God has spoken Judgement

The Faith Question

What do you believe about the coming judgment?

My answer

...Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29)

Going through some of the ideas stated on Judgement made me shudder about some of the statements that represent God's judgement.

In management school, students are taught McGreggor's theory, which is a glorified version of the 'Carrot and Stick' principle of motivating people. The Bible offers such a 'carrot and stick' approach in the form of 'Eternal Preservation v/s Utter Destruction'.

Eternal Preservation

...that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life (John 3:15)

Such a powerful promise of hope is enough to make you fall on your knees with reverence. To think that we may receive the 'Water of Life' is the motivation for so many Christians. Some say this is hypocritical and selfish, but if wanting Him to flow in you in selfish, so be it.

Utter Destruction

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of a living God. (Hebews 10:31)

The switch in the Bible from God - the giver of Eternal Life, to God - the Judge and Destroyer is truely awesome. Personally, I haven't yet come to terms with the kind of Wrath that has been professed during the judgement. Is God telling us that if we don't yield to the 'carrot' we will be maimed by the 'stick'? For some reason, this 'Or else...' proposition is something that I am having trouble understanding.

The books of Romans and Corinthians talks about the corruption of the lands and people taking to false and idol worship, but why does God proclaim in this respect, that He is ...a jealous God (Exodus 20:4-6)? Once again, this confusion leads me back to my earlier discussion on CHOICE. Why would the Lord want Satan to exist in the first place? Is it, that like everyone else, the Devil had a choice, and chose to rebel against God and now awaits jugdement?

...Whole in One