people.
You: In John 1:11-13 we see that not everyone is born again. It says that Jesus came to His own people (Jews) but they (as a whole) didn't receive Him. But to those who did receive Him, He gave them the right to become children of God.
CLV Jn 1:11 - Jn 1:13
11 To His own He came, and those who are His own accepted Him not.
12 Yet whoever obtained Him, to them He gives the right to become children of God, to those who are believing in His name,
13 who were begotten, not of bloods, neither of the will of the flesh, neither of the will of a man, but of God.
Me: My translation always indicates the passive case by using the word “obtain” rather than “get” or in your bible “receive”. Most bibles do not differentiate between passive and active. Those believers were begotten (become). They passively obtained. Verse 13 says neither of the will of a man, but of God brings that about. They were given the right. It wasn't earned.
Now certainly faith is not for all: (CLV) 2Th 3:2
and that we should be rescued from abnormal and wicked men, for not for all is the faith.
A good question might be why isn't faith for all in this age?
You: Paul was talking to Christians in Corinth. So he is speaking to followers of Jesus and how God has reconciled them to Himself through the cross of Christ. And this reconciliation is not just for them but for the whole world. HE is not saying that everyone is automatically reconciled to God.
Me: Conciliate and reconciliate are two different Greek words. Suffixes change but Kattlasson is the former and apokattallaei is the later. Conciliate is one way satisfaction or happiness with whomever is the object. God is conciliated to the world in 2Cor 5:19. That is why in 2 Cor 5:20 Paul beseeches others to be conciliated to God since He is conciliated to you. If that can be accomplished, then there is reconciliation which is two way conciliation. Most bibles translate that wrong but the scriptures are accurate.
I very much appreciate your effort to pay attention to the address on the envelope. While Paul is talking to believers, he is telling believers about how the cross effected the world or system (kosmos). “Their offenses” can't possibly mean “our offenses”. If Paul meant Christians he might have written it this way:
(CLV) 2Co 5:19
how that God was in Christ, conciliating [us] to Himself, not reckoning [our] offenses to [us], and placing in us the word of the conciliation.
Here is an example of two way conciliation:
(CLV) Col 1:20
and through Him to reconcile all to Him (-making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens.
You: HE is not saying that everyone is automatically reconciled to God.
Me: But Paul is saying exactly that in the above verse. That is His purpose and it will certainly happen in due time.
As I can paste your comments in this document, I'll just give you my take on your points and I'll do it in batches.
Words are thoughts. When looking at an issue I first check the translation to make sure as best I can that what is being said actually represents God's thoughts. I then do a natural read. Then I consider near and remote context.
You: I haven't found inconsistencies in the Bible.
Me: The inconsistencies I was speaking about were inconsistencies in churches in dealing with scripture. I usually use the word “scriptures” as in the original texts since bibles greatly differ.
You: Without the cross, there is no resurrection. And 1 Corinthians 15 says that without the resurrection of Christ, then we have NO HOPE.
Me: I once read in a very old dictionary that the archaic meaning of “hope” was “assurance”. When I read “hope”, I think “assurance”. I wasn't speaking of the resurrection of Christ, I was speaking of the events on the cross.
What Christianity teaches is that no one was saved by the cross. We need to add to the work of Jesus by our own free will choice to believe. If we don't do that work on our own, then the cross means nothing to us and we will be endlessly tortured.
(CLV) 2Co 5:14
For the love of Christ is constraining us, judging this, that, if One died for the sake of all, consequently all died.
The love of Christ is constraining us (believers) that we tell others that since Christ died for all humanity, then all humanity died.
Since all are considered to have died, then all are justified (not just forgiven) from sin.
(CLV) Ro 6:7
for one who dies has been justified from Sin.
This is what Christ secured on the cross for everyone. Just as we were thrown into this life without our consent, he saves us from sin and death without our consent. Otherwise the first Adam would be greater than the last Adam. I'm not talking about the Body of Christ, the Bride or the wedding party. I'm talking about humanity.
(CLV) Ro 8:20
For to vanity was the creation subjected, not voluntarily, but because of Him Who subjects it, in expectation.
Hey Gary. I used to be a conservative Christian. I got serious about scripture in 1989 and just could not deal with the inconsistencies. To be brief, I'll just list one item.
