Featured Who is responsible?

No, He warned of the consequences.

If you eat you will surely die.

The lake of fire is called the second death.

It was prepared for the devil and his angels. It just so happens that humankind want to join up, too.

Humankind construct rebellion toward righteousness and God, and justify their decision making by flaunting and mocking God.

God warned, and warned, but humankind disregard.

Even when (as the Revelation reveals) God peals back the curtain and all earth looks into the very throne room of heaven, humankind do not repent. They continue in their nature of rebellion, of mockery, of cursing the God of Heaven, and attempting to hide.

One would think that folks would get the message and in mass repent and turn from their wicked ways, but it is not in their nature. So there are consequences prepared for the demonic in which all unregenerate will regard as eternal home.

 

But who planted the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil right in their midst? Yes, it’s true God never coerced them into eating it, but He put it there Himself, so the fall was part of His plan.

 

For the fourth time…


Again…

So, if sin is not imputed when there is no law, why were the antediluvian ppl destroyed? #RiddleMeThis


Why are you avoiding answering this?

 

Could be it was, but the Scriptures do not make such a distinction.

All it says was that Eve was tricked, and Adam partook knowing full well it was in rebellion to God.

The garden was the only time humankind ever had true freedom of the will. Adam could have chosen righteousness and relied upon God to settle the matter. But He chose to rebel.

From that time all have rebelled and even the Proverbs admit that rebellion is bound in the heart of a child...

 

We are talking about two different things.

 

If the fall was not part of the plan then the cross becomes plan B. I’m not down with that notion.

 

No, there is no plan B with God.

However, neither is there a need to speculate that God intended for humankind to take the plunge.

The fact is that man did and God reversed that action by the cross.

 

why would you consider that we are about two different things?

Did I miss something? Probably did, but interested to know.

 

Well, seeing that nothing happens outside His decreed will…

 

You are talking about the choice to partake in punishment, I'm talking about the creation of the punishment.

 

I agree, but what you stated in addition to that, conditions salvation upon something that a person does.
That's not grace, that is works ( Romans 4:4, Romans 11:5-6 ).

If God has to rely on anything outside of Himself to save someone, then that is merit.
Respectfully, this has been explained before, my friend.


I'm sorry sir, but God's wrath towards sinners was not appeased by their belief on His Son.
It was appeased by His Son acting for the benefit of God's elect children, chosen in Him from the foundation of the world ( Ephesians 1:3-14 ).

Salvation and the privilege to know God cannot be purchased by us,
and the Bible does not teach it being based upon our belief or our faith... or our repentance.

Those are all products of His grace and mercy on someone.

 

Precisely.
Lack of merit is exactly what "unconditional election" ( God's choice of the sinner to salvation apart from anything they ever did ) guarantees.
Not only that, but it also completely rules out works and any possibility of us taking credit for anything other than His mercy and grace.

They are one and the same.
The only way it is unmerited, is if it is unconditional.

Any other way makes salvation into a reward for something that we bring to the table, AKA merit.

Basically put,
What you are describing is exactly the same as a market-based deal...

The seller requires something from the buyer, who then contributes it as part of the deal.
The buyer then responds ( makes an effort ) by meeting the requirement to gain possession of that which they desired.
The purchase complete, both sides are now satisfied with the transaction.

But that is not the way God's gifts of salvation and eternal life work.
They are gifts, not rewards.
They are not of works, lest any man should boast ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ).

They are bestowed by God apart from merit...of any kind.

 

Oh, I think I understand. Thank you for your kind patience!

In my mind, I cannot seem to acquire a more suitable punishment.

The attributes the Scripture give concerning that place of torment seem to me beyond the human capacity to grasp in total.

Maybe that is why the Catholics and Mormons construct some levels in which eventually all will achieve bliss.

Some consider soul annihilation the proper way to view things - that is a topic that is banned on the BB and I only mention it here to show how some in avoidance of truth turn to a lie.

Some consider merely denial of its existence will make it go away.

But why would God select such an everlasting abode for those of the rebellion?

I wonder if that would be a good topic for the BB?

 

Another false idea and a caricature. Another attempt to blame God.