considering ultimate destinies............
considering ultimate destinies............
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Hi PK,
We shall bypass the former sharings for our perspectives have been
amply articulated. We shall let the Spirit of Truth illumine and teach what is resonant with divine Reality.
I will share some on the subject of annihilation noting your stance on it. Among the 3 primary destiny-potentials being ET, annihilation and UR(universal reconciliation)....in order...
ET is the most abominable. The second option of
'annihilation' carries with it its own problems for the concept of souls being 'destroyed' somehow or expunged utterly from existence involves certain metaphysical complexities obviously. This option is surely in some ways more 'merciful' than ET, but problematic nonetheless....as you would agree per your belief in souls existing forever 'somewhere'. I am open to some souls actually suffering the 'second death' as being a
transformation of some kind, but the exact details cannot be fully comprehended, although we might speculate on the 'process'. We know there are variable beliefs about the nature/definition of the 'second death', etc....and all must be taken into account in ones research.
Finally as we consider
UR, it is most consistent with the Universality of the divine Nature and Will.....as each soul as an offspring of God is
ultimately restored to God. This gives God all the glory, honor and power as drawing all to Himself...this drawing Power of Love being all-mighty. This upholds the Triumph of divine Will. Anything less is to make God inadequate, impotent. Of course the issues of 'free will' enter the arena, yet all wills are still forever within the divine Providence and eternal government of the Supreme WILL. Love is Supreme or it is not. The divine Will upholding all existence is 'sovereign' or it is not. Only
if creature-will can in fact choose total rejection of God and make a 'final' and impending choice for self-destruction and this being allowed by divine Providence...can we accept such. - given the possibility of final soul-death....this choice is only granted or possible after all opportunities of salvation have been dismissed and a soul has totally and
finally chosen to forfeit its divine potential and suvivability-value. - only God and his higher tribunals can pass such a judgment upon any soul IMO. (if I took on a concept of soul-annihilation it would probably be one similar as described in the Urantia Papers).
There is still much to consider as we reflect on Gods nature and will, the destiny of souls, and the ultimation of His intended desire for creation being fulfilled. The Bible does not provide
every detail neither can one draw
final conclusions based upon a few passages fraught with translation-difficulties and alternative interpretations. Naturally if one is using only the Bible (limiting oneself to that collection of books as the 'end-all' of revelation or truth)...then their viewpoint will obviously be imperfect, conditioned and biased....all basing the estimation of truth on 'something written'...
assuming it is true because its somehow 'Gods Word'. (this is feeble when not also applying such conclusions under the light of reason). However, when this smacks rationality, spiritual intelligence and logic in the face, its incredible that one still holds to a literal translation of these writings, which fly against the very Spirit of God. But, hey,...that some theology for ya.
paul