Christianity teaches that we must repent in order to be pardoned. So our sin remains but it is overlooked. We are on probation and need to continually repent as we sin in order to be forgiven.
Seeing that repenting leading to forgiveness was the requirement before the cross and it continued after the cross, the cross actually is not important in Christianity. I searched and searched. A verse never read in churches just kept popping up.
(CLV) 2Co 5:19
how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation.
So on the cross, God was in Christ conciliating the world and everything in it to Himself. Since God is at peace with all humanity due to His Son's work, why the repentance in order to be forgiven?
Furthermore, since God is no longer reckoning offenses to any in the world, why appease a God Who is at peace with me? I certainly repent out of a good conscience but rather than appeal for forgiveness, I thank Him for what was already accomplished.
This reality is very different from Christian doctrine. I don't call myself a Christian because they tell me that I am going to hell. Anyway, I prefer being justified to being forgiven.
Jamie, thanks for explaining your thoughts. I haven't found inconsistencies in the Bible.
I must admit that I don't agree with your comment that the cross in "actually not important." Without the cross, there is no resurrection. And 1 Corinthians 15 says that without the resurrection of Christ, then we have NO HOPE.
I also disagree with your exegesis of 2 Corinthians 5. In verse 19, Paul was talking to Christians in Corinth. So he is speaking to followers of Jesus and how God has reconciled them to Himself through the cross of Christ. And this reconciliation is not just for them but for the whole world. HE is not saying that everyone is automatically reconciled to God. Verse 17 specifically says that whoever is "in Christ" is a new creation. How to do you get "in Christ?" By being "born again" spiritually. As Jesus told Nicodemus, "you must be born again." Those who are not "born again," cannot see the kingdom of heaven. In John 1:11-13 we see that not everyone is born again. It says that Jesus came to His own people (Jews) but they (as a whole) didn't receive Him. But to those who did receive Him, He gave them the right to become children of God.
In Revelation 20 we read about the Great White Throne Judgment of those who do not have their names written in the Book of Life. How do you get your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
If God was no longer "reckoning offenses to any in the world" (your words), then why are people dying the "second death" in the lake of fire in Revelation 20?
We all have presuppositions as we view the Scriptures. But I'm praying for you as Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:17, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."
I need to leave for the conference I previously mentioned, but I tried to answer your rebuttals as best I could given the short time I have. Turns out it will not accommodate the length. I'm bringing my computer with. Maybe I'll have time later. I might look for your email and do it that way.
I was praying that this "floating pier" would be a success. 1. The ability to create a facility like this can be a military necessity such as on the coast of France after D-Day. Our failure there is embarrassing. 2. It is painfully obvious that PM Netanyahou has seriously neglected the civilian population in his zeal to destroy Hamas. I have no qualms about destroying Hamas, but ignoring the civilians as he has done will only create a new breed of terrorists as the children reach adulthood. As these people certainly follow the adage, "an eye for an eye", Netanyahou should've broken that chain by evacuating those people instead of having them fleeing around in a war zone only to repeatedly be in the area of the next Israeli offensive. Oct 7th was horrific; but what has happened since then, 40,000, could've been avoided.
Hey Mr. Varvel. I’ve been working for 2 years on the possibility that Christ’s return will accord with God’s possible 6+1 and 2+1 plan finding its consummation in 2031 or there abouts. You seem to be using similar sources. I’ll be heading to a conference in Georgia this weekend. That topic may come up. I’m not a Christian but get into things of scripture every day. Carry on. Jamie Smith. Wabasha, MN
Jamie, yes, God's 7000 year timeline is found in the Scriptures. I'm praying for you as you study God's Word that you will develop a relationship with its Author, Jesus Christ (John 1:1; 14; 3:16; 5:24; 14:6; Colossians 1:15-17).
Since you are interested in Scripture, what is holding you back from becoming a Christian?
You: If God was no longer "reckoning offenses to any in the world" (your words), then why are people dying the "second death" in the lake of fire in Revelation 20?
Me: They die twice, not because of their unbelief. Unbelief prevented them from the early resurrection before the 1000 year kingdom. This chastening is because of their acts. Just as we chasten a three year old to change their behavior, thus God chastens these through a second death. That is the chastening God deals out - death. We know they will be raised again.
(CLV) 1Co 15:26
The last enemy is being abolished: death.
