[Philetus]

Originally Posted by godrulz

I do not believe that God desired, intended, nor caused the Fall of Lucifer and Man.

I do not believe God intended the majority of humans to end up in the lake of fire.

I do not believe God intended Hitler to kill millions of Jews. He did not intend the rape and murder of children.

Is this not self-evident, based on His character and Word?

Yes it is! And I agree with you 100%. But we were not talking about human atrocities and sinfulness. We were talking about salvation by grace through faith.

The very fact that humans do not always do the will of God is evidence that God must either immediately destroy the world (or allow it to destroy itself) or enter into a loving, saving relationship with them.

I think when we start with the cross instead of the fall, we realize the difference. Calvinism seems to interpret the cross in light of the fall instead of the other way round. God ‘intends’ to have a loving relationship with us regardless of our sin. Therefore He graciously took our sin upon Himself and set us free from the original conditional intent “If you sin you will die” replacing it with “If you repent and believe you will live.” God’s intention to save us is conditional on our repentance.

[Bob Hill]

What God has on His agenda is the rapture of the Body of Christ.

Paul wrote about the rapture. 1 Thes 1:9,10 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

That coming tribulation is not for us members of the Body of Christ. We will be caught up (Raptured) to be with Him forever. 1 Thes 4:14-18 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

In Christ,
Bob Hill

[Bob Hill]

I believe that God is able to change His mind. The broad definition of this belief is “Open Theism”, but sometimes a broad paintbrush includes too much.

Please visit my website, biblicalanswers.com, and you will get a better idea of what I believe.

The open view of God is growing in America, but Calvinists do not like it one bit.

The most important thing that I advise you, who are new to the Open View, is to be sure you are focusing on God and striving to love Him. Then, allow Him to fill you with His fruit of the Spirit so you will continue in your love for your pastor, other Christians, and your friends who may disagree with your open view position.

We know that Christ will come for us some day according to many scripture passages.
1 Th 1:10; 5:9 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 15:50-54 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.

In Christ,
Bob Hill