[greenbear]

Here it is in a nutshell. The 2nd post in the first of two long threads.

Biblestudent's post # 2 in the older thread back in March of '08

There are passages in Scripture similar to this:
1 Samuel 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
1 Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

God "repents", but God is not a man that he should "repent".

In answer to the question, I believe what the Bible says is so.
God hates the workers of iniquity that he would damn them to Hell
God loves the world that he gave his Son and save those who would believe.

The old thread morphed immediately into a debate about Calvinism because this issue is so closely intertwined with it. "God's hatred of the wicked", if taken out of it's context from within God's plan of salvation from everlasting, is closely related to Calvinism: God LOVES me but HATES that sinner.

Luke 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in

themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men

went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a

publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I

am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this

publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the

publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto

heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I

tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for

every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth

himself shall be exalted.

It is just another powerful snare the devil has set for christians to sidetrack them from being about their Father's business. Unbelievers aren't stupid. They know when inexplicable love is displayed to them and they are disconcerted by it; it's one of the things that reaches unbelievers, that God uses to open their hearts to consider His Son. On the other hand they have a strong nose for hypocrisy.

God is telling us He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He doesn't want them to go where they are headed. He has no pleasure in sinners being in hell for all eternity. He did not make Hell for man, but for the devil and his angels. Mt 25:41

Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no

pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his

way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O

house of Israel?

God so loves mankind that He gave His only Son to become a man for all eternity, to die for our sins and to always be identified with us, and one with us.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have

everlasting life.

Jesus tells us what He and His Father are like, and tells us to be as He is.

Matthew 5:43-48 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy

neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for

them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be

the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise

on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even

the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye

more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect,

even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

God is love.

1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

The destruction of the wicked (His enemies) is His strange work. It is STRANGE to Him!

Isaiah 28:21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be

wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work;

and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

When Jesus comes to rescue Israel and to judge the nations He marvels because He is alone. There is none to help. This is a picture of how we are not called to share in His wrath upon the wicked. He will accomplish it without our help.

Isaiah 63:3-5 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there

was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in

my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain

all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of

my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I

wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought

salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.

[Amanda S.]

Jessica said: Here it is in a nutshell. The 2nd post in the first of two long threads.

Well, thank you Sister Jessica for summing that up for all of us.

I personally thought Bro. Forrest did a fine job of explaining the Scripture on this topic, but that is just my "opinion".

Be blessed!

[Jassy]

Originally Posted by Amanda S.

Well, thank you Sister Jessica for summing that up for all of us.

I personally thought Bro. Forrest did a fine job of explaining the Scripture on this topic, but that is just my "opinion".

Be blessed!

Sis Amanda,

WHO is Jessica??????
If you are referring to sis Greenbear, her name is Jennifer, and you have called her "Jessica" more than once. I've never seen her refer to you as Amelia or Andrea - she always calls you Amanda. Since you and she have had so many threads back and forth, I would think you'd remember her name.

Honor her as a sister in the Lord, by remembering her name. Her name is at the end of each of her posts.

Note: This is how sis Jennifer ends all of her posts here: For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1Timothy 2:3-6
jennifer

Thank you for your kind consideration, sis!

Jassy

[Amanda S.]

Arrrrrgh!!!!

I am SO sorry! I do this with the name Jennifer/Jessica in real life too. I have a real life friend named Jessica and I called her Jennifer more than once.

I truly am sorry and apologize. It is very inconsiderate and there's no excuse.

Thank you Sister Jassy for pointing it out.

[Jassy]

Originally Posted by Amanda S.

Arrrrrgh!!!!

I am SO sorry! I do this with the name Jennifer/Jessica in real life too. I have a real life friend named Jessica and I called her Jennifer more than once.

I truly am sorry and apologize. It is very inconsiderate and there's no excuse.

Thank you Sister Jassy for pointing it out.

It's OK - it's an honest mistake sis. I'm sure it isn't intentional.

Jassy

[greenbear]

I never thought it was intentional! I have been called Jessica many, many times in my life. I like it better than my own name, almost. No offense taken whatsoever.

[Amanda S.]

Thank you sister...