(CLV) 1Co 15:22
For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified.
The syntax is “in Christ all” and not “all in Christ”.
Any who have died twice will be raised. Death will have no power. They will love God and His Son.
Isn't that God's purpose of the ages?
(CLV) Eph 3:11
in accord with the purpose of the eons, which He makes in Christ Jesus, our Lord;
The Son will give up His Kingdom and be subject to His Father and GOD WILL BE ALL IN ALL.
CLV 1Co 15:27 - 1Co 15:28
27 For He subjects all under His feet. Now whenever He may be saying that all is subject, it is evident that it is outside of Him Who subjects all to Him.
28 Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all.)
I know this is a lot to take in. Part of the confusion is that salvation from sin and death took place on the cross and not left to the weakest link - humanity.
How does anyone know they are a member of the Body of Christ?
1.If I believe Christ died, that He ceased to exist for three days and was dead dead and not living in a different state.
2.If I believe that Christ died for sin as John the Baptist proclaimed He will be taking away the sin of the world (kosmos).
3.If I believe He was entombed.
4.If I believe He rose from being dead on the third day.
Since Christians don't believe the above, they categorize me as an unbeliever. But that is proof of a member of Christ's body with all its advantages. That's what I think anyway.
Concerning the 7000 years: If the way we are looking at the calendars is accurate, then the Great Tribulation will begin later this year. If that is the case, then Donald Trump will play a large and specific role that is described in scripture.
Carry on Gary.
Jamie Smith
Wabasha, MN
You: In Revelation 20 we read about the Great White Throne Judgment of those who do not have their names written in the Book of Life.
Me: This cannot be believers. Believers were either snatched away or resurrected at Christ's coming and will be judging at the Great White Throne. This passage concerns the rest of the dead who were not believers. You won't find the word “sin” in Revelation because sin was dealt with on the cross. John uses the word “acts”.
(CLV) Re 20:12
And I perceived the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. And scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened which is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged by that which is written in the scrolls in accord with their acts.
Me: Faith is not a criteria here and is not mentioned. If a person has bad acts, they will die again. If a person didn't murder people, teach a false gospel or other such nasty things, they will go into the New Earth. They will have missed the thousand years due to unbelief but will enjoy the final eon on earth. Such will be Adam and Job. All will then be believers for the truth will be displayed before them.
You: "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
Me: The cross is mentioned in the four accounts as an historical event. The cross and its accomplishments are never mentioned in the circumcision books – not in Hebrews, James, 1,2 Peter, 1,2,3 John, Jude or Revelation. The believing Jews (Christians) were to keep the circumcision gospel which is to repent and be zealous for the law. This is what James and Peter practiced and preached. That is the gospel most Christian churches promote today rather than the gospel of the uncircumcision which is salvation of the cross. Grace.
You: Verse 17 specifically says that whoever is "in Christ" is a new creation. How to do you get "in Christ?" By being "born again" spiritually. As Jesus told Nicodemus, "you must be born again." Those who are not "born again," cannot see the kingdom of heaven.
Me: (CLV) 2Co 5:17
So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new!
The following is how anyone is in Christ in this era and the first time we know that a believer's destination is celestial rather than earthly:
CLV Eph 1:3 - Eph 1:5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who blesses us with every spiritual blessing among the celestials, in Christ,
4 according as He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world, we to be holy and flawless in His sight,
5 in love designating us beforehand for the place of a son for Him through Christ Jesus; in accord with the delight of His will,
He chooses members of the Body before Adam existed. Before the great disruption. He designates them beforehand. That is how any are “in Christ”.
You: By being "born again" spiritually. As Jesus told Nicodemus, "you must be born again." Those who are not "born again," cannot see the kingdom of heaven.
Me: He is speaking to a Pharisee. “You” is plural and means they (Jews/Israel) must be rehabilitated (born anew). That is why Jesus chastised Nicodemus since this will happen in a day:
(CLV) Jn 3:10
Jesus answered and said to him, "You are a teacher of Israel, and these things you do not know?
(CLV) Isa 66:8
Who has heard such a thing as this? And who has seen such things as these? Shall a land be in travail in one day only? Should a nation be born at one time? When she travails, already Zion gives birth to her sons.
That is not the same as the Body which is a new creation. The Jews will be born anew when Jer 31:31 is fulfilled. It is a new covenant that will rehabilitate the old flesh.
(CLV) Jer 31:31
Behold, the days are coming, averring is Yahweh, when I will contract a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
(CLV) Jer 31:33
For this is the covenant which I shall contract with the house of Israel after those days, averring is Yahweh: I will put My law within them, And I shall write it on their heart; I will become their Elohim, And they shall become My people.
You: In John 1:11-13 we see that not everyone is born again. It says that Jesus came to His own people (Jews) but they (as a whole) didn't receive Him. But to those who did receive Him, He gave them the right to become children of God.
CLV Jn 1:11 - Jn 1:13
11 To His own He came, and those who are His own accepted Him not.
12 Yet whoever obtained Him, to them He gives the right to become children of God, to those who are believing in His name,
13 who were begotten, not of bloods, neither of the will of the flesh, neither of the will of a man, but of God.
Me: My translation always indicates the passive case by using the word “obtain” rather than “get” or in your bible “receive”. Most bibles do not differentiate between passive and active. Those believers were begotten (become). They passively obtained. Verse 13 says neither of the will of a man, but of God brings that about. They were given the right. It wasn't earned.
Now certainly faith is not for all: (CLV) 2Th 3:2
and that we should be rescued from abnormal and wicked men, for not for all is the faith.
A good question might be why isn't faith for all in this age?
You: Paul was talking to Christians in Corinth. So he is speaking to followers of Jesus and how God has reconciled them to Himself through the cross of Christ. And this reconciliation is not just for them but for the whole world. HE is not saying that everyone is automatically reconciled to God.
Me: Conciliate and reconciliate are two different Greek words. Suffixes change but Kattlasson is the former and apokattallaei is the later. Conciliate is one way satisfaction or happiness with whomever is the object. God is conciliated to the world in 2Cor 5:19. That is why in 2 Cor 5:20 Paul beseeches others to be conciliated to God since He is conciliated to you. If that can be accomplished, then there is reconciliation which is two way conciliation. Most bibles translate that wrong but the scriptures are accurate.
I very much appreciate your effort to pay attention to the address on the envelope. While Paul is talking to believers, he is telling believers about how the cross effected the world or system (kosmos). “Their offenses” can't possibly mean “our offenses”. If Paul meant Christians he might have written it this way:
(CLV) 2Co 5:19
how that God was in Christ, conciliating [us] to Himself, not reckoning [our] offenses to [us], and placing in us the word of the conciliation.
Here is an example of two way conciliation:
(CLV) Col 1:20
and through Him to reconcile all to Him (-making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens.
You: HE is not saying that everyone is automatically reconciled to God.
Me: But Paul is saying exactly that in the above verse. That is His purpose and it will certainly happen in due time.
As I can paste your comments in this document, I'll just give you my take on your points and I'll do it in batches.
Words are thoughts. When looking at an issue I first check the translation to make sure as best I can that what is being said actually represents God's thoughts. I then do a natural read. Then I consider near and remote context.
You: I haven't found inconsistencies in the Bible.
Me: The inconsistencies I was speaking about were inconsistencies in churches in dealing with scripture. I usually use the word “scriptures” as in the original texts since bibles greatly differ.
You: Without the cross, there is no resurrection. And 1 Corinthians 15 says that without the resurrection of Christ, then we have NO HOPE.
Me: I once read in a very old dictionary that the archaic meaning of “hope” was “assurance”. When I read “hope”, I think “assurance”. I wasn't speaking of the resurrection of Christ, I was speaking of the events on the cross.
What Christianity teaches is that no one was saved by the cross. We need to add to the work of Jesus by our own free will choice to believe. If we don't do that work on our own, then the cross means nothing to us and we will be endlessly tortured.
(CLV) 2Co 5:14
For the love of Christ is constraining us, judging this, that, if One died for the sake of all, consequently all died.
The love of Christ is constraining us (believers) that we tell others that since Christ died for all humanity, then all humanity died.
Since all are considered to have died, then all are justified (not just forgiven) from sin.
(CLV) Ro 6:7
for one who dies has been justified from Sin.
This is what Christ secured on the cross for everyone. Just as we were thrown into this life without our consent, he saves us from sin and death without our consent. Otherwise the first Adam would be greater than the last Adam. I'm not talking about the Body of Christ, the Bride or the wedding party. I'm talking about humanity.
(CLV) Ro 8:20
For to vanity was the creation subjected, not voluntarily, but because of Him Who subjects it, in expectation.
More to come.
Jamie Smith
Hey Gary. I used to be a conservative Christian. I got serious about scripture in 1989 and just could not deal with the inconsistencies. To be brief, I'll just list one item.
Christianity teaches that we must repent in order to be pardoned. So our sin remains but it is overlooked. We are on probation and need to continually repent as we sin in order to be forgiven.
Seeing that repenting leading to forgiveness was the requirement before the cross and it continued after the cross, the cross actually is not important in Christianity. I searched and searched. A verse never read in churches just kept popping up.
(CLV) 2Co 5:19
how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation.
So on the cross, God was in Christ conciliating the world and everything in it to Himself. Since God is at peace with all humanity due to His Son's work, why the repentance in order to be forgiven?
Furthermore, since God is no longer reckoning offenses to any in the world, why appease a God Who is at peace with me? I certainly repent out of a good conscience but rather than appeal for forgiveness, I thank Him for what was already accomplished.
This reality is very different from Christian doctrine. I don't call myself a Christian because they tell me that I am going to hell. Anyway, I prefer being justified to being forgiven.
Jamie, thanks for explaining your thoughts. I haven't found inconsistencies in the Bible.
I must admit that I don't agree with your comment that the cross in "actually not important." Without the cross, there is no resurrection. And 1 Corinthians 15 says that without the resurrection of Christ, then we have NO HOPE.
I also disagree with your exegesis of 2 Corinthians 5. In verse 19, Paul was talking to Christians in Corinth. So he is speaking to followers of Jesus and how God has reconciled them to Himself through the cross of Christ. And this reconciliation is not just for them but for the whole world. HE is not saying that everyone is automatically reconciled to God. Verse 17 specifically says that whoever is "in Christ" is a new creation. How to do you get "in Christ?" By being "born again" spiritually. As Jesus told Nicodemus, "you must be born again." Those who are not "born again," cannot see the kingdom of heaven. In John 1:11-13 we see that not everyone is born again. It says that Jesus came to His own people (Jews) but they (as a whole) didn't receive Him. But to those who did receive Him, He gave them the right to become children of God.
In Revelation 20 we read about the Great White Throne Judgment of those who do not have their names written in the Book of Life. How do you get your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
If God was no longer "reckoning offenses to any in the world" (your words), then why are people dying the "second death" in the lake of fire in Revelation 20?
We all have presuppositions as we view the Scriptures. But I'm praying for you as Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:17, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."
I need to leave for the conference I previously mentioned, but I tried to answer your rebuttals as best I could given the short time I have. Turns out it will not accommodate the length. I'm bringing my computer with. Maybe I'll have time later. I might look for your email and do it that way.
Carry on.
Jamie Smith
I was praying that this "floating pier" would be a success. 1. The ability to create a facility like this can be a military necessity such as on the coast of France after D-Day. Our failure there is embarrassing. 2. It is painfully obvious that PM Netanyahou has seriously neglected the civilian population in his zeal to destroy Hamas. I have no qualms about destroying Hamas, but ignoring the civilians as he has done will only create a new breed of terrorists as the children reach adulthood. As these people certainly follow the adage, "an eye for an eye", Netanyahou should've broken that chain by evacuating those people instead of having them fleeing around in a war zone only to repeatedly be in the area of the next Israeli offensive. Oct 7th was horrific; but what has happened since then, 40,000, could've been avoided.
Hey Mr. Varvel. I’ve been working for 2 years on the possibility that Christ’s return will accord with God’s possible 6+1 and 2+1 plan finding its consummation in 2031 or there abouts. You seem to be using similar sources. I’ll be heading to a conference in Georgia this weekend. That topic may come up. I’m not a Christian but get into things of scripture every day. Carry on. Jamie Smith. Wabasha, MN
Jamie, yes, God's 7000 year timeline is found in the Scriptures. I'm praying for you as you study God's Word that you will develop a relationship with its Author, Jesus Christ (John 1:1; 14; 3:16; 5:24; 14:6; Colossians 1:15-17).
Since you are interested in Scripture, what is holding you back from becoming a Christian?