My notes from today’s reading:
Yes, just like Pharoah was held accountable for his actions, even though God hardened his heart.
The verse goes on to say "to us in Christ Jesus." God reveals Himself fully to those who are "in Christ Jesus."
But in what sense? Captives are often forced to bow before a king, just before they are executed.
Interesting passage. It points out that not only will all bow, but all will "swear allegiance." This doesn't sound like a forced confession. But the passage also goes on to clarify it's talking about "all the offspring of Israel." Of course, we know from the New Testament that the offspring of Israel are not of the flesh, but of the Spirit. So I could really see this passage going either way.
Does Satan and his demons "know" this? Yet they still rebel.
I know universalists are divided on this issue, but this would seem to say that God is cruel for keeping Satan and his demons in bondage forever. I know some think they will either be annihilated or even reconciled to God, but many don't. So if there's room for God to punishment these forever, how is it any different for God to punish people forever? Oh, because WE'RE people, and we don't like the idea of God punishing one of US. But from God's perspective, it's the same.
Or, "God desires." The common understanding of this is that God desires some things, but has greater desires of other things, such as Him being glorified in His judgment. For example, we could say today that God desires that we not sin, yet His greater desire is to allow us to sin so that we would glorify Him either by crying out for His grace, or else be judged in His wrath. But I see the author's point that God gets what He desires, and that the word (according to him and others) for desires/wills means that He wants it and will bring it about.
An interesting question, which, of course, no genuine believer would ask God, because it is quite accusatory. An unbeliever might ask it, not to God, of course, but to justify himself in his unbelief. God's response to that person is to repent and believe. The gospel is available to all people. And, anticipating the response that the unbeliever is not able to be saved unless God enables him, I point out that the author just quoted John Wesley, that a person "could be saved without the loss of liberty." We can't blame God if we don't repent. It's our own rebellion that condemns us, and as long as we're alive, God offers salvation in Christ through faith.
Not quite. I do see the rationale for universal reconciliation, but to say that the pillars have crumbled makes it sound like it's not rational for Christians to believe it. It still stands as a valid viewpoint.
This kind of puts a kink in the works for the whole "two wills of God" theory. The LXX even translates "desires" using the same word (forms of thelo) that's found in 1 Tim 2:4. Very interesting. The only difference is the tense (Job 23:13 is aorist, and 1 Tim 2:4 is present).
Also very interesting. Uses the same Hebrew word for "pleases" as "pleasure" in Eze 33:11 (חפץ), except there is a prefix on the one in Eze 33:11, which just makes it a first person verb.
Again, same word as Eze 3:11