contributions on Habakuk.nu

Originally posted on August 26, 2008 – by Andre Piet

On Habakuk.nu last week a critical piece could be read in response to what Wim Hoogendijk had brought forward at ‘Flevo’. It displayed great ignorance but nevertheless received quite a bit of support. Reason enough for me to add my two cents as well… Below is a selection of several contributions.

Wim Hoogendijk presented a very serious, Biblically grounded argument at Flevo. Johan Vreugdehil was nowhere at all, as I have heard from both proponents and opponents. Take note: the Flevo organization could find NO ONE else who was willing to take up the challenge against Wim Hoogendijk on purely biblical grounds. NOT EVEN the name that is now mentioned so often in the reactions… Is that not telling? All those ‘leaders’ who afterward cry woe and lament in the ND were not willing (or able) to respond to Wim.

Where are the Bereans who want to examine IN THE SCRIPTURES whether these things are so? That is truly something different from giving answers on autopilot from tradition. Do we prefer to listen to church father Augustine or to the apostle Paul?

————–

My experience is that even people who are vehemently opposed to universal reconciliation, when it comes to unbelieving loved ones, become remarkably “broad.” Then they comfort themselves with the thought that GOD never forsakes the works of His hands. Or with the thought that God loves their loved ones far more than they themselves do.
And of course that is how it is, thank God. The only pity is that their field of vision is so limited…

————–

You hope that GOD will nevertheless, somehow, show grace to dearly loved ones who died in unbelief. That is your ceiling; you do not want to go beyond it. Well then, where you end, that is where I begin. Your ceiling is my floor. Your hope for the few is my certainty for all.
GOD NEVER forsakes the works of His hands (that is, His creatures)!!

————–

Every tongue will one day acclaim that Jesus is Lord. For the glory of God, the Father! (1) All enmity against God will then have been abolished, and hence: universal reconciliation (apokatalaxai ta panta). How will all enmity be abolished? Answer: through the blood of the cross. At least, according to Paul in the letter to the Colossians (2).

Speaking of Luke 15: that chapter shows us that GOD seeks what is lost until He finds it (3). GOD certainly does not coerce—fully agreed. What He does do is open hearts (4) and heal aversion (5). So that all the glory is His! For no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by holy spirit (6).

(1) Phil. 2:10,11
(2) Col. 1:20
(3) Luke 15:4
(4) Acts 16:14
(5) Hos. 14:5
(6) 1 Cor. 12:3

————–

The difference between believers and the rest of humanity is that believers are firstfruits of the great harvest that is yet to come. Believers receive the life of the oncoming eons (the so-called “eternal eonian life”), whereas unbelievers will, after the “Great White Throne,” enter into the “second death.” Only when death, as the last enemy, will have been abolished will GOD become “all in all” (1 Cor. 15:22–28). This will take place after the reign of Christ (“He must be reigning until…”) and therefore also beyond the New Jerusalem in ‘Revelation,’ where there is still mention of reigning and of the Throne of the Lamb (22:2,5).

Insight into these matters has unfortunately been largely lost in church history. Instead of EONS that have both a beginning and an end, people think in terms of an endless “eternity.” This misconception made it possible for the idea to take hold that Christ reigns “unto eternity” and that judgment likewise continues “unto eternity.”

The GOD of the Bible speaks with great seriousness about judgment and punishment, but never without perspective. It is always: “Though He has afflicted, He will also have compassion, according to the abundance of His lovingkindness” (Lam. 3:32).

Delen: