Quote:
Originally Posted by tbpew
CJ,
(standard disclaimer....I have not read all the posts in this thread)
Have you considered and determined that annihilation is not part of the potential outcomes extending from every individual's free-will choices made throughout this life?
I find no available means to reconcile your position (quoted above) with:
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
and
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
In my understanding, I do not see renewal or restoration emerging from that which has been destroyed.
thoughts?
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TB,
This is a very good question, the short answer is: Even though God is more than able to destroy the souls of men, it is not His purpose to do so.
He is able to destroy the cosmos, but it would be contrary to His purpose. He is also able to restore, redeem and to bring all His creation into right relationship with Himself.
He is also able to do this without violating the will of the individual, because with full disclosure, what man woman or child will not bow and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.
To know Him is to love Him, and I believe every human being will have eventual full disclosure, which produces only one result, bowing and confessing.
Many believe God will then destroy these, I simply disagree, and believe He will cause the eternal destruction of their "old man".
My question is: which is more in line with His character, His love, His power and ability to do?
The main problem I have with annihilation is that it causes God's purpose to fail, He is NOT willing that any should perish, therefore if one soul ultimately is forever lost then the WILL of God is not accomplished.