.
RE: I was going to ask how you reconciled your bloodthirsty prescriptions with Jesus' redeeming life and mission.
There are already plenty of reconciliations on public display in msgs 5, 6, 9, 15, 16, 19, 23, and the one before you now.
RE: it's central message that redemption is for all, whatever their sins or crimes.
Redemption plays no role whatsoever in one's civic duties and responsibilities. Paul warned his fellow believers in Rome that if they crossed the law; they have to pay because it is God's sovereign will that Christians settle their debts to society; even to the point of death.
. Rom 13:3-4 . . For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
According to Paul, civil servants are God's ministers. Therefore, whoever opposes capital punishment is God's enemy.
. Rom 13:1-3 . . Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
I'd say that right about now, you're in very hot water.
RE: those who live by the sword, stand to die by the sword.
I have never lived by the sword. I worked at an honest trade as a professional welder for 40 years before retiring from Federal civil service in 2006.
BTW: Did you not see the word sword in Rom 13:4? Just in case your eyes were holden the first time you skimmed past it in one of the paragraphs above, here's a reprint.
"But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
It is God's sovereign will that Christians guilty of capital crimes not be pitied.
. 1John 5:16-17 . . If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that.
One of the keynotes of Messiah Jesus' pending kingdom is justice; and I don't have to tell you what that means; do I.
. Isa 9:7 . . Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Not to pick on you personally, but you are so typical of Christians unskilled in Old Testament Christology who have their heads buried in the sands of ignorance like the proverbial ostrich. The Bible's Christ is not the bleeding-heart sob sister that so many of you seem to think he is. No; he's a real he-man; a conservative hard-liner who's going to implement a zero-tolerance policy towards crime in his kingdom.
. Mtt 13:40-42 . .As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
. Mtt 13:47-50 . . The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the age: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Those who get in Christ's way, will be summarily executed while he looks on.
. Luke 19:27 . . But bring here those enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.
The Bible's Christ intends to rule as a despotic monarch.
. Ps 2:4-12 . . I will declare the decree: Yhvh has said to me: "You are My son, today I have begotten you. Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel."
. . Now therefore, be wise, O kings; learn a lesson, you judges of the earth. Serve Yhvh with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way when his wrath is kindled but a little.
C.L.I.F.F.
/