Thoughts on vengeful escatology and theology.
"When our eschatology (end-times view) has more to do with the
"destruction of the wicked" than the 'restoration of ALL THINGS' then we
really should re-think the Jesus we are preaching. The world is waiting for some GOOD NEWS not DOOM & GLOOM!" - Blaise Foret
This is my take as well...Not that I don't believe that there will be some kind of 'recompense for the wicked' (what it looks like I do not know - only God truly knows), I just believe that Jesus' focus and the whole purpose of His work in his ministry, on the cross and in His resurrection was restoration and hope, not destruction and punishment. Scripture says destruction is a work of the enemy.
As difficult as it can be, I believe that hope and restoration should be first and foremost in my heart and mind as well - even in the face of the immense evil that we face in the world. It is what Jesus modeled up until his last breath. Punishment, wrath and anger are not listed as being an outflow of life with the Holy Spirit. For a refresher on the fruit of the Spirit, see Paul's letter to the Galatians 5:22-23...It is also important to note that in the verses before the list of Spiritual fruit, Paul suggests that people who live from a place of strife, anger, dissension, quarreling and things like those are not Kingdom people. Those things are 'of the flesh' (AKA - coming from our limited human perspective, not from the Spirit). I distinguish 'living from' that place with moments of 'righteous anger'. That initial flash of righteous anger should be only the wake up call - from that point I must deal with that emotion and move forward with the heart of Christ. It is unhelpful for everyone If claim to be an ambassador for the Kingdom of God but I am preaching from a place of anger, preaching destruction and wrath rather than the Good News of Christ's restorative work. At that point I am in violation of the core traits of the very Kingdom I claim to speak for. Paul even says that I actually will not inherit the Kingdom of God. We can have a deep discussion on what exactly that means and but it clearly, at the very least, says that I'm not properly representing my Father's ways.
So, even though I confess to enjoying a good story of evil getting its due, if I find negative mindsets toward others (or even myself) creeping into my theology and defining the intentions of God I know that it's time for me to sit with Papa and figure out how to deal with my own heart. It's time for me to make sure I'm not the one who will face some of that 'recompense'. I have full faith in the completed work of the cross and total faith in my identity as a daughter of God - that doesn't mean that Papa won't set me straight.
Yes, there are places in the Bible where Jesus (and others) said harsh things and spoke of consequences to evil-doing. But a few things:
1 - Jesus' purpose was restorative, not punitive. The hope was that his message would be heard and heeded, not because he gloried in the loss of anyone to the wickedness that they chose....It is not God's will that anyone perish.
2 - Those other people who spoke of consequences in the Bible were called to the Office of Prophet. They spoke to specific situations in specific times and (importantly) their message was often addressed to 'the Church' or to a specific person (like Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar) not to the general public. The office of Prophet is a role in the Church today but it is a tricky thing. If you use 'prophetic prayer' in your church and/or your life, that doesn't make you a Prophet. That makes you someone who utilizes one of the gifts of the Spirit called 'words of knowledge'. Most Prophets do not SEEK to be Prophets or necessarily enjoy having that role. They are rarely self-appointed and they are not a dime a dozen. Just because someone is preaching about how 'we're in and THEY are out!' and has people cheering for the heads of the wicked doesn't mean they are truly a Prophet. I am personally suspect of anyone who has appointed themselves as a Prophet.
For more info on the function prophetic prayer vs. The Office of Prophet, I recommend reading/listening to the teachings of Larry Randolph.
3- Any spiritual punishment or judgment that may befall someone is NOT, NOT, NOT my call. It is not my job - it belongs solely in the hands of Christ whose judgments are perfect. Mine are flawed and tinged with human emotions, pain and/or damage. That's why God told our fore-parents not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Judgment in our hands is like placing the red button of nuclear destruction in the hands of a mad man.
Bottom Line: Shut up and Love People. :)
This is my take as well...Not that I don't believe that there will be some kind of 'recompense for the wicked' (what it looks like I do not know - only God truly knows), I just believe that Jesus' focus and the whole purpose of His work in his ministry, on the cross and in His resurrection was restoration and hope, not destruction and punishment. Scripture says destruction is a work of the enemy.
As difficult as it can be, I believe that hope and restoration should be first and foremost in my heart and mind as well - even in the face of the immense evil that we face in the world. It is what Jesus modeled up until his last breath. Punishment, wrath and anger are not listed as being an outflow of life with the Holy Spirit. For a refresher on the fruit of the Spirit, see Paul's letter to the Galatians 5:22-23...It is also important to note that in the verses before the list of Spiritual fruit, Paul suggests that people who live from a place of strife, anger, dissension, quarreling and things like those are not Kingdom people. Those things are 'of the flesh' (AKA - coming from our limited human perspective, not from the Spirit). I distinguish 'living from' that place with moments of 'righteous anger'. That initial flash of righteous anger should be only the wake up call - from that point I must deal with that emotion and move forward with the heart of Christ. It is unhelpful for everyone If claim to be an ambassador for the Kingdom of God but I am preaching from a place of anger, preaching destruction and wrath rather than the Good News of Christ's restorative work. At that point I am in violation of the core traits of the very Kingdom I claim to speak for. Paul even says that I actually will not inherit the Kingdom of God. We can have a deep discussion on what exactly that means and but it clearly, at the very least, says that I'm not properly representing my Father's ways.
So, even though I confess to enjoying a good story of evil getting its due, if I find negative mindsets toward others (or even myself) creeping into my theology and defining the intentions of God I know that it's time for me to sit with Papa and figure out how to deal with my own heart. It's time for me to make sure I'm not the one who will face some of that 'recompense'. I have full faith in the completed work of the cross and total faith in my identity as a daughter of God - that doesn't mean that Papa won't set me straight.
Yes, there are places in the Bible where Jesus (and others) said harsh things and spoke of consequences to evil-doing. But a few things:
1 - Jesus' purpose was restorative, not punitive. The hope was that his message would be heard and heeded, not because he gloried in the loss of anyone to the wickedness that they chose....It is not God's will that anyone perish.
2 - Those other people who spoke of consequences in the Bible were called to the Office of Prophet. They spoke to specific situations in specific times and (importantly) their message was often addressed to 'the Church' or to a specific person (like Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar) not to the general public. The office of Prophet is a role in the Church today but it is a tricky thing. If you use 'prophetic prayer' in your church and/or your life, that doesn't make you a Prophet. That makes you someone who utilizes one of the gifts of the Spirit called 'words of knowledge'. Most Prophets do not SEEK to be Prophets or necessarily enjoy having that role. They are rarely self-appointed and they are not a dime a dozen. Just because someone is preaching about how 'we're in and THEY are out!' and has people cheering for the heads of the wicked doesn't mean they are truly a Prophet. I am personally suspect of anyone who has appointed themselves as a Prophet.
For more info on the function prophetic prayer vs. The Office of Prophet, I recommend reading/listening to the teachings of Larry Randolph.
3- Any spiritual punishment or judgment that may befall someone is NOT, NOT, NOT my call. It is not my job - it belongs solely in the hands of Christ whose judgments are perfect. Mine are flawed and tinged with human emotions, pain and/or damage. That's why God told our fore-parents not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Judgment in our hands is like placing the red button of nuclear destruction in the hands of a mad man.
Bottom Line: Shut up and Love People. :)
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