Do the 'righteous' get an exemption from God's Judgment? Let's discuss!

 

The 'message' of Job is that the 'righteous' do not get an exemption from God's Judgment! The Rapture concept (adopted by millions of Christians) does not mean the 'righteous' will get to escape from our planet's problems. This seems obvious to me! God is no respecter of persons!

Job's wisdom was revealed during his trial period. He did not agree with his wife's viewpoint! He stayed firm in his view that God's Judgment is valid in times of good and in times of evil!

This concept is misinterpreted when preachers espouse that an 'escape' into the clouds above is the destiny of select believers. John, on Patmos, did not escape. His vision left him solidly on our planet. Revelation 4:1 should be interpreted as a spiritual (consciousness) ascension to the Throne Room (with the body remaining solidly on planet earth). Similar to a out-of- body experience!

                                       

This scripture in Revelation 4:1 reveals John's mental ascension to God's throne room. All this took place within the consciousness of John as he experienced his vision on Patmos. He did not get 'raptured' into the clouds so as to 'escape' from reality. This rapture idea is totally fallacious IMO!

Today, I witness a growing body of spiritual thinkers who desire to escape from the trials and tribulations on this planet. Preachers are espousing this idea that the 'righteous' are destined to escape these tribulations as they are part of the bride of Christ. This teaching, to me, is totally fallacious and misleading. The message of 'righteous' Job is that he did not escape God's Judgment. He endured and then was rewarded for his 'integrity'. This, to me, is the correct interpretation for believers to adopt.

The message in the book of Job is meant as a teaching parable for those who desire to seek 'righteousness' and human integrity of character. We must endure the Judgment of our Creator and then hope for salvation at the end. The other message is that 'if those days should not be shortened, no flesh shall survive...but for the elects sake those days WILL BE shortened. This implies endurance not escape! See the message here:

What eventually happened to Job after his trial with God's adversary, Satan? Did he get rewarded for his integrity? I think so! Job was rewarded with new children and new wealth. This message gives us the HOPE for salvation from our current tribulations (financial and otherwise). My reading of the book of Job was a study during my college days when I took a philosophy class. It has continued to be a meaningful message for me today.

The message in Job is that we must continue to accept both good and bad as we live our lives on this planet. The GOOD is easy to accept but the bad is difficult. What seems relevant is that our Creator God is the author of both good and bad. What we call 'evil' is part of God's plan for his people to experience. Can good be experienced without evil? I don't think so! God is the author of both.

Our Creator God is a Sovereign King who allows evil to flourish for a season. The message of history is clear to me. God is more than mere LOVE and Happiness! God is also a Sovereign Judge who uses the negative to produce a result which is meaningful. This seems difficult to accept as we all desire GOOD continually. But the experience of OPPOSITES seems to be the message of scripture.

The idea of opposites seems necessary for human growth in understanding and character. How can I learn what is good if I experience no opposite? How can I label a wrong without there also being a right? Can I know what is Good (say with drink or food) without also having an idea of the opposite? Is light meaningful if there is no darkness? Opposites are absolutely necessary if I am to grow in character and wisdom! That seems axiomatic to me.

It appears to me that change can happen SUDDENLY and quickly. As I write our financial markets are mostly positive and growing. But all this could change in a moments notice. We live in a world where sudden change can emerge within hours. Today, all is going rather well. But what will tomorrow bring? Does anyone KNOW? I don't think so! The future is totally uncertain and none can discern precisely what will happen. Personally, I sense some difficulty ahead. But I am unable to discern this PRECISELY!

With algo's running our electronic markets, we could experience a crash in minutes. In one day the markets could go from prosperity to depression. From positive to negative. It's all uncertain and my sense is that no-one has total control. When the time is right, the bubbles will get pricked. Today, we have bubbles in stocks, housing, commercial real estate, treasuries, and commodities. The message for today, is that OPPOSITES do happen suddenly. Emotions can go from peace to war, prosperity to survival, positive to negative in a matter of minutes. What a world we live in/with! Who can escape this planet's problems? 

Have a good day! Hope will eventually prevail is my mantra! I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com.

http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com