- Jul 2, 2018
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Eternal conscious torment (ECT)
Should this be the end of the vast majority of humankind?
It seems a catastrophic failure in planning. Or a plan gone terribly wrong.
Who should we blame?
Anyone who has read the Bible knows that God loves a good story.
- The Israelites cross the Red Sea on dry land narrowly escaping the Egyptian army in hot pursuit.
- The walls of Jericho come tumbling down with a shout after the Israelites march around the city once a day for seven days.
- Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Fire came down from heaven and consumed Elijah's drenched sacrifice, the water, and even the stones.
- Jesus was crucified, but then rises from the dead.
And many, many more. You get the idea.
What about the end of the story of humankind? The final judgment. How should that story end?
Most say it ends with the "damned" being tormented forever with no hope of escape.
Something about this story doesn't fit God's usual MO. Too many loose ends.
An uncompleted story. No resolution. Sin unresolved forever.
The "punishment for sin" an eternal blemish on the story of humankind.
Was this God's plan, or humankind's general misunderstanding of God's plan?
Did God really plan to end the story with the vast majority of humankind cast into a forever burning hell?
Seems pointless. Even those who weren't incinerated are left wondering about loved ones who didn't "make it".
And wondering if they will be next.
What if the story of humankind came full circle?
Could God have a plan that brought restoration to all of his creation?
Or should the whole thing end in the smoking dumpster of hell?
Seems such a waste. God loves a good story. Nothing good about THAT story!
Romans 8:20-21 ESV
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly,
but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself
will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain
the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Should this be the end of the vast majority of humankind?
It seems a catastrophic failure in planning. Or a plan gone terribly wrong.
Who should we blame?
Anyone who has read the Bible knows that God loves a good story.
- The Israelites cross the Red Sea on dry land narrowly escaping the Egyptian army in hot pursuit.
- The walls of Jericho come tumbling down with a shout after the Israelites march around the city once a day for seven days.
- Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Fire came down from heaven and consumed Elijah's drenched sacrifice, the water, and even the stones.
- Jesus was crucified, but then rises from the dead.
And many, many more. You get the idea.
What about the end of the story of humankind? The final judgment. How should that story end?
Most say it ends with the "damned" being tormented forever with no hope of escape.
Something about this story doesn't fit God's usual MO. Too many loose ends.
An uncompleted story. No resolution. Sin unresolved forever.
The "punishment for sin" an eternal blemish on the story of humankind.
Was this God's plan, or humankind's general misunderstanding of God's plan?
Did God really plan to end the story with the vast majority of humankind cast into a forever burning hell?
Seems pointless. Even those who weren't incinerated are left wondering about loved ones who didn't "make it".
And wondering if they will be next.
What if the story of humankind came full circle?
Could God have a plan that brought restoration to all of his creation?
Or should the whole thing end in the smoking dumpster of hell?
Seems such a waste. God loves a good story. Nothing good about THAT story!
Romans 8:20-21 ESV
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly,
but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself
will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain
the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
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