You seem upset, Andy. I'm sorry if I offended you. The analysis of Matt 25: told me more about you, than all your other posts put together. No one is forcing you to worship God. I don't know why you're so upset about Churches and denominations, perhaps you've had a bad experience. That wouldn't shock me, since it's common for many Adventist churches to be stifling, and legalistic, on top of their dubious, and unorthodox doctrine. Why do you give a hoot about Hell anyway? If you don't believe in God, why sweat it?
I will say this about the lack of the specific mention of Hell in Matt 25; Perhaps the reason that Hell is not mentioned specifically, is that the ultimate destination for Satan and his angels is not Hell, but "THE LAKE OF FIRE". Revelation 20: speaks of an ultimate judgement for Man and Angel, at the "great white throne". There, Death and Hell are cast along with Satan, his Angels and all the people who's names were not "found written in the book of life" . If you read both passages together (in context, that always helps) I think you will have to admit that the idea of;
(1) A final judgement will one day take place, for all of God's creatures, Human and Angelic.
(2)This judgement involves punishment
(3)The duration of this punishment, is everlasting.
BTW I attend a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church which oddly enough has roots in both Presbyterianism, and the Pentecostal movement. I don't agree with 100% of their doctrine but they fall, within the circle of orthodoxy, as do many other denominations. I don't think mine has all the answers but it has the most important one.
How can a fallen and sinful human being, come into a relationship with a Holy, living, God?
The bible is very clear, it is not by works, but by God's grace, through faith in the substitutionary atonement of His Son on the cross. Christ took the penalty for our sin, and imputed His righteousness to whoever receives Him in faith. That is the Gospel Andy. Any church that does not preach that, puts themselves outside the teaching of the bible on the central issue. That is why there was a Reformation. You can draw your own conclusions as to who's in and who's out, but if you are following Ellen G white, then you are following someone who is a proven false prophet. It's my understanding that there are some Adventist Churches that are more evangelical,(and by that I mean biblical) in their doctrine. Those Churches would probably fall within the circle I spoke of, as well. Anyway again, I'm sorry if I offended you.
Have a good evening
Greg |
